Fasten your seat belts because 2009 will likely be one of the most turbulent years for the tobacco industry in recent memory. The outcome of the federal elections has further cemented Democratic control in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House and ushered in a new liberal administration with President-elect Obama waiting to be…
A Section for What?
Embracing alternative smoking products is a trend the industry should not ignore. Often I am asked what I would do if I was a tobacco category manager today as I peered into the future. Simply, I would practice good sound category management. I would look at what products meet my consumer’s needs in the…
New Year, New Challenges
With 2009 approaching, let patience be your guide to achieve personal and professional goals. As we usher in a new year, let patience be your guide to achieve personal and professional goals. What if you suddenly found out that your slate could be pretty much wiped clean and most all of the tactical mistakes made could…
Not So Fast
A Pleasanton man who runs a chain of convenience stores in California was sentenced to 13 months in prison and fined $1.2 million for an elaborate scheme in which he abused Small Business Administration loans to help business partners launch their own stores, California newspapers reported. Federal officials say Ashraf "Mike" Ali, 55, owner of…
Dunkin Brands Readies For New Head
Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin’ Brands, parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, said it has appointed Nigel Travis as CEO. Travis, 58, most recently served as president and CEO of the Papa John’s pizza chain, which has more than 3,300 restaurants and annual sales of $2.1 billion in the U.S. and 29 international markets. Travis will…
Not Your Average Kansas C-store, Toto
The North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA) awarded two Kansas agencies the Outstanding Product Award for helping green c-store Zarco 66 become a leader in green energy, the Lawrence Journal reported. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the EPA Region 7 received the award for helping Zarco 66 Earth Friendly Fuels become…
Rutter’s Expansion Continues
Rutter’s opened a new store in the Penn Township/Hanover area in Pennsylvania on Christmas Eve, the company said. “The Hanover community has been a vital part of Rutter’s success,” said Scott Hartman, president and CEO of the York, Pa.-based Rutter’s Farm Stores. “We’ve been looking forward to bringing our newest store experience to that area.…
Flying J Files For Chapter 11
Flying J Inc. said it has filed voluntary petitions to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. The filing will allow Flying J and its subsidiaries “to address near-term liquidity needs brought about by the precipitous decline in oil prices coupled with the disruption in…
Cumberland Coffee (and Kindness)
Canton, Mass.-based Cumberland Farms is giving a free cup of coffee to customers on New Year’s Eve, as well as marking the grand opening of its newest convenience store with a $1,000 donation to the Boys and Girls Club chapter in Massachusetts. The new Cumberland store is in Framingham, Mass., the same town where a…
Road Ranger Workers Donate 1,000 Turkeys
Employees at Rockford, Ill.-based Road Ranger convenience stores gave up their annual Christmas party so they could spread some Christmas spirit to the less fortunate, the company said. Road Ranger said employees throughout its Midwestern stores are hearing about and witnessing the difficult times their customers and communities are facing in this struggling economy. In…