As major players in the convenience store industry push to accelerate consolidation, the challenge of scaling food safety operations across hundreds—or even thousands—of locations is more pressing than ever. Coupled with the trend in consolidation is the ongoing growth of freshly prepared food being offered at c-stores. With M&A activity and freshly prepared food reshaping the market, operational complexity increases, demanding a shift from legacy food safety SOPs to workflows informed by automation, prescriptive guidance, and advanced analytics. Traditional systems and disparate compliance processes won’t suffice in an era where consumers expect consistent, safe, and high-quality offerings.
Building a food safety culture
Unlike grocery and restaurant brands, which have had decades to ingrain food safety culture into their operations, growing c-store brands face the challenge of rapidly implementing best practices across highly dispersed locations that have not typically prepared fresh food. The key to success will be embedding food safety into employee training, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and ongoing guidance within workflows.
C-store operators must move beyond treating food safety as a checklist compliance exercise and instead make it a core pillar of their brand identity. Front-line employees should be trained on best practices and understand the "why" behind them.
Technology plays a crucial role in this effort. Instead of relying on static SOP posters or manuals on a shelf, brands should empower their teams with real-time “on the job” guidance that helps them take a proactive approach to food safety. Scalable tools are needed to reinforce proper food handling procedures and compliance requirements. A culture of food safety is only achievable when technology, training, and accountability intersect.
Consolidation driving enhancements
As c-store consolidation accelerates, one pressing question is whether acquiring companies will prioritize added fresh food options and corresponding entertainment and safety considerations or focus on cost reduction. The answer will largely depend on how forward-thinking these organizations are about consumer expectations and long-term brand differentiation.
There is a compelling case for investing in enhancements to the c-store experience. In order to turn a c-store brand into a destination brand, c-store leaders need to invest in meeting consumer expectations. Today’s customers are looking for high-quality, restaurant-level convenience, and they will not compromise on safety or freshness. Modern c-store operations extend far beyond fuel and packaged snacks—fresh food offerings are coming to be expected by consumers, especially those who drive electric vehicles and thus spend much more time “recharging” compared to “refueling” counterparts. If a customer is staying for 20-30 minutes while their vehicle charges, they will expect a more robust food selection, possibly with dine-in options.
With higher-risk products like made-to-order sandwiches, pizza, and hot foods, the margin of error for food safety incidents has increased, and with it, the need for added safety and compliance considerations. Some consolidators may initially take a "cost-cutting" approach, prioritizing economies of scale and workforce reduction over innovation. However, those who take a short-term view risk alienating customers and falling behind competitors who are leveraging new expectations to drive revenue while ensuring that food service and safety remain a competitive advantage.
Combining technology, training, and compliance
As c-stores scale their food safety efforts, the most successful operators will embrace employee empowerment to seamlessly integrate food safety into daily operations.
Leading brands should:
· Review the current state of compliance management: survey existing practices and procedures for collecting food safety data, responding to incidents, and reporting results for internal and external audit reviews.
· Embed training into daily workflows: review training and onboarding practices and determine steps to improving ongoing training by providing guidance within standard workflows and daily operations.
· Leverage data for continuous improvement: outline steps for using historical and real-time data to identify trends, prevent food safety incidents, and optimize operations.
· Standardize compliance across locations: develop a unified platform to ensure consistency, whether a store is part of a legacy brand or a newly acquired chain.
C-store brands that make proactive investments today will be the ones that set the standard for the next era of convenience retail. By embracing best practices, integrating technology, and prioritizing consumer trust, forward-looking c-store brands will navigate the complexities of consolidation and emerge as leaders in the growing fresh food market.
