The COVID-19 pandemic left more than destruction in its wake: it also sensitized millions of Americans to the need to scrupulously guard their personal hygiene. While sales of hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes may have gone down as the COVID-19 pandemic fades from memory, the personal-care conditioning it brought about continues. Items like cold remedies,…

Prior to a store’s grand opening, a small to mid-sized business owner newbie must recruit, hire, and train ideal workers. Investing time and energy in research and preparation about everything from where to find the best staffers to preparing relevant interview questions can help gather information on the training process. Business owners need to keep…

Hemp comes from the Cannabis sativa plant, but it contains less than 0.3% THC.   When people talk about cannabis, they’re usually referring to what’s also called weed or marijuana, which come from a strain of the Cannabis sativa plant that contains more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects that…

Anyone serving food has some amount of spoilage. But how much is too much? “Typically, we look for 8-12% in a program where hot grab-and-go offers make up 50% or more of the program,” said Sherryn Diamond, director of food service for High’s Stores in Baltimore, Md. “If you are providing a predominantly made-to-order (MTO)…

“The nice thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression.”  — John Harvey-Jones If you get in a car in Chicago with the intent of driving to Los Angeles, the GPS rarely plots the California portion of the map while…

Both CBD soft gels and oil are popular forms with different benefits, and each may serve a different consumer best. Customers interested in cannabidiol (CBD) can select a number of different forms, from gummies to soft gels to tinctures to oils. New CBD customers often have questions about what form is right for them. Today…

To sell more beer c-stores need to begin by knowing what their consumers are and aren’t looking for — which means keeping up with trends. In the wake of a red-letter year in COVID-ravaged 2020, beer sales dropped in 2021 as consumers returned to more or less normal life. In 2022, the same old brands…

With green initiatives growing in importance, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are rapidly expanding at c-stores. The higher costs of fuel are also causing consumers to ask the question: Should I switch to an electric vehicle? According to the Department of Energy, electric vehicles are energy efficient, environmentally friendly, provide a smooth operation and offer…

A bakery program can do wonders for a convenience store’s bottom line — with the caveat that it has to be done right, which takes experience and expertise. “Training is everything, and most operators don’t do enough, and rarely even budget for it,” said Rudy Miick, FCSI, a veteran foodservice consultant and principal of The…

A top rate coffee bar starts with a high-quality cup of coffee, but presentation matters too. The most important aspect of your convenience store’s coffee bar is that the coffee is hot and fresh. Consider if a move to bean-to-cup coffee dispensers might be right for your chain to ensure customers receive a fresh cup…