A new GasBuddy study reveals how impactful the Memorial Day holiday weekend was for c-stores, with gas stations along major highways seeing a 69% lift overall compared to the previous weekend.
Meanwhile, quick service restaurants only saw a 27% lift, and coffee shops saw a 20% lift.
GasBuddy examined foot traffic at more than 67,000 gas stations near major highways in the U.S., comparing the average uplift in foot traffic during Memorial Day weekend (May 24-27) to the previous weekend, as well as foot traffic to major QSR and coffee retailers. In addition, the company examined gas station visits of travelers who drove more than 400 miles over the holiday weekend during the lunch hours of 11 to 3 p.m. compared to the previous weekend.
Lunchtime visits from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. made up 36% of all traffic to gas stations over the holiday weekend. When compared to the previous weekend, gas stations saw a 105% uplift in foot traffic during lunch hours.
“We are a society growing more obsessed with convenience, apparent even in how we travel. According to our data, roadtrippers are looking for an all-in-one stop to get their gas, coffee, snacks, and meals,” said Frank Beard, convenience store and retail trends analyst at GasBuddy. “Beyond convenience, quality matters and fuel retailers continue to build offers that compete directly with major fast food brands.”
In GasBuddy’s Q1 Foot Traffic Report, lunchtime visits on weekends were also the busiest time at gas stations convenience stores. And in the company’s recent convenience store foodservice study, 75% of Americans believe gas station convenience store foodservice has improved in the past 5 years.
