C-Store Operations Best Practices

C-Store operations best practices evolve with experience, technology and creativity. Retail competition is high. Therefore, smart owners and managers seek new ways to serve customers. Naturally, they want to provide new items that are desired. Obviously, they desire higher margins for higher convenience and value.

New products, faster service, cleaner shopping, home delivery, choices, and sometimes just simpler options are all included. Successful C-Store operations best practices make use of hot products as well as long term service excellence. Monitoring results, listening to customers and measuring ROI are all part of choosing the items of value.

In addition to great merchandise and service, operations have a direct impact on results. Operators that achieve high growth, stable margins and increasing loyalty operate well. Technology, management and training drive operations success. Best practices apply to technology selection. Of course, management is critical. Top performers have the same items as the bottom performers. Different cashiers in the same store have different outcomes. Stores are the same. Management and execution make a difference.

C-stores that thrive study best practices. They measure their results with POS scan data analytics and compare themselves internally and externally. The use of data is an objective way to find areas of strength. Of course, objective data will show weakness as well. The key is to know the actual status and focus energy on the priority work that drives sales and provides control.

Don Broadwaterlisted the three qualifications for c-store managers if you want to have a successful career in the convenience industry.. His store is located in Napolean, ohio. Image of bridge and courthouse in Napoleon, Ohio courtesy of city of Napolean

Three Qualifications for C-Store Managers

C-Store Operations Best Practices | Managing C-Store Change & Accountability | Store Manager Development
March 24, 2025 — 

Don Broadwater listed the three qualifications for c-store managers if you want to have a successful career in the convenience industry. These traits were explained as he shared his transition from his initial job in a family- run grocery store to his current position as the manager of an up-and-coming, newly-renovated store in Napoleon, Ohio. His …

image of barrista. While Simon Sinec's protrayal of being a great boss is emotionally rewarding, it begs the question as the ROI of becoming Noah's boss for c-store operations.

ROI of Becoming Noah’s Boss for C-Store Operations

C-Store Operations Best Practices | Managing C-Store Change & Accountability | Store Manager Development | Uncategorized
February 5, 2025 — 

While Simon Sinek’s portrayal of being a great boss is emotionally rewarding, it begs the question as the ROI of becoming Noah’s boss for c-store operations. Naturally, everyone wants to be supportive, positive, and receive accolades for creating a great place to work. However, how much does it really benefit the owners and shareholders? Is …

Jim Neaton, Stephanie Gallentine, and Greg Garrison participate in the BandyWorks 2024 Year-in-Review panel,  on December 10, 2024, and share these c-store operations 2024 key take-aways. The active session was attended by owners, operations leaders and store managers. The participating panelist operate dozens of stores each. They incluede the owner and leaders of Sunrise Store, Lassus, and Garrison Food Mart.

C-Store Operations 2024 Key Take-Aways

C-Store Operations Best Practices | C-Store Tips | Managing C-Store Change & Accountability | Store Manager Development
December 24, 2024 — 

Jim Neaton, Stephanie Galentine, and Greg Garrison participated in the BandyWorks Year-in-Review panel on December 10 and shared these c-store operations 2024 key take-aways. The active session was attended by owners, operations leaders and store managers. The participating panelist operate dozens of stores each. They include the owner and leaders of Sunrise Stores, Lassus, and …

Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Avoiding Burnout in Retail Operations

C-Store Operations Best Practices | C-Store Tips | Managing C-Store Change & Accountability | Store Manager Development
December 22, 2024 — 

Watching Jacinta create her hand-decorated Christmas cookies for her child’s elementary school party, I thought I may have the perfect expert to help explain her secrets for avoiding burnout in retail operations. So, I asked her about the secret to balancing work and family life. She responded quickly, “Admittedly, I was a people pleaser in …

Image if men enjoying the c-store experience at Garrison Food Mart Memphis TX

Discipline, Kindness and Direct Communication for C-Store Operations

A Day In the Life of a C-Store Manager | C-Store Operations Best Practices | Store Manager Development
October 14, 2024 — 

Having made plenty of bad choices in her youth, Jacklyn knows the value of personal choices and our ability to control our destiny. Admittedly, having lived a tough life in her youth, Jacklyn has used her personal recovery to shape her personal life. She brings the value of discipline, kindness and direct communication for her …

Image of Five C-Store Operations Drivers and Impediments

Five C-Store Operations Drivers and Impediments

C-Store Control | C-Store Growth | C-Store Operations Best Practices | Store Manager Development
April 25, 2024 — 

The changes and competition in the convenience retail world demands strong operations. Building a brand, having loyal customers and establishing a strong community presence cannot be attained and sustained without reliable operations. The convenience business is about people: your customers and your staff. Your operations determine how well you deliver convenience through your staff to …

Image of happy c-store staff. C-store staff retention is a big part of c-store operations ROI

Three Aspects of C-Store Operations ROI

C-Store Control | C-Store Growth | C-Store Operations Best Practices | Store Manager Development
July 16, 2023 — 

There are three main aspects of c-store operations ROI. C-Store operations have a virtually unlimited capacity to grow and attain on-going improvement. These results are evident with successful chains such as Casey’s, Kwik Trip, Wawa, Sheetz, and others. They show the power of great businesses that have both a strong operational system and the ability …

Image of successful store with happy staff running the store. Managers forget numbers to fix problems. Once the problem is identified they work on the root cause with actions they can control. Focusing on strong operations is the main influence to improve store operations

Managers Forget the Numbers to Fix Problems

C-Store Growth | C-Store Operations Best Practices | Store Manager Development
May 25, 2023 — 

Managers forget the numbers to fix problems. A store manager cannot make a customer buy anything. They can only address how the store operates. The key is store manager problem solving. They must manage staffing, stocking, inventory, finances, cleanliness, preparation and how the store operates. Their work directly influences the customer experience. Before they fix …

Image of Don Longo of CSNews at the Food Service Exchange.

Ten Things I Learned at the CSNews Convenience Food Service Exchange

C-Store Growth | C-Store Operations Best Practices | Managing C-Store Change & Accountability
May 8, 2023 — 

The presenters at a recent food-service-focused-c-store conference provided a unique perspective on their successes. C-Store operations have already or may soon become primarily focused on food service. The presenters included a single store operator, several top 10 chains, investment bankers, leading vendors and leading consultants in the convenience space. Here are the ten things I …

Image of store manager stretching and focusing. Store managers thrive when they practice the five keys to grow food sales.

Five Keys to Grow Food Sales

C-Store Growth | C-Store Operations Best Practices
April 10, 2023 — 

Surveys of c-store managers identify five keys to grow food sales.  Food service is critical to the future success of most c-stores. A strong store manager can typically thrive in a store with great food offers as many of the jobs are the same as non-food stores. However, there are key differences. Preparing and supporting …

Image of fresh pizza preparation for c-store food service. It is clear that there are five keys to grow food sales. C-store managers thrive when the keys are practiced well.

Management Keys for C-Store Food Service

C-Store Growth | C-Store Operations Best Practices | Managing C-Store Change & Accountability
February 5, 2023 — 

Management keys for c-store food service utilize existing store manager skills, but require a few important new skillsets to maximize results. C-store managers have a complex job and the demands on their skills continue to grow.  C-Store operations’ complexity has increased with a combination of new services, technology, marketing and staffing challenges. The expansion of …

Image of ROI representing the concepts for store manager value. Store manager ROI strategy involves three components. Financial impact, store operations and leadership development drive the return on investment. C-Store Performance – ROI of Growth – How much profit from 1%?

Store Manager ROI Strategy

C-Store Growth | C-Store Operations Best Practices | Focus - Accountability Principles | Managing C-Store Change & Accountability
December 19, 2022 — 

Store manager ROI strategy involves three components. Financial impact, store operations and leadership development drive the return on investment. Overall chain health requires each store to provide value in three areas. The return provided to the chain is maximized when all three areas are addressed. That is, the store provides Financial return, Operates well Grows managers …