When it comes to fast-paced, high-traffic commercial businesses, none face more wear and tear than convenience stores. In 2020, the average U.S. convenience store spent $1.71 per square foot on facility repairs and maintenance to keep its business running.
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Preventive maintenance (PM) helps convenience stores avoid costly downtime and keep their equipment running longer. Research indicates that preventive maintenance can lead to a cost savings of 12% to 18% over reactive maintenance.
By following proactive best practices, C-stores can also ensure they’re partnering with the right commercial property services provider.
The Importance of Preventive Maintenance
Reactive repairs are often the reality for facilities managers. But at convenience stores, where equipment undergoes excessive wear and tear and is more likely to experience breakdowns, preventive maintenance is key. You can lower repair costs and increase the longevity of equipment in most instances. PM is also helpful for extending the longevity of exterior and interior surfaces, which leads to enhanced safety, increased foot traffic and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Preventive Maintenance Best Practices for C-stores
Which services should be part of a preventive maintenance program for convenience stores? Here are a few key PM areas in which to focus your efforts.
Food and beverage equipment. The push to provide customers with more robust food options in recent years has led to increased preventive maintenance needs for food and beverage equipment. From pizza ovens, fryers and bean-to-cup coffee machines to drink machines that can dispense dozens of different types of carbonated beverages, this equipment requires regular inspections and PM to keep it running smoothly nonstop.
HVAC and refrigeration. While preventive maintenance is often neglected for refrigeration equipment in convenience stores, its benefits make it worth the effort. PM typically involves quarterly cleanings and filter changes as well as coil cleanings for refrigerators. Regular HVAC maintenance is imperative as well, especially for stores in extreme climates where this equipment is put to the test most of the year.
Replacing a neglected HVAC unit can cost tens of thousands of dollars, especially for larger commercial systems, while routine quarterly maintenance typically runs a fraction of that cost annually and can extend the unit’s life by five to 10 years.
And replacing spoiled perishable food from a refrigeration unit that went down can turn into a six-figure loss.
There are less visible potential costs as well—to your budget, in higher emergency repair costs and to both your revenue and your brand when products are spoiled and not available for your customers. Repeated emergency maintenance can strain your refrigeration systems too, shortening their lifespan and forcing a premature replacement.
Exteriors. Walkways and parking lots should be part of any convenience store’s PM program, with pressure washing and concrete maintenance performed as needed. Regular exterior maintenance performed by your commercial maintenance partner (like quarterly stop-ins for parking lot checks, line striping and sweeps) can literally pay off: Research shows that for 95% of consumers, a store’s exterior appearance is a key factor in whether they’ll stop there, and 80% will try a new store if the exterior is clean and inviting.
Lighting. Lighting is another PM priority that shouldn’t be overlooked. Not only does it enhance safety, but it can also increase customer visits. Research shows customers (especially women) are much less likely to make a stop at a convenience store if it’s poorly lit, with 39% saying they’ve avoided stopping at a store in the past because it looked dark. And there’s a direct correlation to foot traffic as well: It has been shown to decrease by 8.5% when outdoor lighting is rated below average and increase 5.3% when outdoor lighting is rated as above average.
Car washes. Because convenience store car washes are subject to continuous use, having your commercial maintenance partner perform seasonal maintenance as well as PM tasks like regular inspections, cleaning and lubrication, and chemical and water pressure checks can help ensure your car wash runs reliably to serve your customers. Preventive maintenance drives cost savings as well, by avoiding reactive repair costs that tend to be higher than ongoing PM and preventing future issues that could shut down services and leave you with emergency repair bills. Emergency repairs can cost two to four times more than scheduled maintenance And downtime doesn’t come cheap: An automatic car wash can get through about 10 cars an hour. At $12 per car, three hours of downtime can cost $360+ for a single bay.
Doors and locks. From security breaches and accessibility issues to employee turnover and aging locks, your PM program should address the need for key changes and other lock services and maintenance as needed. Having a direct-buy program through your commercial maintenance partner can streamline this process, limiting costs, establishing hardware consistency and saving time. Plus, you’re assured of easy access to locksmith services if an emergency arises.
Preventive maintenance isn’t just about fixing problems before they happen—it’s about protecting the customer experience, extending the life of your assets and keeping operations running smoothly. From clean and safe parking lots to reliable food and beverage equipment, every part of a convenience store matters for business success. By prioritizing regular upkeep of lighting, locks, exteriors and specialty equipment, C-stores can reduce costly disruptions and drive business.
Partner with Chain Store Maintenance for Your PM Needs
Looking for a commercial property services partner for your convenience stores? Contact Chain Store Maintenance - an MCS company, at CSMsales@ChainStore.com to learn how we can work with you to create and manage your maintenance programs that keep your C-stores running smoothly and your customers happy.
