With its Evolution Store concepts, 7-Eleven is reinventing the traditional convenience store model to increase its appeal to a wider range of people. After the first Evolution Store of its kind was launched in Dallas, the concept is now being introduced to Washington, D.C. and San Diego markets.
Inside a 7-Eleven Evolution Store, visitors can enjoy authentic tacos from Laredo Taco Company that are handmade in-store daily from scratch, customize and sip made-to-order specialty drinks or use touchscreen machines to brew their own self-serve beverages. Although 7-Eleven is known for its frozen carbonated drinks, some of the beverages that are available on tap at Evolution Stores include tea, kombucha and nitro cold brew.
At the stores, customers are also being introduced to the next generation of convenience with mobile checkouts via the 7-Eleven app.
Craft Convenience Stores
7-Eleven's Evolution Stores Serve Handmade Tacos & Made-to-Order Drinks
Trend Themes
1. Convenience Store Reinvention - 7-Eleven's Evolution Stores are disrupting the conventional structuring of convenience stores by encroaching into the territory of cafes and bars, therefore presenting opportunities for convenience stores to expand their audience base.
2. In-store Foodservice - 7-Eleven's Laredo Taco Company and self-serve beverage concept are carving out opportunities for convenience stores to incorporate in-store foodservice options and offer a wider range of beverage choices to their customers.
3. Mobile Checkouts - 7-Eleven's mobile checkout system through its app is introducing the latest generation of technological progress and potential growth for mobile payment systems in the convenience store industry.
Industry Implications
1. Convenience Store - Being disrupted, but following similar footsteps has a massive potential to grow further by following the Evolution store concept for the wider audience base.
2. Foodservice - The idea of incorporating in-store foodservice options now has the potential to be carried out by other convenience stores while observing and learning from the Laredo Taco Company concept.
3. Mobile Payment - 7-Eleven is revolutionizing the mobile payment system within this industry, establishing potential opportunities for other companies to follow and innovate greater speed and customer ease in checkouts.