Labor
Reset faster without more staff to maximize sales during the “100 days of summer”
The convenience store industry faces the severe challenge of a staff turnover rate exceeding 100%. During the "100-Day Summer," the hottest sales season of the year, store reset merchandising often competes with customer service for limited manpower. Third-party merchandising service provider MSCO proposes that by executing resets with a professional outsourcing team, it is possible to shorten cycles and ensure planogram compliance without adding staff, resulting in a 7-8% sales growth and a reduction in out-of-stock rates of up to 20%.
Buc-ee’s allegedly treated worker with a disability with ‘reckless indifference’
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Buc-ee's on Tuesday, alleging that the travel center retailer failed to provide reasonable accommodations for a cashier with myasthenia gravis and terminated the employee because of their disability. The EEOC claims that Buc-ee's partially denied the employee's doctor-recommended requests for work adjustments, including allowing seating at the register and avoiding standing for more than 15 minutes consecutively, which prevented the employee from returning to work and ultimately led to their termination. The EEOC noted that the company's actions constituted 'malicious or reckless disregard' for the employee's federally protected rights.
3 Big Numbers: Refuel, Weigel’s and Stinker recap growth in 2025
At the start of the new year, companies are reflecting on their achievements over the past year. This week's 'Three Key Numbers' column focuses on the growth highlights of Refuel Operating Company, Weigel's, and Stinker Stores in 2025, including store expansion, loyalty program performance, and employee retention improvements.
How one regional c-store chain reduced turnover to 36%
At the 2025 NACS Show, Alex Olympidis, President of Operations at Family Express, shared how the company reduced employee turnover to 36% by rethinking labor investment, increasing gross profit per labor hour, establishing clear pay raise paths, and introducing specialized cleaning roles.
What we learned from the NACS Show 2025
The 2025 NACS Show concluded in Chicago. In addition to the association welcoming its first new CEO in two decades, retailers and suppliers showcased grand visions from store expansion to global cuisine. C-Store Dive summarized the key highlights of this year's show: pickle flavors swept the snack aisle, new solutions for store safety technology emerged, experts advised retailers to build a solid technology foundation before deploying AI, competition has expanded to vape shops and coffee chains, and functional and packaging innovations in beverages became a focal point.
3 Big Numbers: The c-store cost of SNAP changes
The U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is undergoing significant policy adjustments, with an expected reduction of approximately $186 billion between 2025 and 2034. A joint survey by NACS and FMI shows that convenience stores must bear upfront compliance costs of up to $1 billion to adapt to the new rules, along with ongoing maintenance costs of $379 million per year. This article breaks down the financial and operational impact of SNAP reform on the convenience store industry through three key numbers.
How c-stores can prepare for a visit from ICE
U.S. immigration enforcement efforts continue to escalate. Although convenience stores are not primary targets, operators still need to prepare proactively. David Jones, a partner at Fisher & Phillips law firm, noted during a NACS webinar that employee training is key to responding to ICE visits. He recommends ensuring I-9 form compliance, conducting external audits, using E-Verify tools, and establishing clear response procedures: distinguishing between judicial and administrative warrants, designating a spokesperson, and marking private areas. Penalties for violations can reach up to $28,000 per incident, and operators may even face criminal charges.
ConocoPhillips to cut up to 25% of workers
A ConocoPhillips spokesperson confirmed to C-Store Dive that the company expects to reduce 20% to 25% of its global workforce, including contractors. Most layoffs are expected to be completed by the end of the year. The company had approximately 11,800 employees across 14 countries at the end of 2024. Previously, Chevron and BP had also announced large-scale layoff plans.
Kwik Trip pays $35K in EEOC settlement
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Wednesday that Kwik Trip has agreed to pay $35,000 to settle a disability discrimination claim brought by a former employee. The employee, who requested reasonable accommodations due to medical restrictions, was misunderstood by the company and had their hours reduced to about 9 hours per week, forcing them to resign. Kwik Trip will hire a consultant to enhance ADA compliance training and will be subject to EEOC oversight for two years.
Workplace violence appears to be growing, prompting calls for prevention
According to a report released by Traliant on August 6, 2025, the incidence of workplace violence continues to climb, with 30% of employees witnessing workplace violence (up from 25% in 2024) and 15% experiencing it personally (up from 12% in 2024). Industry differences are significant, with 46% of employees in the hospitality sector reporting witnessing violence. Although 75% of employees have received prevention training, only 60% are willing to report incidents without anonymity guarantees. 93% of respondents support state legislation mandating prevention plans, similar to requirements in California and New York.