Technology


  • Atosa Catering Equipment's prototype fry machine at the National Restaurant Association show on May 22, 2023.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/C-Store Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    4 labor-saving foodservice tech solutions from the NRA Show

    From a hand scanner that detects contaminates to a robot arm that can fry, salt and package food, technology is transforming the back of house.

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 26, 2023
  • A photo of the interior of a Stinker Stores location.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by PAR Technologies
    Image attribution tooltip

    Stinker Stores to enhance loyalty program through customization and AI

    Through a partnership with PAR Technology, the retailer will dig deeper into analytics and personalize offers to customers, the chain’s marketing director said in an interview.

    By May 25, 2023
  • Yesway
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brett Dworski/C-Store Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Yesway outlines new store formats as part of ‘aggressive’ growth plans

    The company is “tinkering” with alternative store models like a superette and a frictionless nano store, CMO Derek Gaskins said at the Sweets & Snacks Expo.

    By May 24, 2023
  • A photo of the exterior of a Thorntons convenience store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Thorntons
    Image attribution tooltip

    Thorntons adds fuel discount to rewards program

    The program offers 5 cents off each gallon of gasoline when users fill up and weekly Flash Fuel offers of up to 20 cents off, with a cap of 35 gallons.

    By May 19, 2023
  • Casey's pizza
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Casey's website.
    Image attribution tooltip

    What can retailers learn from Casey’s loyalty refresh?

    An analyst who has worked on the retailer’s rewards program discusses its latest platform upgrade and where he sees c-store loyalty heading.

    By , May 18, 2023
  • Entry gates at the Whole Foods Market in the Glover Park neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Whole Foods Market
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    The Road Ahead: Is computer vision being applied to the wrong problem?

    The best way to take advantage of innovation may not be with flashy checkout tech, but revolutionizing inventory, reordering and other data-heavy tasks, writes columnist Frank Beard.

    By Frank Beard • May 18, 2023
  • Casey's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Casey's.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Casey’s revamps loyalty app

    The refreshed platform makes it easier for members to track points, redeem rewards and check their lifetime savings totals.

    By May 17, 2023
  • Upside
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Upside website.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Road Ranger seeks to boost visits through cash-back app

    The travel center company joins a number of other c-store chains that have partnered with Upside, including Casey’s, Circle K and Stinker Stores. 

    By May 17, 2023
  • Stinker
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from FeedbackNow.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Stinker Stores pilots customer feedback technology

    The platform collects input through smiley boxes, multiple choice buttons and QR codes placed around the four stores included in the test.

    By May 15, 2023
  • Casey's pizza
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Casey's website.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Casey’s hires retail planning firm to improve supply chain, store layout

    Relex, which has experience working with Circle K and Kwik Trip, uses AI to automate replenishment of items, reduce waste and improve usage of space.

    By May 15, 2023
  • People standing to refill gas
    Image attribution tooltip

     iStock.com/RossHelen

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by PayiQ

    C-stores face the demographic cliff

    C-store operators are facing an upcoming “demographic cliff” expected in 2030, but new technology can help.

    May 15, 2023
  • A photo of someone's hand using Amazon One palm-scanning technology to enter a store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Amazon
    Image attribution tooltip

    Energy Mart adds Amazon One contactless payments

    This is the second c-store chain to feature the palm-scanning technology, which has also rolled out to sports arenas and Amazon’s own brick-and-mortar retail locations.

    By May 11, 2023
  • A photo of a car going through a car wash in California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Back to Basics: How to build a sparkling car wash business

    C-stores with enough space and a high-traffic location can add a fresh revenue stream — but handling maintenance and steep upfront costs can be tricky, experts say.

    By Danielle McLean • May 10, 2023
  • The exterior of a remodeled Pilot store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Pilot
    Image attribution tooltip

    Pilot launches new employee engagement program

    Workers can earn points to redeem for concert tickets, electronics and more through the travel center chain’s new Fueling Recognition initiative.

    By May 9, 2023
  • Sunoco
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Sunoco.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sunoco bringing Upside’s platform to 150 locations

    The convenience and fuel retailer will offer the personalized cash-back promotional technology at various stores in and around Pittsburgh. 

    By May 9, 2023
  • A photo of the interior of a Sheetz location.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Sheetz
    Image attribution tooltip

    3 tips to keep loyalty members coming back

    In a recent webinar, experts from Paytronix broke down how retailers can get the most out of their programs and keep customers returning for the long haul.

    By May 8, 2023
  • Man holding hand out
    Image attribution tooltip

    Golden Dayz/Shutterstock

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Esper

    3 key ways you can reduce c-store operating costs by leaning into remote device management

    Fewer trips into the field and less reliance on your in-store employees to deal with technical issues.

    May 8, 2023
  • A promotional image showing the Gulf Pay app and saying "Stuzo launches Gulf Oil's New Wallet Steering Program network-wide."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Stuzo
    Image attribution tooltip

    Gulf Oil adds Stuzo’s Wallet Steering tech

    The platform aims to give the fueling company a greater share of the money customers are spending on gasoline.

    By May 5, 2023
  • gas pump
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Convenience and quality of rewards hamper loyalty app adoption, survey says

    Only half of those who have rewards apps actually use them at the pump, and only 6% use them to pay for gas, according to data from PayByCar.

    By May 3, 2023
  • Casey's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Casey's press release.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Casey’s partners with tech firm to improve in-store testing

    The retailer joins the likes of Maverik and Kum & Go in using MarketDial’s test-and-learn software and data analytics. 

    By May 2, 2023
  • Convenience store interior
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Standard AI
    Image attribution tooltip
    Q&A

    Will frictionless checkout ever take off in retail?

    Standard AI CEO Jordan Fisher acknowledged that the technology has “been a really hard market to start growing,” but believes it will expand alongside other AI-driven innovations.

    By Sam Silverstein • April 28, 2023
  • A photo of the exterior of a Kum & Go location.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Kum & Go
    Image attribution tooltip

    Kum & Go discusses its EV charging journey

    After entering the space in 2017, the c-store chain has learned a lot about costs, customers and how to improve the experience.

    By April 26, 2023
  • Two photos side by side of two people using Amazon Go technology at the entrance to a store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Amazon
    Image attribution tooltip

    Enerbase pilots Amazon One technology at 3 c-stores

    The technology allows contactless payments using a customer’s palm to identify them.

    By April 24, 2023
  • Punchh loyalty partners with Vroom Delivery

    The agreement adds another major rewards vendor to the c-store-focused e-commerce platform. 

    By April 21, 2023
  • A row of electric vehicle chargers is seen from one end with a dark red vehicle parked and plugged in to the nearest charger.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Italian energy company to reportedly bring 10,000 EV chargers to North America

    Enel X Way, a subsidiary of Enel, would join big players like Tesla and Walmart, along with c-store chains like Pilot, in the increasingly busy electric vehicle space.

    By April 18, 2023