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

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from C-Store Dive

Top 5 stories from C-Store Dive 2023/2024

By C-Store Dive staff

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

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