7-Eleven launches kids’ meals as food focus ramps up

The meals, available at Laredo Taco, Raise the Roost Chicken & Biscuits and Speedy Café locations, all include an entree, side, drink and small toy.

By Jessica Loder • April 28, 2026

Couche-Tard names head of QSRs and made-to-order foodservice

Grant Morris’ promotion is one of several changes the retailer has made this year as it looks to grow food revenues to record heights.

By Brett Dworski • April 28, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from C-Store Dive

Top 5 stories from C-Store Dive 2023/2024

By C-Store Dive staff

More than a rough patch: Recent restaurant closures signal market correction

Persistent traffic declines, rising costs and an oversaturated market are forcing brands to make tough decisions, and robust chains are taking advantage of the moment, experts say.

By Michael Brady • April 27, 2026

International flavors on the rise at Rutter’s, 7-Eleven and QuickChek

Also in product launches, Coen Markets expanded its pizza roll lineup and Stewart’s revealed a new ice cream flavor named after its founders.

By Jessica Loder • April 27, 2026

You don’t need a franchise to win in foodservice. But you do need this.

The franchise vs. DIY debate misses the point. What really drives foodservice growth is the partner.

By Lori Kimbrough • April 27, 2026

7-Eleven adding catering to restaurant locations

The company has partnered with ezCater on bulk ordering at Speedy Café and Laredo Taco locations, further supporting its foodservice ambitions.

By Jessica Loder • Updated April 22, 2026

Love’s nears opening of first Whataburger

The QSR partnership, which the travel center company revealed early in 2025, will finally come to fruition on May 4 at a site in San Antonio.

By Jessica Loder • Updated April 17, 2026

5 c-stores boosting foodservice with QSR partnerships

From Oxxo’s first Doña Tota to BrakeTime’s deal with Little Caesar’s, retailers are looking to make their stores more food-focused destinations.

By Brett Dworski • April 15, 2026

Rutter’s new menu has 35 — you read that right — taco creations

The South of the Border lineup includes dozens of new or revamped tacos for the regular menu, along with eight LTOs and more customization options.

By Jessica Loder • April 7, 2026

Frozen drinks and fresh flavors emerge as c-store retailers prep for spring

Pilot also added two new food programs, Stinker rolled out pizza rolls and Love’s debuted pesto-forward items as part of a rotating menu.

By Jessica Loder • March 31, 2026

Couche-Tard hires Family Dollar exec to lead US food merchandising

Dan Larmondra said he’s “immediately looking to fill several director and category management roles” to support Circle K’s “aggressive growth plans” as part of his new role.

By Brett Dworski • March 24, 2026

Chestnut Market taps Ben Lucky as first foodservice director

The former 7-Eleven leader will focus on menu development, kitchen design, training and vendor partnerships across Chestnut’s roughly 80 East Coast convenience stores.

By Brett Dworski • March 24, 2026

Wetzel’s Pretzels plans to double c-store presence

After opening a company record 20 QSRs in nontraditional locations in 2025, the chain set its sights on convenience retail growth over the next two years.

By Jessica Loder • March 18, 2026

Global foods - A growth opportunity for convenience

There is a developing trend in grocery retail that translates well into convenience. Global foods, when offered strategically, are a clear cut winner.

By IDDBA • March 16, 2026

Casey’s built its brand on pizza. Now it’s chasing chicken wings.

The Iowa retailer plans to roll out the wing line to all 2,900-plus stores over the next two years as it diversifies its fast-growing food business.

By Brett Dworski • March 11, 2026

Tri Star launches private label snack line

“Daily Favorites,” which includes chips, jerky and candy bars, will be available in Twice Daily, White Bison Coffee, Sudden Service and Little General stores.

By Jessica Loder • March 6, 2026

Loop adds Krispy Krunchy Chicken to 12 locations

In addition to the new partnership, the retailer also offers Crunchy Munchy chicken in several locations.

By Jessica Loder • March 3, 2026

Pilot to overhaul foodservice program at all locations

A new combination fresh-prepared and grab-and-go platform aims to set a consistent standard for the retailer’s menu, SVP Sean Marrero said.

By Brett Dworski • Updated March 6, 2026

BrakeTime secures Little Caesars franchise agreement

Plans include two store-adjacent restaurants in Texas and a potential expansion to other states, according to vice president of food, dispensed beverage and QSR Rene Da Costa.

By Brett Dworski • March 2, 2026

GPM brings food-focused c-store concept to Kentucky

The Fas Craves is inside a newly remodeled Apple Market that reopened on Feb. 12. It’s the sixth c-store to feature GPM’s proprietary menu.

By Brett Dworski • Feb. 24, 2026

Your biggest profit center is running on a laminated recipe card

Recipes are not instructions. They are margin control.

By Sarah Jenks - Sr Director, Solutions Consulting • Feb. 24, 2026

How c-stores are buying into this year’s top flavor trends

Weigel’s, Love’s and 7-Eleven are among the retailers playing with various new takes on a “sweet and-” trend that’s expanding beyond the world of hot honey.

By Christine Blank • Feb. 23, 2026

Oxxo USA opens first in-store Doña Tota QSR

The new “clip-in” location is a notable evolution for the fast-growing brand and joins a dozen other standalone Doña Totas operating in the U.S.

By Brett Dworski • Feb. 23, 2026

Couche-Tard names Trey Powell SVP of US food and retail amid exec shake-up

The former head of merchandising’s promotion is one of three shifts the retailer is making atop its country leadership as part of a new growth strategy.

By Brett Dworski • Feb. 19, 2026

Inside the 18-month reset reviving Couche-Tard’s US food business

After a hot start in 2020, Circle K’s Fresh Food, Fast program slowed. Executives are now fine-tuning the offering through operational improvements and menu updates to spark new growth.

By Brett Dworski • Feb. 19, 2026