Episode Title: The Cold War: Mastering the Cooler (Episode 81)

Episode Description: "I just filled the hole with something else."

When a clerk tells you that, they think they helped. But a Store Manager knows the truth: they just broke the inventory data and hid a critical ordering mistake.

For a Store Manager, the Cooler is a battleground for Space Control. Vendors are constantly trying to sneak in unauthorized products, and clerks are "plugging" holes to hide out-of-stocks. The result? Your best-sellers are squeezed out, and your planogram becomes a suggestion rather than a rule.

In this episode of Thrive, Mike Hernandez teaches you how to be the "Landlord" of your cooler. We discuss "The Vacuum Effect," why a plugged shelf is worse than an empty one, and how to execute "The Planogram Protection Program" to take back your real estate.

What You Will Learn:

• The Vacuum Effect: Why empty spaces naturally get filled with the wrong products if you aren't vigilant.
• Plugs vs. Holes: Why hiding an out-of-stock with a different product destroys your ability to order correctly.
• The Landlord Mindset: Treating your shelf space as high-value real estate that vendors must "pay rent" for.
• The Tag Audit: The simple check that exposes how broken your cooler layout actually is.

The Quest: Defend the Planogram.

• Solo Quest: Perform a "Tag Audit." Choose one door. If the product doesn't match the shelf tag, fix it immediately. If it’s a plug, remove it and leave the hole empty as a reminder to order.
• Team Quest: "Gatekeep the Delivery." Check your next vendor delivery. If they bring in a product that isn't on the planogram, refuse it. Do not let them dump unassigned inventory in your store.

Resources & Links:

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

Episode Title: The Cash Register Cage Match: Speed vs. Accuracy (Episode 80)

Episode Description: You see the line building up. You see your cashier panic. So, what do you do? You jump on the second register and kill the line yourself.

You just saved the moment, but you hurt your store.

For a Store Manager, the "Cash Register Cage Match" isn't about how fast you can ring; it's about how fast your team can ring when you aren't standing there. If you have to rescue your shift every day, you haven't trained them—you've enabled them.

In this episode of Thrive, Mike Hernandez teaches you how to stop being the "Hero" and start being the "Coach." We analyze the hidden cost of friction (labor waste and shortages) and give you the "Friction Audit" tool to fix your store's rhythm permanently.

What You Will Learn:

• The Hero Complex: Why jumping on the register is a trap that keeps you stuck in the weeds.
• The Friction Audit: How to stand back, watch the transaction, and spot exactly where your labor dollars are being wasted.
• The Pre-Scan Stage: The specific "eyes-first" technique you need to teach your crew today.
• Gamifying Speed: How to use the "10-Item Dash" to turn training into a competitive sport.

The Quest: Coach the rhythm.

• Solo Quest: Perform a "Friction Audit." Stand back for 10 minutes during the rush. Don't ring. Just count how many times the transaction stops (PLU hunting, card errors, etc.).
• Team Quest: Run the "10-Item Dash" contest. Challenge your team to beat the 20-second mark with zero errors. Reward the winner.

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 79)

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