NCCO International The 2025 NACS Show in Chicago (October 15–17) brought together thousands of leaders shaping the future of the convenience and fuel retail industry. From emerging technologies to evolving foodservice trends, the energy on the show floor was undeniable.
NCCO was proud to be part of it as a vendor, showcasing our intelligent foodservice operations platform, RightBytes®, along with our DateCodeGenie® automated food labeling system, Always Food Safe digital food safety training, and more.
NACS was, of course, more than a trade show. It was a glimpse into where the convenience industry is heading. This year, that direction was clear: technology is transforming every part of the c-store experience.
What We Saw on the Show Floor
The floor design itself made a statement. Huge open spaces, full-wall digital video displays, and interactive kiosks were everywhere. Large QR codes dominated signage, and messaging was short, bold, and benefit-driven with eye-catching concision and clarity.
Some booths included fun, immersive elements as well. A log house with a smoking chimney, a retro “pickle ride” machine, virtual soccer goal kicking, and photo ops like a headless football player cutout were among the opportunities to make for a memorable user experience.
What We Learned About Digital Tools
We also saw many technology providers. Interestingly, few were offering a truly integrated approach. This is what stood out:
- POS-adjacent platforms or temperature monitoring systems mostly focused on single functions, not holistic management.
- In the New Exhibitor section, MostEdge and Crony Softwares were interesting newcomers, but with limited presence.
Interestingly, food training providers focused mainly on employee safety, leaving a gap for foodservice-specific operational training
The AI Everywhere Moment
If there was a single defining theme of the 2025 NACS Show, it was AI. References and messaging surrounding AI could be found on signs, in product pitches, in presentations, and in nearly every booth. We saw AI-powered kiosks, AI loss prevention, AI inventory forecasting, AI checkout systems and more. In some cases, it felt less like a meaningful capability and more like a marketing necessity. This oversaturation presents both a challenge and an opportunity. For solutions like RightBytes, which use AI to drive operational improvement, the key question becomes: How do we cut through the buzz and show the difference between AI designed for attention and AI designed for action and, ultimately, results?
Key Trends Driving the C-Store Industry
- AI might be the new baseline, but outcomes still matter
AI is officially mainstream in convenience retail, powering everything from camera analytics to predictive ordering. As several NACS speakers noted, however, the real struggle is turning data into decisions. Operators benefit from guidance as much as they do a dashboard, and being able to use analytics and data gathering effectively is the key to success. - Foodservice execution is make-or-break
Food and beverage programs continue to be the profit engine for c-stores, but growth is slowing. Success now depends on flawless execution. This means consistency, freshness, and speed. Operators launching new menu items without solid prep planning or traceability are finding it difficult to maintain quality across locations. What we found is that operational discipline is the new differentiator - Bold flavors and new formats grab attention
From sweet-and-spicy combos to “maximalist” mashups, flavor innovation is alive and well. These trends underscore the need for agile menu management and performance tracking, especially for seasonal ingredients and LTO promotions. - Fragmentation remains the big barrier
Many operators still juggle multiple systems: POS, spreadsheets, paper logs, and vendor-specific apps. Fragmentation makes scaling innovation difficult and slows down response time. The solutions gaining traction at NACS were those that connect systems, automate insights, and simplify workflows - Retail media and loyalty are redefining engagement
C-store brands are finding new ways to use first-party data, loyalty apps, and in-store media to personalize customer experiences. The takeaway for foodservice? Operations technology that aligns with loyalty data and sales performance will drive smarter menu and staffing decisions.
NCCO Introduces RightBytes®
This is where Intelligent systems like RightBytes can stand out: By providing actionable, context-driven insights operators can use. We’re not adding AI just to say we did. We built RightBytes to solve real-world problems convenience-store operators face every day: Managing multiple systems, losing time to manual work, and struggling to execute consistently across stores.
The takeaway from NACS 2025 is clear: AI is here to stay. But the real opportunity lies in using intelligence to simplify, not complicate operations.
That’s what RightBytes does best. It bridges the gap between data and decision, turning everyday operations into opportunities for consistency, savings, and profit. See it for yourself.
Want to experience how RightBytes can transform your foodservice operations?
To see how NCCO supports operators with digital tools and labeling systems that enhance food safety and efficiency across locations, explore our Convenience Store Solutions