Refuel Pantry
Finding an Agile AI Solution for 55 Sites
Refuel Pantry
Finding an Agile AI Solution for 55 Sites
About
About
Refuel Pantry operates a chain of 55 convenience stores in the state of Wisconsin.
Refuel Pantry operates a chain of 55 convenience stores in the state of Wisconsin.
Company size
Company size
200-500
200-500
Revenue
Revenue
$200-$250m
$200-$250m
The Challenge
The Challenge
Refuel Pantry operates 55 convenience stores, travel plazas, and truck stops where refrigeration and HVAC are critical to daily business. Constant equipment failures were undermining operations. Refrigeration units would frequently break down and stay down for 2–3 days, forcing stores to throw out spoiled products and lose sales. Repairs were slow and unpredictable — sometimes contractors were unavailable for days, leaving stores without essential cooling during peak weekends. Employees were focused on running the stores, often discovering issues only after customers noticed empty coolers. Preventive maintenance was inconsistent, and routine upkeep like filter changes or coil cleaning was often overlooked. The lack of visibility meant problems escalated into big emergencies, costing the business both money and peace of mind. Additionally, energy costs were continually rising. With HVAC and refrigeration making up over 50% of utility bills, inefficient equipment drove expenses even higher.
Refuel Pantry operates 55 convenience stores, travel plazas, and truck stops where refrigeration and HVAC are critical to daily business. Constant equipment failures were undermining operations. Refrigeration units would frequently break down and stay down for 2–3 days, forcing stores to throw out spoiled products and lose sales. Repairs were slow and unpredictable — sometimes contractors were unavailable for days, leaving stores without essential cooling during peak weekends. Employees were focused on running the stores, often discovering issues only after customers noticed empty coolers. Preventive maintenance was inconsistent, and routine upkeep like filter changes or coil cleaning was often overlooked. The lack of visibility meant problems escalated into big emergencies, costing the business both money and peace of mind. Additionally, energy costs were continually rising. With HVAC and refrigeration making up over 50% of utility bills, inefficient equipment drove expenses even higher.
The Solution
The Solution
Monaire deployed its smart IoT platform across all 55 Refuel Pantry sites to transform their operation: No Downtime Deployment: Monaire was deployed with no disruption to operations. Existing equipment did not need to be replaced; sensors and thermostats were retrofitted seamlessly onto the refrigeration and HVAC units already in place. Real-Time Monitoring Identified Issues: The system immediately began real-time monitoring of every cooler, freezer, and HVAC unit. AI-powered analytics detected early warning signs of equipment stress — overworked compressors, low refrigerant, and failing valves — long before a total breakdown. Proactive, Automated Oversight: When issues arose, Monaire automatically dispatched and coordinated technicians, ensuring small, low-cost fixes happened quickly. For example, Monaire flagged a failing valve in a freezer. A $20 repair fixed the issue before it escalated into a full unit failure that could have cost thousands. Optimized Energy Efficiency: Monaire ensured equipment ran at the right setpoints and cycles. By eliminating unnecessary run-times and catching inefficiencies, the platform reduced energy waste significantly and optimized energy usage.
Monaire deployed its smart IoT platform across all 55 Refuel Pantry sites to transform their operation: No Downtime Deployment: Monaire was deployed with no disruption to operations. Existing equipment did not need to be replaced; sensors and thermostats were retrofitted seamlessly onto the refrigeration and HVAC units already in place. Real-Time Monitoring Identified Issues: The system immediately began real-time monitoring of every cooler, freezer, and HVAC unit. AI-powered analytics detected early warning signs of equipment stress — overworked compressors, low refrigerant, and failing valves — long before a total breakdown. Proactive, Automated Oversight: When issues arose, Monaire automatically dispatched and coordinated technicians, ensuring small, low-cost fixes happened quickly. For example, Monaire flagged a failing valve in a freezer. A $20 repair fixed the issue before it escalated into a full unit failure that could have cost thousands. Optimized Energy Efficiency: Monaire ensured equipment ran at the right setpoints and cycles. By eliminating unnecessary run-times and catching inefficiencies, the platform reduced energy waste significantly and optimized energy usage.
After Monaire, we’re saving 15–20% on our energy bills and using that to grow our business. It’s very meaningful.
Principal
Principal
Refuel Pantry
Refuel Pantry
The Results
The Results
Since implementing Monaire, Refuel Pantry has seen measurable improvements: Decrease in Energy Use: 15% reduction in energy use, cutting utility costs and freeing as much as $206,000 in annual energy savings for reinvestment into the business. Elimination of Surprise Failures: Monaire’s proactive monitoring ended the cycle of multi-day outages and product loss. This reduced operational stress for managers and staff, who can now focus on customer service instead of emergency equipment issues. Lower Repair Costs and Improved Uptime: With inexpensive, preventive fixes replacing emergency breakdown repairs, repair costs dropped. Equipment functions properly with improved uptime, so staff can deliver a better customer experience.
Since implementing Monaire, Refuel Pantry has seen measurable improvements: Decrease in Energy Use: 15% reduction in energy use, cutting utility costs and freeing as much as $206,000 in annual energy savings for reinvestment into the business. Elimination of Surprise Failures: Monaire’s proactive monitoring ended the cycle of multi-day outages and product loss. This reduced operational stress for managers and staff, who can now focus on customer service instead of emergency equipment issues. Lower Repair Costs and Improved Uptime: With inexpensive, preventive fixes replacing emergency breakdown repairs, repair costs dropped. Equipment functions properly with improved uptime, so staff can deliver a better customer experience.
With Monaire, we don’t have to worry about calling somebody or things breaking down. My team can now focus on the customer side.
With Monaire, we don’t have to worry about calling somebody or things breaking down. My team can now focus on the customer side.
Principal
Principal
Refuel Pantry
Refuel Pantry
15%
15%
KWh savings (weather normalised)
KWh savings (weather normalised)
$206k
$206k
Annual energy savings
Annual energy savings
Secure, Verifiable, and
Portfolio-Transforming AI.
SOC 2
ISO 27001:2013
ISO 27001:2022
Copyright © 2025 Monaire
Secure, Verifiable, and
Portfolio-Transforming AI.
SOC 2
ISO 27001:2013
ISO 27001:2022
Copyright © 2025 Monaire
Secure, Verifiable,
and Portfolio-Transforming AI.
SOC 2
ISO 27001:2013
ISO 27001:2022
Copyright © 2025 Monaire
Secure, Verifiable, and
Portfolio-Transforming AI.
SOC 2
ISO 27001:2013
ISO 27001:2022
Copyright © 2025 Monaire