--- title: CTM Design Blog | Current Trends description: Current Trends | --- - [Visit CTM Architecture](http://www.ctmarchitecture.ca/) - [Legal](http://ctmdesign.ca/legal) - [Site Map](http://ctmdesign.ca/sitemap) [![logo](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.jpg?width=145&name=logo.jpg)](http://ctmdesign.ca/) - [About Us](http://ctmdesign.ca/about-us/our-company) - [Our Company](http://ctmdesign.ca/about-us/our-company) - [Our People](http://ctmdesign.ca/about-us/our-people) - [Our Accreditations](http://ctmdesign.ca/about-us/our-accreditations) - [Our Work](http://ctmdesign.ca/our-work/our-services) - [Our Services](http://ctmdesign.ca/our-work/our-services) - [Our Approach](http://ctmdesign.ca/our-work/our-approach) - [Project Gallery](http://ctmdesign.ca/project-gallery) - [Project Map](http://ctmdesign.ca/project-gallery/project-map) - [Petroleum Service Stations](http://ctmdesign.ca/project-gallery/petroleum-service-stations) - [Resturaunt and Hospitality](http://ctmdesign.ca/project-gallery/resturaunt-and-hospitality) - [Retail Stores](http://ctmdesign.ca/project-gallery/retail-stores) - [Blog](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog) - [Careers](http://ctmdesign.ca/careers) - [Current Opportunities](http://ctmdesign.ca/careers/current-opportunities) - [Apply today](http://ctmdesign.ca/careers/apply-today) - [Contact Us](http://ctmdesign.ca/contact-us) ![](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Layout/news.jpg?width=912&name=news.jpg) ## [C-STORE HEALTH & FOOD SAFETY DESIGN: 8 REQUIREMENTS YOU NEED TO KNOW](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/c-store-health-and-food-safety-design-requirements-you-need-to-know-about) Posted by [CTM Staff](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/author/ctm-staff) on April 15, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hubfs/Blog_Photos/burger-1015438_1280.jpg)](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/c-store-health-and-food-safety-design-requirements-you-need-to-know-about) In a recent post, [*Beyond the Microwave: Hot Food Options for Your C-Store*](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/beyond-the-microwave-0), we gave you a taste of some options for providing hot food offerings in your C-Store. This week, we’d like to address equipment and design requirements around food safety. [Read More](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/c-store-health-and-food-safety-design-requirements-you-need-to-know-about) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/c-store-health-and-food-safety-design-requirements-you-need-to-know-about#comments-listing) Topics: [Current Trends](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/current-trends), [Innovation](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/innovation), [C-Store and Quick-Service](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/c-store-and-quick-service), [Gas and Petroleum Stations](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/gas-and-petroleum-stations), [Commercial and Retail](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/commercial-and-retail) ## [BEYOND THE MICROWAVE: HOT FOOD OPTIONS FOR YOUR C-STORE](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/beyond-the-microwave-0) Posted by [CTM Staff](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/author/ctm-staff) on February 18, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hubfs/Blog_Photos/shutterstock_94893739.jpg)](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/beyond-the-microwave-0) ## **Six options for improving your food offering.** *Look around and it’s clear to see. Appetites have evolved! Expectations have changed. As a result, new equipment options and food trends are displacing the once mighty microwave in C-stores.* *CTM asked our independent C-store Consultant, Mark Walsh, about different equipment options available to help you take your food offering to the next level.* [Read More](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/beyond-the-microwave-0) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/beyond-the-microwave-0#comments-listing) Topics: [Current Trends](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/current-trends), [C-Store and Quick-Service](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/c-store-and-quick-service), [Commercial and Retail](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/commercial-and-retail) ## [BEING ATTENTIVE WITH UNATTENDED SELF SERVICE OUTLETS: HOW TO BUILD FOR REMOTE MONITORING](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/being-attentive-with-unattended-self-service-outlets) Posted by [CTM Staff](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/author/ctm-staff) on February 11, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hubfs/Blog_Photos/shutterstock_294029087.jpg)](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/being-attentive-with-unattended-self-service-outlets) ## **Why it makes sense to plan for a Remotely Monitored Retail Site at the time of your build.** Recently, CTM has worked on several design projects involving Unattended Self Service Outlets (also known as Remotely Monitored Retail Sites). It is a relatively new business model that allows an owner to run a gas bar without the need for onsite staff. *Currently, Alberta and Ontario are the only provinces to permit these types of operations.* [Read More](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/being-attentive-with-unattended-self-service-outlets) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/being-attentive-with-unattended-self-service-outlets#comments-listing) Topics: [Current Trends](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/current-trends), [Gas and Petroleum Stations](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/gas-and-petroleum-stations), [Car Wash](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/car-wash) ## [HOT OR NOT: BRANDED OR NON-BRANDED FOOD ITEMS?](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/hot-or-not-part-ii-0) Posted by [CTM Staff](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/author/ctm-staff) on February 03, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hubfs/Blog_Photos/shutterstock_177840050.jpg)](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/hot-or-not-part-ii-0) ## **In our last blog post, independent C-Store consultant Mark Walsh helped us shed some light on the Pros and Cons of adding a hot food program to your service offering. ** As part of that conversation, he suggested the next key question an owner must ask after deciding to proceed with a hot food offering is whether or not is should be a branded (national franchise) or non-branded product. [Read More](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/hot-or-not-part-ii-0) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/hot-or-not-part-ii-0#comments-listing) Topics: [Current Trends](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/current-trends), [C-Store and Quick-Service](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/c-store-and-quick-service), [Commercial and Retail](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/commercial-and-retail) ## [HOT OR NOT: INTRODUCING HOT FOODS TO YOUR C-STORE](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/hot-or-not-0) Posted by [CTM Staff](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/author/ctm-staff) on January 27, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hubfs/Blog_Photos/shutterstock_177840050.jpg)](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/hot-or-not-0) ## **It's a question many C-Store owners struggle with: "Should I have a hot food offering? And if I do, should I choose a branded or non-branded product?" ** To help shed light on the key points you need to consider, we solicited the insights of an independent consultant and C-Store specialist, Mark Walsh. Mark addresses both questions in this two-part interview. [Read More](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/hot-or-not-0) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/hot-or-not-0#comments-listing) Topics: [Current Trends](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/current-trends), [C-Store and Quick-Service](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/c-store-and-quick-service), [Commercial and Retail](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/commercial-and-retail) ## [PSYCHED TO SUCCEED: HOW CUSTOMER LOYALTY DRIVES PROFITS AT YOUR CARWASH](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/fleet-on-foot-0) Posted by [CTM Staff](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/author/ctm-staff) on January 18, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hubfs/Blog_Photos/shutterstock_314796932.jpg)](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/fleet-on-foot-0) ## **The "Car Wash Study" provides curious insights into consumer behaviour.** As a business owner, you’d love to get inside the heads of your customers in order to see what motivates them. That’s exactly what consumer research is all about. Researchers devise psychological studies to test how consumers respond to certain offers and marketing approaches. Often the results are surprising... and even counterintuitive. [Read More](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/fleet-on-foot-0) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/fleet-on-foot-0#comments-listing) Topics: [Current Trends](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/current-trends), [Gas and Petroleum Stations](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/gas-and-petroleum-stations), [Car Wash](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/car-wash) ## [FLEET OF FOOT: HOW RFID TECHNOLOGY CAN BENEFIT YOUR CARWASH'S BOTTOM LINE](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/fleet-on-foot) Posted by [CTM Staff](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/author/ctm-staff) on November 25, 2015 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hubfs/Blog_Photos/shutterstock_200145287.jpg)](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/fleet-on-foot) ## **Radio frequency technology next step for fleet vehicles.** In business you need to be nimble. Yet it can be challenging to stay on top of technology trends. One advance that should be on your radar if you cater to fleet vehicles is the introduction of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. It is something we expect will be widely adopted in fuelling and carwash applications in the years to come. [Read More](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/fleet-on-foot) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/fleet-on-foot#comments-listing) Topics: [Current Trends](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/current-trends), [Design](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/design), [Gas and Petroleum Stations](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/gas-and-petroleum-stations), [Car Wash](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/car-wash) ## [WHAT'S NEW AT 2015 CONVENIENVE U CARWACS SHOW IN CALGARY?](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/whats-new-at-carwacs-2015) Posted by [CTM Staff](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/author/ctm-staff) on November 16, 2015 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hubfs/Blog_Photos/shutterstock_298036673.jpg)](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/whats-new-at-carwacs-2015) ## **New products to look for at CARWACS 2015!** *On November 17th and 18th, the [Convenience U CARWACS Show](http://calgary.convenienceu.ca/) is coming to Calgary at the BMO Centre.* *As Western Canada’s largest convenience, gas and car wash events it is a chance to discover the latest and greatest developments when you peruse the tradeshow floor.* [Read More](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/whats-new-at-carwacs-2015) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/whats-new-at-carwacs-2015#comments-listing) Topics: [Current Trends](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/current-trends), [Design](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/design), [Company News](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/company-news), [Gas and Petroleum Stations](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/gas-and-petroleum-stations), [Car Wash](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/car-wash) ## [A WATER-WISE WASH: HOW TO CONSERVE WATER AT YOUR CARWASH FOR GREATER SAVINGS](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/a-water-wise-wash) Posted by [CTM Staff](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/author/ctm-staff) on November 12, 2015 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hubfs/Blog_Photos/shutterstock_120189586.jpg)](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/a-water-wise-wash) ## **How to save water in your carwash using environmentally responsible reclamation systems.** Car washes take a lot of water to operate. And these days, there is a great deal of public pressure to operate in an environmentally responsible manner. Fortunately, you can save a lot of water – and also reduce the associated operating costs – by choosing the right solution. [Read More](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/a-water-wise-wash) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/a-water-wise-wash#comments-listing) Topics: [Current Trends](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/current-trends), [Design](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/design), [Gas and Petroleum Stations](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/gas-and-petroleum-stations) ## [TOP THREE SECRETS TO A SHINY AND SUCCESSFUL NEW CARWASH](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/secrets-to-a-shiny-new-car-wash) Posted by [CTM Staff](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/author/ctm-staff) on October 30, 2015 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/hubfs/Blog_Photos/shutterstock_36977638.jpg)](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/secrets-to-a-shiny-new-car-wash) ## **Independents increasing look to CTM to help with custom planning and design.** CTM has been designing carwashes from Day 1. All in, we’ve probably helped build well over a hundred car washes – serving motorists from Vancouver Island to Ontario. [Read More](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/secrets-to-a-shiny-new-car-wash) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/secrets-to-a-shiny-new-car-wash#comments-listing) Topics: [Current Trends](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/current-trends), [Design](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/design), [Gas and Petroleum Stations](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/gas-and-petroleum-stations) [All posts](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/all) [Next](https://w3.ctmdesign.ca/blog/topic/current-trends/page/2) ### Get Our Latest Blogs Sent Straight To Your Inbox. 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