Coffee is a staple for many consumers at breakfast, but it's increasingly become a popular beverage any time of day. And convenience-store operators need to be ready to serve their customers a fresh cup whenever the mood for coffee strikes.
At convenience stores, coffee reigns supreme
Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the US, after water, and American coffee drinkers consume 2.8 cups per day, according to the latest National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) report. And these days, consumers get their coffee from a variety of locations, including convenience stores that they trust to serve up a high-quality cup of joe.
A whopping 68% of C-store consumers agree that convenience stores are just as capable of offering quality cold coffee as fast-food restaurants and coffee shops, according to Technomic Q2 2025 C-Store Consumer Market Brief. The same research found that convenience stores have the highest purchase frequency of hot coffee across foodservice, outperforming both quick-service restaurants and coffee shops and cafes, with more than half of C-store consumers buying at least weekly.
It's coffee time any time
Consumers want coffee throughout the day, and convenience stores, which often maintain longer hours than coffee shops, are at a great advantage to cater to these consumers.
The latest report from the NCDT details how coffee habits break down by time of day, and illustrates the opportunity for sales through various dayparts. Breakfast was the most popular time for a cup of coffee, with 85% of respondents saying they had a cup during that mealtime on the previous day. Some 34% of respondents also said the morning daypart generally was a great time for a cup of coffee. About 20% said they had had a cup in the afternoon or with lunch. Respondents also said they had a cup during dinner (9%) or in the evening (11%).
Reports like this one underscore the importance for convenience-store operators to maintain fresh and accessible coffee throughout the day.
Keeping up with fresh coffee
Maintaining fresh coffee all day long can strain the resources of a convenience store. But the BUNN Premia® serves the same cup profile from morning to night. Consumers and operators alike appreciate the automated grinding, brewing, and freshness management processes, which ensure a quality cup of coffee with minimal waste. The brew-on-demand option also limits overproduction during slower dayparts.
The BUNN Premia® delivers the caliber of coffee customers are expecting. It utilizes an intelligent reservoir management system, which schedules brewing to maintain the set fill levels in the internal Soft Heat® reservoir. The system automatically monitors freshness and drains expired coffee and brews to refill the reservoir, so coffee is available for instant dispense during peak demand hours.
Chairil McClain, BUNN's Vice President of Product Strategy said "BUNN’s Premia is truly the future of coffee brewing technology and program management. It gives convenience store operators actionable insights and the flexibility to fine-tune their coffee programs in ways that make the most sense for their business."
BUNN Soft Heat technology provides controlled heat to brewed coffee within the reservoir whenever it's docked on the brewer, ensuring ideal holding temperatures and optimal flavor even during slower dayparts. But when it does get busy, the BUNN Premia® can hold up under frequent use. The reservoirs are completely modernized, ergonomic, light weight, energy efficient, and constructed to withstand the demands of the convenience-store environment. Consumers can easily pour their coffee and be on their way at any time of day.
Discover how the BUNN Premia® can streamline all-day quality coffee service for your convenience store. Visit BUNN for more information on the BUNN Premia®.
This post is sponsored by BUNN