4 C-Store Chains Building Digital Storefronts

New convenience-store apps are popping up left and right. Not only are stores launching apps, but they are changing the way that consumers interact with them. Loyalty is still part of it, but apps now allow customers to shop without stepping foot in the store.

“We’re in the midst of a fundamental change in the purpose of convenience-store apps,” said Mike Philip, CEO and co-founder of Rovertown, St. Louis. “It used to be that apps were digital alternatives to physical rewards program cards; but when you think about all the features of a physical store, nearly all of them can be incorporated into a digital storefront. Apps also open up new opportunities, such as delivery, mobile ordering and engaging games. That’s the direction mobile apps are trending.”

Read on to learn about the new apps c-stores have launched this month …

Yesway and Allsup’s launched a new rewards program with technology company Stuzo, where customers can receive 10 points, or Smiles, for every $1 spent in-store and 5 points for each gallon of gas purchased.

Previously, Yesway and Allsup’s had their own versions of loyalty programs. The new program spans both chains.

The new program gives customers the ability to earn and redeem with just their phone number at the register and pumps. Customers will receive a short message service (SMS) text message with the link to their account page, either through mobile browser or app, eliminating the need to remember usernames and passwords.

Most existing rewards will automatically be loaded to new accounts, the company said.

One new reward offering is $3 off hot food. Other offers include Burrito/Tallsup combos and Marlboro two-pack discounts.

Each fuel reward is a separate voucher. Stacked fuel reward vouchers will apply one at a time to fuel purchases, until either they run out, or remaining fuel reward vouchers are greater than the rolled back price of gas. Any remaining vouchers will stay in the account until they are used on the next fill-up or expire. Most fuel rewards have an expiration date of 30 days.

Additionally, customers will receive a birthday reward, which includes a free Hostess snack cake or Allsup’s baked good.

• BW Gas & Convenience Holdings LLC/Yesway, Allsup’s is No. 18 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of convenience-store chains by store count. 

There are about 425 Yesway and Allsup’s stores in Texas, New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Nebraska.  

Convenience-store retailer Family Express Corp. has released a new mobile app that features the latest in mobile ordering, F.E. Perks loyalty food and fuel savings, car wash subscriptions, payments and more across its more than 80 locations in Indiana.

“We’ve made considerable investments in a contemporary experience for our brand over the past few years, and we’re thrilled to take the next step by introducing a personalized app experience that meets the needs of today’s customers,” said Gus Olympidis, president and chief executive officer of Valparaiso, Indiana-based Family Express.

• Family Express is No. 85 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by size.

Powered by Richmond Heights, Missouri-based mobile app platform Rovertown, the new app leverages API integrations with several technologies. Olo’s mobile ordering capabilities make it easy to conveniently order food to go using Stripe as the form of payment. Rovertown has also integrated Stripe’s frictionless Link technology to speed up the checkout process by autofilling customers’ payment information. Also, it activates car washes through integration with Mosaic. Customers can now choose from several subscription packages from the palm of their hand.

These features are open and available to all customers—not just members of F.E. Perks—which allows Family Express to market to and reach a much broader audience, the company said.

“We’re in the business of meeting and exceeding customer expectations,” said Ryan Fasel, director of marketing for Family Express. “The standards for what mobile apps can and should do are constantly evolving, and it’s important for us to stay ahead of those trends. Our new app platform, and the capabilities we’ve carefully selected, build a foundation that allows us to delight customers for years to come.”

Loop Neighborhood Market, Fremont, California, has revamped its loyalty app with partners Rovertown and Liquid Barcodes. The app offers points for every purchase that can be redeemed for gas, car washes, food and more.

Customers can also earn points by playing Hyper Loop, a game in the app. Customers get five tries a day to earn coins from the game, which can be redeemed for exclusive coupons.

The new app also features car wash subscriptions. The four varieties offer different levels of washes.

• Vintners Distributors is No. 59 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of company-operated retail outlets.

Vintners Distributors, which operates the Loop Neighborhood Market and Poppy Market brands.

Johnny’s Market, Marshall, Michigan, unveiled its new J+ Club app and rewards program.

The app offers savings on select in-store items and on every fuel purchase.

New J+ Club members can receive a stackable 25 cents off per gallon and instant Shell Fuel Rewards Gold Status (5 cents off per gallon) for a month—saving customers a total of 30 cents per gallon on your next fill up.

The app also has a mini game called Seed Speeder, allowing members to earn even more savings, redeemable at any Johnny’s location.

Members can manage car wash subscriptions and single-wash purchases, check Michigan and Indiana Lottery numbers, shop the online store and more.

Johnny’s is offering new users a coupon for a free bag of S’miles Gummies or Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans. When the coupon is redeemed, customers will be automatically entered for a chance to win a Nintendo Switch. Four app users will win.

• Walters-Dimmick Petroleum Inc. is No. 109 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of company-operated retail outlets.

Want to learn more about the technology/services category? Check out our event CRU in Nashville Feb. 28-March 1, 2024. Sponsors can gain 15 one-to-one meetings with qualified retailers.