Training Tops Investment Priorities for Operators in 2025
Rising Costs, Tough Choices
Convenience store operators continue to face a challenging business environment. Costs are climbing across labor, logistics, and compliance, forcing owners to make tough decisions about where to invest limited resources. A new report from Convenience Store News provides a snapshot of those priorities for 2025 — and the findings reveal just how central employee training has become to the future of the industry.
According to the survey, training and employee retention programs rank as the second-highest investment priority, with 27% of operators planning to focus resources there this year. Only store remodeling (35%) scored higher, while training edged out merchandise expansion (25%), technology (24%), and fresh food development (24%).
Why Training Matters Now
The focus on training reflects a broader shift: operators understand that their workforce is their most valuable asset. A strong training program delivers benefits that extend well beyond compliance:
Reduced turnover: Employees who feel prepared and supported are less likely to leave, saving operators the cost of constant rehiring.
Improved compliance: As regulatory requirements grow more complex, training ensures operators avoid costly penalties.
Better customer experiences: A confident, knowledgeable employee can make or break a customer’s impression of a store.
Operational consistency: Training helps ensure that standards are met across multiple shifts and locations.
One survey participant captured the sentiment well: “It is getting very expensive to run a small business.” For many operators, training is one of the few investments that directly addresses both day-to-day challenges and long-term strategic goals.
The Technology Factor
In the past, training often meant pulling employees off the floor for classroom sessions or trying to track paper certifications in binders. Today, technology is reshaping what’s possible. Learning Management Systems (LMS) allow operators to deliver courses online, at scale, while keeping detailed digital records of progress, completions, and renewals.
This kind of system streamlines compliance and creates efficiency — two factors operators value highly in an environment of rising costs.
How PASS Fits In
PASS Training & Compliance has built its reputation around delivering training that is both effective and accessible. The PASS Learning Management System (LMS) offers state-approved online courses across key areas for convenience retailers, including UST operator training, food safety, and alcohol seller-server certification.
What sets the PASS LMS apart is its ability to combine flexibility with accountability:
Online, on-demand training: Employees can learn at their own pace, reducing scheduling conflicts.
Certification tracking and renewals: Automatic reminders prevent lapses and keep operations compliant.
Scalable for all operators: Whether running a single site or multiple locations, the system provides consistency across the workforce.
Simplified administration: Managers can focus on running the business instead of chasing down paperwork.
Proven reach: PASS certifies over 150,000 students annually and supports more than 27,000 companies nationwide.
By investing in training through platforms like PASS, operators are not just meeting regulatory requirements — they are laying the foundation for long-term workforce stability and customer trust.
Looking Ahead
The Convenience Store News report highlights a key reality for 2025: while investments in remodeling and technology remain important, training is increasingly seen as the backbone of successful operations. Operators recognize that compliance, efficiency, and customer service all begin with a well-prepared team.
In an industry where margins are tight and costs continue to rise, training offers one of the most reliable returns on investment. For convenience store operators, the path forward may be uncertain, but one thing is clear: investing in people is more than an HR initiative — it’s a business strategy.
See how PASS Training & Compliance can support your business with online training, certification tracking, and compliance tools. Visit passtesting.com/contact.
