Convenience stores are breaking free of past industry preconceptions – establishing themselves as legitimate and profitable food service providers.Packaged fare – no longer a staple of c-stores – is being replaced by made-to-order sandwiches and salads, fresh pizza, and even fresh produce and fruit. This “fresh” trend is encroaching on the territory traditionally dominated by quick serve restaurants.According to Bloomberg Industries, QSR’s are beginning to feel the heat as the battle for market share in this competitive business sector rages on.

• C-stores now seek the same targeted demographic as QSR’s – households with income below $50,000.
• Pizza sales at C-stores increased nearly 10% last year – directly competing with chains like Domino’s and Papa John’s.
• Fresher, healthier food options have increased traffic and brought in new customers – especially female and older shoppers.

“An English-muffin breakfast sandwich from 7-Eleven might not have the scrumptious, familiar ring of the Egg McMuffin, but it does the trick as a McDonald’s substitute. For fast-food restaurants, convenience stores are increasingly part of the competition vying for value-oriented customers, with food that’s awfully similar,” Businessweek noted.No doubt the real-world evolution taking place in C-stores will be heavily discussed, promoted and even exploited at 2013’s National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) convention being held October 12-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.Visual Graphic Systems is proud to be attending the event – demonstrating the functionality and versatility of our full-line of Simplicity^™ Digital Menu Board technologies.  All three solutions – Simplicity^™ Pro, Enterprise and Mobile – are simple to use and cost-effective, allowing you to easily keep your prices, products and promotions up-to-date.If you’ll be attending the event, stop by the Technology Section of the show for a FREE demonstration – Booth #3711.