Tech-Savvy C-Stores vs. QSRs

CHICAGO -- As convenience stores increasingly invest in customer-facing technology, it's more important than ever to understand how willing younger customers are to engage with technology at c-stores in comparison to limited-service restaurants.

Sharpening the competitive edge is one reason c-stores are implementing customer-facing tech amenities in foodservice programs, and convenience retailers appear to be winning against fast-food operators, particularly with younger consumers.

Recent research conducted by Technomic revealed the following findings from the consumer perspective ...

About two out of three millennials (64%) say that they're likely to use touchscreen kiosks for foodservice orders and payment if available in a c-store, vs. 41% who say they'd do so in a limited-service restaurant.

Overall, 41% of consumers say that technology improves speed of service at c-stores, resulting in a speedier visit than what they would find at a quick-service restaurant.

Specifically, 50% of Gen Z and 47% of millennial consumers agree that speed of service is better at c-stores than QSRs.

When asked to gauge how the availability of technology impacts the overall visit, 56% of consumers say technology improves their c-store foodservice experience, compared to 48% of those who say the same for the quick-service restaurants.