Known as c-stores in the industry, convenience stores are disrupting the food industry by making a shift away from traditional American-style “gas station” fare like rolling hot dogs and microwaveable burritos to grab-and-go meals more akin to what you’d find at a fast food restaurant.
Inspired, in part, by convenience culture in Japan and other countries, many American chains are looking to change the way shoppers think about convenience store dining. Operators want customers to stop viewing convenience store food as something you only eat in a pinch and start positioning outlets as a dining destination on par with any other fast-food joint.
And the reason why is simple: profit. Convenience stores that serve fresh, made-to-order food are making more money with less foot traffic.
Now that convenience stores and grocery stores are cooking more, it’s time they see the value in switching to natural gas foodservice equipment.
Making the switch to natural gas appliances
There are three big reasons why convenience stores have traditionally used electric appliances for preparing hot food. First, installation is easy. Second, food offerings in the past didn’t require much cooking and often entailed heating up fully cooked foods. Lastly, with a low volume of food sales, convenience was more important than energy savings.
Now that the tide is shifting and convenience stores are cooking up a menu that looks more like a restaurant, more owners are looking to make the switch to natural gas.
Here are a few facts about natural gas usage at convenience stores and conventional supermarkets in the United States:
- Nationwide, 4% of all natural gas usage at convenience stores is for preparing food
- In grocery stores using natural gas foodservice equipment, 13% of natural gas consumption goes to food prep
- ENERGY STAR natural gas appliances use 10-30% less energy than conventional models
Natural gas appliance savings aren’t limited to lower energy bills. Another factor is comparing the cost of gas vs. electric for commercial kitchen appliance maintenance.
Natural gas efficiency, performance and cost savings
With a higher cooking volume and the need to prepare a broader range of foods, natural gas foodservice equipment now makes a lot more sense for convenience and grocery stores that used to rely on electric appliances.
Here are the key advantages of moving to natural gas-powered food prep:
- Natural gas kitchen appliances heat up quickly and recover faster between orders, keeping pace with sharp demand during peak periods.
- The ability to turn on and off quickly also makes it easier to power down natural gas appliances completely when not in use for additional energy savings.
- Natural gas lowers operating costs as it is often less expensive than electricity, helping reduce overhead.
- Natural gas doesn’t depend on the electrical grid for all gas equipment, so hot food and hot water can still be available during power outages. This resilience builds customer trust and is especially important for stores that rely on 24/7 service.
- Newer gas appliances are more efficient, using even less energy than models just a few years old. This makes right now a great time to upgrade.
- Natural gas stoves and ovens allow precise, responsive temperature control, leading to better consistency and quality.
Natural gas helps convenience stores double down on food
Convenience stores with robust food operations report higher per-visit sales and better customer retention at a time when shoppers are seeking out brands that offer an experience more like the Japanese model.
The bottom line? Convenience and grocery stores that lean on natural gas to help them evolve into food destinations will unlock efficiency, cost savings, and improved product quality. Forward-thinking operators are discovering the operational edge that gas delivers, fueling both their kitchens and their P&L statement.