According to National Association of Convenience Stores, the convenience store is "...a retail business with primary emphasis placed on providing the public a convenient location to quickly purchase from a wide array of consumable products (predominantly food or food and gasoline) and services." There has been a dramatic rise in workplace competition, leading to longer hours for employees, which means less time at home for their meal preparation, and a greater need for fuel throughout the day and night, enhancing the demand for the convenience store franchise.

Consumers demand for convenient, "grab and go" foods is driving the convenience store franchise market and convenience store gas station franchise market with the surge in sales of the Quick Breakfast, Energy Bars, diet aids and other functional snacks. Snack bar sales alone are already up about 10 percent over last year.