Looking for a morning cup of coffee? Purchasing a cup of coffee from the gas station down the street rather than a coffee shop nearby isn't that uncommon. More and more convenience stores are investing in high-quality coffee to increase sales– and it's working! Due to the importance of coffee in C-stores, and staying current with the trends, we looked at two main areas where C-stores can increase their foodservice sales with coffee.
In 2017, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) found that hot dispensed beverages were the second largest category in foodservice, with coffee at the top in sales, and cappuccinos and refills also high on the list (Convenience Store Decisions). Fresh coffee continues to be an important service because it allows customers to purchase their coffee fast, fresh, and for little money. By offering this fast and inexpensive service, it's not unlikely for customers to purchase something else, such as a pastry or newspaper while stopping in for their daily cup of coffee.
In order to continue seeing regular customers for coffee, there are two essential steps. One, investing in high-quality coffee, and two, having a clean and organized coffee bar. Inquire coffee from a local or well-known roaster to impress guests. As for setting up a coffee station, whether you're looking to serve two or ten roasts of coffee, a clean and approachable self-service station is easy to put together with little coffee equipment. See how easy it is to put together a coffee station here.
There is an increasingly large demand for cold brew coffee, and the sales continue to rise each year. Technomic's reported that they are seeing a 57% year-over-year increase of iced coffee items being included on C-store menus (CSP Daily News). Cold brew is attractive to coffee consumers because of its low acidity and strong caffeine content, making for a smooth coffee drink. Customers, especially those of the younger generations, are seeking for companies to be innovative with their menu.
Cold brew can be made in large batches and stored for up to seven days. Offering hot and cold coffee beverages entices multiple coffee consumers. In 2017, it was reported that 3% of coffee sales for C-stores came from cold brew. Cold brew is viewed as a premium product, and is averaged 12% higher in price than iced coffee, making for higher profit margins. Our all-in-one Cold Brew 'N' Serv™ System is a great way to make and serve cold brew in your store. Learn more benefits about cold brew here.
Convenience stores are no longer just a necessity for filling up your gas tank. Instead, they have become an obvious place to pick up your daily coffee, snack, or just take a break. Introducing new specialty coffee drinks, and investing in quality coffee can help attract new customers, as well as keep your regular customers coming back every day.