Convenience Stores

At CAF, we don't just make cleaning products – we’re on a mission to help businesses shine! For over 20 years, CAF has teamed up with thousands of businesses in the US, Canada, and the EU to help them create cleaner, safer, and more inviting outdoor spaces. Because let’s be real, nothing beats the feeling of walking into a spotless, well-maintained location! That’s why we don’t just hand over the supplies; we provide full-service implementation support to make sure your cleaning program isn’t just good – it’s exceptional.

For businesses with outdoor customer touchpoints — whether in front of a store on the sidewalk, in the parking lot, or at a fuel station pump — cleanliness isn't just a matter of aesthetics. It directly impacts sales, customer trust, and brand reputation. And as winter sets in, these challenges only magnify.

In an era where technology is reshaping every aspect of our lives, convenience stores (c-stores) are not far behind. As Elliot Maras, editor of Kiosk Marketplace and Vending Times, aptly puts it, the convenience retail sector is embracing opportunities in environments previously unexplored. This blog explores how c-stores are transforming, driven by technological advancements, and why wise investments in tech are crucial for growth and customer satisfaction.

As winter approaches, gas stations and convenience stores confront challenges distinct from those of other storefronts. Ensuring the safety and satisfaction of their customers becomes even more critical in the face of issues like frozen fuel pumps, slippery pathways, and iced-over squeegee buckets. Dive into our guide on how to prepare your establishment for winter's trials, ensuring a steady stream of customers eager for the warm beverages and hot meals you offer!

Retailers are constantly trying to get in the minds of shoppers to know what they value and how their customer experience measures up against expectations.  Online purchasing and Amazon have changed the way consumers make decisions.  Publicly available and un-censored customer reviews are now the number #1 resource in making a choice.  According to a recent 2021 study, 67% of all customer reviews are written on Google Review (Birdeye.com), making Google the go-to resource for customer research and retailer insights.

As winter approaches, business owners are well aware of the challenges the colder months can bring, especially when it comes to serving their customers needs for windshield cleaning. One major inconvenience? Frozen squeegee buckets. Enter the FRIGO AUTO-DOSE™, an innovative solution that promises to revolutionize your forecourt game this winter.

Navigating the unique challenges and requirements of different organizations isn't a one-size-fits-all affair. This is especially true when it comes to finding an efficient and responsible solution to tackle the icy conditions of winter. Enter SAFE PATH - a groundbreaking product that stands head and shoulders above the rest, offering not only top-tier effectiveness but also cost efficiency and a nod to environmental responsibility.

Cleanliness should be a top priority for every c-store owner, especially those venturing into the QSR space. Whether it's the exterior of your store, the restrooms, or the food service area, maintaining high standards of cleanliness is crucial. Not only does it contribute to a positive customer experience, but it also plays a significant role in driving customer loyalty and business growth. So, don't underestimate the power of a clean store—it can be the difference between a one-time visit and a lifetime of repeat customers.

A well-kept c-store is more than just a customer convenience; it directly impacts shoppers' perceptions and influences their choices. To elevate customer experience and keep them coming back, ensure your c-store is impeccably clean and inviting, inside and out. CAF Outdoor Cleaning products, such as EXIMO®, FORO®, ORUS®, OTIS, and PROTERO®, can help your c-store achieve that sparkling cleanliness that customers appreciate and value.

As the winter months come to an end, convenience stores are gearing up for the busy summer season. With the increase in traffic, stores need to ensure that their forecourts are clean, safe, and welcoming to customers. One of the biggest challenges facing convenience stores is oil stains on their forecourts, which not only look unsightly but also pose a risk to customer safety. Fortunately, EXIMO®, a product created by CAF Outdoor Cleaning, can help convenience stores clean their forecourts and get ready for the 100 Days of Summer.

Bioremediation offers an innovative and eco-friendly approach to cleaning oil stains on concrete forecourts and asphalt through the use of EXIMO®. CAF Outdoor Cleaning's use of bioremediation in EXIMO® and FORO® exemplifies how it can be effectively integrated into everyday cleaning practices. By embracing these cutting-edge techniques, companies like CAF Outdoor Cleaning can play a vital role in promoting sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of oil spills and stains. As research continues to advance our understanding of bioremediation, it is likely that we will see even more innovative and effective solutions for managing a wide range of environmental hazards in the future.

With various world conflicts like labor shortages, supply chain issues, and inflation impacting your business right now, it can be daunting to try to have a consistent cleaning checklist for your store. But even in these stressful times, it is essential to your business to have a proper cleaning checklist in place to clean everyday messes. By having your team relearn the value of clean and refer to a cleaning checklist, you will be investing in your store’s appearance which can help increase sales. To get back to basics in cleaning, read these tips on how you can clean and prevent common messes that happen in your business.

When a customer comes to your fuel station, one of the first items that they will interact with is the gas pump. If the pump is dirty, covered in grime and the surrounding concrete is speckled with fuel drips, then they may take their business elsewhere. To prevent having an unhappy customer, we recommend regularly cleaning your gas pump top to bottom, to ensure a positive customer experience. To learn how to get a clean gas pump, follow the steps below.

As electric vehicles (EV) increase in popularity, more and more EV charging stations are popping up. However, many public charging stations are located outside without a canopy to protect them from the elements. Some EV charging stations are already showing signs of damage like scratched screens, mildew accumulation, and even cracked plastic and discoloration caused from harsh UV rays. To extend the life of your EV charging station, use this top to bottom EV charging station cleaning method.

Although it might not be as popular as spring cleaning, fall cleaning is an important chore that should not be skipped.

Teamwork makes the dream work – in this case, teamwork keeps your employees and customers safe. Providing a clean experience for your customers and employees is no longer an option, it is a requirement. It’s important when cleaning and disinfecting your location you add an extra layer of protection. To help you reach your cleanliness goals, we’ve teamed up OTIS Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrate and ASP Antimicrobial Surface Protection.

If your gas pumps and fuel stations are looking dirty and worn, it should come as no surprise. On average gas stations and convenience stores see roughly 80 million visitors a year. With all this traffic, diesel and other grimy residues start to build up on your outdoor surfaces like gas pumps, dispenser handles, concrete and more. If you're struggling to keep gas pumps and surrounding areas clean, OTIS Heavy Duty Multi-Surface Cleaner quickly solves the problem and reduces labor.

Many foodservice centers such as restaurants, convenience stores, and stadiums use hot dog roller grills. They are great for encouraging impulse sales and extra revenue. However, this money maker needs maintenance to keep it in great working order and can often be tricky to clean.

Asphalt is a durable surface that is well known for being used for parking lots, driveways, drive thrus, and forecourts. When taken care of properly, asphalt can last a long time but because it is a porous surface, it is susceptible to degradation. Gasoline and oil stains on asphalt can deteriorate the surface which can lead to damage like potholes. However, by utilizing FORO on your asphalt, you can get rid of the oil stains as well as strengthen and protect your asphalt.

It’s a proven fact that all convenience store owners have to come to terms with at some point: cleaner stores lead to higher sales. But a lot of those sales come from successfully drawing customers inside, which starts with having a clean outside.

At CAF, we offer product training for all of our cleaning products because it not only makes your sites look better, but it can help you pull ahead of the competition with a noticeably cleaner store. We believe that training should be relevant, repeatable and retrievable - even when employee turnover is high. We’re here to break down why training (and the use of superior products) is essential for your business.

Stop dealing with sticky squeegee buckets - also known as "swamp bucket" - thanks to ORUS Squeegee Bucket Solution.

Don't be fooled - pressure washing is expensive and not worth the time and financial expense. Find out why!

If you want to improve gas station customer loyalty and increase your revenues, start by improving your customer experience. What is your customer’s first impression of your gas station or convenience store? If you have oil stained fuel lanes, sticky messes and dirty gas pumps customers are unlikely to visit again.

For businesses in the fuel industry, maintaining clean fuel dispensers is crucial not only for aesthetics but also for functionality and safety. Over time, fuel dispensers can get encrusted with grime, including hardened diesel residues, which can be challenging to remove. Harsh chemicals often don't do the job well and can be environmentally harmful. That's where OTIS Multi-Surface Cleaner steps in to deliver impressive results with less effort.

ORUS® Concentrate Glass Cleaner is an effective windshield and window cleaner for your squeegee buckets. Formulated with high quality, heavy duty, cleaners to remove dirt, grime, salts and other damaging particles from glass - ORUS is also phosphate-free, dissolves quickly and eliminates odor and slime in squeegee buckets. ORUS is streak-free and more cost-effective than blue jug windshield cleaners.

Mystery Shoppers can happen at any time at your store. They are a helpful method for an organization to assess your store’s customer service, merchandising, cleanliness, and employee appearance. Although it will be a “mystery” of when they will show up, it is best to implement a plan with your team so that your store is in great condition.