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

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from C-Store Dive

Top 5 stories from C-Store Dive 2023/2024

By C-Store Dive staff

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

3 new takes on c-store chicken value deals

7-Eleven, Krispy Krunchy and Chester’s all rolled out limited-time, low-cost offers in recent weeks.

By Jessica Loder • Feb. 17, 2026

Couche-Tard SVP of global food and marketing to step down

Mette Uglebjerg will leave the retailer in May to become CEO of European health and beauty brand Matas Group.

By Brett Dworski • Feb. 13, 2026

Foodservice innovation is off to a hot start in 2026

Casey’s, 7-Eleven, Rutter’s and other players have bolted out of the gate this year with new sandwiches, pizzas and more.

By Brett Dworski • Feb. 11, 2026

Foodvenience innovation

To succeed in an era of foodvenience, c-store leaders must offer products that address these needs.

Feb. 9, 2026

How c-stores are building better sandwiches

The humble menu item has serious staying power, accounting for around a quarter of foodservice sales. Here are a few ways to keep selections fresh and exciting.

By Amanda Baltazar • Feb. 4, 2026

7-Eleven hires industry veteran to spearhead fresh food

Richard Guidry most recently was senior vice president of foodservice for GPM Investments, where he helped launch the retailer’s Fas Craves food program.

By Brett Dworski • Jan. 29, 2026

Rich Products acquires largest private label pizza manufacturer in North America

By integrating Great Kitchens Food Company, Rich’s aims to “create a vertically integrated topped pizza and flatbread platform,” the company said on Monday.

By Brett Dworski • Jan. 27, 2026

3 Big Numbers: C-stores step up as third places

With their food reputation growing and stores increasingly inviting customers to stay a while, retailers could fill another role in their communities.

By Jessica Loder • Jan. 23, 2026

Parker’s becomes the latest c-store to up its beverage game

A new location in Georgia is the first to offer the retailer’s made-to-order beverage program, and marks the debut of its larger PK2 store prototype. 

By Jessica Loder • Jan. 20, 2026

Oxxo USA debuts QSR

The retailer opened its first Ditsch pretzel sandwich restaurant at one of its c-stores in El Paso, Texas, this week.

By Brett Dworski • Jan. 16, 2026

BrakeTime inks franchise agreement with Burger King

The rollout will begin in Illinois and Texas, according to Vice President of Food, Dispensed Beverage and QSR Rene Da Costa.

By Brett Dworski • Jan. 15, 2026

How innovation is fueling the fried chicken wars at c-stores

There’s huge demand for fried chicken menu items in the U.S. But standing out requires c-stores and QSRs to diversify their menus and make it easier for employees to execute.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 13, 2026

8 c-store companies we’re watching in 2026

From upcoming IPOs to ambitious expansion plans, 7-Eleven, EG America, Anabi Oil and others are poised to make big moves this year.

By Jessica Loder • Jan. 12, 2026

How RaceTrac is gearing up for more growth

Over the past year, the retailer has been improving its technology, building its supply chain and making acquisitions as it continues expanding.

By Jessica Loder • Jan. 12, 2026

2026 foodservice trends in dairy, deli, bakery

IDDBA releases new insights for c-store retailers and suppliers that are seeking to grow foodservice through dairy, deli, bakery and beyond.

Jan. 12, 2026

US Market launches partnership with Cinnabon

The first baked goods shop debuted at a c-store in Salem, Oregon, late last year.

By Brett Dworski • Jan. 5, 2026

3 Big Numbers: C-stores and QSRs are better together

While proprietary foodservice launches have garnered a lot of attention, c-stores are still expanding their partnerships and getting creative with QSRs.

By Jessica Loder • Dec. 19, 2025

How Hispanic food can boost c-stores

One independent retailer saw foodservice sales rise by 50% after putting in a program that included tacos, burritos and quesadillas.

By Christine Blank • Dec. 18, 2025