Future Store: The Convenience Restaurant

October 27, 2014, 05:03 pm By Melissa Kress, Convenience Store News

Rendering created by King-Casey

WESTPORT, Conn. — To directly compete with quick-service and fast-casual restaurants, as well as supermarkets and other fresh-food resources, the convenience store of the future will put a particular focus on food-related offerings, transforming into more of a convenience restaurant.

In November, Convenience Store News will present a special edition of the magazine centered on the question: What will the "convenience store" look like a decade or more from now? The c-store industry's leading media brand is partnering with some of the top thought leaders and design firms in the nation to give readers a preview at how the convenience store will evolve over the next several years and how it will serve a changing customer base.

Just like today where we see many different types of c-store models in action, the future will be composed of different types of c-stores, each focused on different aspects of the convenience experience and on different customer archetypes. C-stores of the future will likely incorporate aspects of all four of these basic types: The Convenience Restaurant; The Refueling & Refreshing Center; The Neighborhood Market; and The Forecourt of the Future.

Here, we provide a sneak peek of The Convenience Restaurant. For this future store type, CSNews called on Westport, Conn.-based design firm King-Casey to present its vision.

Howland Blackiston, principal at King-Casey, said there are three customer (and non-customer) groups c-store operators must focus on in the years ahead: traditional convenience store users, Millennials and what King-Casey refers to as Balancer Moms.

Because each of these groups has different needs, c-stores of the future will be divided into "customer operating zones." Each zone, he explained, will be responsive to the unique needs of each different target customer set.

King-Casey envisions the convenience restaurant concept consisting of, among other things:

·         Multiple Food Zones: The store includes a variety of themed food concepts, like you would find in a mall’s food court. These zones feature informal seating for those in a hurry, and adventuresome variety and choice to satisfy a variety of needs.

·         Upstairs Dining Zone: Comfortable and varied seating zones allow for more leisurely dining. Different areas of the upstairs dining can appeal to different audiences (families, singles, etc.)

·         Car Hop Dining Zone: Drive up, park, order and pay by touchscreen. The customer's meal is brought right to the car.

·         Fast Food Drive-Thru Zone: Drive up, order and pay for choices from any of the store's several themed food concepts. There’s something for everyone.