27+ years in convenience store leadership. Founder of C-Store Thrive, sharing daily tips, strategies, and training to help store owners and managers grow sales and teams.
Assistant Manager
Structured rapid training gets better results than drawn-out processes. The 48-hour competency framework focuses on essential skills that enable new employees to handle basic transactions safely within two days while achieving 65% faster competency development.
Sales Associate
Age-restricted sales violations cost stores thousands in fines while jeopardizing licenses. Proper ID verification includes physical examination, photo verification, age calculation, and recognizing red flags to prevent compliance issues.
breaking
Willie, Ram, and Joseph work the closing shift at Survival Stop on what seems like just another Tuesday night in South Texas. Between lottery customers and burnt taquitos, they have no idea this is the last normal night they'll ever know.
Customer POV
As a busy working parent, finding stores with self-checkout is non-negotiable. When you need coffee in 15 minutes with a 1 PM presentation, every second counts. 68% of convenience store shoppers actively seek self-checkout for time savings and transaction control.
Store Owner
ATM placement decisions significantly impact customer traffic and profitability. Ownership retains 100% of surcharge fees but requires maintenance and cash management, while leasing offers simplified operations with reduced revenue through sharing agreements.
district manager
District managers need systematic approaches to evaluate convenience store financial performance beyond monthly reports. Focus on sales trend analysis, shrink rate monitoring, margin assessment, and controllable expense management to identify problems 40% faster.
store manager
Effective store walks transform routine inspections into strategic management activities. Systematic evaluation from exterior to interior, food safety compliance, customer service observation, and proper documentation drive measurable business results.
Assistant Manager
The pre-shift huddle sets the daily tone for your team. Learn the 3-part formula: start with something real, hit key priorities (2-3 max), and end with ownership and energy. Transform awkward mumbling into confident leadership that boosts productivity and morale.
Sales Associate
Learning to handle multiple customers at the register without losing composure separates experienced associates from those who struggle during peak periods. Effective queue management prevents customer loss and reduces employee stress during busy times.
24-7 Convenience Stores
As a night shift nurse, I've become an expert on finding reliable 24/7 stores with food and coffee. When working non-traditional hours, knowing where to find fresh coffee and decent food isn't just convenient - it's essential for survival.
Digital Transformation
Digital transformation in convenience stores goes beyond gadgets—it's about reinventing how stores operate and serve customers. From POS systems and inventory tools to loyalty apps and mobile ordering, tech-savvy operators are gaining the edge.
Multi-Unit Management
Effective multi-store management requires balancing priorities across locations while maintaining operational alignment. District managers need strategic oversight, efficient communication methods, and practical tools to supervise multiple convenience stores successfully.