CHICAGO, April 20, 2026 — Welcome to a new feature recapping the latest food-away-from-home-related developments at convenience and grocery stores.
NACS, the big convenience-store association, released its annual State of the Industry report this week and, once again, c-store foodservice continues its upward trajectory. Foodservice remains the biggest driver of in-store sales at c-stores, accounting for 28.5% of total sales in 2025, NACS reported. In 2005, foodservice programs made up just 11.9% of c-store sales. What’s more, foodservice accounted for 38.9% of in-store gross profit dollars last year, NACS said. Prepared foods such as pizza, chicken, burgers and more remained the most successful segment, accounting for 73.9% of all foodservice sales. That’s up from 66.4% in 2021, NACS said. Overall, combined foodservice and merchandise at c-stores totaled $341.2 billion in 2025, up 1.7% from the prior year. The overall number of convenience stores shrunk by 0.2% last year, to 151,975 U.S. stores.
7-Eleven, the largest c-store operator in the country, revealed in financial filings this week that it intends to close 645 stores during fiscal 2026 while opening just over 205 new locations. The convenience giant has more than 13,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada in its portfolio. Seven & i, the Tokyo-based parent company of 7-Eleven, earlier this month said it would delay plans for a North American initial public offering (IPO) for at least a year due to ongoing consumer uncertainty, declining gasoline demands and a corporate turnaround plan that has yet to fully bear fruit.
Prepared foods sales at the grocery deli increased in March in both dollars and units, according to the latest figures from research firm Circana and industry analyst 210 Analytics. Deli prepared foods generated $2.4 billion in sales in March, up 1.6% from the year-ago period. Total units sold in the category increased 2.3% during the period. For the latest 52-week period, deli prepared foods have tallied $31.7 billion in sales, an increase of 3.7% from the same period a year ago. Units sold rose 3.3% during the period. The report noted that restaurant trips declined 2% year over year in March, while deli prepared foods continue to be strong sellers. The top-performing category in March was entrees, which includes sushi, sandwiches and appetizers. Combo meal sales took a 7.3% dip in March, though they are up 6.4% for the latest 52 weeks. Deli sandwich unit sales, meanwhile, jumped 9.2% last month, the report revealed.
Lakeland, Florida-based supermarket chain Publix launched a new lineup of brisket-based handhelds this week. The offering includes three brisket subs and one brisket sandwich. The grocer said the dinner and lunch items build on the legacy of its popular Chicken Tender Pub sub, launched in 1992. “As we looked for the next right protein to build on that legacy, brisket stood out,” Publix Category Manager John Godke said. “During product testing panels, a Texas-based supplier well known for its smokehouse delivered the quality and consistency we were looking for. They helped bring this brisket experience to life.” The new menu includes the Publix Deli Stacked Brisket and Brioche Sandwich; Publix Deli Spicy Brisket Sub; Publix Deli Brisket, Lettuce and Tomato Sub; and Publix Southern Style Brisket Sub.
Heather Lalley is the director of communications for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association. A lifelong journalist, Lalley has previously worked with industry publications including Restaurant Business, CSP Daily News, Supermarket News and Foodservice Director.
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