Chicken’s economical price and inherent flexibility gives convenience store retailers a myriad of opportunities for growing their foodservice business without sacrificing quality and value. However, deciding whether your stores’ best interests are better served by a branded or proprietary chicken program requires an understanding of the benefits and drawbacks each model offers, said consultant John…
MAPCO Express Rolls On
While many chains are still feeling the crunch from the current economic recession, others are seeing opportunity. Count MAPCO Express among the companies waiting to pounce. MAPCO Express, a subsidiary of Delek US Holdings, has a long history in convenience retailing. It continues rolling out an upscale convenience store concept, branded MAPCO Mart, and is…
Sonja Hubbard Paves the Way for Women in Retailing
As CEO of Texarkana, Texas-based E-Z Mart Stores Inc., which operates more than 300 stores in five states, Sonja Hubbard is a true c-store industry veteran. Hubbard was just a child when her father, Jim Yates founded E-Z Mart in 1970 and learned the ropes at an early age. “I grew up with this industry…
Customer Relations Expert
Ralin Nespeca, the customer contact center manager for Oklahoma City-based Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores, learned the value of customer service and an unwavering work ethic at a very young age. Those skills have proved to be a valuable asset on her career path. She joined Love’s in December 2008 as the call center…
Make Coffee More Profitable
Tips for Preparing the Perfect Cup • Always use fresh, filtered water. • Always use fresh, whole bean coffee. Coffee is perishable: use within two weeks of roast date. • Store coffee beans in an air-tight container away from heat, light and moisture. No freezer or refrigerator. • Grind just before brewing—a timer will help…
Keck Oil Does Sandwiches the Rite Way
For most c-store chains, it goes without saying that foodservice must play an integral part in driving traffic and helping maintain sales at a time when gas and cigarette revenues are down. But with so many possibilities to consider, from adding a Dunkin’ Donuts to developing a stir fry offering, deciding which foodservice program will…
NAG: Back by Popular Demand
When we purchased CONVENIENCE STORE DECISIONS nearly two years ago, we heard a constantly recurring question: “When are you going to revitalize the National Advisory Group (NAG)?” With the acquisition we had a lot on our plate, but we were always looking at NAG. We examined carefully why NAG withered, and what was the proper…
R.J. Reynolds Joins Others in Challenging Provisions of FDA Tobacco Act
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company joined Commonwealth Brands Inc., Lorillard Inc., National Tobacco Company L.P. and Discount Tobacco City & Lottery Inc. in filing a lawsuit Monday to protect their First Amendment right to communicate with adult tobacco consumers about their products, Reuters reported. The suit was filed in federal court in Bowling Green, Ky.,…
Wisconsin Raises Cigarette Tax…Again
Despite a 2008 tax increase and the federal tax jump that hit just this spring, Wisconsin is again raising prices on smokers. The price of a pack of cigarettes will increase by 75 cents to $2.52 cents per pack in Wisconsin tomorrow, Sept.1, the Associated Press reported. The tax will be the fifth highest in…
Expanding In A Rough Economy
Independent retailers seeking to expand their businesses are struggling to locate competitively-priced, quality properties, Talking Retail reported. According to Allen Shepherd, director with property agent Christie + Co., despite lower priced properties that have cropped up because of the recession and the perception that the retail sector is currently a buyer’s market, top…