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www.lbt-inc.com (866) 484-9845 11502 I Street Omaha, NE

Aftermarket parts Dave (402) 697-3675 Gary (402) 697-3664 Matt (402) 697-3665

MODERNCSTORE.COM — YOUR RESOURCE CENTER THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

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CONTENTS TEXA S FOOD & FU E L M AGA Z IN E

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DEFEND AGAINST SKIMMING

SMD LED PRICE SIGN TECHNOLOGY

MIXING BLOOD & BUSINESS

DOWNSTREAM DISTRIBUTION:

Protect your business and your customers against a “skimming” nightmare.

TXFOODANDFUEL.ORG

Upgrade one of your biggest promotional tools while saving energy.

A look into the “yin and yang” relationship between family and business.

Tex-Con Oil achieving growth while keeping customer piority no. 1.

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NEW MEMBERS MARKETERS

SUPPLIERS

The Crossing Travel Market, LP Will Ahrens 901 S. Main Street Winters, TX 79567 Phone: 325-754-4555 wahrens@thecrossingtexas.com

Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Dba. Baker Tilly Chad Derenne 2201 E. Enterprise Avenue Appleton, WI 54912 Phone: 920-739-3392 chad.derenne@bakertilly.com www.bakertilly.com Tax, Accounting, and Advisory Services.

CW Petroleum Corp.

Christopher Williams 5919 Hawthorne Garden Way Katy, TX 77494 Phone: 713-857-8142 chris@cwpetroleumcorp.com www.cwpetroleumcorp.com Gaubert Oil Company, Inc. Grady Gaubert 10 Rienzi Drive Thibodaux, LA 70302 Phone: 800-256-1250 grady@gaubertoil.com www.gaubertoil.com Jai Om Corporation Dba – Scotties Longview 401 W. Hawkins Pkwy.

Longview, TX 75605 Phone: 903-663-6503 Krupal Patel krupal.patel@yahoo.com Short Stop Food Stores 531 Fort McKavitt Mason, TX 76856 Phone: 325-347-6561 Charles Reichenan chrshortstop@verizon.net Verde Go Operations LLC Dba - Verde Go 4108 North Lamar Blvd.

Austin, TX 78759 Phone: 512-738-1214 Kirk Brumley kirkb@vfueling.com

Blue Sky Lone Star Joe Welch 4380 S. Syracuse St., Ste. 500 Denver, CO 80237 Phone: 303-656-7220 jwelch@blueskydefna.com www.blueskydefna.com Blue Sky is a National Supplier of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Center for Quality Assurance Dba - TOP TIER™ Detergent Gasoline Mike Kunselman 4800 James Savage Road Midland, MI 48642 Phone: 989-496-2399 mkunselman@centerforqa.com www.TopTierGas.com TOP TIER™ Detergent Gasoline is the premier standard for gasoline performance. Fewer deposits lead to better engine performance.

CipherLab USA, Inc. Edgar Lopez 2552 Summit Avenue, Suite 400 Plano, TX 75074 Phone: 888-300-9779 elopez@cipherlab.com www.cipherlab.com We provide quality hardware (RF Guns, mobile computers, barcode scanners and RFID readers) with lowest total cost of development and ownership.

Circle K Stores National Wholesale Fuels Sherry Forbes sforbes@circlek.com 1130 W Warner Road Tempe, AZ 85284 404-987-4473 ckramer1@circlek.com www.circlek.com Wholesaler Jobber Providing customers with branded & unbranded wholesale fuel supply and convenience store franchise opportunities.

EW Systems LLC Dba – Easiwash Cleaning Systems David Solberg 1524 Hwy 18 W Clear Lake, IA 50428 Phone: 641-357-9274 dave@easiwash.com www.easiwash.com Permanently mounted pressure washer with customized remote outside locations for quiet, convenient cleaning.

Convenience Marketers Association (CMA) Lynn Holland 180 W Campbell Street Arlington Heights, WA 98687 Phone: 224-425-4454 lholland@getcma.com www.getcma.com Revitalize your Retail strategy in 3-EASY steps with immediate extra profits, new products, & effortless marketing & promotion to get from national CPG manufacturer program - to Retailer - to Consumer in ONE- EASY program for Retailers & the Petroleum Brands, Marketers, & Retail Co-Ops that support them.

FireKing Security Group Dba - Image Vault Wes Wernette 101 Security Parkway New Albany, IN 47150 Phone: 800-457-2424 wes.wernette@fireking.com www.fireking.com FireKing Security Group manufactures a broad array of security products with best-in-class service and support for businesses around the world. The products and services we offer focus solely on protecting customers’ assets, people, and vital information. FireKing Security Group’s brands include Summit, Ascent CSS, and NKL cash-handling and cash-validating products.

Cybera Thomas Parker 9009 Carothers Pkwy., Suite C-5 Franklin, TN 37067 Phone: 866-429-2372 thomas.parker@cybera.net www.info@cybera.com Cybera is a leading provider of secure virtual application networks to many of the world’s top enterprises. Launched in 2011, the Cybera ONE platform provides a simple solution to the growing complexity that distributed enterprises face at remote locations in managing payment networks and other sensitive, complex applications.

Fuel Masters, LLC Michael Davis 133 Caddo Drive Abilene, TX 79602 Phone: 866-455-3835 michael.davis@fuelmasters.com www.fuelmasters.com Helios Brands LLC Dba - Chinook Seedery Mark Pettyjohn 3601 S. Congress Avenue, Ste. G-300 Austin, TX 78704 Phone: 720-638-6362 mark@chinookseedery.com www.chinookseedery.com Chinook Seedery handcrafts the best tasting sunflower seeds on the planet.

Based in Austin, Texas.

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

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NEW MEMBERS

IBC Supplies and Services Robert Moreland 555 Republic Drive, Suite 200 Plano, TX 75074 Phone: 214-244-0306 callus247@gmail.com www.ibcsuppliesandservices.com Install & remove UST system, Turnkey operation for gas station. Operate in 5 states around TX Marketing Ideas Group Mark Lavine 7040 Avenida Encinas #104 Carlsbad, CA 92011 Phone: 888-949-8265 info@urstickers.com http://www.urstickers.com Newer Technology Photo Euro Decals without Plate Charges or Set up Fees, All areas Available. High impulse and High Profit easy add on item.

Michael Imbimbo, Inc. Hannah Heinze 16500 San Pedro, Suite 235 San Antonio, TX 78232 Phone: 210-403-3636 hannah.heinze @michaelimbimbo.com www.michaelimbimbo.com Our Architecture firm offers a comprehensive full-service approach for your planning, design and building needs. Our full scope of services enables projects to be completed efficiently and cost-effectively with our experienced architects and designers

MYDUCKSINAROWCO, LLC Dba – Conmattest Melanie Nelson 13327 Forestway Drive Dallas, TX 75240 Phone: 214-716-8518 melanie@conmattest.com www.conmattest.com Conmattest provides Corrosion Protection services including Cathodic Protection Testing and Repair as well as full system Design Services. Temporary Fueling, Onsite Fueling, Jobsite Fuel Tanks, Generator Rentals and Repair Services, Fuel System Installations and Removals, and Fuel System Repair.

Nu Wave Botanicals Chris Jepson 4800 W. 34th Street, Suite C-4 Houston, TX 77092 Phone: 713-825-1757 chris@nuwavebotanicals.com www.nuwavebotanicals.com Wholesaler of convenience store items.

PCC Leaseoptions Michael Noville 7037 Fly Road East Syracuse, NY 13057 Phone: 315-233-4020 mnoville@leaseoptions.com www.leaseoptions.com Full service equipment finance company offering financing on equipment, electronics, pumps, POS, signs & more. Our industry experience will assure you are getting solutions that meet your business needs.

Membership Dues are on a trajectory towards a mailbox near you!

Questions? Call 512.476.9547 or email info@txfoodandfuel.org

TXFOODANDFUEL.ORG

Petroleum Processing Solutions Sandy Young 206 Turnpike Road Southborough, MA 01772 Phone: 855-245-0877 sandy@dpscorporate.com www.dpscorporate.com A Merchant Services Company that provides payment processing for all types of electronic transactions including Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover, Debit, EBT, WEX, Voyager and Fleet Express. PPS payment services are designed specifically for petroleum, propane, and home heating oil.

Quality DEF Solutions Donny Smith 471 S. Hwy 16 San Saba, TX 76877 Phone: 325-372-1255 donny@jcsmith.com www.qualitydefsolutions.com Quality DEF Solutions is a registered company specializing in the manufacture and supplying of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). Located in San Saba, Texas, we have been in the feed and fertilizer business for over 40 years and started supplying DEF over four (4) years ago. Our products are API Certified and ISO 22241 compliant. We are also a distributor of poly chemical.

RINAlliance, Inc. Lisa Coffelt 10430 New York Avenue, Suite F Urbandale, IA 50322 Phone: 866-433-7467 lisa@rinalliance.com www.rinalliance.com A web-based renewable fuel compliance program for blenders and marketers registered under the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The program provides assistance with EPA registrations, online RIN tracking system, reporting, and RIN quality assurance tools. Minimize compliance and fraud risk, while maximizing profits from renewable fuel credits.

Stamos Management LLC Dba - Texas Beverage Supply Andy Stamos 9709 Brown Lane Suite Z Round Rock, TX 78680 Phone: 512-246-2423 andy@texasbeveragesupply.com We are a beverage concentrate distributor.

Stoplift Checkout Vision Systems, Inc Malay Kundu 185 Alewife Brook Pkwy., Suite 401 Cambridge, MA 02138 Phone: 866-426-2479 tradeshowstaff@stoplift.com www.stoplift.com StopLift Checkout Vision Systems has developed software-based checkout vision systems which automatically analyze regular CCTV video from existing cameras to detect various forms of theft, training error, and operational analytics at the checkout.

StoreStreams, Inc. Chuck Odom 15803 Windermere Drive, Suite 301 D Pflugerville, TX 78660 Phone: 832-248-2633 codom@storestreams.com www.storestreams.com StoreStreams provides in-store background music and messaging solutions designed to deliver a customized vibe to your retail establishment.

Wolfpack Wholesale Eliot Lopez 1800 10th Street #300 Plano, TX 75074 Phone: 888-745-1474 eliot@wolfpackwholesale.com www.wolfpackwholesale.com American-made e-liquids, and an offering of unparalleled value and service to an ever-expanding national family of retail partners.

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ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS

OFFICE CLOSED 2016 December 26 2017 January 2

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

Katrina Bush St. Edward’s University

SINCE 2000, THE TEXAS FOOD & FUEL ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED 86 SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING OVER $243,000.

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"Twas the night before session, when all through the Texas House, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The Legislators stockings were filled with TFFA PAC dollars with care, in hopes that these new politicians would be wise and fair."

BY MATT BURGIN / DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, TEXAS FOOD & FUEL ASSOCIATION The momentous Election of 2016 is finally behind us and now we can look forward to the upcoming 2017 Texas Legislative Session. There will be twenty-two freshman House members and three freshman Senators with Republicans holding large majorities in both the House and Senate. The 85th Texas Legislative Session begins January 10th and adjourns May 29th.

Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick and Speaker Joe Straus all return in their respective leadership roles in the Legislature. Lieutenant Governor Patrick has laid out a set of priorities for the Texas Senate which includes reforming the property tax system, ending sanctuary cities in Texas, increasing school choice, and a bill regarding the issue of transgender bathroom use.

Speaker Straus has also talked about the House’s priorities for the session including increased funding for Child Protective Services and changing the public school funding system. However, there have been battle lines drawn between the House and Senate on how they will prioritize and address the contentious issues of transgender bathroom use and sanctuary cities.

The Texas Food & Fuel Association PAC made over $130,000 in contributions to campaigns in the 2016 campaign cycle. Thank you for your continued support as donations to the TFFA PAC help build important relationships with the elected officials who affect our industry. For the upcoming session, we will be looking at funding for state agencies, driveway access issues, and protecting our fuels tax collection allowance.

TFFA will be working hard for you at the Capitol in the 85th Texas Legislative Session this spring. Please contact us with any questions regarding legislation and we will continue to keep you up to date as the session moves forward.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

GREG ABBOTT, GOVERNOR OF TEXAS

PETE OLSON, U.S. CONGRESSMAN BILL FLORES, U.S. CONGRESSMAN DREW DARBY, MEMBER OF THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

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EDITORIAL

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Editor, Layout & Design, Digital & Print Production, and Advertising Sales Jesus Azanza 512.617.4309 jazanza@txfoodandfuel.org

Officers: Madalyne Lange, Sherman Douglass Distributing Co. Chairman

TEXAS FOOD & FUEL ASSOCIATION STAFF Paul Hardin, CAE President phardin@txfoodandfuel.org Jesus Azanza Director of Communications & Marketing jazanza@txfoodandfuel.org Rick Bolner, CPA Vice President of Accounting rbolner@txfoodandfuel.org Matt Burgin Director of Government Relations mburgin@txfoodandfuel.org Scott B. Fisher Vice President of Policy & Public Affairs sfisher@txfoodandfuel.org

Cary Rabb, Round Rock WAG•A•BAG™ Vice Chairman Dan Baker, San Angelo Regal Oil Company Secretary Steve Fryar, Brownwood P.F. & E. Oil Company Treasurer Rick Golman, Dallas QWTransport, LLC Immediate Past Chairman Don Grissom, Austin General Counsel

Position Vacant District IX Matt Judson, Corsicana Winters Oil Partners L.P. District X

Region Directors: Robert Eggleston, Midland Penta Operating, LLC Region A

Ed Morgan, Nacogdoches Morgan Oil Company District XII

Annette Hicks, CMP Vice President of Meetings & Expositions ahicks@txfoodandfuel.org

Imad Sarkis, Beaumont Tri-Con, Inc. Region C Jake Marsico, Dickinson Bay Oil Company Region D District Directors: Clay Wallace, Hereford Goodin Fuels, Inc. District I

Subscriptions are included in the dues paid by Texas Food & Fuel Association member companies.

Matthew Kendrick, Lubbock Hub City Convenience Store, Inc. District II

Subscription requests: Texas Food & Fuel Association 401 W. 15th Street, Suite 510 Austin, TX 78701 P 800.460.8662 F 512.477.4239 info@txfoodandfuel.org

Joy Garcia, Mineral Wells Connel Oil Corp.

District III

©2016 Texas Food & Fuel Association. All rights reserved.

The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the publisher.

Mike Kittrell, Parker Carter Energy Company District VIII

Don Broach, Bryan BRENCO Marketing, Corp.

District XI

Kyle Kirby, Fort Worth Advance Petroleum Distributing Co., Inc. Region B

The Texas Food & Fuel Magazine is published quarterly by the Texas Food & Fuel Association, Austin, Texas, USA.

Justin Parrott, Dallas Ranparr, Inc. District VII

Paul Hardin, Austin President

Dana Fuller, CEM Director of Expo & Events dfuller@txfoodandfuel.org

Kris Wallace Assistant Director of Finance kwallace@txfoodandfuel.org

Lance Davis McCraw Oil Company District VI

Paul Masters, El Paso Mogas, Inc. District IV Michael Burniston, Kerrville McBride Oil Company District V

Clay Johnson, Austin Tex-Con Oil Company District XIII John Hebert, Liberty John J. Hebert Distributor District XIV Phil Wuest, McQueeney Wuest’s, Inc. District XV Jeff Scarbrough - Clovis, NM Allsup’s Petroleum, Inc. District XVI John New, Victoria New Distributing Co., Inc. District XVII Terry Tesch, Lake Jackson R.B. Stewart Petroleum Products, Inc. District XVIII Directors at Large (Marketers): Steve Boyd, Houston Sun Coast Resources, Inc. Nelson Grona, San Antonio Bear Oil Company Jeff Robinson, Amarillo Affiliated Foods, Inc. Wes Scott, Houston Sunoco LP

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Doug Staton, Austin Arnold Oil Company Fuels, LLC Bobby Warren, Sherman Douglass Distributing Co. Directors at Large (Suppliers): Therese Baer, Austin Baer Engineering & Environmental Consulting Barron Hobbs, Houston White Tucker Company Michael Lawshe, Fort Worth Paragon Solutions, Inc. Tim Miller, Kingwood Ascentium Capital Melanie Nelson, Richardson Conmattest Steve Van Vlack, Austin Wayne Fueling Systems Past Chairmen Serving on the Board of Directors: Eddie Bates C&I Oil Company Rodney Fischer Midtex Oil, L.P. Gary Garrison Fred Garrison Oil Company Gary Johnson* Johnson Brothers Oil Company Jim Kolkhorst* Kolkhorst Petroleum Co. Terry Maxey Maxey Energy Company Andy Olmstead* Chapman, Inc. Randy Parrott Ranparr, Inc. Allen Smith Texas Fleet Fuel, Ltd. *Serves on Executive Committee Board Term: July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017

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BY MAR

ESIDENT, PE K BARRON / PR

TROLEUM SOLU

TIONS, INC.

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

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IN A WALL STREET JOURNAL ARTICLE, FICO NOTED THAT ATTACKS ON DEBIT CARDS USED IN U.S. ATMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2015 REACHED THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL IN AT LEAST 20 YEARS. SPECIFICALLY, COMPROMISES OF ATMS ON BANK PROPERTY JUMPED 174% COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, WHICH SURPRISINGLY PALED IN COMPARISON TO THE 317% INCREASE IN COMPROMISES OF ATMS NOT ON BANK PROPERTY.

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“Skimming” is a nightmare. Everyone has heard about devices secretly planted on dispensers, secret POS systems, or false keypads on ATMs. Hopefully fewer people know this experience firsthand, but the reality is that skimming is still a huge problem for the convenience store industry.

Skimming itself can take many forms. The essential goal is to capture credit card information so that the thief can recreate the card, which can then be used for false purchases. Having customer’s credit card information compromised is less than ideal.

Unfortunately, there’s been a recent increase in skimming attacks all over the United States. Part of the reason for this is because the U.S. is in the early stages of implementing EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa) technology. As a result, fraudsters are flocking to the US. In 2014, the United States accounted for 72% of worldwide data breaches, compared to EMV-ready U.K. at 8% and Canada at only 4% (nasdaq.com). The deadline to upgrade dispenser card readers to EMV is coming up in October 2017 (the in-store POS deadline was October 2015, although many stores are still in the upgrade process or have not yet upgraded).

EMV, or Chip technology, is a small computer chip embedded directly into your credit or debit card.

Essentially, it provides a unique transaction data every time the card is used. If this data was replicated, the transaction would not validate. For the skimmer, gathering data becomes useless.

If EMV is so secure, will skimming disappear? The short answer is, unfortunately, no. POS and card readers will continue to support magstripe cards for a few years after EMV is implemented, and those users who aren’t using an EMV card can still be targeted. Fraud in general will likely see a shift to online and card-not-present (CNP) transactions, mostly in online shopping. Consumers will need to be more careful about where they shop and how they give out their credit card information.

How can you help prevent fraud? Knowing what to look for on your forecourts and at your register is a great first step. Upgrading to EMV at the counter POS and on the dispensers greatly decreases your chances of being targeted for skimming attacks.

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KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR! 1. Performing daily (or more frequently) checks on your dispensers can make a huge difference. Check for false pin pads, extended card readers, and other signs a dispenser may have been tampered with.

2. Educate your employees on what to look for. When possible, maintain full view of the forecourt and watch for unusual traffic.

3. Make sure they know what EMV is and can talk to customers about why they need to dip their cards instead of swiping.

4. Use a security system. This can mean anything from cameras, to better canopy lighting, to the ‘We Care’ tamper-evident stickers for dispensers. Be diligent about maintaining the stickers.

5. Replace your locks! All dispensers come with a factory key, which is the same for every dispenser. Getting custom keys made is easy – make sure only the necessary people have access to the inside of your dispenser.

UPGRADE TO EMV 1. The ‘deadline’ is really a liability shift. If someone commits credit card fraud in your store and you haven’t invested in the new technology, your store may be liable for that fraud. The in-store deadline has already passed, and the forecourt deadline is October 2017.

2. Consumers like to feel secure – as they find out more about EMV and receive their new chip cards in the mail; customers will start to expect EMV-ready terminals.

3. There are already equipment delays and service hour shortages. Upgrading sooner than later will make sure you’re completely ready in 2017 for EMV cards.

For more information about EMV or how to be EMV ready, visit the new, convenience-store specific website: moderncstore.com

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BY JESUS AZANZA / DIRECTOR OF COMM. & MARKETING / TEXAS FOOD & FUEL ASSOCIATION

On September 26 – 28 over 140 attendees representing 93 companies from 12 states heard an exceptional lineup of speakers and networked in a meeting resort just minutes from Austin.

Held at the Hyatt Lost Pines, the Fuels Summit focused on cultivating new business relationships, addressing current and future industry challenges, and engaging the attendees in high-level dialogue, discussing topics essential for today’s ever-changing fuel and convenience markets.

and an iPad Mini drawing. Congratulations to BRENCO Marketing’s Don Broach for winning the drawing!

The Fuels Summit harnessed the power of digital communication and social media to promote the event, the hashtag #txfuelssummit reached nearly 10,000 Twitter and Instagram users.

For a complete listing of association events, including networking and educational opportunities visit www.txfoodandfuel.org.

Over eight hours of networking opportunities included a luncheon with State Representative Drew Darby (R-San Angelo), southern social themed networking reception,

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SMD LED:

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR UPGRADING YOUR SIGN TECHNOLOGY

BY WOLFGANG MANZ / PRESIDENT, PWM NORTH AMERICA

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

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WHEN IT COMES TO SELECTING A DIGITAL PRICE SIGN, IT WOULD BE EASY TO ASSUME THAT THEY ARE ALL CREATED EQUAL. HOWEVER, THAT IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE. JUST AS TECHNOLOGY HAS EVOLVED TO SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS IN EVERYTHING FROM POS SYSTEMS TO PUMP EQUIPMENT, THE FUEL SIGN – YOUR MOST IMPORTANT PROMOTIONAL TOOL - HAS ADVANCED TO CREATE BETTER PERFORMANCE AND ENERGY SAVINGS.

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A BRIEF HISTORY Think back to the early ‘80s. Every fuel price sign required an attendant to manually replace physically printed numbers to change a price. That was not only a time-consuming task, but a potentially dangerous one since heights and ladders were involved. Imagine how complex this process was for multi-location owners. In the mid-‘80s, fuel stations started slowly adopting electronic signs, which initially used LED (light-emitting diode) technology. So, what is an LED? Essentially, it is a two-terminal component which only allows current to flow in one direction – and its sole purpose is to emit light. LEDs are similar to tiny light bulbs – protruding from circular holes on the circuit board. The LED fuel signs had improved visibility over the static signs, especially during night time and low light conditions, but they also required a lot of energy and the life of each LED was only approximately five to six years.

A NEW ERA In 2006, PWM introduced SMD LED technology to the fuel store industry. SMD stands for surface-mount-diode. As its name implies, SMDs are surface-mountable, making them much more space-efficient because they can be mounted directly to the circuit board. This new technology has been steadily adopted since 2008 and now it’s estimated that up to 80 percent of price signs worldwide use SMD LEDs. However, the U.S. is lagging in that adoption rate and many sign companies and manufacturers still work with the older technology. However, the older technology may become obsolete since the LED manufacturers, lighting industry and even auto industry are not investing in it any longer. Given that risk and the benefits these price signs offer, there is opportunity for other players to get in the game to improve their price sign strategy.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SMD LED Visibility increases traffic. Since the price sign is one of the single most important traffic drivers, visibility is a critical factor. More than just illuminating the brand and the price, SMD delivers outstanding visibility. Older LED technology can only guarantee a 90 degree viewing angle, however SMD LED signs can be seen from as far away as 500 feet and are readable from a 120-degree angle, making the signs nearly impossible to miss.

Remote interface improves safety. Some SMD LED price sign technologies, such as PWM’s solution, interface with a radio-controlled device that allows employees to change prices electronically and on-demand. This is a significant improvement in safety for employees who previously had to go out into the elements and use ladders or risers to physically change the prices on the signs. Now all of that can easily be completed from the ground inside the store.

Smart technology reduces energy consumption. Another benefit of the smart SMD technology is that it can be can include built-in sensors that are responsive to lighting conditions, thereby saving energy when it’s not necessary to light the sign as brightly while maintaining optimum visibility for customers 24/7. Some SMD technology is highly responsive, such as PWM’s which can adjust to 256 levels of brightness.

Efficiency improves longevity. SMD LED offers a longer lifespan than traditional LEDs – from eight to 10 years, depending on how the digit panels are manufactured.

For example, PWM has built in additional life-extending safeguards that protect the digits from rain, wind, dust and other elements. Over the course of the life of the sign, this could result in substantial savings.

While adoption of SMD LED technology is still a work in progress, many multi-location owners are starting to realize the benefits and are adopting the solution within all of their locations. One example is G&M Oil Company, the largest convenience store and fueling station chain in California, which has decided to implement the new price signs in more than 100 of its Chevron and independent stations.

“We initially chose to move to PWM’s SMD LED technology price signs because they feature bright, easy to read pricing for our customers,” said G&M Senior Vice President and General Manager Julie Jackson. “However, the signs have exceeded our expectations – the technology reacts very well in all types of climate conditions, helps us increase customer activity in our stations and has the added benefit of reducing our energy consumption at every location where we have installed SMD LED. All of these factors together help us stand out from the competition.”

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

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ABOUT PWM For more than 35 years, PWM has been at the forefront of the electronic price sign industry, working exclusively with convenience store owners. As a privately owned global player, PWM has led the industry in the use of SMD technology since 2006. To ensure it meets the highest quality standards, all of PWM’s sign components are produced at its headquarters in Germany. With a variety of sign types and designs to choose from, PWM backs their signs with the industry’s best warranties and customer services. www.pwm-usa.com

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HOW TO SAFELY AND SUCCESSFULLY MIX BLOOD AND BUSINESS

BY RONALD C. REECE, PH.D. / REECE & ASSOCIATES

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

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In the beginning, there were families; soon there were family businesses.

Matter of fact, the real story of Adam and Eve is that they had a chain of 75 fruit stands. The Cain and Able trouble was a succession transition gone badly. Well not really, but as early as that family businesses have existed.

Today there are some ten to twelve million family owned businesses representing 90% of all business enterprise in the United States.

Seventy percent of those businesses are not just owned by family, they are managed by family. Family businesses

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A significant challenge facing family businesses is that approximately 40% of them are expected to change hands within the next five to ten years.

Actually the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history is taking place. Some eleven trillion dollars in worth will move from one generation to the next.

What happens to family owned businesses if we have such a high number of them that are expected to move from first generation to second generation or maybe even from

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smoothly and successfully through the generations or you have a powerful concoction that can explode or fall flat ruining the company’s and the family’s future.

When the trust, loyalty and love in a family business come together, connected to some reasonable planning, the results can be amazing.

A most important thing to remember here is that family business is never just business. Often times entrepreneurs, the head of the family, or the head of the business will say: “it’s just business,” sparking the response: “you know that’s absolutely not so.”

Family owned business is never just business. As Roger Enrico of PepsiCo said: “the soft stuff is always harder than the hard stuff.” If that’s true for PepsiCo it is doubly true in family owned businesses.

in this country provide 60% of the work force a job. Family businesses contribute approximately 60% to the gross domestic product and over 75% of new jobs creation. Family businesses are a powerful economic force.

Often, when you say family business, people think of mom & pop organizations. This little place and there’s mom, there’s pop, maybe some kids running around. Truth is 30-35% of Fortune 500 companies are family owned. Michelin, Levi Strauss, Mars Candies are family owned businesses.

Not too shabby.

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second to third? What we know is that less than a third of those businesses will survive the transition from 1st to 2nd generation and only 13% are likely to transition to the 3rd generation.

How can that be possible? Why? Why loose such a powerful economic force at a transition point? There are two primary reasons: lack of planning and family emotional conflict - Mixing Blood and Business. Of course some just decide to sell or stop.

Whether the recipe is for gunpowder or a soufflé, the mix of ingredients is the secret to safety and success.

The same thing holds true when you mix blood and business – you either have a thriving company that will pass

An example: George is a 68 year old successful businessman. He has been married to his second wife, Jane for 12 years. She is 55. His first wife died 15 years ago. There are three children from that marriage, Sally 45, Tess 43, and Tom 40. Tess works in the business and everyone seems to think she is the successor. George’s stepson, John, works in the business as well.

The estimated value of George’s estate including the business is 9 million dollars. George rarely asks for advice and has done little or no planning. The last time he looked at his will was when he revised it after his marriage to Jane. However, 2 months ago, a good friend died without a will, much less a plan, and he heard about the chaos. George now seems ready to do some real planning.

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So what do we do? What will we mix? Where do you begin? A good place to begin is with a process called Emotional and Interpersonal Due Diligence (EIDD) in order to determine the emotional or relational strengths, the expectations and the roadblocks that will have to be dealt with. The most significant component of this due diligence process is LISTENING; listening to each of the stakeholders. Of course we would start with George and Jane.

It is important to understand that developing a transition plan usually takes at least 12 to 18 months and that it begins by interviewing each of them.

On a broad perspective there are three primary ingredients to mix if we want blood and business to work well. Those three ingredients are: • Regular Planned Family Meetings • A Strategic Business Plan • An outside Board of Directors Families in business are notorious for talking about business anytime they get together. Over the dinner table, at Christmas, at Thanksgiving, or spontaneously when you go over to a family member’s house.

Those informal meetings of the family often turn out to be conflicted because we are mixing business conversation at family time and there is no written agenda but there may be hidden agendas. Regular planned and periodically facilitated family meetings are the key.

The second ingredient is a strategic business plan. Every company is supposed to have one. But small businesses are notorious for not having them. Small businesses have them in the founders’ head. Maybe he or she knows where the business is going and occasionally tells somebody else in the family, if their lucky. Therefore, a strategic business plan is critical to the mix. Because as you develop it you gain consensus, you get involvement, you get a more

unified direction of the business and create a measuring stick.

The third ingredient is an outside board of directors. Outside directors bring experience, knowledge, and objectivity to the mix. However, most family owned businesses do not like outsiders in their business.

Like George, they are private, do it yourself environments, close to the chest, and really don’t talk much about the inside workings of their business. But, the fact of the matter is, the chances for survival increase when boards are in place or at least an established board of advisors.

Ronald C. Reece, Ph.D. is a Consulting Psychologist who Specializes in Family and Closely Held Business Consulting.

He can be found at: 800 E. Washington St., Ste-C Greenville, SC 29601 Phone 864.233.6648 Fax 864.233.3706, Email reeceassc@aol.com Website www.ronreece.com

Of course, the foundation ingredient that goes along with the three primary ingredients is communication; the willingness to listen and the willingness to talk.

As families are moved through the mixing of ingredients, new awareness arises about how they interact, what they really want, what they think they can or cannot do. We come up against road blocks that we have to navigate around or through with the primary goal being to help the family and the business exercise their own best judgment. Giving pat answers is not a good idea as a consultant.

Pulling it out, working with, adding to the mix is what ultimately makes it stronger and better. From conflict resolution to consensus and moving to a new vision, the process helps the family business see the future much better.

Along the way we demonstrate the importance of a team effort.

Accounting, legal, insurance and other service professionals are a must. Hopefully, we would be able to get them all in the same room at some point. The team deliverable is peace of mind that comes as the owner’s plan, the family’s plan and the company’s plan emerge.

George has waited way too long.

I hope you haven’t?

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S

Compliance management has become increasingly demanding for today’s retail and commercial fuel site operators as regulatory agencies continue to implement more stringent compliance requirements.

For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently revised its underground storage tank (UST) regulations, adding secondary containment, maintenance, operation and training stipulations. Failure to meet compliance regulations such as these can be extremely costly; EPA penalties for UST violations can reach up to $37,500 per day of noncompliance.

However, maintaining site compliance isn’t necessarily cheap or easy.

Installing new monitoring equipment can result in undue downtime and significant installation costs. As the regulations become stricter, U.S. fuel site operators need to implement fuel monitoring systems that will provide cost-effective compliance monitoring now and flexibility for the future. Fortunately, innovations in tank monitoring equipment and infrastructure can simplify new installations and reduce installation costs.

WIRING IS EXPENSIVE Most tank gauges require monitoring devices such as probes and sensors to be installed on individual, separate wires. This type of wiring

configuration is both inefficient and expensive because it requires a high number of “home runs” to be wired back to the tank gauge. The higher the number of home runs that are needed, the more wire and time that are required to complete a new tank gauge installation. The more time that is needed to complete the installation increases site downtime and labor costs (the more wiring runs a contractor must install, the longer it will take him to complete the job.)

For example, a fuel site with four dispensers and three storage tanks that uses a conventional wiring configuration is likely to need 10 or more home run cables back to the tank gauge. Older tank gauging systems and wiring configurations also waste a larger amount of the wire purchased in order to complete the installation. That’s because, for almost every spool of wiring purchased for the installation of a fuel tank monitoring system, there is a length of wire at the end of the spool that cannot be used. Here’s why: spools are available in lengths of 500 feet and 1,000 feet of wire; runs are often

150 feet to 200 feet in length. As a result, there are often extra 100- to 200-foot lengths of wire remaining at the end of spools that cannot be used for home runs. The more spools the installation requires the more wire that is wasted.

Fortunately, advancements in tank monitoring technologies make inefficient wiring configurations no longer necessary. Today, there are tank gauges on the market that support a streamlined wiring configuration, which significantly lowers the amount of cable needed for installation — in some cases reducing the number of home runs to just two or three. This reduction in home runs can decrease the amount of wire needed by hundreds of feet.

TANK MONITORING SOLUTIONS THAT REDUCE COSTS Manufacturers of fuel management equipment recognize that fuel site operators face numerous challenges when it comes to managing their storage tank environments, including rising operating costs and changing compliance requirements.

To help fuel site managers maximize their equipment investments and simplify compliance management, manufacturers are engineering tank monitoring solutions that not only provide state-of-the-

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

texa s f ood & f uel magazine

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BY BOBBY HAYES / OPW FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

art compliance monitoring, they minimize site downtime during typical installation and/or equipment upgrades.

Fuel management equipment manufacturers are also designing tank-monitoring systems with flexibility in mind, so fuel site managers can more easily – and costeffectively­– adapt their system to changing compliance requirements.

For example, there are tank monitoring solutions on the market

that pair a cost-saving tank gauge with an innovative wiring configuration that allows probes and sensors to be run back to the gauge on the same wire. Recent advancements to this technology now enable multiple probes and sensors to be mixed and matched on the same wire, which significantly reduces the amount of wire needed for a new tank gauge installation.

For a fuel site with 3 tanks and 4 dispensers, a tank monitoring system that permits an efficient wiring installation can reduce the amount of wire needed for installation by as much as 60 to 70 percent. At smaller sites, the wiring technology can enable the number of home runs to be pared to just two or three runs. By using a tank monitoring system that supports a lean wiring configuration a 3-tank 4-dispenser site could initially install three tank probes, three STP sump/annular sensors and 4 dispenser pan sensors, and plan for additional tank monitoring sensors and dispenser pan sensors to be added in the future in the event the site needs to expand its monitoring capabilities.

And it’s not just the amount of wiring that is reduced –­ ­the amount of wire that is purchased but ultimately goes unused, and the amount of conduit needed for installation also are reduced. Fuel site operators can save between 45 percent and 55 percent on these infrastructure costs by

TXFOODANDFUEL.ORG

installing a tank gauge that supports an efficient wiring configuration.

Although modern tank gauges are being engineered with efficiency in mind, it doesn’t mean they are sacrificing functionality for efficiency.

In fact, today’s tank monitoring systems offer feature sets that are more powerful than their predecessors. These features include remote management, user-friendly compliance management tools and comprehensive reports packages. All of these tools help fuel site managers streamline their daily compliance procedures.

While there is a degree of nuance involved with installing a tank monitoring system for the particular needs of each site’s application, the fundamental financial challenges associated with an installation remain fairly ubiquitous. A fuel site that is wired with efficiency in mind can realize substantial installation cost savings through reduced labor and wiring expenses. Compared to older model gauges that don’t support a lean wiring configuration, today’s state-of-the-art consoles can save U.S. fuel sites an average of 50 percent to 60 percent on installation costs. Consult with a qualified fuel equipment representative to review installation costs for your site and to identify potential cost-saving technologies that will likely reduce your capital expenditures.

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PREPARE FOR FUTURE COMPLIANCE NEEDS NOW While investing in cost-saving technology innovations is certainly one way that fuel sites can reduce their expenses, investing in fuel management equipment that supports an upgrade path effectively increases the service life of that equipment. In many cases, this approach provides a measure of flexibility that enables both existing and new fuel sites to comply with environmental regulations as they evolve.

For instance, some fuel management systems can easily be upgraded to leverage today’s advanced fuel management software. This may

allow a fuel site to automate and streamline reconciliation reporting procedures required by their state.

Likewise, site operators who invest in an upgradeable tank gauge will be able to leverage more powerful monitoring capabilities with minimal interruption to operations.

their operation with an equipment manufacturer who is vested in the fuel sites’ changing needs will find themselves leveraging their equipment investment over the longterm, ensuring they are optimized to meet compliance requirements for years to come.

In this era of environmental compliance, fuel site operators can expect that regulations will expand and become increasingly strict.

Therefore, fuel site managers need to position their operations to meet today’s compliance needs as well as those of the future. Deploying tank-monitoring solutions that are engineered to streamline compliance management, reduce installation costs and provide flexibility for changing needs is a cost-effective approach. Fuel sites that align

About the Author: Bobby Hayes is the Domestic Sales Manager at OPW Fuel Management Systems in Hodgkins, IL. He can be reached at (770) 605-9611 or robert. hayes@opwglobal.com. OPW is a global leader in fully integrated fluid handling, management, monitoring and control solutions for the safe and efficient handling of critical petroleum-derived fluids from the refinery to the commercial and retail points of consumption. OPW is an operating company within the Fluids segment of Dover Corporation. For more information about OPW, please visit www.opwglobal.com.

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BY JESUS AZANZA

/ DIRECTOR OF CO

MMUNICAT

NG, TEXAS FOO IONS & MARKETI

D & FUEL ASSOCI

ATION

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According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration the United States consumes more energy from petroleum than any other energy source, with gasoline being the main petroleum product. In 2015, Texas ranked number two in the U.S. for gasoline consumption in, falling one percentage point behind California.

The growth of big oil in Texas began in 1901 when the great gusher erupted in the oil well being drilled at Spindletop, near Beaumont, by a mining engineer, Capt. A.F. Lucas. Texas oil production

increased from 836,039 barrels in 1900 to 4,393,658 in 1901; and in 1902 Spindletop alone produced 17,421,000 barrels, or 94 percent of the state’s production. As production increased, so did demand.

This is where petroleum marketers, also referred to as “jobbers”, play a role. A petroleum marketer acts as a “middleman” between the company that refines the petroleum products and those that either use them or market them at retail prices.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS The story of Tex-Con Oil starts in 1939, when co-founders Raymond Ramsey and F.M. Reed looked to meet the needs of Central Texas’ growing petroleum demand.

Tex-Con Oil specializes in the distribution of petroleum for both wholesale and retail applications. From their humble beginnings as a two-man operation, their commitment to offering quality products and outstanding service at a competitive price has transformed the company.

Today, Tex-Con Oil employs 64 Texans, 25 of which are drivers, and has a fuel transportation fleet of 15 transports and 11 bobtails. Headquartered just a few miles from beautiful and booming downtown Austin, TX, operations have expanded their footprint with a corporate office and bulk plant in South Austin, as well as bulk plants in Pflugerville and San Antonio.

Flint Hills Resources, an independent refining, chemicals, and biofuels and ingredients company, is the main supplier for Central Texas and has an oil terminal located in northeast Austin. Every day, drivers for Tex-Con Oil make dozens of trips to the oil terminal, commonly referred to as “rack” among those in the industry. Nearly half of Tex-Con Oil’s fuel distribution is sold for retail purposes, the other half is sold to construction and commercial end-users. In fact, Tex-Con Oil owns, operates, and supplies Kwik Mart convenience store which offers Shell branded gasoline and an assortment of good eats and treats.

Like other sectors of the oil and gas business, the marketing and distribution of petroleum products takes place on a vast, global scale. Every day, hundreds of millions of companies and individuals buy these products at wholesale or directly from retail outlets that number in the hundreds of thousands worldwide. If we include indirect users of petroleum products, the number of consumers runs into the billions.

STAYING AHEAD OF THE CURVE Working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year requires a dedicated leader and a capable staff. Clay Johnson, President of Tex-Con Oil who has been with the company for 24 years, relies on experience, customer service, and staying ahead of the technological curve to maintain a competitive edge. “We have recently launched a web portal application to provide our customers visibility to transactions, invoices, and other key customer information. The new system has been very well received by our employees and customers,” said Johnson.

A streamlined communications strategy from rack to retail is key when handling a global commodity like oil. Tex-Con Oil is a member of the Phillips 66 TOP TIER Marketer Program. According to Phillips 66 website, this program is for Marketers who have achieved TOP TIER status for exceeding quality, safety and environmental operation standards.

The elite recognition is awarded to a select number of Phillips 66 Lubricants Marketers who exceed the company’s rigorous Marketer Operations Standard guidelines set by the company. “Every time a truck is loaded with lubricants the product is tested,” says Johnson, “we understand that the brand of the products we are carrying is just as important as that of Tex-Con Oil,” he added.

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

texa s f ood & f uel magazine

REGULATORY GUIDANCE A petroleum marketer in Texas must comply with 30 different federal, state, and local regulatory agencies at any given moment.

The transportation of fuel, above/ underground storage tanks, driver safety, environmental impact assessments, waste regulations, and tax collection are a handful regulations enforced in the downstream oil and gas industry.

“We are constantly looking for ways to enhance our day-to-day operations and fleet management which has become increasingly complex, with new vehicle technologies, changes in Hours of Service rules, and rigorous regulatory compliance requirements,” said Johnson.

According to data compiled by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Texas Food & Fuel Association, each day there are over 6,000 loads of fuels transported on Texas roadways, an amount that equates to nearly $55B gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel being sold within a 24 hour period.

With Texas motorists consuming nearly 48 million gallons of fuel per day, Tex-Con Oil works around the clock the meet growing fuel demands.

When asked about the difficulty of having to monitor rules and regulations from a plethora of state and federal agencies, Johnson says the task is not as daunting with the support of an organization like the Texas Food & Fuel Association.

“If I have a problem, question, or concern, I know I can call my state association [Texas Food & Fuel Association] to steer me in the right direction,” remarked Johnson. “It’s a give and take relationship, my company pays dues to help fund the organization and in return I receive access to industry leaders and information on how comply with regulators. Both opportunities are invaluable to help grow the business,” he added.

TXFOODANDFUEL.ORG

ON THE HORIZON So what does a growing company like Tex-Con Oil have planned for the future? Growth!

Tex-Con Oil’s future growth includes the acquisition of land to expand operations, additional fuel transports and bobtails to its fleet, and hiring mechanics to its staff.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Central Texas’ fuel needs and hope to continue our success based on the values and principals our co-founders established over 75 years go” commented Johnson.

Tex-Con Oil has proven it can weather any market storm and work through changing regulations to stay competitive in the dynamic downstream oil and gas industry.

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ATTENDEES AT THE 2016 SOUTHWEST FUEL & CONVENIENCE EXPO BEHELD A MELTING POT OF IDEAS TO FEAST UPON DURING THIS YEAR’S TOUR OF TEXAS VIDEO PRESENTATION

BY SARA ROSENBERG / PARAGON SOLUTIONS

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

texa s f ood & f uel magazine

WITH HIGH HOPES AND MUCH ANTICIPATION, 2016’S EDITION OF THE TOUR OF TEXAS ENCOMPASSED MANY MILES AND PERSONAL TRIUMPHS FOR FOUR DIFFERENT C-STORES AND THEIR OWNERS. THE STORES FEATURED ARE EMPIRE PETROLEUM’S FAST MARKET LOCATED IN THE COLONY, MORTON’S DRIVE-IN OF HALLETTSVILLE, AND TWO TOOT’N TOTUM LOCATIONS, ONE LOCATED IN PAMPA AND THE OTHER IN PERRYTON.

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FAST MARKET

Empire Petroleum is a privately held company focused on the wholesale distribution of motor fuels and various other distribution related services within the energy and real estate industries. Empire’s team wanted to come up with a unified brand prototype. This latest venture included owning and operating its own line of convenience stores (Fast Market) featuring self-branded fuel (Fast Fuels). The featured c-store was a remodel located in The Colony, TX and saw immediate elevations in sales as a direct result of the implemented design changes. This store location saw a 66% increase in beer sales, 100% increase in fountain sales, 30% increase in tobacco sales, and 228% increase in fuel sales post-remodel. All these percentages added up to a 79% overall increase for inside sales. Hank Heithaus, CEO of Empire Petroleum, mentioned that one of the keys to this success can be attributed to making the store easy to shop.

This means stores should be uncluttered, clean, and have great signage.

MORTON’S DRIVE-IN

Owners Diane and Randy Morton started out with their first c-store in Hallettsville, TX back in 1968. After years of running their first location, they felt it was time to build a new, 7,000 square foot store and diner, with the kind of personality that honored two very special individuals: Diane’s father who provided the bulk of the “attractions” to the location, and Rowdy, the Morton’s lovable pooch. Opened in July of 2015, glimpses of Diane’s dad can be found throughout in the antiques that are displayed in every single corner of the store. The diner finishes are distinctly vintage by design, playing up Diane’s other love, Elvis. The colors, signage, advertising, and furnishings evoke such a “blast from the past” vibe that you half expect the cast of Grease to come strutting through the doors. The offerings from the diner lead customers out into the cstore side, stocked with distinctly Texas food offerings, gear and equipment for fishing and hunting, and a Texas-sized beer cooler. While Texas-sized like the rest of the store, the bathrooms are far from old fashion. Fresh finishes and a family friendly bathroom make pit stops for families and truckers an experience all its own. Not to be left behind, family pets and trucker companions have the run of the back of the land inside “Rowdy’s Rest Stop”. This expansive, dog-friendly park., is a perfect place for furry friends to stretch their paws. Complete with bubbler, trees, and a picnic table for the bipedals, this c-store and pet pit-stop has it all.

As the 30-minute video came to a close, attendees were invited to ask the panel of store owners, featured in the videos, questions that competing store owners would not normally feel comfortable asking in any other arena.

The store-owner panel was anything but shy. The answers were at times more detailed than the audience would have expected, given the time frame allotted and at times had to be shortened in order to allow other audience members an opportunity to get their own questions answered.

Those questions varied in nature, spanning from procedures put into play to ensure maximum net sales to

QSR versus self-branded food service which is a very hot area of innovation in the industry right now.

After two successful years of putting on the Tour of Texas, Mike Lawshe of Paragon Solutions, will undoubtedly already be planning for 2017’s video presentation. He and his team of designers have some ideas which customers might have a recently new or redesigned store that will make for relevant discussion on issues of modernizing stores to be technologically advanced and appealing to millennials and other stores that use old-fashioned charm

to draw in their clientele. What we know for sure is that members of the Texas Food & Fuel Association are in for an excellent and varied panel once again.

Stay tuned on Paragon Solutions website (www.paragon4design.com/ touroftexas/) to stay up to date on the progression of future presentations.

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

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TOOT’N TOTUM

The Toot’n Totum story, told by family member Greg Mitchell, is one for the “generations.” Toot’n Totum was established in 1950 when Eldon “Lefty” and Novie Mitchell established the first of their convenience stores. The Mitchell children (Greg and Mary) carry on the tradition today with 78 stores across three states (Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas).

The name Toot’n Totum originated from Novie’s saying “you toot your horn and we’ll tote your groceries.” The offerings vary depending on the location. The Pampa c-store sales are off-the-charts in fountain drink sales due to a multitude of thirsty patrons looking to stave off the Texas heat with the signature fountain stations. Famous offerings of the Pampa store aren not limited to just fountain drinks. The c-store boasts groceries, fuel, beer cave, ready-to-eat foods, car wash, car care/lube centers, a Mr. Payroll Check Cashing center, and drive-thru. The drive-thru is another key staple of Toot’n Totum’s success. When customers pull up to the ordering window, fountain drinks, coffee, beer and tobacco are the four top requested items from those customers. Their second location is a truck stop located in Perryton. In addition to the items that the Pampa store lists, this truck stop provides showers, dining, charger stations, fuel island, DEF, and dye diesel. Their truckers love the expansive concrete site space to maneuver their rigs to get fuel, park for dinner or park overnight.

SCAN TO WATCH THE VIDEO OR VISIT: WWW.VIMEO.COM/166439216 TXFOODANDFUEL.ORG

P.O. Box 491 • Boyd, TX 76023 800800-354354-5886 • 940940-433433-8441 Fax: 940940-433433-2092 • EE-mail: russ@youngstank.com

Retail Inventory Service, Inc. 100 Commons Rd, Suite 7313 Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Ph 512-858-0005 Fax 512-858-0035 website: www.retailinventoryservice.com or www.ristx.com email: info@rristx.com Retail Inventory Service, Inc. (RIS) is a Texas based, family owned corporation. With branch offices across the state, we provide physical inventory verification services throughout Texas and neighboring states. For the last 51 years, our success can be attributed to our commitment to understanding a client’s processes and developing a lasting relationship by matching experienced auditors with the client’s individual needs. We take great price in our work and our professional staff strives for exceptional customer service. As long-standing Association members, we look forward to discussing how our services can benefit your company.

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PEERS & INDUSTRY LEADERS My team attends the Southwest Fuel & Convenience Expo every year. No other regional event provides the same opportunity to network with so many peers and industry leaders.

- Sonja Hubbard, E-Z Mart

BUYERS & CUSTOMERS

The Southwest Fuel & Convenience Expo is a great event for us. After exhibiting for 44 years, we appreciate the high quality of buyers while meeting many potential customers.

- Mike Teaff, D&H United Fueling Solutions

NETWORKING & EDUCATION I have attended the Convention & Expo for many, many years. The conference brings together an important network of not only other industry leaders, but peers and friends who have been instrumental in our success.

Together, we all benefit from the educational information and updates on issues relevant to our respective companies.

- Greg Mitchell, Toot'n Totum

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Time spent with your local Federated Marketing Representative learning about each of these programs will be time well spent.�

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THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN TEXAS

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A&A Pump Company........................................39 A-1 Pump Inc....................................................39 B&J Equipment.................................................39

OCT/ NOV/ DEC

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Bevco, Inc.........................................................23 CITGO...............................................................30 D&H United Fueling Solutions.........................36 Federated Insurance...........................................3 First Cardinal of Texas......................................47 Fuel Marketer News.........................................41 LBT, Inc...............................................................2 Petroleum Solutions, Inc............................4 & 39 Renewable Energy Group..................Back Cover Retail Inventory Service, Inc.............................37 Tank Owners Members Insurance Company..........................................31 Texas Mutual Insurance……………...........……37 Werts Welding & Tank Service......................................................37 Youngs Tank, Inc...............................................37

For advertising information contact: Jesus Azanza Director of Communications & Marketing 512.617.4309 / jazanza@txfoodandfuel.org

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What you need is a partner specializing in retail businesses just like yours.

The Mercantile Trust of Texas is a Texas licensed workers’ compensation carrier.

What you’re getting is statutory Workers’ Compensation Insurance, and a whole lot more. FREE safety training materials and programs to let you, the owner, have all the ammunition you need to train your workers to avoid slips and falls, for one. And if an accident does happen, you’re covered, unlike some products out there on the market. Dividend potential with an average of 31% paid out over the past 5 years. Past dividend history is no guaranty of future results. That’s just a few of the benefits of Workers’ Compensation Insurance through The Mercantile Trust of Texas.

Sponsoring Association: (a DK Mellan LLC Company)

Your Workplace Safety Net 877-TEX-COMP (839-2667)  (469) 713-5360  Fax (469) 713-5389 quote@firstcardinaltx.com  www.firstcardinaltx.com