Convenience stores boast the highest purchase frequency of hot coffee across foodservice, outperforming both quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and coffee shops/cafes, with more than half of c-store consumers buying at least weekly.
This information comes from CSP sister research arm Technomic’s C-Store Consumer Market Brief for the second quarter of 2025.
“The convenience factor significantly contributes to consumer choice as c-stores excel in speed of service, price and overall value compared to other channels,” Chicago-based Technomic said.
However, the report added, “C-store hot coffee lags on freshness, variety and uniqueness perceptions vs. coffee cafes.”
The morning daypart captures the majority of c-store hot coffee sales, with consumers typically pairing their purchases with fresh bakery items, Technomic said, adding that hot coffee occasions are largely planned, suggesting loyalty to c-store coffee programs.
The report also noted that on their last convenience-store foodservice occasion, consumers spent an average of $14 on prepared food and beverages, purchases that predominantly took place during lunch and afternoon snack dayparts, with most transactions being unplanned.
Cold Coffee
While c-store hot coffee sales are mostly in the morning, c-store cold coffee sales perform strongly throughout the day, particularly during afternoon snacking and lunch occasions, where just over a third of consumers purchase during those dayparts, Technomic said.
“C-store cold coffee purchase frequency is in line with QSR and coffee cafe operators, with just over a third of c-store consumers purchasing at least once a week, confirming the competitive intensity of this category,” Technomic said, adding that the cold coffee category at c-stores benefits from customization through self-serve condiments and toppings as a key strength, leading to high consumer perceptions of uniqueness.
However, Technomic added, “The category falls behind coffee cafes when it comes to quality and selection/variety.”
More Entering Stores
The report also discussed the frequency of customers entering the store when fueling or charging their vehicle. The frequency, Technomic said, reached its highest peak in the last two years at 67%, up 9 percentage points from last quarter.
“This suggests that c-store visitation has increased,” Technomic said. “Some of this rise in traffic can be attributed to seasonal higher temperatures.”
Upon entering the store, c-store consumers said they are buying prepared beverages and foods at a much higher rate than last quarter (up 25 percentage points for prepared beverages and 18 percentage points for prepared foods).
“This uptick in traffic and foodservice purchasing may point to consumers leaning on c-store foodservice in today’s unpredictable, inflationary environment,” Technomic said.
When purchasing hot and cold coffee, the important attributes are:
- Price: 52% for hot, 51% for cold
- Selection of coffee options: 47% for hot, 41% for cold
- Availability of preferred condiments: 42% for hot, 43% for cold
- Variety of cup size options: 31% for hot, 29% for cold
- Preferred coffee format is offered at the location: 29% for hot, 31% for cold
- Preferred coffee brand is offered at the location: 28% for hot, 29% for cold
- Preferred roast is offered at the location: 22% for hot, 20% for cold
- Promotions/limited-time offers: 17% for hot, 20% for cold
The preferred hot coffee equipment in c-stores is:
- Hot coffee brewer/dispenser: 60%
- Hot specialty coffee machine: 48%
- Made-to-order hot coffee: 34%
- Bean-to-cup coffee system: 28%
- Barista-style espresso machine: 27%
The survey results are from 979 c-store consumers who purchase hot coffee at c-stores and, for the cold results, from 770 c-store consumers who purchase cold coffee at c-stores.
“Cold coffee is a competitive category. To increase frequency, c-store operators should promote speed and self-serve customizability in differentiating their cold coffee offerings from competitors,” Technomic said. “Highlighting the ability for customers to quickly personalize their beverages themselves creates a compelling alternative to the offerings at QSRs and coffee cafes.
In addition, suppliers can support operators in developing strategic daypart promotions that extend beyond morning hours, particularly targeting lunch and afternoon periods to maximize sales throughout the day, Technomic said.
“Additionally, creating targeted combo offers that pair cold coffee with lunch or afternoon food items can drive purchases during traditionally slower periods,” Technomic said, adding that expanding variety through seasonal offerings and limited-time flavors will help address the challenges of selection and variety.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.