# Craft Convenience Stores 7-Eleven's Evolution Stores Serve Handmade Tacos & Made-to-Order Drinks By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2020-02-26 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/evolution-stores References: [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/7-eleven-expands-evolution-store-concept-to-washington-dc-and-san-diego-301011544.html) & [7-eleven](http://www.7-eleven.com/) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7eleven-menu-items), visitors can enjoy authentic tacos from [Laredo Taco Company](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laredo-taco-co-quesabirria) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/evolution-fresh-real-fruit-soda) 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. Image Credit: 7-Eleven ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 73% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **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. - **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. - **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. ### Who This Affects Most - **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. - **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. - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Ready-to-Eat Retailer Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7eleven-menu-items.md) - [Celebratory Convenience Market Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-food-items.md) - [Convenience Store Metaverses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7eleven-metaverse.md) - [Culinary Convenience Store Coffees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7eleven-og-to-go.md) - [Youthful Convenience Store Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rollup-refuel.md) - [Authentic Birria-Style Tacos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laredo-taco-co-quesabirria.md) - [Purpose-Led Emerging Brands Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brands-with-heart.md) - [Convenience Retailer Private Labels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7eleven-private-label-products.md) - [Festive Convenient Store Offerings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-beverages.md)