In this day and age, energy efficiency is becoming a higher priority for many c-stores, and moves are being made to accommodate, such as installing light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, solar panels and high-rated Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) HVAC units. Stores such as Stewart’s Shops, Go Time, Neon Marketplace and Sheetz all either already or…

Bean-to-cup coffee dispensers are the latest trend in the coffee area. But convenience store retailers must weigh the benefits with the cost of new equipment. Bean-to-cup coffee machines can signal ‘fresh’ to customers because the machines grind the coffee fresh with the touch of a button. Most retailers point to the perception of freshness as…

Energy efficiency and the cost savings that comes with it are the primary reasons behind the general shift to LED lighting. When it comes to store operations, convenience stores need to determine which products and systems work for them to best satisfy their finance, sustainability and efficiency goals. Many c-stores are finding light-emitting diode (LED)…

Chicken has become a popular item in convenience stores – but is it right for your convenience store? It can be if, first and foremost, the operator accepts that he is embracing a significantly different business model. “Any c-store considering a chicken or other foodservice program must understand they are not just adding a new category,”…

“Badges? We ain’t got no badges. We don’t need no badges! I don’t have to show you any stinkin’ badges!” – from “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” As a small business owner, you may wonder why one would need to get organized from a policy and procedure standpoint. After all, you may only have…

Convenience stores traditionally feature self-serve coffee, but as c-stores have transitioned into more food-centric businesses, some are implementing barista programs to offer customers made-to-order espresso-based beverages. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, some customers were more reticent about using self-serve dispensers leading to a growing demand for made-to-order coffee. As drive-through service expands and…

Packaged sandwiches are a hot seller in the grab-and-go section of convenience stores. Growing sales in this segment requires attention to best practices. Ed Kashouty, the owner of Lakewood Exxon in Lakewood N.J., who has been selling packaged sandwiches in his stores for more than 25 years, advised sticking to the basics. “Investigate and research…

  With the U.S. Food & Drug Administration avoiding the regulation of CBD-hemp products, the role of independent, third-party laboratories in verifying the content of those products is especially important. Consumers will want to have confidence in a CBD product before purchasing and using it. In any relatively new industry, providers must overcome consumer doubt.…

With the latest COVID-19 surge now waning, spring on the horizon and customers returning to former routines after the better part of two years, it may be time for some convenience stores to consider a coffee bar refresh. It should go without saying that a good coffee program starts with a quality cup of coffee…

While snack trends tend to vary by geographical regions, a desire for new flavor and texture experiences, healthier products and guilt-free indulgence continue to trend across the country. Salty snacks sales are at an all-time high in popularity after struggling during the first year of the pandemic. Customers are flocking back to the salty snack…