January always feels like a reset, and this 2026 operations kickoff kit helps managers start the year with clarity, and discipline. The calendar flips, goals get refreshed, and everyone talks about having a “strong start” but if you talk to experienced convenience store managers, they’ll tell you something different. Strong years don’t start with big …

C-store leadership workshops often sound good in theory but in practice, many fail because managers don’t buy in or don’t see immediate value. Jonathan, a multi-store operator, took a different approach. By committing fully to C-store leadership workshops and aligning his managers around shared conversations, clear data, and consistent habits, he saw stronger teamwork, better …

Every year, c-store leaders set goals, and every year, most of them get buried under labor issues, coverage gaps, vendor pressure, and daily fire drills. That’s why a goal setting refresh for c-store leaders matters, not to add more work, but to clear the noise, and reset focus. It’s about slowing down just enough to …

Building a strong leadership culture in C-stores doesn’t start with technology or new procedures. It starts with people. That’s what Jessica has learned in her 27 years in the convenience store industry. Today, she leads with a focus on growth, culture, and creating space for her team to succeed. Her approach is simple but powerful: …

Strong convenience store performance begins with effective leadership. The best c-store managers aren’t stopping at schedules and cigarette counts. They’re developing people and driving culture to build resilient, profitable stores. This article explores strategies from industry leaders on how c-store manager leadership is developed from within and why it matters for long-term success. C-Store Manager …

C-store leadership isn’t just about meeting today’s sales goals, it’s about building people who can carry the business forward. Greg Hendricks has seen firsthand how strong managers and well-prepared teams create consistent results across multiple stores. His philosophy is straightforward: give people the right tools, set clear expectations, and trust them to rise to the …

In the fast-moving world of convenience stores, achieving c-store manager success goes beyond tracking sales or keeping shelves stocked. It’s about creating a store culture where employees feel motivated, customers feel valued, and every day brings opportunities for growth. This blog highlights how Michelle Cornwell has mastered this balance. From spotting future leaders and boosting …

New seasons bring new opportunities. Fall is no different. A c-store checklist for fall success helps us to find simple and important ways to keep our customers engaged.  Fall brings its own busy rhythm, back-to-school mornings, football weekends, cooler weather, and candy season. Customers expect quick service, warm food, and shelves stocked with their favorites. …

C-Store leadership is about more than keeping shelves stocked or managing schedules. It’s about creating an environment where people thrive, both the store team and the customers who walk through the doors. That’s exactly how Vince Hammock approaches his role at Homedale Market, a top-performing store and a place that feels like home to many. …

The C-Store Labor Maturity Model explains the operational effectiveness for operators in how well they manage the labor in their stores. Many convenience store operators are facing a growing performance gap relative to their labor-cost line item. Top c-store operators are shifting from simply managing c-store labor costs to optimizing profit drivers instead. That is, …

Nickie McNeal didn’t just grow up around convenience stores—she built her career inside them, learning firsthand what strong C-store leadership looks like. Today, she’s one of two district managers at Saneholtz-McKarns Inc., helping lead a team across all 16 Main Stop locations. But her journey started with a simple directive from her mom: “I need …

Chastity didn’t plan on a future in c-store leadership. She came from nursing, took a five-year break to fight cancer, and then decided to change her life completely. When her doctors cleared her to work, she set her sights on the c-store across the street from her house in Lakeview, Oregon. “I hounded the manager …