Episode Title: The Cold War: Mastering the Cooler (Episode 72)

Episode Description: "All done, boss."

Those are the three most dangerous words an Assistant Manager can hear. Because 90% of the time, "done" just means they pulled the front bottle forward and left the back empty.

For an Assistant Manager, the cooler is the "Lie Detector." If you don't check it, your team will "Ghost Stock" you every single shift, leaving you to refill the Powerade during the morning rush.

In this episode of Survive, Mike Hernandez teaches you how to stop doing your team's work for them. We discuss "Ghost Stocking," why you must stop asking "Did you do it?", and how to use the "Push-Back Audit" to hold your clerks—and your vendors—accountable.

What You Will Learn:

• Ghost Stocking: The deceptive practice of facing-without-filling that kills your sales.
• The "Push-Back Audit": The physical test you must do before you let the previous shift clock out.
• Vendor Management: How to stop delivery drivers from hiding "Out of Stocks" behind other products.
• Shift Change Accountability: Why the cooler walk is the most important part of the handoff.

The Quest: Verify the work.

• Solo Quest: Perform the "Push-Back Audit" at every shift change this week. If you find air behind the front row, do not let them leave until it is filled.
• Team Quest: "Spot the Out" with your vendors. Don't sign the invoice until you have checked the shelves for hidden gaps.

Resources & Links:

• 📲 Unlock the Level 4 Audit Checklist: Text the code word COLD to 956-897-9192.

Episode Title: The Cash Register Cage Match: Speed vs. Accuracy (Episode 71)

Episode Description: "Manager Override needed."

If you hear that phrase in your sleep, this episode is for you.

For an Assistant Manager, the register isn't just a place to ring up customers; it's the place where your productivity goes to die. If you spend your entire shift running back and forth with your key card to fix voids, error corrects, and price checks, you aren't managing—you are just a highly paid cashier.

In this episode of Survive, Mike Hernandez breaks down how to stop the bleeding. We are moving you from "The Fixer" to "The Trainer." Learn how to implement "The Pre-Scan Stage" and the "Smooth Operator" rhythm so your team stops calling your name every five minutes.

What You Will Learn:

• The Fixer Trap: Why rescuing your cashiers actually hurts your career.
• The Pre-Scan Stage: A simple visual habit that stops clerks from asking "How much is this?"
• Auditing Friction: How to identify the specific skills (like PLU memorization) that are causing the bottlenecks.
• The 10-Item Dash: A 20-second drill to fix your slowest cashier.

The Quest: Stop putting out fires. Start preventing them.

• Solo Quest: Audit your store's "Friction Killers." Quiz your team on the Top 5 PLU Codes. If they don't know them, they are costing you time.
• Team Quest: Run the "10-Item Dash" with your slowest cashier. Don't just time them—show them where their eyes should be.

Resources & Links:

• 📲 Unlock the Level 3 Cheat Sheet: Text the code word SPEED to 956-897-9192.
• 🏴‍☠️ Sponsor: Johnny Mecuerdo Chapter 2 is here. The ships La Muerte and La Sancha are waiting. Join the story at Johnny Mecuerdo on Facebook.
• Full Show Notes & Visuals: Visit C-Store Thrive

Episode Title: The 10-Second Audition: Why Customers Drive By Your Store (Episode 70)

Episode Description: Stop me if you’ve done this: You drive past a restaurant because the sign is flickering or the parking lot looks dark. You didn't taste the food, but you judged the business instantly.

Your customers are doing the same thing to your store every single night.

In this episode of C-Store Legends, Mike Hernandez breaks down the "Front Stage" concept. Most employees think their job starts when they clock in, but the sale is actually won or lost in the parking lot. We are moving beyond the basic "Trash Run" and teaching you the "Perimeter Sweep"—the 2-minute tactic that ensures you pass the customer's 10-second audition.

What You Will Learn:

• The Front Stage vs. Back Stage: Why the parking lot is the most critical sales floor in your building.
• The "Soccer Mom" Test: How to view your store through the eyes of your most safety-conscious customer.
• The Perimeter Sweep: A specific routine to replace lazy trash runs.
• Leadership Tactics: How to use the shift change to enforce exterior standards without being a nag.

The Quest: Pass the audition.

• Solo Quest: Walk to the curb. Find one piece of trash that isn't yours. Pick it up.
• Team Quest: Text a photo of your cleanest pump to the number below.

Resources & Links:

• 📲 Unlock the Level 2 Guide: Text the word CURB to 956-897-9192.
• 🏴‍☠️ Sponsor: Join the crew at Johnny Mecuerdo on Facebook for the upcoming launch of the industry's most legendary gear.
• Full Show Notes & Visuals: Visit C-Store Thrive