Food-safety concerns are driving consumers away from c-stores, study finds

CHICAGO, December 15, 2025 — Doubt about the freshness of convenience-store food has long been regarded as the key challenge in the sector’s effort to steal business from quick-service restaurants. Now research has revealed a fear of being sickened is prompting 4 of 5 potential patrons to reconsider buying something to eat.

Conversely, only 9% trust ready-to-eat c-store fare to not be contaminated or spoiled. 

The fear extends to both hot and cold selections: 41% of the surveyed consumers said they don’t buy packaged salads in a c-store because of food-safety concerns, while 39% said they won’t buy a hot burrito for the same reason.

Consumers who venture into a store often decide whether to buy food on the basis of a cleanliness assessment, according to the data, which was compiled by the research house Pollfish for the retail technology firm Logile. The latter’s business extends to advising c-stores on how to keep their food safe to eat.

Fifty-six percent of the respondents said they had decided not to buy a food item because the equipment used to prepare or present it was visibly dirty. 

Yet visual cues could work to an establishment’s advantage, the research revealed. A third of respondents said they would be more likely to purchase a ready-to-eat food item if the store’s product-rotation or cleaning schedule were clearly visible.

Similarly, 67% of the surveyed consumers say they want to see for themselves that food items are freshly prepared.

“That’s why it’s critical to equip associates with the processes and systems they need to maintain rigorous food safety protocols, consistent delivery of quality fresh foods, and a clean, well-maintained environment,” said Logile CEO Purna Mishra.

The research is based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers.

Its release comes as the c-store business is striving to sell more ready-to-eat foods as an offset to declining tobacco, gasoline, and beer sales.