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Continue reading →: Part 2: The Proteinification of SnackingIs your snack aisle ready for the “Ozempic Effect”? Discover how the rise of GLP-1 medications and metabolic health trends are shifting convenience retail from empty calories to functional fuel. Learn to curate high margin “Protein Zones” and “Seacuterie” displays that drive basket size even as caloric consumption drops.
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2026, BetterForYou, Brand, C-Stores, Center Store, Competition, Consumer Trends, Convenience Stores, Data, digital-marketing, Foodservice, GLP-1, grab-and-go, Healthy, Leadership, Loyalty Program, Point-Of-Sale, Profit, Retail, Staff Training, Store Design, Store Image, Technology, Training
Part 1: The Center Store Renaissance
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Continue reading →: Part 1: The Center Store RenaissanceThe “gas station that sells snacks” era is over. Discover why the center store is your new profit engine for 2026. From the “Proteinification” of snacks to the rise of “Phygital” aisles, I’ll show you how to adapt to the GLP-1 shopper and unlock high-margin growth today.
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A Whoville-ish Thank You from The 5 For
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Continue reading →: A Whoville-ish Thank You from The 5 ForCelebrate the season with The 5 For! We’re serving up a Seuss-inspired “Thank You” to our readers, highlighting the beverage trends and C-store innovations that defined 2025. Dive into our festive holiday wish as we toast to a bright, future-proofed year ahead for the retail and convenience industry.
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2026, Brand, C-Stores, Community Impact, Competition, Consumer Trends, Convenience Stores, Food Holiday, Foodservice, Holiday, Leadership, Profit, Retail, Staff Training, Store Image, Technology, Training
Part 6: The Engine Room: Operational Tactics to Survive (and Profit From) Food Holidays
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Continue reading →: Part 6: The Engine Room: Operational Tactics to Survive (and Profit From) Food HolidaysMarketing brings customers in, but operations brings them back. Discover the essential math behind inventory safety stock, how to leverage loyalty data for retention, and the staff training secrets that turn chaotic food holidays into profitable wins. Stop guessing and start executing with precision to master your store’s engine room.
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2026, 7Eleven, Bakery, Beverage, Breakfast, C-Stores, Coffee, Competition, Consumer Trends, Convenience Stores, digital-marketing, Drinks, Dunkin, Food Holiday, Foodservice, Holiday, Kwik Trip, Leadership, Loyalty Program, LTO, Menu, Mobile App, National Food Holiday, Pizza, Point-Of-Sale, Profit, Social Media, Store Image, Strabucks, Technology
Part 5: Winter Sales Strategies: Leveraging Food Holidays and the Super Bowl for Convenience Store Success
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Continue reading →: Part 5: Winter Sales Strategies: Leveraging Food Holidays and the Super Bowl for Convenience Store SuccessTurn the winter sales slump into a season of profit. This guide explores how to position your convenience store as a “warm haven” during the cold months, maximize January’s wellness-versus-comfort duality, and execute a flawless operational strategy for the Super Bowl, the year’s biggest snacking event.
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2026, 7Eleven, Beverage, C-Stores, Coffee, Competition, Consumer Habits, Consumer Trends, Convenience Stores, Customer Service, digital-marketing, Food Holiday, Foodservice, grab-and-go, Holiday, Leadership, Loyalty Program, LTO, Menu, Mobile App, National Food Holiday, Pizza, Point-Of-Sale, Profit, Retail, Signage, Social Media, Store Image, Technology, Training
Part 4: Owning the Morning Routine: How to Win the Fall Coffee Wars and Sandwich Rivalries
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Continue reading →: Part 4: Owning the Morning Routine: How to Win the Fall Coffee Wars and Sandwich RivalriesMaster the Fall season by owning your customers’ reformed routines. In Part 4, we reveal strategies to win the “Coffee Wars” on National Coffee Day, capture the family dinner crowd during National Pizza Month, and drive loyalty with crave-worthy sandwich LTOs. Turn autumn habits into year-round sales.
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2026, 4th Of July, 7Eleven, Beverage, Brand, C-Stores, Coffee, Community, Competition, Condiments, Consumer Trends, Convenience Stores, Customer Service, digital-marketing, Drinks, Fast Food, Food Holiday, Foodservice, Future, grab-and-go, Holiday, Hot Dog, Leadership, Loyalty Program, LTO, Menu, National Food Holiday, Point-Of-Sale, Profit, Retail, Roller Grill, Sheetz, Social Media, Store Image, Tea, Technology, Togo, Training, Wawa
Part 3: The Golden Quarter: Dominating Summer Sales with Donuts, Dogs, and Slushies
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Continue reading →: Part 3: The Golden Quarter: Dominating Summer Sales with Donuts, Dogs, and SlushiesUnlock the profit potential of the “Golden Quarter” this summer! This guide reveals how to dominate c-store sales using National Donut Day, Hot Dog Day, and 7-Eleven Day. Learn actionable strategies to turn holiday traffic into loyal customers, boost basket sizes, and win the battle for the summer road warrior.
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2026, BetterForYou, Beverage, Brand, Bucees, C-Stores, Caseys, Coffee, Cold Brew, Competition, Consumer Habits, Consumer Trends, Convenience Stores, Customer Service, digital-marketing, Drinks, Food Holiday, Foodservice, grab-and-go, Holiday, Leadership, Loyalty Program, LTO, Menu, Mobile App, National Food Holiday, Pizza, Point-Of-Sale, Profit, QSR, Retail, RTD, Signage, Social Media, Staff Training, Store Image, Technology, Training
Part 2: Springing Into Sales: How to Capitalize on Pi Day, Cold Brew, and the Road Trip Rush
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Continue reading →: Part 2: Springing Into Sales: How to Capitalize on Pi Day, Cold Brew, and the Road Trip RushStop reacting to the calendar and start owning it. Discover how to turn Spring’s biggest opportunities, Pi Day, National Cold Brew Day, and Road Trip Day, into massive revenue drivers for your convenience store. Learn the specific inventory hacks, pricing strategies, and marketing plays that convert incidental traffic into loyal,…
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2026, 7Eleven, C-Stores, Competition, Consumer Trends, Convenience Stores, Customer Service, Fast Food, Food Holiday, Foodservice, Future, grab-and-go, Holiday, Hot Dog, Leadership, Loyalty Program, LTO, Menu, Mobile App, National Food Holiday, Pilot, Profit, QSR, Restaurants, Retail, Sheetz, Signage, Social Media, Staff Training, Store Image, Training, Wawa
Part 1: Beyond the Gimmick: Why National Food Holidays Are Your Secret Weapon for C-Store Growth
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Continue reading →: Part 1: Beyond the Gimmick: Why National Food Holidays Are Your Secret Weapon for C-Store GrowthAre you treating National Pizza Day like a social media gimmick? You are leaving money on the table. In Part 1 of this new series, we reveal why National Food Holidays are actually high-volume tactical events that disrupt consumer habits, lower customer acquisition costs, and transform your convenience store into…
Weekly Trends & Innovative Insights for Convenience Store Owners.
Hello,
I’m Kevin
I’m a convenience store specialist with a unique background. For over sixteen years, I was a chef, giving me a deep understanding of the food service side of the business. My passion for convenience store brand development was born from seeing the unique challenges C-store owners and managers face every day.
That’s why I created The5For, a blog dedicated to sharing practical, real-world strategies for C-store success. My goal is to help you streamline C-store operations, improve customer satisfaction, and increase your profit margin. Here, you’ll find clear, actionable advice to help you take your business to the next level.
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