HJB Convenience Corp. President Raymond Huff, in partnership with StrasGlobal’s new resource for independent convenience store operators, Resources for Retailers, shared an independent retailer’s story of persistence and the course of action he took to stay in business with the Payroll Protection Programs (PPP1, PPP2) and Employee Retention Credit (ERC) funding. Colorado-based HJB Convenience Corp.,…
Meaty Sales Expected for Roller Grill
In the midst of the pandemic, some retailers paused roller grill sales, while others brought the segment behind the counter to meet COVID-19 safety requirements, while continuing to serve guests. Roller grill remains an integral and consistent part of the expansive foodservice segment at Rutter’s convenience stores, which has 78 locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland and…
GPM Adds Fried Chicken Sandwich to Value Menu
GPM Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of ARKO Corp., is adding a fried chicken filet sandwich to its existing value menu at 150 stores. The value menu initially launched last summer to offer customers convenient, affordable and quality foods during difficult economic times. It began with just one menu item — two for $1 hot…
POS & Back Office Evolve
When it comes to point-of-sale (POS) and back-office technology, a number of emerging trends are expected to pick up steam in 2021. Hybrid POS systems and hardware-agnostic POS software are two areas for convenience stores to watch in the year ahead, noted Patrick Raycroft, the Convenience and Energy vertical lead at W. Capra Consulting Group.…
Meeting Customer — and Societal — Demand for Cleaner Fuels
One of the trends in the convenience store industry for 2021 is giving customers options for alternative fuels, as CStore Decisions recently reported. A major reason for this is the fast-growing sustainability movement. The general public, businesses, elected officials — all are pushing for action that helps the environment. C-stores can both meet that customer…
Buc-ee’s Enters Kentucky Market
Texas-based Buc-ee’s will break ground on its new travel center in Richmond, Ky., on April 13. Located at the southeast corner of Interstate 75 and Duncannon Lane, Buc-ee’s Richmond marks the first Buc-ee’s travel center in Kentucky. The outpost continues Buc-ee’s multi-state expansion across the South, joining two recently opened locations in Florida, as well…
United Dairy Farmers Updates Loyalty Program
Cincinnati-based ice cream and convenience store chain United Dairy Farmers (UDF) has relaunched U-Drive, a legacy loyalty program now built on the Paytronix rewards platform. U-Drive is available for guests to sign up immediately — customers can pick up a card in-store, or download UDF’s new mobile app for the full digital experience. Since launching…
Tobacco Accessories Tick Up
For years, the most innovative development to hit the subcategory of tobacco accessories was lighter covers highlighting sports teams or colorful designs. There were even the occasional movie- or TV-based themes to attract mega fans. So when BIC introduced the EZ Reach lighter with an extended wand last summer, surely convenience store operators and managers…
NAG Scholarship Supports Higher Education
Every student’s story is different, but the financial gap in paying for college is still apparent. In keeping with that theme, the National Advisory Group (NAG) and the Young Executives Organization (YEO) created a scholarship fund for employees and children of NAG member companies. The 2021 NAG Scholarship is named after John MacDougall, who was…
Wawa Expands Beverage Offer With Refreshers Launch
Wawa announced the launch of Wawa Refreshers, now available in all 920 stores chainwide. This iced beverage made with high-quality ingredients including cold brewed green tea and tropical fruit juices that are high in Vitamin C. All the ingredients are made without artificial flavors, preservatives, colors from synthetic sources or high fructose corn syrup. Wawa…