HOW GEN Z IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF CONVENIENCE STORE FOOD & BEVERAGE.

How Gen Z is Shaping the Future of Convenience Store Food and Beverage

New Cravings Are Creating New Ways To Win

Snacking is taking on a bigger role as younger consumers rethink when, and how, they eat. From quick breakfasts and afternoon pick-me-ups to late-night bites and functional sips, Gen Z is creating more sales opportunities across the day. For c-store operators, understanding what this generation craves now can help build the menus, and lasting relationships, that create repeat purchases.

GEN Z IS ALREADY IN THE AISLES.

The Gen Z Food & Beverage Trends Reshaping C-Stores.

SNACKING IS WINNING OVER TRADITIONAL MEALS.

Gen Z doesn’t abide by traditional mealtimes. Instead, they’re grazing all day long, creating more opportunities for c-stores to satisfy cravings from morning through late night. Add in trending flavors like sweet heat, and familiar snackable formats can give younger consumers even more reasons to grab something new.

FAST, FRICTIONLESS SERVICE MATTERS MORE THAN EVER.

For Gen Z, convenience is part of the craving. They want easy grab-and-go options they can order with their phone or through a mobile app, removing friction from the experience to help operators capture more purchases throughout the day.

A seamless ordering experience is only part of the equation. C-stores need to offer menu options that are just as easy to execute as they are to purchase. From personal deep dish pizzas to ready-to-sell cookies and mini cakes, these craveable solutions help simplify back-of-house operations while delivering the speed, variety and convenience Gen Z craves.

GEN Z IS ALREADY IN THE AISLES.

CRAVEABLE BITES. READY WHEN THEY ARE.

BEVERAGES ARE BECOMING DESTINATION PURCHASES.

Snacks don’t need a fork, or even a plate. From protein-forward shakes to indulgent specialty drinks, beverages are becoming snack occasions of their own. For c-stores, that opens up high-impact opportunities across the day with customizable sips that deliver on flavor, function or both.

THE LIQUID SNACK.

CURE EVERY CRAVING WITH RICH’S SNACKING PORTAL.

Whether you’re fueling busy mornings or keeping their day going with a midday bite, Rich’s Snacking Portfolio has solutions for every craving, and every operation.

READY FOR A SNACK BREAK?

CONTACT A C-STORE SPECIALIST.

Product information, recipe inspiration, or simply someone to talk things through with — we are here for your c-store.
Let us know how we can help.

CONTACT A C-STORE SPECIALIST.

Product information, recipe inspiration, or simply someone to talk things through with — we are here for your c-store.
Let us know how we can help.

Contact Us

Subscribe to the C-Store Newsletter!

As a subscriber to Rich’s C-Store Newsletter, you are the first to receive the latest trends and insights, but you also gain exclusive access to all past issues so you never miss an inspiring trend.

 

Take me back to the Resource Center!

1Datassential, C-Store Keynote 2026
2Circana 2026
3Kantar, “Five Disruptors: Gen Z Food & Beverage,” April 2025
4Datassential, Consumer Preferences Platform 2024
5Datassential, Gen Z Evolving Habits, 2024
6Technomic, Snacking Consumer Trend Report, 2025
7Datassential, 2025 (Cold Foam trend)
8Straits Research, 2025 (Matcha market forecast)
9SNAP! Datassential, 2025 (Boba menu growth trend)