Amid all the chaos of legislation, regulation and taxation, it’s good to have tobacco category managers like Gate Petroleum’s Matt Hieb. Hieb’s approach to his chain’s market-leading cigar performance is calm and measured, driven by data, common sense and manufacturer promotions. In 225 locations throughout six southeastern states, Gate’s cigar offering exceeds the southeast market…
Chicken’s Popularity Soars to New Heights
Americans want it, but lots of operators are nervous about it. That’s why working with distributors and training employees on how to handle chicken is so important. Consumers have very definitely stated preferences for chicken items, which is why chains like Wawa feature chicken prominently on their menus. For example, the Pennsylvania-based operator features chicken…
Developing a Value Menu with Appeal
The coming of summer means a lot of things—chief among them an insatiable hunger for hot dogs, burgers, sausages and brats. No c-store foodservice program is complete without them or the opportunities they represent. “Who doesn’t like a hot dog?” said Kim Loniecki, director of branded foodservice for Wesco Inc. in Muskegon, Mich. “When you’re…
Pride & Perseverance
At a Glance: NOCO Express With 32 locations in Western New York and Rochester, NOCO Express is among the most recognized fuel brands in Western New York. The oil company has a 77-year history of providing fuel, lubricants and home heating oil to the market. Founded: 1933 Convenience Store and Fuel Brand: NOCO Express Jobber…
Deadline Day is Here
A baker puts two muffins in an oven. The first muffin turns to the other and says, “Boy it’s hot in here.” The second muffin screams, “Yikes, a talking muffin.” Hopefully convenience store chains are not nearly this surprised when it comes to this month’s PCI deadlines. However, at the NACStech conference in April, several…
Empowered by Energy Efficiency
With energy costs soaring and customers rewarding sustainable behaviors, many convenience store chains are realizing the need to upgrade stores to be more energy efficient. World marketed energy consumption is projected to increase by 44% from 2006 to 2030, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The increase could hit c-store retailers especially hard…
Vermont Chain Pays After UST Leak
A South Burlington, Vt., gas station owes the state of Vermont $35,000 in civil penalties as part of a settlement for an alleged gasoline leak from an underground storage tank (UST), Legal Newsline reported. Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell noted that Slimain Handy’s Convenience Stores, the owners of the Gracey’s Store gas station and convenience…
Marathon Oil Recognizes Everbrite
Marathon Oil Corp. recently recognized Everbrite LLC., a visual identification supplier for Marathon’s Speedway SuperAmerica LLC retail organization, as the company’s Supplier Diversity Vendor of the Year. The annual “Living Our Values Award and Recognition Program” recognizes employees and vendors who best exemplify Marathon’s guiding corporate principles. Everbrite, a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) company, won…
Oil Spill Investigation Continues
BP’s internal investigation team has started sharing initial perspectives of its review of the causes of the tragic Deepwater Horizon fire and oil spill. The investigation is a fact-finding effort that is still underway, and has already identified various issues for further inquiry. BP has shared these early perspectives with the Department of the Interior…
Vermont Passes Interchange Law
Vermont has passed legislation governing interchange fees on credit and debit card transactions, becoming the first state to take such action, the Washington Post reported. The move comes just one week after the U.S. Senate approved an amendment that would address interchange fees to the financial overhaul bill. “What Vermont has done is a first…