The 2026 C-Store Tech Report: Powering the Pit Stop

Convenience stores, or c-stores, have become a regular food stop. And when it comes to what makes a c-store “convenient,” location takes a backseat to the food. Diners now choose stores for food quality and easy ordering, and digital tools, from mobile apps to kiosks, shape the hot food experience across the category.

The 2026 C-Store Tech Report, Powering the Pit Stop, surveyed 1,008 c-store diners to understand how ordering technology influences repeat visits, which customers are most engaged, and where unreliable tech threatens loyalty. Below are some findings from the report:

• The top convenience stores for hot food orders, from Love's to 7-Eleven, Buc-ee's, Sheetz, Circle K and all the rest
• The top ranked c-stores tech experience
• Regional leaders in order frequency across the United States
• The pitstop pitfalls of kiosks vs. mobile apps

Get instant access to Powering the Pit Stop ⤵

More insights you'll find:

"Convenience" today means good food that's easy

Forty-four percent name food quality as a top reason for choosing a c-store. Location trails at 19%. Meanwhile, when it comes to convenience, 32% of diners want an easy ordering experience. What makes ordering easy? Tech that works: .Among diners who order hot food three or more times a week, 85% use the mobile app and 81% use kiosks.

But technology can help and harm the experience. In fact, 76% of app users and 71% of kiosk users have run into problems ordering hot food. 

Get instant access to Powering the Pit Stop ⤵

C-store's most frequent diners are tech-enabled

Where tech helps (and hurts) most is younger demograhics. Young adults are c-stores' top diners: 71% of those ages 18-24 order hot food at least weekly and are 2-4x more likely than any other age group to prioritize a good tech experience. For c-stores competing with quick-service restaurants, tech directly affects how customers experience the brand. Reliable kiosks and apps can help c-stores turn the hot food trend into a long-term advantage.