3 Healthy-Foodservice Insights

CHICAGO — As consumers piece together evolving definitions of health and convenience, c-store foodservice operations are being asked to be a healthy choice, a tasty treat and the easiest option in 2019. Here are some data points to help operators meet those parameters …

About 10% of consumers who say they’re visiting new health-food destinations now go to convenience stores for wholesome items, according to Technomic’s 2018 U.S. Heathy Eating Consumer Trend Report. However, limited-service eateries are also popular with health-conscious consumers. Quick-service restaurants are attracting about 26% of these consumers, and fast casual has won over 67% of younger consumers looking for healthier options.

Some diners indulge for fun, while others are unable to afford healthier options, according to the Technomic report. Consumers who eat more indulgent than healthy foods are more likely than their counterparts to earn less than $25,000 a year. Besides an old-fashioned craving, the top reason consumers order an unhealthy item is because they want to treat themselves, which is up 38% in the past three years.

Only about 7% of consumers currently get foodservice items delivered from convenience stores, according to CSP and Technomic’s Winning the War for Convenience Report [CSP—Oct. ’18, p. 40]. And younger consumers are more likely to take advantage of retailers’ delivery services: About twice as many 18- to 24-year-olds get c-store food delivered than other age groups.

Related: Foodservice Trend Tipping

Click here for the complete 2019 Dispensed Beverage Report.