U.S. convenience store sales surpassed $800 billion in a recent year, yet fuel margins remained under five percent. These statistics detail the industry's pivot toward higher-margin prepared food and merchandise.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, U.S. convenience stores achieved total gross margin dollars of $105.2 billion across all merchandise, fuel, and foodservice categories.
- Total fuel sales revenue was $517.8 billion for U.S. c-stores in 2022.
- Foodservice gross profit margins averaged 48.2% in c-stores 2022.
- 72.1% of U.S. c-stores offered foodservice in 2023, up from 64.5% prior.
- U.S. c-store total inside sales were $296.6 billion in 2022, up 8.7%.
Convenience stores are seeing steady growth driven by everyday demand and expanding store networks.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Impact30 stats
01
In 2022, U.S. convenience stores achieved total gross margin dollars of $105.2 billion across all merchandise, fuel, and foodservice categories.
02
The convenience store industry supported 1.9 million jobs in the U.S. in 2022, including direct employment at c-stores.
03
U.S. c-store industry total sales reached $814.4 billion in 2022, a 13.6% increase from 2021.
04
There were 152,255 convenience stores operating in the U.S. as of January 2024: July 2026.
05
C-store industry contributed $97.6 billion in state and local taxes in 2022.
06
Average c-store inside sales per store were $1.95 million in 2022.
07
Fuel sales accounted for 58% of total c-store industry sales in 2022.
08
Total c-store foodservice sales hit $24.1 billion in 2022, up 15.5% from prior year.
09
C-stores captured 38.3% market share of U.S. fuel sales volume in 2022.
10
Industry average gross profit margin on inside sales was 37.4% in 2022.
11
U.S. c-store operators invested $4.2 billion in capital expenditures in 2022.
12
C-store industry paid $32.1 billion in employee wages and benefits in 2022.
13
Total packaged beverages sales at c-stores reached $20.7 billion in 2022.
14
Cigarettes represented 27.8% of in-store gross margin dollars in 2022.
15
Average number of c-stores per capita in U.S. was one per 2,255 people in 2023.
16
C-store industry total economic output multiplier effect was $2.3 trillion in 2022.
17
Foodservice gross margin percentage averaged 48.2% in 2022 across c-stores.
18
Total c-store fuel gallons sold were 81.6 billion in 2022.
19
Average c-store fuel margin per gallon was 26.6 cents in 2022.
20
Inside sales growth rate was 8.7% in 2022 for U.S. c-stores.
21
C-stores remodeled or rebuilt 4,200 stores in 2022.
22
Total alternative fuels sold at c-stores reached 1.2 billion gallons in 2022.
23
C-store industry federal tax contributions were $45.3 billion in 2022.
24
Average annual sales per c-store employee were $428,000in 2022.
25
Total snacks sales at c-stores were $14.8 billion in 2022.
26
C-stores with foodservice offerings grew to 64.5% of total locations in 2022.
27
Industry average net profit margin was 3.2% in 2022 for c-stores.
28
Total candy sales generated $9.2 billion in c-store inside sales in 2022.
29
C-store construction starts numbered 1,150 new builds in 2022.
30
Total beer sales at c-stores reached $12.4 billion in 2022.
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
Fuel may be the engine, but with a $2.3 trillion economic impact, razor-thin fuel margins, and a relentless pivot toward higher-margin food and drink, America's 152,255 convenience stores are masterfully navigating a tightrope of necessity and innovation to remain our most prolific pit stops.
02 · Category
Fuel Dynamics26 stats
01
Total fuel sales revenue was $517.8 billion for U.S. c-stores in 2022.
02
Gasoline accounted for 92.3% of total c-store fuel volume sold in 2022.
03
Diesel fuel sales volume was 6.2 billion gallons at c-stores in 2022.
04
Average fuel margin cents per gallon rose to 26.6 cents in 2022.
05
C-stores sold 81.6 billion gallons of fuel overall in 2022.
06
Premium gasoline share of fuel sales was 18.4% by volume in 2022.
07
E85 ethanol blend sales reached 220 million gallons at c-stores 2022.
08
79.2% of c-stores offered diesel fuel for sale in 2022.
09
Total fuel gross margin dollars were $21.7 billion in c-stores 2022.
10
Average retail price of regular gasoline at c-stores was $3.62/gal in 2022.
11
15.3% of c-store fuel sales came from diesel in 2022.
12
Electric vehicle charging stations at c-stores numbered 2,450 in 2022.
13
Fuel sales growth was 14.9% in revenue terms for 2022.
14
92% of c-stores offered self-serve gasoline in 2022.
15
Mid-grade gasoline volume share was 15.7% at c-stores in 2022.
16
Total alternative fuel outlets at c-stores were 12,300 in 2022.
17
Fuel profit margin percentage averaged 4.2% of fuel sales in 2022.
18
45.6% of c-stores had 8 or more fueling positions in 2022.
19
Biodiesel sales volume at c-stores was 180 million gallons in 2022.
20
Average diesel margin per gallon was 32.1 cents at c-stores 2022.
21
C-stores with EV chargers grew 28% to 2,450 locations in 2022.
22
Regular unleaded gasoline volume was 55.4 billion gallons in 2022.
23
Compressed natural gas (CNG) outlets numbered 450 at c-stores 2022.
24
Fuel category contributed 58% of total c-store sales revenue 2022.
25
Propane sales volume hit 120 million gallons from c-stores in 2022.
26
67% of c-store fuel volume was regular grade gasoline in 2022.
Interpretation
Fuel Dynamics Interpretation
While gasoline is still the lifeblood of the industry—gushing at a torrential 81.6 billion gallons and funding 58% of all sales—its meager 4.2% profit margin proves the real money is made inside, where they sell you a coffee for roughly the same profit as an entire tank of fuel.
03 · Category
Merchandise Insights28 stats
01
Foodservice gross profit margins averaged 48.2% in c-stores 2022.
02
Cigarettes held 27.8% of total in-store gross margin dollars 2022.
03
Packaged beverages gross margin percentage was 42.1% in 2022.
04
Snacks category gross margin averaged 51.3% at c-stores in 2022.
05
Candy gross profit margin was 46.7% across U.S. c-stores 2022.
06
Beer category gross margin stood at 28.4% in c-stores 2022.
07
Other tobacco products GM percentage was 38.9% in 2022.
08
Grocery items gross margin averaged 35.2% at c-stores in 2022.
09
Health/energy bars sales grew 16.2% in c-stores during 2022.
10
64.5% of c-stores offered prepared food in 2022.
11
Average c-store carried 2,500 SKUs of merchandise in 2022.
12
Fresh food offerings present in 42% of c-stores in 2022.
13
Vaping products represented 8.2% of tobacco gross margins 2022.
14
Bottled water GM margin was 45.6% in c-store sales 2022.
15
78% of c-stores sold lottery products in 2022.
16
Energy drinks GM averaged 39.8% at c-stores in 2022.
17
55.3% of stores offered fresh sandwiches in 2022.
18
Salty snacks GM was 52.1% in the snacks category 2022.
19
Oral nicotine pouches sales up 45% in c-stores 2022.
20
29% of c-stores had beer caves for cold storage in 2022.
21
Sweet snacks gross margin 47.2% in c-stores during 2022.
22
62% of stores offered hot coffee programs in 2022.
23
Alternative snacks GM reached 53.4% in 2022 c-stores.
24
41.2% of c-stores sold cigars in 2022.
25
Packaged ice sales totaled $1.1 billion in c-stores 2022.
26
73% of c-stores featured fountain beverages in 2022.
27
Average foodservice sales per store with offering was $142,000in 2022.
28
35% of c-stores offered fresh fruit in 2022.
Interpretation
Merchandise Insights Interpretation
While cigarettes still pay the landlord, the modern c-store is quietly betting its future on high-margin snacks and fresh food, with a side of nicotine pouches to keep things interesting.
More related reading
04 · Category
Operational Trends30 stats
01
72.1% of U.S. c-stores offered foodservice in 2023, up from 64.5% prior.
02
Average c-store size increased to 3,653 square feet in 2023.
03
24-hour operations present in 74.3% of c-stores in 2023.
04
Self-checkout systems adopted by 28% of c-stores in 2023.
05
Loyalty programs used by 82% of c-store operators in 2023.
06
Mobile payment acceptance at 65% of c-stores in 2023.
07
Average store employees per c-store was 12.4 in 2023.
08
56% of c-stores implemented contactless payments in 2023.
09
Foodservice-equipped stores averaged 4,200 sq ft in 2023.
10
EVSE (EV charging) at 3,200 c-store locations in 2023.
11
Average turnover rate for c-store employees was 112% in 2023.
12
41% of c-stores used AI for inventory management in 2023.
13
Stores with beer sales averaged 15% higher inside sales in 2023.
14
69% of operators reported labor shortages in 2023 surveys.
15
Average weekly operating hours per store: 162 hours in 2023.
16
Cashless tobacco sales mandated or adopted by 45% in 2023.
17
52% of c-stores expanded fresh food offerings in 2023.
18
Digital signage installed in 38% of c-store locations 2023.
19
Average capital spend per new store build: $2.8 million in 2023.
20
76% of c-stores accepted SNAP benefits in 2023.
21
Robotic shelf-scanning tech in 12% of large chains in 2023.
22
33% of stores offered drive-thru services in 2023.
23
Energy costs rose 15% for c-store operators in 2023.
24
61% implemented dynamic pricing for fuel in 2023.
25
Average restroom remodel frequency: every 5.2 years in 2023.
26
48% of c-stores used delivery services like DoorDash in 2023.
27
POS system upgrades in 55% of locations during 2023.
28
27% of operators tested autonomous store tech in 2023.
29
Theft losses averaged 1.2% of sales in c-stores 2023.
30
64% expanded seating areas for foodservice in 2023.
Interpretation
Operational Trends Interpretation
The modern c-store is no longer just a pit stop; it's a sprawling, tech-infused, understaffed, and relentlessly evolving mini-supermarket that's desperately trying to feed you, charge your car, and maybe even scan its own shelves while wrestling with eye-watering turnover and energy bills.
05 · Category
Sales Performance24 stats
01
U.S. c-store total inside sales were $296.6 billion in 2022, up 8.7%.
02
Packaged beverages category sales grew 7.2% to $20.7 billion in 2022.
03
Cigarette sales volume declined 9.1% in units but generated $56.8 billion in 2022.
04
Foodservice sales increased 15.5% to $24.1 billion at c-stores in 2022.
05
Snacks category sales rose 10.3% to $14.8 billion in c-stores 2022.
06
Candy sales totaled $9.2 billion, up 6.8% at U.S. c-stores in 2022.
07
Beer sales hit $12.4 billion, representing 4.2% of inside sales in 2022.
08
Other tobacco products sales grew 12.4% to $12.1 billion in 2022.
09
Salty snacks sales increased 11.2% to $7.9 billion in c-stores 2022.
10
Energy drinks sales surged 13.5% to $4.8 billion at c-stores in 2022.
11
Prepared food sales within foodservice reached $15.3 billion in 2022.
12
Carbonated soft drinks sales were $6.2 billion, down 1.4% in 2022.
13
Hot beverages sales totaled $2.1 billion at c-stores in 2022.
14
Alternative snacks sales grew 14.7% to $3.4 billion in 2022.
15
Wine sales at c-stores increased 8.9% to $2.3 billion in 2022.
16
Sports/energy drinks category captured 23.1% of packaged beverages in 2022.
17
Cigars sales rose 10.2% to $3.7 billion in c-store tobacco category 2022.
18
Sweet snacks sales were $6.1 billion, up 5.6% at c-stores in 2022.
19
Non-alcoholic beverages excluding packaged drinks sold $4.5 billion in 2022.
20
E-cigarettes/vaping products sales hit $2.9 billion in 2022 at c-stores.
21
Grocery items sales totaled $18.7 billion in c-store inside sales 2022.
22
Hot dogs sales within foodservice were $1.2 billion in c-stores 2022.
23
Total tobacco sales represented 32.4% of inside gross margins in 2022.
24
Bottled water sales grew 9.1% to $5.3 billion at c-stores in 2022.
Interpretation
Sales Performance Interpretation
The modern American convenience store is a fascinating paradox, thriving as a one-stop shop for both our vices and virtues, where declining cigarette sales still bankroll the empire while we guiltily fuel up on energy drinks and gourmet hot dogs.
Reference
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APA
David Sutherland. (2026, February 13). C-Store Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/c-store-industry-statistics
MLA
David Sutherland. "C-Store Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/c-store-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Sutherland. 2026. "C-Store Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/c-store-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
4 datasets cited across this report