From Hot Dogs to Hydration: What Grubhub Data Tells Us About C-Store Trends

As you already know, the convenience store industry has always evolved rapidly, driven by changes in consumer preferences and purchasing behaviors. While we’ve long known that consumers are becoming more health-conscious, the latest 2024 trend reports reveal a fascinating blend of indulgence and wellness shaping the future of c-stores.

From Grubhub’s annual consumer data to comprehensive industry analyses by NielsenIQ, Mintel, and others, it’s clear that staying ahead requires more than intuition – it demands a data-driven approach. By leveraging insights from these reports and tools like back office software, c-store owners can optimize their inventory to reflect emerging trends, ensuring they meet customer expectations and drive profitability.

The Dual Demand for Indulgence and Wellness

Indulgent Classics Still Dominate

Grubhub’s 2024 Delivered Report underscores the enduring popularity of comfort foods. Made-to-order hot dogs topped the list of most-ordered c-store items, with sodas like Dr Pepper following closely. Potato chips, a long-time favorite, saw a 6.3% increase in sales, reaching $2.43 billion. These indulgent staples remain essential for any for any c-store’s inventory.

However, the success of these items doesn’t mean there’s no room for change. Reports like NielsonIQ’s 2024 State of Convenience highlight that customers are increasingly seeking value for money and bold flavors, including spicy snacks, to elevate their experience.

Wellness on the Rise

Health-conscious products are no longer niche; they’re mainstream. Grubhub’s data shows bananas as the second most popular order, while functional beverages like probiotic sodas experienced a 210% sales growth last year. NielsenIQ adds that flavored hydration drinks enriched with electrolytes are surging in the demand, driven by a focus on wellness.

Mintel’s 2024 Convenience Store Market Report confirms this trend, emphasizing the growing role of c-stores in offering fresh, healthy, and functional foods. This aligns with Intouch Insight’s finding that 56% of consumers now see c-stores as alternatives to quick-service restaurants (QSRs) due to the improved quality and variety of their offerings.

Prepared Foods Are Driving Growth

According to Circana’s 2024 Convenience Store Landscape, prepared foods have become a cornerstone of c-store success, with sales growing 12.2% year-over-year. Consumers increasingly seek ready-to-eat meals that are quick, high-quality, and competitively prices compared to QSRs.
Nestlé Professional’s Top 2024 Food Trends report further highlights the importance of offering fresh, nutritious meals alongside indulgent options, ensuring that stores cater to diverse dietary preferences.

Sustainable Practices: A Growing Priority

Sustainability is becoming a competitive differentiator in the c-store sector. Intouch Insight’s Convenience Store Trends Report 2024notes that consumers, particularly younger ones, value stores that embrace eco-friendly practices, such as reducing waste and installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

This focus on sustainability ties into the broader trend of improving customer experiences and building long-term brand loyalty.

Leveraging Data-Driven Tools for Inventory Success

With the breadth of available data, how can c-store owners turn these insights into actionable strategies? The answer lies in adopting back office software to manage inventory and make data-driven decisions. Here’s how:

1. Track Consumer Preferences: Use sales data to identify best-selling products and trends. For example, if Grubhub data shows bananas as a top seller, cross-reference it with in-store sales to decide if you should expand your fresh produce section.
2. Optimize Product Mix: Balance indulgent items like chips and candy with healthier options like probiotic drinks and granola bars. Mintel’s report suggest that consumers appreciate variety, so stock a mix of bold, flavorful snacks alongside functional beverages.
3. Monitor Seasonal Trends: Circana’s reports emphasize the importance of anticipating seasonal demand spikes. For instance, hydration drinks may see a surge in summer, while indulgent foods might dominate winter sales.
4. Enhanced Prepared Food Offerings: With prepared foods driving significant growth, back office tools can help track which items perform best and reduce waste from underperforming products.
5. Stay Agile: Real-time insights allow you to adapt quickly. For example, if probiotic sodas are trending nationally, ensure your store is stocked to meet the demand.

Future Trends to Watch

Looking ahead, store owners should also prepare for:

• AI Integration in Foodservice: Automating processes like inventory tracking and personalized promotions.
• Sustainable Innovation: Offering eco-friendly packaging and promoting local products.
• Unique Experiences: Creating limited-time product offerings to capture consumer interest, as noted in Food Dive’s 6 Food Trends to Watch in 2025.

Key Recommendations for C-Store Owners

1. Embrace Variety: Stock products that appeal to both traditional snackers and health-conscious consumers.
2. Leverage Technology: Invest in back office software, like mercury|One, to gain actionable insights and improve efficiency.
3. Highlight Wellness: Promote functional beverages, fresh foods, and healthy snacks prominently in-store and online.
4. Focus on Quality: Invest in prepared foods to compete with QSRs and attract busy customers.
5. Stay Informed: Regularly review consumer trend reports to stay ahead of emerging demands.

Conclusion:

The c-store industry is at a transformative juncture, blending indulgent classics with modern wellness trends. By leveraging insights from Grubhub, NielsenIQ, Mintel, and others, store owners can create a customer-centric product mix that drives sales and loyalty.

With the right data-driven tools and a forward-thinking approach, c-store can thrive in this dynamic landscape. From hot dogs to hydration drinks, the future of convenience is about meeting consumers where they are-balancing tradition with innovation.

Take the Next Step

Ready to optimize your c-store with the power of data? Contact us today to explore back office software solutions tailored to your business and receive your free store evaluation.