The gas station business is very lucrative, yielding great income and more importantly, serving a larger populace’s needs. Gas stations often cater to travelers and commuters looking for convenient, quick snacks and drinks.
If you want to sell products alongside your gas station, you may consider offering a well-curated selection of food, snacks, and drinks to increase sales and appeal to various customers.
Making other service offerings available would mean attracting additional sources of income to your purse. In this article, we will consider some of the best and most popular options that work well in gas stations.
Best-Selling Food to Sell in a Gas Station
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Chips & Pretzels
One of the foremost snacks to consider selling at your gas station is good old chips and pretzels. Classic brands like Lay’s, Doritos, and Ruffles are favorites for a quick, savory snack.
These snacks are easy to stock, have a long shelf life, and are popular across all age groups, making them a staple in any gas station.
You can also expand your offerings by including a variety of flavors and textures, from kettle-cooked and ridged chips to spicy, sour cream, or barbecue flavors.
For pretzels, options like Snyder’s pretzel pieces or mini pretzel bags can appeal to customers looking for a more substantial, crunchy snack.
Additionally, consider including healthier alternatives such as baked chips or low-sodium options to attract health-conscious consumers.
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Candy Bars
Candys are always the people’s favorite. Popular choices like Snickers, M&Ms, Twix, and Reese’s are easy grab-and-go options that will meet the needs of your customers.
Candy bars are an easy grab-and-go option, perfect for busy commuters or families on road trips. They offer a quick energy boost, making them especially appealing to drivers looking for a pick-me-up during long journeys.
In addition to the well-known brands, consider offering seasonal or limited-edition varieties to keep your selection fresh and exciting.
You could display candy bars near the checkout counter to increase impulse purchases. Creating bundle deals, such as “buy two, get one free,” or pairing candy bars with drinks like soda or coffee can further boost sales.
3. Trail Mix & Nuts
You may also want to offer a healthier option for your health-conscious customers. Consider options like mixed nuts, almonds, and trail mixes which are popular among travelers and commuters.
Mixed nuts, for example, can be customized with various combinations of almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pistachios, giving customers a variety of flavors and textures.
Some trail mixes also include dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, or apricots, adding natural sweetness and providing additional vitamins and nutrients.
Offering pre-packaged, portion-controlled options ensures that the snacks remain fresh and convenient for on-the-go customers.
Also, you could provide organic and non-GMO options to attract more health-conscious consumers. Displaying these snacks prominently can appeal to those who want something more nutritious than chips or candy bars.
4. Beef Jerky
If you are looking for a gas station staple, then beef jerky is something you should consider. It contains high protein and is easy to eat on the go.
This makes it ideal for travelers, truck drivers, and commuters who need a quick and convenient option to refuel during long trips.
Beef jerky has a long shelf life and is not prone to spoiling easily, allowing you to stock it without worrying about waste. Jerky comes in a variety of flavors and types, spicy, sweet, smoked, or teriyaki.
It may interest you to know that jerky is often seen as a healthier alternative to chips and candy, making it attractive to fitness-conscious customers. It provides energy and sustenance, making it a go-to snack for road trips, hiking, or camping.
By offering a selection of quality beef jerky brands, you can meet the demand for a filling, portable, and satisfying snack that appeals to a wide range of customers.
5. Granola Bars & Protein Bars
Another thing worth offering is granola bars and protein bars. You can consider brands like Clif, KIND, and Nature Valley to appeal to health-conscious customers.
These bars are perfect for customers looking for a quick snack without compromising their dietary choices. Protein bars, such as Clif and RXBAR, cater to a more specific market: fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and those looking to maintain energy levels throughout the day.
They are packed with protein and essential nutrients, making them a practical option for customers who may be traveling long distances or need to refuel quickly.
Some brands also offer low-sugar or plant-based options, tapping into current health trends and catering to diverse dietary preferences, such as vegan or keto diets.
6. Cookies & Crackers
You can never go wrong with cookies and crackers. Making them available to your customers will help in boosting sales. Think of pre-packaged cookies (Oreos, Chips Ahoy) and crackers (Ritz, Goldfish) because they are easy snacks.
In addition to their convenience, cookies, and crackers offer a variety of flavors and textures that cater to different tastes. You can stock both sweet options, like chocolate chip or cream-filled cookies, and savory choices like cheese-flavored crackers or salted varieties.
Offering a range of choices allows you to satisfy cravings for either sweet or salty snacks. Moreover, these items have a longer shelf life, making them low-maintenance products for your business.
Displaying them near the checkout counter or in high-traffic areas will encourage impulse buying. You can even offer combo deals, pairing cookies and crackers with drinks or other snacks to create value packs, enticing customers to buy more.
7. Popcorn
We never can have enough popcorn, because popcorn is always a delight. You can offer single-serving bags of popcorn like Skinny Pop or Boom Chicka Pop to your customers as easy-to-grab snacks.
These pre-packaged, portion-controlled sizes are convenient for travelers, offering a quick snack without the hassle of cooking or cleanup.
Popcorn also caters to a wide audience, from health-conscious consumers to those just looking for a quick, salty treat. It’s also a great snack for road trips—easy to share, with minimal mess.
Having different flavor options, like sea salt, kettle corn, or white cheddar, can offer variety and keep customers coming back for more. Plus, popcorn’s long shelf life makes it an easy product to manage in terms of inventory.
8. Fresh Fruit
Go the fruity way by offering fruits as a healthy snack option at the gas station. Lots of people would rather skip sweet things and go healthy with fruits.
Apples, bananas, and oranges can provide a healthy snack option. These fruits are not only refreshing and naturally sweet, but they are also easy to grab and eat on the go, making them a practical option for travelers.
In addition to being a healthy choice, fresh fruit can appeal to a wide demographic, including families with children, fitness enthusiasts, and health-conscious individuals.
Pairing fresh fruit with other nutritious snacks, such as nuts or yogurt, can create a well-rounded selection that encourages repeat customers to seek healthy alternatives.
9. Snack Cakes & Pastries
Cakes and pastries are always a quick option to turn to keep hunger at bay. You may consider brands like Hostess or Little Debbie snacks like Twinkies, honey buns, and Swiss rolls, which have long been favorites in the snack world.
These individually wrapped items are not only portable but also have a longer shelf life, making them perfect for gas stations and convenience stores.
You might even consider stocking locally sourced or artisanal pastries to cater to customers looking for something a bit more unique or gourmet. Given their low price point and universal appeal, cakes and pastries often encourage impulse buys, boosting sales.
Pairing them with coffee or a soft drink special can also create a combo deal that’s hard for customers to pass up, further increasing revenue.
10. Gummies & Sour Candy
Popular among kids and adults are gummies and sour candy. You too can attract customers and their kids to yours by offering options like Haribo gummies or Sour Patch Kids. Beyond just appealing to candy enthusiasts, offering a variety of gummy and sour candy can attract families traveling with kids. Parents often want something that will keep their children entertained and satisfied during a long car ride, and small packs of gummies or sour candy are the perfect solution. The portable, mess-free nature of these snacks makes them ideal for road trips, adding convenience to the appeal.
To further boost sales, consider offering a mix of traditional favorites and newer, trendy options. For example, unique flavors or limited-edition varieties can draw in curious customers. Bulk packs or multi-buy discounts can also be an effective strategy to encourage impulse purchases, especially when placed near the checkout counter. By offering these sweet treats, you’re adding to the convenience factor that customers seek at a gas station stop.
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Milk & Chocolate Milk
Milk is a stable at the gas station any day. You should consider brands like Nesquik or Yoohoo. Whole, skim, and low-fat options cater to different dietary preferences, while lactose-free milk can meet the needs of lactose-intolerant customers.
Traditional milk and flavored options like chocolate milk are a hit with kids and adults alike. These drinks are not only convenient for on-the-go consumption but also serve as a delightful accompaniment to many snacks available at gas stations.
You can explore partnering with local dairy farms for fresh, high-quality milk options, which can appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking local products.
Additionally, offering promotions or combo deals, such as chocolate milk paired with a snack, can encourage customers to make impulse purchases.
By providing a diverse range of milk and chocolate milk options, your gas station can become a go-to spot for refreshing and satisfying beverages.