3 Ways C-Stores Are Competing With Fast Food

CHICAGO -- As quick-service restaurants churn out all manner of dollar menus, bundle deals and happy hours, some convenience stores are seeing penny-pinching consumers flee to cheaper pastures. “Competition is tough out there for this [price-oriented] customer, so it’s not exactly going to be handed to us on a platter,” said Alan Beach, former senior vice president of merchandising for 7-Eleven Inc., Irving, Texas, speaking independently at this year’s NACS State of the Industry Summit.

Many restaurants in the segment are winning market share because they’re focusing on value, Beach said.

Check out three operators that are elbowing their way to the top of the foodservice food chain with promotions. ...

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock 

This summer, Speedway LLC, Enon, Ohio, introduced a tiered dollar menu that spans all dayparts. At the $1 level, customers can choose from a sausage and cheese muffin; tornados; a rib hoagie; or 16-ounce iced coffee. For $2, they can get a bacon, sausage, egg and cheese croissant; nachos; or three-piece chicken tenders. A $3 price point will get customers a bacon, sausage, egg and cheese bagel; a cheesesteak hoagie; or mega stuffers, a stuffed-crust hot item.

On the Sheetz Inc. website, the chain advertises that customers can order online meal deals starting at $2.99. For less than $3, they can bag two dogs, fries and any size fountain drink.

The Altoona, Pa.-based chain has nine other meals, including grilled chicken and a burger, for less than $5.

Westborough, Mass.-based Cumberland Farms is zeroing in on breakfast. The chain’s new a.m. meal deal includes a breakfast sandwich, coffee and an order of hash browns. The promotion started in mid-August and will run until Sept. 4.

Photo courtesy of Cumberland Farms