We're inheriting a convenience store/gas station. It's on a very busy road but it's very slow...?

Question

Our non-branded gas station had 7 owners in 5 years. The current lease ends Sept. 30th. So, we'll own & run it.
The facts: It's been poorly run / closed for long periods of time. Our fuel price is .04 cents less then Mobil. The store shelves are empty, we can fill them with whatever we want to sell. They don't have lottery, atm, air (for tires). The road, busiest in the city. Our corner has a long stop light. The current hours, 5am-11pm every day. The manager is committted to stay on. They sell 60,000 gallons of fuel monthly. Inside sales under $300.00 daily.

We've just received our occupency permit & licenses from the state. We've got a good long term contract for fuel pre-paid $30,000 and EFT going foward. We were approved for 7 day Beer/ Wine license and ordered an ATM.

Now, how do we get these cars off this busy road and onto our property? How should we market to the surrounding community? What can we do? "Under New Management" sign is still there from 2 owners ago... HELP

Answer 1

Sounds like you have a host of past reputations to get over. But lets get to it. The beer and wine license is good and adding the ATM is good, but lets get to the basics. First remove the Under new management sign and replace it with Under new REAL management sign. Next your profit more so arrives from what you sell inside not the gas. Make sure there are items that in a hurry someone would need and not feel like going all the way to the grocery store to get., add novelty items, things that are cute not needed but catch the eye. Insure you have the basics, and most important get to know you areas customers. The regulars, have coffee available, and maybe some hot snacks, or hogies. Friendly service is the thing that gets the word around. Good luck

Answer 2

you need to get a good supplier that helps with adds. take down the old signs and put up new ones brighter and believable, gas price is very important advertise it. don't except to make any money right off the bat, put everything like profit back into the business. incorporate asap., forget sleeping for a while. work the store it will work. you will get out of it what you put in to it, and hopefully a lot more. Good luck.

Answer 3

most of the people go to those places out of habit. i do, because the people are friendly, and they have what i want. the place i go to most have fried chicken, hot wings, and other food available now. that is the operative word. they want it now. a person at the counter who has a good personality will make the difference. ive seen people go to a place and pay more money just because they like the counter person. you might want to take a good look at your manager. most of your customers will be working people. no one wants to work for an a##hole, and customers can sense this. it has driven me away from a few places, because ive seen the discontent on the employees faces. good luck.