As the grab-and-go phenomenon and self-service micro markets continue to accelerate, it’s hard not to wonder where they're leading us. Enter Amazon Go, the world’s first checkout-free grocery store. Due to open its doors in early 2017 in Amazon’s home base of Seattle, it shifts the foodservice trend of speed and convenience into warp drive.

When considering the mega-impact micro markets are having on the food service industry, you can’t help but wonder how the trend started, where it’s headed, and what it means for you and your customers. A macro picture of micro markets can deepen your understanding of them and help you grab a bigger piece of the constantly growing self-service pie.

Micro markets are making a major impact on the foodservice industry. Falling into the sweet spot between vending and c-store, micro markets offer the quick convenience of the former and the versatile selection of the latter.