Whether you’re buying an existing convenience store or building a new-to-industry (NTI) c-store, it is likely one of the largest — if not the largest — investments you will ever make. Understand it is not a decision to take lightly, no matter how much money you think you have. You must have enough cash on-hand…

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted U.S. convenience store chains differently across regions at various times as lockdowns rippled across the U.S. in the spring and summer of 2020. As the pandemic has continued into 2021, out-of-stocks due to supply chain issues and a decline in impulse purchases has impacted the category for some retailers. While lockdowns…

When it comes to the long-term success of a business, one of the key drivers is prudent capital re-investment. Unlike operational expenses that are used to run the daily business or working capital to purchase inventory, money invested in the business that yields incremental income is known as capital investment. Generally, these investments are made…

Milkshakes consist of milk and ice cream. That basic recipe makes shakes an easy choice to include in a convenience store’s frozen dispensed beverage (FDB) menu because they’re not complicated with a plethora of ingredients that require a lot of staff intervention. However, the number of flavor possibilities is only limited by the selection of…

In 1885, long before homes boasted freezers or blenders and several decades before the advent of frozen dispensed beverage (FDB) machines, someone had the idea that an eggnog-like drink would mix well with whiskey. And for whatever reason, that person named the concoction a “milkshake,” resembling nothing like what constitutes today’s commonly held definition of…

The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp products from the controlled substances list, thereby clearing the path for convenience stores and other retailers to begin selling hemp-derived products, including cannabidiol (CBD). In 2021, industry analytics valued the CBD sector at approximately $35 billion and growing at more than 8.0%. But what makes this…

In a national online survey, the National Confectioners Association (NCA) found that Americans prefer chocolate (60%) to non-chocolate (40%) in their trick-or-treat pumpkins. It’s no surprise then that chocolate came in first place, followed closely by Americans’ second choice: gummy candy. Americans’ third choice is candy corn. While there is some debate about the best…

A lot of Americans still aren’t sure exactly what CBD is or what it can do for them. Worse, a lot of convenience store operators still aren’t sure who their CBD customers are – the very first thing they need to know in order to capitalize on the trend. So – who is buying CBD…

According to a CivicScience study of more than 40,000 of-age Americans (21 and older), 34% of respondents said they have had some experience with various CBD products, and 15% intend to give them a try soon, totaling nearly half of the of-age general population. So, what is driving CBD sales and overall interest? As the…

Overall candy sales picked up at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and have remained strong since, as nervous, confined Americans continue to reach for things to sweeten bitter times. Now, with the lockdowns over and many of our anxieties abated, consumers are getting back out there, and routines are returning to relative normalcy. So,…