A Roadmap for Revamping Underperforming Fuel Retail Sites
Innovation, technology and a solid plan can breathe new life into an old site.
Jun 11, 2026
This article is brought to you by SNK Petroleum Wholesalers.
For those who aren’t afraid to take on a challenge, aging fuel retail sites present rich opportunities. Bringing an underperforming site back to life requires dedication, a smart plan, and an investment of time and resources—but it doesn’t always mean knocking things down and starting from scratch. “When you’ve done a lot of turnarounds, you understand that it’s the little details that matter,” said Messim Kirmani, COO of SNK Petroleum Wholesalers.
With a network of more than 250 stations across nine states in the Northeast and the Midwest, SNK Petroleum Wholesalers has grown in part by refurbishing old sites and modernizing the customer experience. Rather than tearing down existing locations, the company focuses on strategic improvements that elevate both operations and customer experience.
“Experience means everything,” said Messim Kirmani. Investing in features like good lighting, a pothole-free parking lot, clean stores and updated bathrooms can make all the difference—“little details that you wouldn’t imagine make a huge difference really do,” he said.
SNK’s approach to redevelopment often includes new fuel canopies, fresh paving, renovated interiors and, critically, good lighting. Investing in a canopy with LED lighting can make a site feel safer and more comfortable, according to SNK.
It can also contribute to making an old site feel completely refreshed. “I want customers who remember the old location to come back and be completely surprised by what it’s become,” said Messim Kirmani.
SNK helps its partner retailers by providing a data-driven business model and coaching services to improve station performance and unlock new opportunities. The company works with construction teams to identify what elements of a site need improvement and get those projects completed quickly.
“We coach them, we guide them,” said Ali Kirmani, who co-owns the company with wife Fatima Kirmani. “This is not a one-time thing. We turn things station around and we have a high success rate.”
Continue reading “How to Revitalize an Underperforming Fuel Retail Site” in the June 2026 issue of NACS Magazine.
