“Stealing $3 billion away from LUST sends a clear message that members of Congress are abandoning a critical and necessary program that protects the health and water security of their constituents,” says NACS spokesperson. The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) has responded to final language included in the U.S. House of Representatives’ version of…
Cash Isn’t King at Cleveland Car Washes
American Pride has switched from cash-based operations to tokens, and customers are coming back stronger than ever. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Brian Costa operates five American Pride car washes in the Cleveland area. All told, there are 29 self-service bays and six touchless automatics. Until early 2000 each location was quarter-based. Then, when the…
Creating An Advertising Plan
By John Matthews, president of Gray Cat Enterprises. As you have probably gathered from reading my other articles, I am a firm believer in planning for success. Whether it is operational excellence, de-branding a store or outlining your procedures and policies, prudent planning creates stronger execution and efficiency. While planning may come second nature to…
Creating A Policy And Procedure Handbook
By John Matthews, president of Gray Cat Enterprises. “Badges? We ain’t got no badges. We don’t need no badges! I don’t have to show you any stinkin’ badges!” – from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. As a small business owner, you may wonder why one would need to get organized from a policy and…
Satisfy Between-Meal Hunger
RITZ CRACKERFULS is now wrapped up in a striking new look designed to grab attention and boost between-meal snack sales. Ninety-five percent of consumers indulge in a snack at least once a day, either between meals or in place of a meal, according to Technomic Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report, 2010. RITZ CRACKERFULS offer an…
Sundried Tomato And Basil Wheat Thins
Wheat Thins has added the zesty flavor of Sundried Tomato and Basil to its vending lineup to help operators capture additional sales from the 81% of consumers (according to International Food Information Council Food and Health Surveys 2006-2009) trying to incorporate more whole grains into their diets. Wheat Thins Sundried Tomato & Basil features a…
Natural Cigarette Alternatives
Bluegrass Blends USA has introduced Rockfield Natural Cigarette Alternatives with no tobacco, no nicotine and no nitrosamines. Rockfield Natural Cigarette Alternatives sell for up to 70% less than traditional cigarettes and provide a low-cost alternative for consumers seeking relief from the high cost of traditional cigarettes. Benefits include no costly MSA tobacco taxes and higher…
VERC Enterprises Recognized During “Celebrating Families” Event
Commitment to hiring individuals with developmental disabilities honored. VERC Enterprises, a convenience store and Mobil/Gulf gasoline operator with 24 locations throughout Eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire was recognized for its commitment to hiring those with developmental disabilities during the 16th annual “Celebrating Families” event at the State House. The Patrick-Murray Administration honored individuals and families…
CEFCO Convenience Stores Finds Scalability With PriceAdvantage
Recently acquired Taylor Food Mart stores using fuel pricing solution. CEFCO Convenience Stores has expanded its partnership chain wide with the addition of the recently acquired Taylor Food Mart stores. The new sites were acquired in January of this year, all of which are now fully implemented with PriceAdvantage, a fuel price management solution. “As…
Are CAFE and RFS Doomed?
“RFS and CAFE policies cannot coexist without substantial changes in the retail and vehicle markets,” says NACS vice president of government relations. The requirements mandated by the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and the proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards are likely to create a situation in which one or both of these programs will…