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FIT CHECK · TRENDING TOPPINGS

Would a trending topping on items you already sell work at your stores?

Wawa added Dill Pickle Ranch to breakfast, lunch and dinner items, and Rutter's brings back a Spam menu every year. A free Fit Check shows which of your stores look like the 1,476 Wawa and Rutter's sites where the concept already runs.

Apply it to my stores

3 quick questions · no sales data needed · free

A graphic of 9 Wawa menu items made with Dill Pickle Ranch, from burgers and a turkey sandwich to a flatbread and wraps
SPOTTED · Wawa, Rutter's and Żabka

What we saw

Wawa added Dill Pickle Ranch to breakfast, lunch and dinner items, and Rutter's brings back a Spam menu every year.

What we learned

A new topping gives regulars a reason to come back, and it's cheap, because it goes on items you already sell. Crucially, these chains celebrate the topping and let customers add it to anything, so unlike a new menu item, it adds excitement to what you already sell, it's an easy upsell, and customers can take it or leave it.

Who it's for

Stores with their own hot food, even just a roller grill.

The toppings cocktail

What made it work at Wawa and Rutter's

The closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike, ages 18 to 34, nightlife within a mile, schools and colleges, the last stop before an empty stretch, and the restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby, including the ones inside yours.

What has to be true in a c-store

Hot food, even just a roller grill, toppings added at the counter, and whether you've tried trending ingredients in limited-time offers. From your answers. A meal trip is worth about 1.3x the average basket, about $10.20 in 2026 dollars, so a topping that brings regulars back for a meal is worth more than one more snack sale.

In your full Fit Check

What reviews say about your food, and your past limited-time offers.

You see every input and how each store ranks on it. How much each factor counts is shared only with you, privately, in your full Fit Check.

What comes back

  • Where to try a trending topping first, store by store, each with a twin.
  • Each store's closest Wawa or Rutter's match.

The Foodservice read →The field note →The Pre-Launch Pilot Read →

What a Fit Check analyzes around each store

Demographic profile in a 2-mile radius

Population, median household income, ages and bachelor's degrees from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2019-2023 5-year estimates), for every census tract within 2 miles.

Breakfast and lunch crowd

People who work within 2 miles, from the Census Bureau's LEHD (2023), and the daily traffic on the store's road, from the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 counts.

The mealtime competition

Fast food, sandwich, burger, pizza, chicken, taco, deli and bagel places within 1 mile and within a quarter mile, the cheapest lunch nearby, and the restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby, from Overture Maps place listings (September 2026).

Colleges, schools and gyms

College students within 2 miles who aren't online-only (NCES IPEDS, fall 2023), high schools within 1 mile, and gyms and fitness studios within 3 miles.

Nightlife and the empty stretch

Bars and clubs within a mile, and how few people live 10 to 30 miles out.

Registered competitors in the ZIP code

Limited-service restaurants (NAICS 722513), supermarkets (445110), convenience stores (445120) and gas stations with convenience stores (447110) in each store's ZIP code, from the Census Bureau's ZIP Code Business Patterns (2022). We show them next to each store in the quick read, as a check on the map listings.

Apply it to my stores

Other Fit Checks you can run

Wegmans case of single protein portions, each labeled, with protein grams on the shelf strip

Salad bases with pricey add-ons

Stores that already sell any kind of salad, in busy lunch areas or in towns with no health grocer nearby.

Apply it to my stores
A sign on a TotalEnergies pump island in Berlin promoting the hot snack of the month, a Leberkäse roll

Snack of the month promoted at the pump

Any store with fuel, especially near a highway.

Apply it to my stores
A wall of instant ramen packets in a CU store in Seoul, labeled Ramyun Library

Becoming a ramen destination

Any store with hot water and 4 to 8 feet of shelf, especially near schools, colleges and nightlife.

Apply it to my stores
A self-checkout at a Shell station in Orono, Maine, with a sign: Go ahead, check yourself out! Skip the line and save time!

Deploy self-checkout where lines form

Stores where the line at the morning or lunch rush gets long enough that people walk out.

Apply it to my stores
A Royal Farms door poster: Hot To-Go 2 for $6, or 2 for $5 with rewards

Promote member prices

Chains with a loyalty program, or about to launch one, since a member price needs a program to join.

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A Casey's PIN pad asking for the rewards phone number, with a Tap here button

Excessive loyalty discount check

Chains with a loyalty program, with or without fuel.

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Want to look around first? See all our field notes →

How a Fit Check works

  • Pick a concept and answer a few quick questions about your stores.
  • Tell us your chain's name, any other names, your fuel brands and your website, or paste a list of your store addresses. We find your stores on public maps, and you uncheck any that aren't yours.
  • We score every store vs. all 207,335 US c-stores and gas stations on the concept's cocktail: what made it work where we saw it, measured around each store, and what has to be true in a c-store, from your answers.
  • Each store lands in 1 of 3 tiers: "Ready now," "Next wave" or "Not a priority now," with our analysis showing the strongest reasons why. The ready stores that meet the most ingredients are the ones to try first, each with a modeled twin from your own chain, so you can measure the result.
  • See a quick read in about a minute, or get the full Fit Check by email within 2 business days, with an estimate of the sales lift the concept needs to pay off at each store we'd try it in first.

EXAMPLE

What you get back

Heartland Markets is a fictional chain of 42 stores. We put its stores at real c-store sites around Providence, in Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut, so the public data around every store is real, and so is what it shows about how well each concept fits each store.

18 ready now, 6 of them to try first · 15 next wave · 9 not a priority now

5075

75 or more is ready now, and the 6 of those that meet the most ingredients go first, each with a twin to compare with. 50 to 74 is the next wave. Under 50, hold off. (The cutoffs differ a little by concept.)

Try it here first (6)Ready now (18)Next wave (15)Not a priority now (9)Twin: select a store to try first
What each icon reads:Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalikeAges 18 to 34NightlifeSchools and collegesRestaurant brands inside c-stores nearbyLast stop before an empty stretchMore segments filled: a better fit than more US c-stores

Ready now (18)

The 6 to try first are the ready stores that meet the most ingredients. A ready store with a higher score comes after them when it falls short on one.

Try it here first

Store 34 · 691 Valley St, ProvidenceScore 99
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores
  • 82 bars and clubs within a mile, for a late crowd that tries new things
  • 4 c-stores with a restaurant inside within a mile, so a signature item gives shoppers a reason to pick yours
  • Providence College 0.9 miles, a steady after-school crowd

Twin: Store 33 · 457 Benefit Street, Providence

ZIP 02908: 26 limited-service restaurants · 9 supermarkets · 7 convenience stores · 6 gas stations with convenience stores

Try it here first

Store 27 · 202 Thames St, NewportScore 97
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores
  • 39 bars and clubs within a mile, for a late crowd that tries new things
  • 3 c-stores with a restaurant inside within a mile, so a signature item gives shoppers a reason to pick yours
  • 31% of residents are 18 to 34, more than at 91% of US c-stores

Twin: Store 29 · 1003 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence

ZIP 02840: 28 limited-service restaurants · 7 supermarkets · 8 convenience stores · 4 gas stations with convenience stores

Try it here first

Store 30 · 556 Central Ave, PawtucketScore 96
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores
  • 19 bars and clubs within a mile, for a late crowd that tries new things
  • Its surroundings match a store where the concept runs: Wawa, 3950 S Congress Ave, Palm Springs, FL
  • 1 c-store with a restaurant inside within a mile, so a signature item gives shoppers a reason to pick yours

Twin: Store 31 · 71 Cedar St, Pawtucket

ZIP 02861: 24 limited-service restaurants · 0 supermarkets · 3 convenience stores · 6 gas stations with convenience stores

Try it here first

Store 8 · 178 Robeson St, Fall RiverScore 93
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores
  • 5 c-stores with a restaurant inside within a mile, so a signature item gives shoppers a reason to pick yours
  • 21 bars and clubs within a mile, for a late crowd that tries new things
  • Bristol Community College 1.9 miles, a steady after-school crowd

Twin: Store 10 · 397 Sawyer St, New Bedford

ZIP 02720: 18 limited-service restaurants · 7 supermarkets · 10 convenience stores · 5 gas stations with convenience stores

Try it here first

Store 37 · 2027 Post Rd, WarwickScore 91
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores
  • 19 bars and clubs within a mile, for a late crowd that tries new things
  • 2 c-stores with a restaurant inside within a mile, so a signature item gives shoppers a reason to pick yours
  • 25% of residents are 18 to 34, more than at 69% of US c-stores

Twin: Store 35 · 370 Putnam Pike, Smithfield

ZIP 02886: 48 limited-service restaurants · 8 supermarkets · 5 convenience stores · 11 gas stations with convenience stores

Try it here first

Store 7 · 1625 Robeson St, Fall RiverScore 89
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores
  • 3 c-stores with a restaurant inside within a mile, so a signature item gives shoppers a reason to pick yours
  • Bristol Community College 0.9 miles, a steady after-school crowd
  • 5 bars and clubs within a mile, for a late crowd that tries new things

Twin: Store 6 · 627 Dartmouth St, Dartmouth

ZIP 02720: 18 limited-service restaurants · 7 supermarkets · 10 convenience stores · 5 gas stations with convenience stores

Also ready now, by score

Store 33 · 457 Benefit Street, ProvidenceScore 98
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores

97 bars and clubs within a mile, for a late crowd that tries new things

Not first, since it falls short on 1 ingredient: Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby

ZIP 02903: 55 limited-service restaurants · 5 supermarkets · 7 convenience stores · 4 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 26 · 2 Carroll Ave, NewportScore 97
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores

19 bars and clubs within a mile, for a late crowd that tries new things

Not first, since it falls short on 1 ingredient: Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby

ZIP 02840: 28 limited-service restaurants · 7 supermarkets · 8 convenience stores · 4 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 10 · 397 Sawyer St, New BedfordScore 96
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores

2 c-stores with a restaurant inside within a mile, so a signature item gives shoppers a reason to pick yours

Not first, since it falls short on 1 ingredient: Schools and colleges

ZIP 02746: 16 limited-service restaurants · 6 supermarkets · 10 convenience stores · 10 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 21 · 69 Taunton Ave, East ProvidenceScore 96
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores

Brown University 1.3 miles, a steady after-school crowd

Not first, since it falls short on 1 ingredient: Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby

ZIP 02914: 26 limited-service restaurants · 5 supermarkets · 0 convenience stores · 5 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 11 · 120 S Washington St, North AttleboroScore 89
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores

Its surroundings match a store where the concept runs: Wawa, 672 Berlin-Cross Keys Rd, Sicklerville, NJ

Not first, since it falls short on 3 ingredients: Ages 18 to 34 · Schools and colleges · Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby

ZIP 02760: 23 limited-service restaurants · 5 supermarkets · 3 convenience stores · 8 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 17 · 2148 Broad St, CranstonScore 89
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores

Its surroundings match a store where the concept runs: Wawa, 1155 W Browning Rd, Bellmawr, NJ

Not first, since it falls short on 2 ingredients: Schools and colleges · Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby

ZIP 02905: 26 limited-service restaurants · 9 supermarkets · 6 convenience stores · 4 gas stations with convenience stores

Next wave (15)

Store 38 · 629 Bald Hill Rd, WarwickScore 74
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores

Community College of Rhode Island 0.6 miles, a steady after-school crowd

ZIP 02886: 48 limited-service restaurants · 8 supermarkets · 5 convenience stores · 11 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 15 · 579 Metacom Ave, BristolScore 73
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores

4 bars and clubs within a mile, for a late crowd that tries new things

ZIP 02809: 13 limited-service restaurants · 0 supermarkets · 3 convenience stores · 3 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 39 · 888 Main St, West WarwickScore 71
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores

25% of residents are 18 to 34, more than at 73% of US c-stores

ZIP 02893: 23 limited-service restaurants · 0 supermarkets · 4 convenience stores · 11 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 13 · 2264 Grand Army of the Republic Highway, SwanseaScore 69
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores

Its surroundings match a store where the concept runs: Wawa, 7317 Appleleaf Ln, Sellersburg, IN

ZIP 02777: 8 limited-service restaurants · 0 supermarkets · 4 convenience stores · 6 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 18 · 964 Cranston St, CranstonScore 69
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores

18 bars and clubs within a mile, for a late crowd that tries new things

ZIP 02920: 27 limited-service restaurants · 9 supermarkets · 4 convenience stores · 9 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 23 · 198 Front St, LincolnScore 69
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores

8 bars and clubs within a mile, for a late crowd that tries new things

ZIP 02865: 17 limited-service restaurants · 0 supermarkets · 0 convenience stores · 0 gas stations with convenience stores

Not a priority now (9)

Store 41 · 367 Fairmount St, WoonsocketScore 45
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores
  • Its surroundings don't match the stores where the concept runs; the closest match is Wawa, 2225 S Goldenrod Rd, Orlando, FL
  • No c-store with a restaurant inside within a mile
ZIP 02895: 27 limited-service restaurants · 7 supermarkets · 9 convenience stores · 10 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 1 · Putnam Rd, 309, DanielsonScore 44
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores
  • No bars or clubs within a mile
  • Its surroundings don't match the stores where the concept runs; the closest match is Rutter's, 798 W Main St, Annville, PA
ZIP 06239: 3 limited-service restaurants · 0 supermarkets · 0 convenience stores · 3 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 25 · 1015 Boston Neck Rd, NarragansettScore 42
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores
  • No c-store with a restaurant inside within a mile
  • Its surroundings don't match the stores where the concept runs; the closest match is Wawa, 450 Delsea Dr, Malaga, NJ
ZIP 02882: 12 limited-service restaurants · 3 supermarkets · 0 convenience stores · 5 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 3 · 2 Prospect St, PlainfieldScore 33
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: in the top quarter of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Its surroundings don't match the stores where the concept runs; the closest match is Wawa, 1 Maple Ave, New Egypt, NJ
  • No bars or clubs within a mile
Store 9 · 2942 Acushnet Ave, New BedfordScore 32
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores
  • No bars or clubs within a mile
  • 18% of residents are 18 to 34, fewer than at 80% of US c-stores
ZIP 02745: 19 limited-service restaurants · 0 supermarkets · 8 convenience stores · 10 gas stations with convenience stores
Store 16 · 642 Washington St, CoventryScore 30
  • Closest Wawa or Rutter's lookalike: in the bottom quarter of US c-stores
  • Ages 18 to 34: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Nightlife: above the middle of US c-stores
  • Schools and colleges: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Restaurant brands inside c-stores nearby: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Last stop before an empty stretch: below the middle of US c-stores
  • Its surroundings don't match the stores where the concept runs; the closest match is Wawa, 701 W Germantown Pike, East Norriton Twp, PA
  • No c-store with a restaurant inside within a mile
ZIP 02816: 13 limited-service restaurants · 3 supermarkets · 0 convenience stores · 12 gas stations with convenience stores
How to read a score, a tier and a twin
  • Score: where a store stands on the concept's ingredients vs. all 207,335 US c-stores and gas stations on public maps. 90 means a better fit than 90% of them.
  • Ready now: 75 or more (85 or more for self-checkout, which only pays at the busiest stores). The ones to try first, up to 15% of your stores (at least 2, at most 8), are the ready stores that meet the most ingredients, then the highest scores.
  • Next wave: 50 to 74 (60 to 84 for self-checkout). Not a priority now: under 50, with the 2 ingredients that hold it back.
  • Ingredient icons fill in by how the store compares: 3 segments for the top quarter of US c-stores, none for the bottom quarter. With 2 or more, the store meets that ingredient.
  • A bonus ingredient, like being the last stop before an empty stretch, helps a store's score when the store has it. A store to try first doesn't need it.
  • Twin: for each store to try first, the store in your chain that looks most like it on the same ingredients, in the same state when possible and at least 1 mile away. Compare the 2 once the concept runs, and you'll be able to isolate what the change added to sales at the store where you made it.

A tier says where to try the concept first and how to measure it. It doesn't estimate what the concept would add in sales yet. A read measures that, store by store, vs. each store's twin.

How a read works →

What we learned testing concept-retailer fit on 6 chains

  • We scored all 207,335 US c-stores and gas stations on public map listings, so each of your stores was compared with every c-store in the country.
  • Where health grocers and salad chains open is predictable from public data. Given 2 c-stores, one with a health grocer or salad chain within a mile and one without, our model scores the first one higher 93% of the time.
  • We ran the 9 Fit Checks on 502 stores at 6 chains, from Maine to California. At the 2 chains in the densest suburbs, about 3 in 4 stores were ready now for salad. At the 3 chains with the most small-town stores, about half or more weren't a priority for salad.
  • Self-checkout sets the highest bar: at 3 of the 6 chains, 1 store in 7 or fewer was busy enough.
  • The snack of the month splits chains by where drivers come from: the typical store scored 72 at the most highway-heavy chain and 44 to 54 at the other 5. The Fit Check is selective: it tells chains, and the stores within a chain, apart, so it shows where to try a concept first instead of saying yes everywhere.

Sources: Overture Maps place listings (September 2026); the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2019-2023), LEHD LODES (2023), TIGER/Line roads (2023) and ZIP Code Business Patterns (2022); the Federal Highway Administration's HPMS traffic counts (2024); USDA's Food Access Research Atlas (2019); NCES IPEDS (fall 2023); NACS State of the Industry (2025).