Convenience Stores Evolve to Become True Food Destinations
Variety of offerings, private label brands and loyalty programs fuel in-store sales growth
DENVER (January 29, 2025)—Convenience stores are intensifying their focus on foodservice offerings to drive foot traffic, in-store sales growth and frequency of repeat visits. Strong consumer interest in prepared foods, commissary and beverage options has led convenience stores, often referred to as c-stores, to compete much more aggressively with quick service restaurants and fast-food chains.
The focus on offering a wider variety of prepared and ready-to-eat food items is clearly paying off, as c-stores registered record sales in 2023. Those gains are largely attributable to in-store sales, which grew 8% year-over-year in both 2022 and 2023 according to Circana, well ahead of overall inflation numbers for both food at and away from home. While sales appeared to soften in 2024, a Convenience Store News survey found two-thirds of c-store retailers predict total sales per store will grow in 2025.
According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the line between grocery stores, quick-service restaurants and c-stores will continue to blur, intensifying competition across the foodservice and retail grocery spectrum. C-store chains are increasingly viewing QSR and traditional fast-food chains as their chief competition and tailoring their food offerings to match if not exceed competitors’ menu options.
“Convenience stores have evolved from their gas-fueled beginnings to become true food and beverage destinations,” said Billy Roberts, food & beverage economist with CoBank. “Food service is the future for c-stores, and we expect they’ll continue to emulate their competitors with a greater variety of freshly prepared items, along with more attention to signature menu items and private label products.”
The emergence of c-stores as formidable destinations for prepared foods hasn’t gone unnoticed by major food manufacturers. Several leading food brands have taken the merger and acquisition route to enter the c-store channel. J.M. Smucker cites c-store distribution as an important reason behind its early 2024 acquisition of Hostess Brands.
Similarly, Hormel Foods dramatically expanded its c-store penetration with its 2021 purchase of Planters and Corn Nuts brands. Hormel has subsequently leveraged those newfound distribution relationships to bring more of its products to c-stores, including pizza toppings and bacon.
C-store kitchens are seeking quick and easily prepared products. Hormel is among the suppliers that has found c-stores to be something of a testing ground for new flavors and product concepts. For example, the key distinction of Hormel’s Bacon 1 isn’t necessarily flavor but ease for the operator. The fully cooked product heats quickly, enabling c-store operators to easily add bacon to a host of their menu options.
Customer loyalty programs are also playing a significant role in the success c-stores have had with food sales and repeat visits. Several c-stores have developed loyal followings on a near-nationwide scale. The 2024 Loyalty Trend Report from Paytronix finds at least 80% of c-stores’ loyalty program members in the top half of loyalty transaction visits per store every month.
“This enthusiasm for loyalty programs will be a tool that c-stores look to sharpen as they attempt to claim more traffic from restaurants, which have seen weak results of late,” said Roberts.
CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 77,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.
CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.
Get ready to pucker up! I am thrilled to announce the launch of Legions TWO brand new, mouth-watering Creatine Gummy flavors: Sour Watermelon and Sour Blue Raspberry! 🎉
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Big News: I’m Officially Partnering with Legion Supplements!
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I’m beyond excited to announce that I now have a special code with Legion Supplements, one of the top supplement brands in the fitness industry!
Why Legion?
Legion isn’t just another supplement company. They’re dedicated to creating products backed by science, formulated with clinically effective doses, and made with high-quality, all-natural ingredients. Here’s what makes Legion stand out:
No artificial junk: No artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.
Transparency: Every product lists its ingredients and dosages—no proprietary blends, no guessing.
Science-driven formulas: Each product is carefully formulated based on research and clinical studies to ensure it delivers real results.
Third-party tested: You know exactly what you’re putting into your body.
Why I’m Excited to Partner with Legion
As a fitness coach, kinesiologist, and IFBB Pro, I’ve always been passionate about fueling my body with the best. Legion aligns perfectly with my mission to help others achieve their goals in a healthy and sustainable way. Whether you're aiming to build muscle, improve performance, or boost recovery, their supplements provide the support you need.
What This Means for You
You can now use my exclusive code to save on all your Legion purchases! Keep an eye on my page for recommendations, tips, and reviews of my favorite products from their lineup.
I’m thrilled to partner with a brand that truly cares about quality and results. If you’ve been looking for supplements to take your fitness journey to the next level, Legion is the way to go!
Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s crush our goals together!
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Alicia Bell - Online Coach
After nearly two years of consultations, the federal government announced last week that healthcare practitioners other than doctors, such as nurse practitioners, pharmacists and midwives, can provide medically necessary care and it will be covered by the public healthcare system.
The changes, which take effect on April 1, 2026, mean more people will have access to care, helping to alleviate pressure on walk-in clinics and emergency rooms.
Mr. Jankowski warmly welcomed the federal health minister’s decision because it helped to clarify the Canada Health Act and opened the door to the private sector playing a bigger role in helping to improve Canada’s healthcare system with public tax dollars.
With that said, he is worried about where the provinces will find the funds to pay for the new services, and is concerned existing services could suffer if provinces shift money to fund them.
My Honest Review of the Oura Ring
As a fitness enthusiast and coach, I’m always on the lookout for tools to optimize performance and recovery. I’ve been using the Oura Ring, and here’s my honest take on its pros and cons. I have had mine for a little over a year. It was originally a gift from a friend who said it is better than the WHOOP. So he gifted me one to prove it to me.
My Oura Ring
Pros
Exceptional Sleep Tracking: The sleep insights are incredibly detailed and accurate. It’s been a game-changer in helping me understand my sleep patterns and recovery.
Real-Time HR Monitoring: I love the real-time heart rate feature—it’s helpful for tracking stress and overall health metrics throughout the day.
Focus on Holistic Health: The ring gives great indicators for sleep, stress, and readiness, which are vital for maintaining balance, even for athletes like me.
Sleek Design: It’s discreet and stylish, which makes it easy to wear all day.
Cons
Battery Life: My ring dies every 3–4 days, which feels a bit short for a device designed for continuous wear.
Durability: I chose the black ring, and I’ve noticed the surface wearing off over time. If you’re considering this ring, you might want to opt for a different finish to avoid the same issue.
Limited Activity Recognition: Unlike the Whoop or Apple Watch, the Oura Ring doesn’t automatically recognize or prompt for activities, which can be frustrating for tracking workouts.
App Experience: The app could use a redesign. It feels a bit jumbled, and finding specific stats isn’t as intuitive as it could be.
Target Audience: While it’s great for the average person, it feels more general in its approach and less tailored to athletes who need more granular activity tracking.
Final Thoughts The Oura Ring is a solid choice if you’re looking to optimize sleep and stress management. It’s not perfect—especially for someone with a high-performance lifestyle—but it’s a great tool for gaining insights into your overall health.
Let me know your thoughts if you decide to get one! 😊
Alicia Bell - IFBB PRO
4 Benefits of Electrolytes
As a coach and kinesiologist, I often emphasize the importance of proper hydration and nutrition for optimal performance. One essential aspect of this is ensuring adequate electrolyte intake. Electrolytes—including sodium chloride, magnesium, and potassium—are minerals with an electrical charge that play a crucial role in our overall health. Here’s how they can benefit you:
Hydration:
Sodium plays a vital role in hydration—where sodium goes, water follows. Many people focus solely on drinking plain water but neglect electrolytes, which are essential for retaining hydration and maintaining balanced cell function. If you’re drinking plenty of water but still experiencing headaches or fatigue, it might be time to incorporate electrolytes into your routine. I also suggest aiming for 3-4L of water per day to ensure you’re staying properly hydrated.
On my coaching site, Train It Right, I often recommend personalized hydration strategies to help clients stay energized and perform at their best. By adding the right electrolytes to your plan, we can ensure your body functions optimally.
Stress Management:
Stress can wreak havoc on your body, and electrolytes, especially magnesium, are key to managing its effects. Known as the “anti-stress mineral,” magnesium helps regulate the body’s stress response. For my clients navigating high-stress periods, I often incorporate magnesium-rich foods and supplements to support their overall well-being.
Headache & Brain Fog Relief:
Headaches and brain fog can often be linked to an electrolyte imbalance. Magnesium and potassium are particularly helpful for addressing these issues. Through my coaching programs, I provide tailored recommendations to ensure you’re meeting your electrolyte needs, improving both mental clarity and physical performance.
Bloat Support:
Bloating can be frustrating, especially when it’s tied to hormonal shifts. Electrolytes can help by reducing water retention. I recommend options with lower sodium for those experiencing bloating during specific phases of their cycle. Together, we can create a plan that keeps you feeling light and confident.
Let’s Optimize Your Nutrition
Electrolytes are a vital part of achieving your fitness and health goals. If you’re ready to take your performance to the next level, let’s work together to customize a plan that meets your unique needs. Visit Train It Right to learn more about my coaching services and how I can help you train smarter, not harder.
A huge thank you to GoFit for sending me the Revolve Roller! Over the past few weeks, I’ve been using it regularly, and I’m absolutely loving the results. It’s been a game-changer for my recovery, helping me target tight muscles and improve mobility with ease. I’m so grateful for this amazing addition to my routine and highly recommend it to anyone looking to level up their recovery game. Thanks again, GoFit, for creating such an innovative and effective product!
This revolutionary roller lets YOU customize your recovery. Check out the Benefits of Foam Rolling + A Game-Changing Upgrade!
Foam rolling isn’t just a fitness trend it is a powerful tool for recovery and performance. Here’s why you should make it a part of your routine with the new GOFIT roller:
✨ Improves Circulation: Enhances blood flow, delivering nutrients and oxygen to your muscles. ✨ Releases Tension: Targets and relieves tight knots and trigger points. ✨ Boosts Recovery: Reduces soreness after workouts, helping you bounce back faster. ✨ Increases Flexibility: Prepares your muscles for optimal performance during workouts.
✔️ Features 9 Adaptive Massage Rings in three sizes. ✔️ Offers superficial to deep tissue compression. ✔️ Adjustable ridged patterns target circulation and trigger point release.
How It Works: Slide rings on and off to create limitless configurations tailored to YOUR needs. From pre-workout warm-ups to post-workout recovery, it’s the ultimate recovery tool!
Huge thanks to GoFit Fitness Equipment for sending me this innovative roller to review and try!
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Summer is practically hear and let’s face it. No one wants to be slaving away every day over a hot stove in the sweltering heat. Thats where meal prep comes in handy. All you have to do is take a few hours once or twice a week and prepare all of your meals in advance. It saves you loads of time and energy in the long run. Saving your time isn’t the only great thing about meal prep because preparing in advance also ensures that you will stay on track. So instead of reaching for fast food or quick fixes you have your pre made meal right on hand. If you arrange your meals accordingly you can have delicious meals lined up in a row right in your refrigerator to grab and go for the whole week.
Not only is meal prep a great way to stay on track but you can make healthy meal prep food in a mason jar. You can pick mason jars up at most local dollar stores, home suppliers or department stores. Once you start using mason jars you soon will realize that they are very versatile. You can make anything from breakfast, salads, pastas, rice bowls, snacks or even desserts just to name a few. They are also very aesthetically please and keep well when sealed and placed in the fridge.
The following 3 recipes are a great start to healthy meal prepping in a jar and I hope that they inspire you to be creative and make your own recipes or add your own personalized twists to these ones. Don’t be afraid to make your favorite meals. Just make sure to layer the wet ingredients on the bottom and layer up from there. The beauty of a healthy meal in a mason jar is that most anything works. Enjoy!
Peanut Butter and Banana Overnight Oatmeal
Ingredients:
½ ripe banana, mashed
½ cup Oats
1tsp ground cinnamon
⅓ cup unsweetened almond milk (if you want chocolate oats just substitute chocolate-flavored almond milk for the plain almond milk)
¼ cup plain greek yogurt
1 tbsp peanut butter (organic preferred)
1 tbsp liquid honey (optional)
1 scoop protein (flavour and brand of choice)
Instructions:
In a jar combine banana, oats, cinnamon, almond milk, yogurt, peanut butter and honey. Stir well, then seal jar and give it a good vigorous shake to make sure the oats are coated with all of the liquid.
Refrigerate overnight.
Serve cold or remove lid and microwave on high for 1 minute or until desired temperature is reached.
Serve in the jar.
Tofu, Snow Pea and Cabbage Rice Jar
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup water
½ long-grain brown rice
¼ tsp sea salt
3 tbsp of sesame dressing or your choice
½ cup snow peas
½ cup sliced carrots
1 cup sliced cabbage
1 cup cubed firm tofu
Instructions:
In a medium pan bring water to a boil over high heat. Stir in rice and salt. Cook.
First pour dressing of choice into the bowl. Then layer the rice, snow peas, carrots, cabbage and tofu. On top. Seal the jar and refrigerate for up to a day.
Remove the jar from the refrigerator a minimum of 30 minutes before serving. Turn the jar upside down in a bowl and let the dressing coats the rice.
Rainbow Fruit Salad Jar
Ingredients:
¼ cup diced strawberries
¼ cup diced pineapple
⅓ cup diced mango
¼ cup diced watermelon
Instructions:
Layer the fruit in the jar.
Seal and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Serve in the jar.
An injury can derail more than just your physical health. You need to take an injury seriously so that you don't experience chronic pain issues. Here are some of the strategies that you can use in order to realign your back and get things back to normal.
Alicia Bell IFBB Figure Pro and Bodybuilder
Seek Medical Aid
The first thing that you should do following any severe injury is to seek medical attention. Determining the extent and scope of your injury will give you more information about the best way to get your back realigned. Your doctor may recommend that you start with physical therapy in order to improve your injury. This generally involves a series of stretches and other types of exercises that will help you cope with your day-to-day life.
Visit a Chiropractor
In some instances, it can be to your best advantage to schedule a visit with a chiropractor. They can help you with your alignment issue so that you can more fully recover from your injury. A simple adjustment may be all that you require so that you can get back to living your life. For more serious issues, you may need to schedule several appointments in order to resolve your issue. Speak with Chiro about your goals to help you achieve the most out of your visits.
Enroll in Yoga
Yoga is a good form of exercise because it focuses on improving your flexibility. It can also help to increase your mobility so that your back will realign in a more natural manner. You may be able to prevent future injuries from occurring if you continue to practice yoga. There's nothing wrong with being more flexible and this is what yoga can do for you if you're willing to put in the effort. Another benefit of yoga is that it can help to strengthen your core muscles.
Invest in Core Strengthening
There are a variety of different types of stretches that can help with your adjustment issue. Pelvic floor exercises, planking, and side to side stretches with weights can help you. Another option is to get an exercise ball and work on your balance. It may not seem like much, but over time, these types of exercises are increasing your core strength so that you can recover from any injuries or prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Back problems can get worse over time if you don't work towards improving your health. Use these ideas so that you can realign your back and return to your previous physical abilities.
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