FAST FACTS 8%

Consumer spending on foodservice menu items at c-stores was up 8 percent for the combined months of September, October and November 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

— The NPD Group

68%

Sixty-eight percent of U.S. voters support increasing the availability of E15 to help lower fuel prices and bolster energy independence.

7-Eleven Inc. opened its first convenience store in Israel at the Dizengoff Center Mall in Tel Aviv. Franchisee Electra Consumer Products plans to expand the 7-Eleven footprint throughout the country over the next five years.

R.H. Foster Energy LLC picked up six Leadbetter’s Super Stop locations in Maine. The sites will continue to operate as is while they transition to R.H. Foster’s Freshies c-store brand.

Pops Mart Fuels LLC acquired six convenience stores with fuel from Mallard Oil Co. The transaction brought Pops Mart into eastern North Carolina.

Pump & Pantry plans to build a new travel center on the northeast side of Crete, Neb., at the intersection of Nebraska highways 103 and 33. Construction is expected to begin in the spring.

— Renewable Fuels Association

1,087

The number of single-store operators grew by 1,087 stores in the past year to reach a total of 90,423 stores, or 60.2 percent of all U.S. convenience stores.

— 2023 NACS/NielsenIQ Convenience Industry Store Count

Retailer Tidbits

Wawa Inc. is exploring the idea of turning one of its shuttered convenience stores in Philadelphia into a training center for technology workers. The move is part of a greater effort to invest in the region’s technology talent market.

Love’s Travel Stops and Interstate Batteries entered into an exclusive supply agreement for the next five years. Interstate-branded batteries are now available at more than 430 Love’s Truck Care and Speedco locations.

Circle K extended its partnership with Jackpocket to bring the mobile lottery option to the Arizona market. To promote the expansion, the third-party app is offering Arizona residents their first lottery ticket for free on the app.

Since 2020, the retailer has been awarded more than 25 biodiesel grants to update existing infrastructure to sell biodiesel blends at locations across Iowa.

Kwik Trip Inc. was honored with the Secretary’s Biodiesel Marketing Award during the FUELIowa annual meeting held in Des Moines, Iowa, in January. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented the award.

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service plans to roll out 500 self-checkout units across its military department stores. Employees who previously staffed checkout lanes will now focus on customer service.