Sodexo Brings 100 Food Hive Stores to College Campuses
Food service giant Sodexo plans to open nearly 100 "Food Hive" locations on campuses nationwide by 2026. The company has already started the process, aiming to launch about 30 new college convenience stores during the current 2024-25 academic year.
7-Eleven to Open 500 New Stores Focused on Fresh Food
7-Eleven is going big on food and "frictionless shopping." The convenience store giant plans to open 500 new "food-forward" locations across the U.S. from 2025 to 2027. The expansion builds on 7-Eleven's "Evolution" store concept, first launched in Dallas in 2019. These larger-format stores feature in-store restaurants, premium products like craft beer and cigars, and an emphasis on fresh, grab-and-go meals.
Amazon Tests Small-Format Grocery Concept in Chicago
Amazon has quietly opened a new type of grocery store in downtown Chicago. Called Amazon Grocery, the 3,800-square-foot store is a testing ground for Amazon's latest experiment in brick-and-mortar retail. The first Amazon Grocery location shares a building with a Whole Foods Market, which Amazon purchased in 2017.
Convenience Stores Aim to Be the New Fast Food Alternative
The value meal promotions from various fast food chains are this year's trend of luring in value-seeking diners. Now, convenience stores are firing back with deals of their own. These retailers, better known for grab-and-go snacks and last-minute essentials, are now offering full meals at prices that rival the biggest names in burgers and fries.
Consumers Rate Wawa as Best Convenience Store in National Poll
A new survey shows that when it comes to convenience stores, one Pennsylvania-based chain rises above the rest in customer satisfaction. Wawa claimed the top spot in the first-ever American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Convenience Store Study with a score of 82 out of 100. Close behind were QuikTrip (81), Buc-ee's (80), and Murphy USA (80). The industry average was 76.
How Buc-ee's Became a Roadtrip Destination Store
Texas-born Buc-ee's is changing the way people think about gas stations and convenience stores. This chain is known for its huge stores along highways, some with over 100 fuel pumps. With its funny billboard ads, award-winning clean bathrooms, and branded items Buc-ee’s is hard to miss. The company wants people to actually plan to stop at Buc-ee's during road trips, not just go there as a last resort. And it's working - the chain has a huge fan base, with Facebook groups dedicated to Buc-ee's having hundreds of thousands of members.
Sheetz Wants to Expand in Detroit, but Not Everyone Agrees
Sheetz Inc., the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain, is making big moves in the Motor City. The company announced plans to open four more locations across metro Detroit, weeks before opening its first Michigan location. The first Michigan Sheetz will open its doors in late summer at 33380 Wick Road in Romulus. More locations are planned for Taylor, Warren, and Macomb Township, each employing around 30 people, mostly full-time.
Love's Travel Stops Brings Games to Work
Love's Travel Stops is rolling out a new system that turns work into a game for its restaurant employees. Picture this: Three big screens in each restaurant, tracking how fast workers greet customers, take orders, and hand out food. It's not just for show - early results say it's making service 11 seconds faster on average. "These monitors track key performance metrics in real-time, such as greet times, order processing times and the time it takes for food handoff," Love's explains. The system creates a more interactive environment, fostering friendly competition between stores.
Wawa's Expansion Brings $1.2 Billion Investment to Midwest
Wawa, the beloved Delaware County convenience store chain, is pushing westward. This month, the company broke ground on its first locations in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, kicking off an ambitious Midwest expansion plan. The numbers are impressive. Wawa plans to open up to 160 stores across the three states over the next five to eight years. This represents a $1.2 billion investment and could create around 5,600 new jobs. Each store costs about $7.5 million to build and employs roughly 35 people.
The Rise of Destination Convenience Stores: 43% of Americans Drive Past Other Options for Their Favorite Spots
Gone are the days when convenience stores were just quick pit stops. A new survey from Vontier reveals that they becoming destinations themselves, with road trippers willing to go the extra mile (literally) for their favorite spots. Imagine driving past several gas stations, emptying your tank, just to reach your preferred convenience store. Well, 43% of Americans say they would do just that. Moreover, nearly 80% would go out of their way to visit their favorite store, even if it means passing other options.