The newest addition to Yesway, industry veteran Derek Gaskins is part of a growing number of senior leaders who are switching from other convenience retailers or other industries. By David Bennett, Senior Editor Count Derek Gaskins among the deepening pool of senior professionals who are finding new niches in the convenience store industry. As the…
TravelCenters Moving Ahead with Express Format
New travel center model offers broader platform for potential franchisees. TravelCenters of America LLC, operator of the TA and Petro Stopping Centers travel center brands, will be able to provide its customer base more wide-ranging service with its new TA Express model, expected to officially launch by the end of 2018. Barry Richards, president and…
RaceTrac Touts Tennessee Expansion
President Billy Milam explains to Convenience Store Decisions why the Volunteer State holds a strategic place in the c-store’s growth plans. With potential store locations being assessed, RaceTrac Inc. is targeting Tennessee as a natural fit for the chain’s future expansion. As Nashville and surrounding areas in the state spur an economic transformation with an…
Kwik Trip Redefines Healthy Food Agenda
Steve Loehr has been at the forefront of the chain’s push to provide more nutritious choices. By David Bennett, Senior Editor As America embraces healthier eating habits, the c-store channel has undertaken the slow and methodical process of transforming the country’s perception of an industry that deals in unhealthy, mostly processed food products, to one…
FriendShip Sails Toward New Horizons
With a revitalized foodservice strategy and other company initiatives, FriendShip is charting a course for fresh retail waters. By David Bennett, Senior Editor The FriendShip chain is located along the south shore of Lake Erie. While the highly seasonal market can create challenges for c-stores, FriendShip is experienced in weathering unique retail climates. Beck Suppliers…
High’s Reaching New Heights
With a prototype store and new customer service programs, High’s of Baltimore is climbing the c-store ladder in the Maryland market. By David Bennett, Senior Editor In 1928, the High’s brand was born—the ice-cream store chain grew rapidly throughout the Mid-Atlantic. At one time, there were more than 500 locations, making High’s one of the…
The Shifting Outlook for E-Tobacco
The FDA has set its sights on lower-risk alternatives to cigarettes. However, heat-not-burn products and other innovations still face a lengthy road to market. By David Bennett, Senior Editor How regulatory groups view future vaping products as viable, less harmful alternatives to combustible cigarettes will certainly change the future outlook of e-tobacco products. The prospect…
C-Stores Battle Human Trafficking
Convenience Stores Against Trafficking (CSAT), a program of national nonprofit In Our Backyard, works with the c-store industry to combat human trafficking in the U.S. By David Bennett, Senior Editor Because human trafficking is a vastly underreported crime, many Americans don’t appreciate how wide spread it is nationwide. Also unknown is how the c-store industry…
Pilot Earns Tech Innovator Award
With MuleSoft platform, the Knoxville, Tenn.-based retailer has been able to deliver new features to our guests, including mobile payment and real-time parking availability data to professional drivers. Pilot Flying J has been awarded MuleSoft’s 2018 Tech Innovator Award for most transformative customer experience. The award was presented recently in San Jose at MuleSoft Connect…
Prepaid Helps Foster Loyalty
The prepaid category is evolving at a fast clip, allowing convenience retailers more options to engage customers, whether it’s through more card sales or more loyalty participation. By David Bennett, Senior Editor This Mother’s Day, U.S. spending is expected to hit a near-record high, second only to last year’s $23.6 billion. That’s a lot of…