More often than not, food becomes the most critical part of the journey when one contemplates a road trip. Be it a drive down scenic highways or bustling cityscapes, gas station convenience stores have come a long way from just being a pit stop. Today, they are unexpected culinary delights on wheels that might make all the difference in travel.
A Glimpse Into the World of Gas Station Cuisine
Gas station foods are no longer synonymous with boring, pre-packaged snacks. A convenience store like ExtraMile convenience store carries all manner of food and drinks aimed at satisfying every taste from anywhere around the world, from freshly brewed coffee to gourmet sandwiches, which would surely be able to compete even with fast-service restaurants.
The Rise of Quality Offerings
- To-go hot food includes pizza slices, hot dogs, breakfast burritos and chicken wings. These areas have a few of those multiple hot items offered to move customers. It is being reported by the National Association for Convenience Stores-NACS that prepared food generates almost 22% of the store’s inside sales.
- Healthier Options: Convenience stores have been forced to innovate with increasing pressure from a consumer base asking for healthier options, ranging from protein bars to fruit cups and salads. This aligns with a NielsenIQ survey in which as many as 32 per cent of shoppers reported actively seeking convenience stores for healthier options.
- Specialty Beverages: The freshly brewed coffee is a classic. Indeed, about 64% of the grown-up population in America consumes it daily; students and professionals are leading in the caffeine intake.
Coffee: Fuel for the Road
For many, there is no road trip without a cup of coffee. Statista states over 70% of drivers drink coffee during a long drive. In convenience stores, travellers appreciate options ranging from cappuccino to iced lattes. Key reasons that make coffee indispensable:
- Improves Concentration: Caffeine improves alertness and reduces fatigue, which long-distance drivers require most.
- Convenience: With locations at many sites throughout the nation, ExtraMile convenience stores make getting a quality cup of coffee easy without detaining your route.
Best Snacks for Road Trips
Snacks are the backbone of any fun road trip. Here’s a list of traveller favourites:
- Chips and Pretzels: Crispy, great classic to share.
- Trail Mix: Chopped nuts, dried fruit, chocolates, a highly healthy blend for energy.
- Jerky is a tough, high-protein snack that is easy to store and offers mess-free action.
- Candy and chocolate, for an instant, sweet indulgence into sugar high.
- Fresh Fruits: Apples, bananas, and oranges are easy to eat.
According to NACS, salty snacks make up 25% of all in-store sales, the leading popularity index among travellers.
The Road Trip Economy
Road trips are an undeniably American thing. Every year, nearly 200 million Americans embark on road trips, and with this demand for gas comes proportional consumer demand for convenience stores. The annual sales rate for the convenience store food service industry stands at $34 billion, with fairly steady projected growth over the ensuing five-year period.
Why Convenience Stores Thrive During Road Trips
- Accessibility: Most fuel stations present them as easy to get through for quick stops.
- Variety: Everything from snacks carrying an international touch to local delicacies.
- Speed: Quick service means voyagers can have what they need quickly and be right back on the road.
Finding Your Next Culinary Stop
In cases where one is on a road trip, you can quickly identify the location of ExtraMile convenience stores, which will be among your sure stop on the various round-ups in the United States locations. This is because they possess great stuff; one can consume cold drinks besides other items required for road travel.
Conclusion
One certainly no longer needs to compromise on quality food along the highway. With a set of new convenience stores diving into this field, in-store offerings for road trippers without their need to take a break changed. Be it gourmet sandwiches that tantalize one’s taste buds, strong coffee, or even a pack of chips, these stops have everything to suit all tastes and palates.
