CStore Decisions January 2021

CStoreDecisions

®

Solutions for Convenience Retailers

The 2021

Social Media Awards CStore Decisions outlines best practices on social media for 2021 and highlights the c-stores performing best on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

INSIDE

Road Ranger Sets Sights on Bright Horizons Alcoholic Beverage Boom Retail Fuel Evolution Lumbers Forward

SPECIAL EDITION:

LEADERS IN CONVENIENCE

Recognizing the Leaders of the C-Store Industry

12 42 54

59 January 2021

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Robert Buhler, President and CEO Open Pantry Food Marts • Pleasant Prairie, Wis. Lisa Dell’Alba, President and CEO Square One Markets • Bethlehem, Pa. Raymond Huff, President HJB Convenience Corp. • Lakewood, Colo.

Bill Kent, President and CEO The Kent Cos. Inc. • Midland, Texas Patrick Lewis, Managing Partner Oasis Stop ‘N Go • Twin Falls, Idaho Reilly Robinson Musser, VP, Marketing & Merchandising Robinson Oil Corp. • Santa Clara, Calif.

Bill Weigel, CEO Weigel’s Inc. • Knoxville, Tenn.

NATIONAL ADVISORY GROUP (NAG) BOARD Doug Galli (Board Chairman), Vice President/General Manager Reid Stores Inc./Crosby’s • Brockport, N.Y. Mary Banmiller, Director of Retail Operations Warrenton Oil Inc. • Truesdale, Mo. Greg Ehrlich, President Beck Suppliers Inc. • Fremont, Ohio Derek Gaskins, Senior VP, Merchandising/Procurement Yesway • Des Moines, Iowa Joe Hamza, Chief Operating Officer Nouria Energy Corp. • Worcester, Mass.

Brent Mouton, President and CEO Hit-N-Run Food Stores • Lafayette, La. Peter Tamburro, General Manager Clifford Fuel Co. • Marcy, N.Y. Vernon Young, President and CEO Young Oil Co. • Piedmont, Ala.

YOUNG EXECUTIVES ORGANIZATION (YEO) BOARD Jeremie Myhren (Board Chairman), Chief Information Officer Road Ranger • Rockford, Ill. Garet Bishop, Chief Financial Officer BFS Cos. • Morgantown, W.Va.

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Kalen Frese, Food Service Director Warrenton Oil Inc. • Warrenton, Mo.

CStore Decisions (ISSN 1054-7797) is published monthly by WTWH Media, LLC., 1111 Superior Ave., Suite 2600, Cleveland, OH 44114, for petroleum company and convenience store operators, owners, managers. Qualified U.S. subscribers receive CStore Decisions at no charge. For others, the cost is $80 a year in the U.S. and Possessions, $95 in Canada, and $150 in all other countries. Single copies are available at $9 each in the U.S. and Possessions, $10 each in Canada and $13 in all other countries. Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CStore Decisions, 1111 Superior Avenue, 26th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44114. GST #R126431964, Canadian Publication Sales Agreement No: #40026880.

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CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

cstoredecisions.com

CONTENTS January 2021

•

Number 1

•

Volume 32

CStoreDecisions

®

20

EDITOR’S MEMO

10 A Brighter 2021 Lies Ahead FRONT END

12 Road Ranger Sets Sights on Bright Horizons 16 Quick Bites: New Year’s Consumer Snapshot 18 Why Safe Shop Certification is Needed CATEGORY MANAGEMENT

30 Tobacco Tally 38 Customers Munch Into 2021 42 Alcoholic Beverage Boom 46 Q&A: Entering CBD Retail FOODSERVICE

48 Pizza and Chicken Boost Menu Appeal 54 Retail Fuel Evolution Lumbers Forward

COVER STORY

CStoreDecisions

20 The 2021 Social Media Awards

OPERATIONS

®

Solutions for Convenience Retailers

SPECIAL REPORT:

59 LEADERS IN CONVENIENCE

CStore Decisions outlines best practices on social media for 2021 and highlights the c-stores performing best on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

leaders in convenience

SPECIAL ISSUE • CStoreDecisions.com

BACK END 129 Product Showcase 133 Ad Index 134 Industry Perspective: Par Mar’s

30 8

Proactive Approach to Loss Prevention

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

cstoredecisions.com

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Contact your local GSK C-Store representative on how to order or email Scott.F.Breisinger@gsk.com

Editor’s Memo

For any questions about this issue or suggestions for future issues, please contact me at jlofstock@wtwhmedia.com.

A Brighter 2021 Lies Ahead Good riddance to 2020. It was the most challenging year for all of us personally and professionally. But as I’ve said so many times, the convenience store industry served as an example of the very best this country has to offer from Day 1 of the deadly coronavirus.

In the face of this expanding pandemic, our doors were always open, food was always served, and employees always showed up for work despite the risk of this heinous virus. Furthermore, customers had their needs met with the same speed and care we’ve come to expect from this special industry.

This is a testament to you and your people, and we must celebrate that exceptional effort in extraordinary times. As we begin a new year, our hearts and thoughts go out to those who have been affected by this pandemic, and we appreciate the incredibly difficult job retail employees have working on the front line to help all Americans get through this crisis.

This isn’t some high-stakes poker game store employees are playing. The stakes in this game are deadly. Literally. But so many of the industry’s great employees remain undeterred.

“

“

I have been encouraged by how quickly stores have adapted to create safer environments to protect employees and customers.

Unfortunately, I got to experience what front-line employees are risking. I tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 29, and it caused immediate concerns. The body aches, headaches and breathing issues were just the beginning. They were followed by fever, chills and sweating that I’d never experienced before. As I write this just 12 days after the onset of symptoms, I still feel awful but headed in the right direction. I really do appreciate all the well wishes I received from my friends in the industry. But my point here is I caught the virus at a holiday party. I had a choice, took the right steps to protect myself, but still caught the virus. My pain was self-inflicted.

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CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

Employees don’t have the choice I did. They show up at work to earn a paycheck to feed themselves and their families, pay bills and keep a roof over their heads. They take the risk to serve the public to survive. This irony isn’t lost on me, and we need to recognize their bravery and hard work.

During a time when everyone needs a boost of positivity, don’t underestimate the power of saying thank you to each and every one of your front-line people. It can do amazing things for morale and make your team unstoppable, even in a pandemic.

And saying thank you feels good. It rewards the giver as much as it rewards the recipient. Express it freely, and you will keep the gratitude. So let me be the first to say “thank you” for being a beacon of hope these past 11 months amid a global darkness no one ever thought possible.

I have been encouraged by how quickly stores have adapted to create safer environments to protect employees and customers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), businesses and employers can prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19 by instituting a series of best practices. Employers should continue to improve and refine these plans as new information on how this disease is spread becomes available. It will save lives and countless sick days.

But more important than coming up with a viable retail safety plan, such as the Safe Shop Assured program, is making sure the blueprint is properly implemented. Continue to be relentless in providing a safe environment, and always err on the side of caution when it comes to the wellbeing of your employees.

I took the virus seriously but still let my guard down and paid a high price. Let’s continue to protect those on the front lines who don’t have the choice I had and keep our people and our industry safe. Happy New Year to my c-store family.

k c o t s f o L n Joh cstoredecisions.com

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FRONT END Profile

Road Ranger Sets Sights

on Bright Horizons New ownership and fresh ideas inspire travel center chain Road Ranger to pursue expansion, improvement across multiple fronts.

Thomas Mulloy • Senior Editor

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January 2021

cstoredecisions.com

From new builds to chainwide rebranding, aggressively pursuing new foodservice offerings and ratcheting up its digital customer interaction, Rockford, Ill.-based Road Ranger has quite a to-do list.

Road Ranger was started in 1984 with a single convenience store opened by founder Dan Arnold.

In 1990, he sold the company to pursue a real estate career. But retail was his passion, and he reacquired the company in 1994, adding stores and travel stops over the next several years.

Road Ranger sold the convenience store segment to GPM Investments in 2015, while continuing to invest in its travel center segment across Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin.

With 41 travel stops in six states, Road Ranger today stands as the fourth-largest travel center chain in the U.S. After Dan Arnold’s untimely death, the chain was purchased in 2018 by Enex, a subsidiary of Chilean investment company Quiñenco.

The new ownership had watched Road Ranger’s previous expansion throughout Texas and felt there was potential for it to continue.

“They saw the progress and growth and what we were attempting to accomplish when we expanded cstoredecisions.com

into Texas, and they saw an opportunity to buy it and continue to grow it,” said Ryan Arnold, vice president of marketing for Road Ranger and a nephew of its founder. “We opened three stores this year during a pandemic.”

But more than that, the new ownership observed that Road Ranger seemed to have grown with dual personalities. Some consistency was in order, Arnold explained. New CEO Marko Zaro observed that the new-build Texas locations had a modern, updated feel at the expense of the older Midwest sites.

The answer was a newly constructed store in Marion, Ill. The chain introduced a new store design. It featured an exterior with brightly lit parking and fuel areas thanks to the latest in LED technology. Inside, the country, barn-wood feel displayed by most legacy locations was left behind in favor of a more modern environment designed to appeal to professional and auto drivers alike.

“So we stripped all the wallpaper off. We stripped January 2021 • CSTORE DECISIONS

13

FRONT END Profile

Road Ranger has embarked on revamping its travel stop interiors, including better wayfinding, LED lighting and electronic signage that managers can instantly adjust remotely via computer or handheld device.

all the old paper signs off inside,” explained Arnold.

“We went with more neutral colors — a lot more white stuff, white tile; cleaner, wayfinding text for coffee, for cold beverages, for the restrooms — completely digital, so no paper signs in the store.”

Indeed, all menu boards, including for coffee and food, as well as for cigarettes, are now displayed on a 55-inch or larger digital monitor.

Not only were these upgrades cosmetic, but the digital pieces were designed to be functional, too.

The new signage allows for remote menu and pricing changes via electronic device — very handy for someone like Arnold who’s often working from the field. It’s also important to the buying public.

“That central control was a big deal for us because, again, at first, you're buying with your eyes,” Arnold said. “So, if we can't get pricing correct and the menu doesn't look appealing on a digital board, it's not going to work.”

In addition to the Marion new-build in 2020, Road Ranger opened new-builds in New Boston, Texas, and Brinkley, Ark. These are the new standard that the company will use to measure future stores as well as the remodels of older sites across its entire footprint.

“We're working on rebranding every store,” Arnold said. “Every year, we're putting a capital expenditure budget together. Right now, we've been able to rebrand all of the gas canopies and the diesel canopies.”

The forecourt makeover was the first of a twopronged plan. Arnold was hesitant to put a timetable on the interior rebranding plan, but it’s already in progress and moving forward.

FOODSERVICE ON THE FRONT BURNER Along with most outlets across the dining industry, the pandemic forced convenience stores to quickly adjust their offerings to conform with safety protocols 14

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

and customer no-touch safety expectations. Food programs had to shut down much of their hot service menus like roller grill items and close dine-in areas.

Across the industry, so many convenience and travel outlets quickly met those challenges head on. Arnold is especially proud of the way Road Ranger’s staff responded.

“With COVID this year, my category managers did a phenomenal job of adapting to that change, where you couldn't get a roller grill item. You couldn't buy prepared food,” he said. So, Road Ranger’s people focused on portable, quality options. One answer was a charcuterie board meat-and-cheese tray item that could feed one or more customers.

“We saw a big shift to that prepackaged food,” Arnold said. “The (prepackaged) sandwich sales were up double digits. These meat-and-cheese trays are up double digits.” Plus, those sales continued even after roller grills and other hot food items returned.

Road Ranger has also been aggressive in expanding its proprietary food programs. Its pizza program, Dan’s Big Slice Pizza, features a 16-inch pie and is in 90% of locations. Ranger Kitchen, a hot deli bar concept, offers a full variety of items, from burgers and fries to shrimp and barbecue to wings.

To meet those ‘new normal’ expectations, they made items more grab-and-go friendly for ease of travel. Many containers are designed to fit into vehicle cup holders.

But the Road Ranger’s menu gurus began innovating long before COVID-19 considerations. About three years ago, Arnold said, Road Ranger’s foodservice staff asked themselves, “What’s the next step?

What’s the next concept?” The answer was tacos.

“We called it Tejas Taco, and when we did it, we just had it in Texas,” explained Arnold. “That's why we came up with the name Tejas Taco.”

cstoredecisions.com

Road Ranger’s interior updates will feature sleek, inviting display areas that cater to the shopper side of the pro driver, with roomy aisles and electronics samples displayed outside of their boxes, like this area at the new Marion, Ill., travel stop.

Everything on the Tejas Taco menu is made fresh in-house every day in the 12 stores that currently host the program. Tortillas are made fresh in-house every day. Meats are cut on-site and prepared on a flattop grill. Vegetables are cut and prepared fresh daily.

Road Ranger tested it out in a few stores, and the concept did very well. It’s now in all of Road Ranger’s Texas locations, its Arkansas location and three Illinois sites.

“It was really cool to see it evolve,” said Arnold.

“The goal now is to go back and retrofit kitchens to expand the Tejas Taco program.”

FAMILIAR FOOD In addition to its own proprietary food choices, Road Ranger also operates five name-brand quickservice restaurants (QSRs) for folks who like to stick to their familiar, go-to dining choices. Road Ranger currently owns and operates Subway, Church’s Chicken, Chester’s, Cinnabon and Dickey’s restaurants throughout its footprint. Subway tops that list with 23 outlets.

Road Ranger also recently brought in Wendy’s restaurants as tenants at its three new-build locations.

Arnold said that Road Ranger is considering expanding that number, as owners of Wendy’s franchises at its sites.

Arnold actually drove to Wendy’s headquarters and spent a few days learning about the brand and even working in a restaurant. He was very impressed, he said, with everything he learned. “You don't realize how much goes into what it is that they try to do or accomplish until you get behind the scenes,” he said.

Road Ranger still has some ideas brewing for more food offerings in the QSR space, but Arnold prefers to keep those plans under wraps for the time being.

Arnold can barely contain his enthusiasm when he speaks not only about the possibilities in foodservice, but also that management encourages him to take some chances while searching for new avenues.

“Anytime you’re rolling out something new, it’s fun, right?” he said.

TECH IN HAND Beyond food, Road Ranger is ready to improve the ways in which it connects with its customers digitally.

Right now, the chain has what Arnold called a very basic rewards program, targeted mostly toward professional drivers. There’s also the Ranger Debit Card, which can save fuel consumers five cents per gallon and draws directly from the user’s bank account.

But while those tools already serve customers well, Road Ranger doesn’t feel they’re enough. Arnold’s top focus recently has been working with a team in developing a loyalty/rewards program and a complementary mobile app with features for both pro and family drivers.

“There's doing it — and then there's doing it the right way,” said Arnold. His team evaluated other programs, not only within the convenience and fueling industries, but also other outside industries, like hospitality, travel and QSRs. “It's been exhausting, to say the least,” he said.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down hot food menus, Road Ranger “But I can tell you that when it does launch at the answered with more grab-and-go options with an emphasis on quality end of March, we're going to be really proud of it. food and vehicle-friendly packaging.

And I think the consumers will end up loving it.” cstoredecisions.com

January 2021 • CSTORE DECISIONS

15

quickBites NEW YEAR’S CONSUMER SNAPSHOT

Year-End Alcoholic Beverage Choices

COVID-19 DOUBLES NUMBER OF EXCLUSIVE/HEAVY ONLINE SHOPPERS 133% Growth of the number of shoppers who consider themselves to heavily or exclusively shop online for everyday items between September 2019 and September 2020.

Source: Nielsen, “Omnichannel Fundamentals Survey. Nearly 25,000 surveys fielded per wave: Sept. 2019 (pre-pandemic), April 2020 (lockdown) and Sept. 2020 (new normal) in Nielsen’s nationally representative Homescan panel

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

As customers closed out 2020, most selected wine (31%) as their libation of choice, up 29% over last year.

What will you drink the most this holiday season?

31% Wine 9% Straight Liquor 22% Beer 4% Champagne/Prosecco 20% Cocktail/Mixed Drink 4% Spiked Seltzer/Cider 10% Eggnog Source: CivicScience, Dec. 2020, from 2,148 responses, weighted by U.S. Census 21 and older, surveyed Nov 23-30, 2020, rebased to exclude non-drinkers

Concern for safety during the pandemic has changed grocery-buying habits, a shift likely to continue in 2021.

65 M Number of customers who would be willing to switch to a

different grocer for easier access to touchless payment options

64% Share of consumers who buy at least some of their groceries online 23% Portion of grocery shoppers who are ordering groceries online to be

delivered at home more than they were before the pandemic began

Source: PYMNTS.com and ACI Worldwide, “Omnichannel Grocery Report: Leveraging Digital Purchasing Channels to Boost Conversion,” Nov. 2020, based on a census-balanced panel of 2,066 U.S. consumers

SHOPPER RESOLUTIONS Heading into the new year, consumers were most likely to select resolutions that focus on health, followed by finances.

CONSUMER VACCINE PERCEPTIONS

As 2020 drew to a close, the majority of consumers had some type of concern with the COVID-19 vaccine, with worry about side effects topping the list.

Do you have concerns about getting COVID-19 vaccine?

67% Yes 33% No

Respondents are concerned about ...

39% Side effects 33% Potential for long-term health effects 15% It won’t be effective 7% I’m not a big enough health risk to get it 6% It will infect me with COVID-19 Source: CivicScience, Dec. 2020; survey of 3,289 responses from Dec 10-14, 2020, weighted by U.S. Census 18-plus

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What type of New Year’s resolution are you most likely to make?

59% Health 38% Financial 26% Relationships (respondents allowed to select more than one)

Source: Wallethub “New Year’s Financial Resolutions Survey,” based on nationally representative survey of over 860 respondents from 11/16/20 to 11/20/20

cstoredecisions.com

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12/16/20

1:07 PM

Front End | Safe Shop News

WHY

SAFE SHOP CERTIFICATION IS NEEDED Frank Beard • Director of Safe Shop/Special Projects

As a consumer, it’s not easy to determine a retailer’s commitment to store safety.

You want to trust that the store is cleaned, sanitized and safe. But how do you really know?

Speaking plainly, even I struggle to figure this out.

Sometimes you really have to hunt for this information.

I’ve visited stores where the only useful information is taped to a register on an ink-jetted piece of paper.

There are others who bury a few details on a corporate website. The problem is the ones who really do the right things aren’t always easy to identify.

A few weeks ago, I found myself standing in line at a c-store where the cashier had a bad case of the sniffles and a small cough. I wondered if this person was sick and what it meant for my health. Maybe it’s just allergies, but maybe it’s something worse. On the other hand, I wondered if this retailer gives employees the flexibility and support to stay home if they’re not feeling well.

Uncertainty is the real enemy here. It’s an especially serious problem in the midst of the pandemic, but it was always an issue — and will continue to be long after the pandemic ends.

Today’s consumers have always looked for signals that speak to issues of safety. I worked with location and ratings data at GasBuddy for 3.5 years, finding repeatedly that correlations exist between consumer foot traffic and assessments of store safety.

Those who provide a clean, safe shopping experience drive far higher levels of traffic than 18

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January 2021

Those who provide a clean, safe shopping experience drive far higher levels of traffic than their below-average counterparts.

their below-average counterparts. End of story.

Consumers shouldn’t have to rely on guesswork.

Imagine that retailers could obtain a third-party seal of approval if they have the right policies and procedures in place. By displaying this seal of approval on a window, a door or even in marketing communications, they could signal that their commitment to store safety is recognized by an independent organization.

Consumers don’t have to know the ins and outs of the certification process. Simply observing that thirdparty approval exists will create an instant point of distinction. The point is that they have it, and their competitors don’t. That’s a meaningful difference.

It’s for these reasons that I’m thrilled to be part of the newly created Safe Shop certification program.

After much consultation with a diverse board of suppliers, retailers and industry experts, we established a nine-point checklist of safety measures. Some of these are COVID-related, but the checklist is intended to represent what matters with or without the pandemic.

Retailers who meet these requirements can apply for Safe Shop Assured certification.

Once each measure is verified, we work with retailers to integrate Safe Shop in a way that makes sense for their brands. It can be as minimal as a sticker on a window or as multifaceted as branded floor stickers, sanitizer stations, cleaning checklists and forecourt signage. Everyone has different needs.

Integrity of the program is essential. That’s why we engage in ongoing, independent verification to ensure nobody cuts corners and undermines the value of obtaining Safe Shop Assured certification.

It’s about helping retailers who do the right thing.

Let’s recognize best-in-class retailers and help them stand out.

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Social Media

Awards Erin Del Conte • Executive Editor 20

CSTORE DECISIONS •

February 2020

cstoredecisions.com

a

CStore Decisions outlines best practices on social media for 2021 and highlights the c-stores performing best on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

CStore Decisions, for the ninth consecutive year, is recognizing convenience store chains standing out on social media.

If there was ever a year where social media outreach proved vital to c-store chains’ success, it was 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought about social distancing and lockdown rules that drove customers inside. Those brands with a strong social media presence had the opportunity to continue a dialogue with their customers and make them aware of new safety rules, hours and deals.

“Everybody turned to social media because they were home. In March and April, especially, it was our only outlet to other people,” said social media expert Gini Dietrich, founder of Spin Sucks and author of the book “Spin Sucks.”

As the pandemic raged on, social justice issues also drove people to social media to discuss racism and Black Lives Matter, protests and sexism. In addition, the U.S. presidential election this fall inspired an uptick in political posts.

“We had what we're calling ‘the mother of all crises’ this year because it was all of those things at one time,” Dietrich said.

But while many customers turned to screens more often, others unplugged as screen fatigue set in. Consumer intelligence research platform CivicScience found that as 2020 dragged on, social media use dipped. In Q1 and Q2, 24% of respondents reported using social media two or more hours per day, compared to 22% in Q4.

“People deliberately unplugging from devices also increased in the beginning of the pandemic, but doing so may be decreasing a bit as of (Q4),” noted Mary Acklin, marketing manager for CivicScience. “With more social media usage comes more worry.”

Social Media Awards

How often do you deliberately “un-plug” for at least 2 hours from your personal tech devices, not including while you sleep? (i.e. TV, mobile phone, tablets, smart watches, fitness trackers, laptop/computers, MP3 players, etc.) - Quarterly Percentage > All respondents responding on or after 01/01/2020 in my account > Weighted according to U.S. Census figures for gender and age 18 and older

• Unpluggers (at least a few times a month) • Almost never / Never Source: CivicScience® on Dec. 22, 2020

Against the turbulent backdrop of 2020, convenience stores were also looking to engage with their fans on social media platforms.

For this year’s Social Media Awards, CStore Decisions partnered with Seattle-based Rival IQ, a social media analytics toolkit that helps brands supercharge their social landscape by tracking results across all social profiles and benchmarking their performance against their competition and industry.

METHODOLOGY

Rival IQ analyzed the social media practices of 65 convenience store chains for 12 months, from Nov. 1, 2019, to Nov. 30, 2020, across the top three platforms — Facebook (FB), Twitter and Instagram — to determine which chains were standing out when it came to social media engagement.

“We wanted to look at a good length of data, so you've got some pre-pandemic time in there, and we've got a lot of pandemic time in there as well,” noted Seth Bridges, founder of Rival IQ. “First, we're looking at engagement totals — actual counts of how many likes and comments, shares, retweets and replies from people who are the followers, or really anybody on the platform that's engaging with the content.”

Next, Rival IQ measured the average engagement rate, which looks at how much a brand posts and the engagement compared with the brand’s following size, to develop a score for the amount of average content resonance a brand gets on their posts, Bridges explained.

“Each of these is interesting, each of these is important, and together we combine them into a weighted 22

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

score that lets us understand who's doing well at both generating overall results as well as generating good results given their size,” Bridges said. “We combine that, and we end up with a single score for each channel — Twitter, Facebook and Instagram — that lets us say who rose to the top.”

Finally, Rival IQ combined the single channel scores to determine the stores with the best overall ranking across all three platforms. “Brands that perform well across all three channels are the ones that really rise up to the top in the overall rankings,” Bridges said.

FOR MORE, LISTEN TO THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PODCASTS • CStore Decisions LIVE with Seth Bridges Learn more about the methodology behind the awards and how your convenience store chain can learn new strategies from this year’s Social Media Award winners: CStoreDecisions.com/2021/01/08/ social-awards • CStore Decisions LIVE with Gini Dietrich 2020 was a tumultuous year and that played out on social media, too. Learn how you can tap into the latest social media trends in the year ahead: CStoreDecisions.com/2020/12/18/social-trends

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Social Media Awards

THE AWARDS Best Overall (Measures Engagement Across FB, Twitter and Instagram)

Winner: Kwik Trip Runner-Up: Buc-ee’s Third Place: Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores LaCrosse, Wis.-based Kwik Trip (KT) is our big winner, coming in first place in the overall category for its performance across all three social media platforms. KT keeps its content fresh with memes, jokes and a few pinches of snark, which resonates well with fans. It includes cultural touchpoints — new and old — to connect with customers, especially playing up the chain’s Wisconsin roots and culture.

“They know their customers. Their customers are passionate about KT, and they play on that very heavily,” Bridges said. “They are playing on the fact that people in Wisconsin and beyond really, really do love their KT.” KT also isn’t afraid to go after interplay with other brands in a playful way, sparring with them through witty banter.

“They're so consistent, too,” Bridges noted. “The content that we see from KT on Twitter and beyond, it always has that (playful) vibe. From that, you know that there is a level of buy-in at the organizational level — whether that's all the way to the top, from the marketing and PR teams on down to the social media manager — there is clearly an agreement and a strategy about what they're going for and a freedom for the social media team to be able to go and execute on that.”

KT also displays a solid understanding of the variance in their audience between the three channels, Bridges pointed out.

CStore Decisions also caught up with KT to 24

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

hear its perspective on what’s working for its team on social media.

“Besides having a humorous approach, our strategy highly involves creating content that incorporates relatable Midwest scenarios and the strong love and loyalty toward our brand,” confirmed Paige Forde, social media specialist, Kwik Trip Inc., which operates more than 750 stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

The team also takes the time to listen to and learn about its audience.

“Our guests’ opinions and experiences provide us with a fresh perspective on our stores and products. By focusing in on our mentions and comments throughout the day, content inspiration seamlessly follows,” Forde said.

Forde also noted that a crucial factor in being allowed a certain freedom in responding is ensuring KT’s brand voice remains consistent.

“With our approach to humor, it’s important to find a balance when it comes to our level of sarcasm and banter,” she said. “Encompassing an overall lightheartedness in our social presence is key. Our brand voice has evolved a bit as we test new waters and continuously adjust to what best appeals to our audience by tracking engagement levels and other metrics, allowing us to relay our learnings internally.”

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Social Media Awards

Best FACEbook Specific Engagement Winner: Daily’s Runner-Up: Cenex Third Place: Kwik Trip Jacksonville, Fla.-based Daily's, with 37 c-stores in Florida, stood out for top performance on Facebook, followed closely by Cenex.

Daily’s uses a solid strategy of focusing on products it has available to customers, particularly those it knows will resonate with its fan base — like Daily’s Pumpkin Milkshake in September.

“Daily's also understands that on Facebook, particularly, organic (reach) is great, but you can always accelerate your performance by doing a little bit of boosting,” Bridges said. Putting dollars behind content to help it reach more eyeballs on FB can be key to expanding engagement.

“Looking at Daily's promotions, contests, product launches, and then that targeted use of boosted posts behind the content they know is going to work well, has really been a key to why they were able to rise up, both from an engagement rate perspective and also just generating engagement results,” Bridges added.

Cenex also performed well on FB, but using a different strategy — evidence that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to social media performance.

Cenex grew its engagement with meme-style jokes that resonate with its Midwestern base.

“There’s some farming jokes, there’s corn maze jokes. There's definitely a Midwestern vibe going on here, and these posts do incredibly well for them,” Bridges noted. Cenex not only inspires comments but also shares, which are key to gaining attention.

The brand also asks questions.

“This is a tactic that we've seen work well on social media for a long time, not that many people do it,” Bridges said.

He pointed to one post on driving hacks where Cenex asked if customers were falling for any of the myths listed. Customers were quick to jump in to share their knowledge and comments in the feed, which resulted in additional conversation with people replying to each other.

“They absolutely ask questions a lot, and I think it works for them,” Bridges said. “I think a lot of other folks who are trying to create more of a conversation around their social media could learn from that technique, as well.”

Best Twitter Specific Engagement Winner: Kum & Go Runner-Up: Kwik Trip Third Place: QuikTrip Kum & Go took the top spot for best engagement on Twitter.

“We saw some really strong growth on Twitter this year. If 2019 was about finding our voice, 2020 was about running with it,” said Ariel Rubin, director of communications for Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go, which operates 400 stores in 11 states. “From playful banter to innovative customer conversion plays, from COVID-19 messaging that resonated, to finding new and unique ways to promote our work with marginalized groups, I’m really proud of how Kum & Go was part of the conversation this year.”

“They absolutely are all in on social media,” Bridges said. “They clearly, from the top down, have bought in on who they are and who they want to be on social media. They are funny. They are crude. They leverage lots of sexual innuendo. They are owning their name, they're all about it, and that clearly goes all the way to the top.”

On Twitter, Kum & Go is highly invested, endlessly replying — quickly and in a playful way — to those who engage with them, including on direct message (DM).

“Someone will DM them, and they'll have that same joking attitude, sometimes that same supportive

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January 2021

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Social Media Awards

attitude, and they will bring it in the DMs, then often later it becomes content,” Bridges pointed out.

The chain’s ability to respond in such a manner shows it has the kind of top-down support crucial for social media success.

“Everyone has to be in agreement because you can't move quickly enough to do this and stay relevant and stay fresh if there's not investment and trust with the team that goes all the way down,” Bridges said.

Kum & Go also offers up relevant memes, as well as screenshots of posts where people have made jokes about them.

“They are snark, snark, snark, snark, snark, and it is absolutely a joy to read,” Bridges said. “Big applause, big kudos to the team that does social media in general, but also particularly whoever is running the Twitter handle is doing a great job.”

“Kum & Go's tweet was like, ‘We're ready to finally tell you the uncensored story of how we got our name.’ There's a link — and it goes to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense Fund,” Bridges said. “They're taking the attention that they garnered, and they're also playing off a meme of their name, and then linking off to someone else.”

The chain also used its celebrity to highlight social justice issues when it put out a number of posts in support of LGBTQ+ rights in June, which is LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

“In 2020, we were able to share powerful stories about some really important issues that impact our communities,” Trimnell said. “So when it came to celebrating and honoring Black and LGBTQ+ lives, as well as leading on COVID-19 messaging, we found ways to show up, listen and be there for our community without losing that voice that we worked so hard to hone.”

The chain’s authentic, consistent voice in support of its values has resonated with fans in a big way.

“There's clearly an agreement about who they are as an organization, who they are as people; and whether that's to support their employees, their communities, their staff, they are all in on it,” Bridges said. “This is an organization that deserves kudos for kind of living their values — both, I'm sure, in person, but also all the way through to their digital presence, as well.

For more takeaways from the social media awards, listen to the CStore Decisions LIVE podcast with Seth Bridges at CStoreDecisions.com/2021/01/08/ social-awards.

Best Instagram Specific Engagement Winner: Kum & Go Runner-Up: Buc-ee’s Third Place: Kwik Trip Kum & Go took first place on Instagram, as well.

Both Kum & Go and Kwik Trip, which came in third place on Instagram, use a similar strategy of taking their most-loved Twitter content and bringing it over to Instagram, where it also performs well.

“This year on Instagram has been interesting for us,” said Nadia Trimnell, social media specialist, Kum & Go. “We have learned when it is appropriate to use humor and when we should hold back and share an important story from our community that needs to be heard.”

Kum & Go also stands out for the way it is using its platforms to amplify social justice messages.

Bridges pointed to Kum & Go’s post in late May following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

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CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

Last summer, Kum & Go and Budweiser collaborated on a limited-edition shirt and tank top. Proceeds benefited Folds of Honor, which provides educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled military members. Kum & Go celebrated the shirts on social media, drawing customer excitement. Customers even created usergenerated content by sharing images of themselves modeling the shirts. cstoredecisions.com

On an average, how much time do you spend in total on social media sites and apps?

Quarterly Percentage > All respondents responding on or after 01/01/2020 in my account > Weighted according to U.S. Census figures for gender and age 18 and older

• I don’t use any social media • Less than 1 hour Source: CivicScience® on Dec. 22, 2020

• 1 to 2 hours • 2+ hours

TRENDS AHEAD IN 2021

C-store chains looking to drive their social media engagement in 2021 can learn a lot from other chains that are doing it well. But what works for stores in the Midwest may not resonate as well in the Southeast.

Bridges recommended that chains dig into their own social media data to discover the patterns behind what content is resonating with their particular audiences. Buy-in from the top down is key.

“You have to treat (social media) like something that you mean to do well, which means give it investment, get the buy-in, build your strategies, execute, measure and see what's going to happen,” Bridges said.

Heading into 2021, KT’s goal is to continue improving engagement levels and involvement with its fans. KT’s Forde advised other chains to take time to dig into what your customers and the competitors’ customers are saying about your brand.

“Social listening not only provides thoughtful insight but helps seek out trends and allows you to develop content that adheres to what most interests your audience,” Forde said.

“We had a lot of fun exploring memes this year on our Instagram, and I am excited (to do) more collaborations,” said Kum & Go’s Trimnell. “I am confident that the collaborations between different brands and artists will help us connect with our audience and customers even more in 2021.”

Spin Sucks’ Dietrich also weighed in on the Top 5 things c-store chains should do on social media in the year ahead.

1.) Test, test and test some more. “Take some risk,” Dietrich advised. “It doesn't cost you anything to do that.”

2.) Have fun. “We were social on social media, and then the marketers took over and we ruined cstoredecisions.com

everything. And now we're shifting back to being social on social media again. So have fun with it,” she said.

3.) Make sure anything you share is factual, even when retweeting.

4.) If you’re partnering with nano, micro or celebrity influencers, ensure they aren’t involved or associated with anything that could hurt you and make you look guilty by association.

5.) Have fun. “I know I already said this (in No. 2), but it's THAT important. Have fun,” she added.

In 2021, Dietrich recommended that c-stores put more social media energy toward Instagram and TikTok — the two platforms where Gen Z spends the most time. “Snapchat has had its day, and really it's not doing so much anymore,” Dietrich advised.

Those with a robust Twitter following should continue their efforts. “But if I were starting somebody out fresh, brand new on social media, and they didn't yet have Twitter, I probably would put it aside for now,” Dietrich said.

LinkedIn tends to be a platform geared toward business to business, as opposed to a place for retailers to engage their customers. But it can be a good platform for executive level operators to network with each other and gain new ideas.

On FB, Dietrich recommended trying some fresh strategies such as posting more videos and taking advantage of Facebook Live and Facebook Stories.

“To be successful, I think probably especially for a store operator, Instagram's probably the very best place for you to be,” she added. CSD

For the full story on social media trends in 2021, check out my recent podcast with Dietrich: CStoreDecisions.com/ 2020/12/18/social-trends/.

January 2021 • CSTORE DECISIONS

29

Category Management | Tobacco

Tobacco

Tally

2020 brought regulations and supply slowdowns amid the pandemic, but other tobacco products ignited sales — a trend retailers hope repeats in 2021.

Anne Baye Ericksen • Contributing Editor

This time last year, convenience store owners and operators were dealt a double whammy: First they had to adapt to the recently passed federal minimum tobacco purchase age of 21; then they had to pull product in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ban on most flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

Next, the coronavirus swept the country, and no one knew how the category would fare during lockdowns.

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cstoredecisions.com

Category Management | Tobacco

“

“

We have had growth in all categories of tobacco, but smokeless tobacco has been the biggest winner, followed by e-cigarettes.

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For many businesses, consumer response was surprisingly positive.

Early in the pandemic, anecdotal reports indicated customers stocked up on virtually all tobacco SKUs. As months passed, sales remained fairly consistent. In fact, other tobacco products (OTPs) were the star of 2020. IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm, reported double-digit gains in unit sales for spitless tobacco, electronic smoking devices and smoking accessories for each four-, 12- and 52-week periods ending Nov. 29, 2020.

“We have had growth in all categories of tobacco, but smokeless tobacco has been the biggest winner, followed by e-cigarettes.

The increases in smokeless tobacco have been driven by nicotine pouch sales, specifically ZYN,” said Reilly Robinson Musser, vice president of marketing and merchandising for Santa Clara, Calif.-based Robinson Oil Corp., which operates 35 Rotten Robbie stores.

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CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

Of course, the tobacco category is always susceptible to new taxes and restrictions.

“Our sales have increased for every tobacco category except for ecigarettes, which has been hurt by increased regulation,” said Mike Clifford, category manager for Cliff’s Local Market, owned by Clifford Fuel Co. The company runs 19 convenience stores throughout central New York state.

New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island legislatures have each issued flavor bans, including disposable e-cigarettes, which skirted the FDA regulation. And as of June 1, Massachusetts c-stores can no longer offer menthol items. cstoredecisions.com

Category Management | Tobacco

“Some people who were using menthol switched to regular flavored combustibles, but people are also crossing the state border to get their flavors. With the rise in COVID-19, it would be wise for (lawmakers) to postpone the ban. I believe it puts people at risk to be traveling to another state, or from another state,” said Anna Bettencourt, senior category manager at Verc Enterprises. Based in Duxbury, Mass., the c-store chain owns 32 stores, including three in New Hampshire, and two standalone car washes.

This January also started off with fresh regulations. Colorado’s Proposition EE, which raises taxes and sets minimum prices on tobacco products, takes effect this month. The law could erase the price advantage for discount cigarettes, which have outperformed premium brands in recent years.

“There is a pending lawsuit that is seeking to overturn that minimum pricing provision,” noted Thomas Briant, executive director for the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO).

California’s ban of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol, was set to take effect this month; however, a petition to overturn it and put the issue on the next election ballot collected more than 1 million signatures, well above the minimum required to be considered for a referendum.

“Depending on what happens … we will either be taking the flavored tobacco off the shelves in January/February while the state and counties verify the signatures (and then will be able to put it back on the shelves after the signatures are verified); or there is a second scenario where we will possibly be able to continue to sell product while they verify the signatures,” Musser said.

Year in Review

Spitless tobacco and electronic smoking devices light up tobacco profits in the c-store channel.

4 WEEKS ENDING 11/29/20

DOLLAR SALES 1-YEAR % CHANGE

UNIT SALES 1-YEAR % CHANGE

Cigarettes

0.7%

-5.0%

Chewing tobacco/snuff

1.6%

-9.3%

Spitless tobacco

45.0%

45.2%

Cigars

6.6%

-0.6%

Electronic smoking devices

4.3%

12.8%

Smoking accessories

19.1%

11.5%

12 WEEKS ENDING 11/29/20

DOLLAR SALES 1-YEAR % CHANGE

UNIT SALES 1-YEAR % CHANGE

Cigarettes

-0.6%

-6.7%

Chewing tobacco/snuff

0.2%

-10.0%

Spitless tobacco

47.4%

48.0%

Cigars

6.6%

-0.1%

Electronic smoking devices

8.9%

16.5%

Smoking accessories

17.6%

10.0%

52 WEEKS ENDING 11/29/20

DOLLAR SALES 1-YEAR % CHANGE

UNIT SALES 1-YEAR % CHANGE

Cigarettes

1.4%

-4.6%

Chewing tobacco/snuff

2.9%

-5.5%

Spitless tobacco

70.1%

71.0%

Cigars

10.1%

6.0%

Electronic smoking devices

5.1%

15.4%

Smoking accessories

21.0%

15.0%

Source: IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm, Total U.S. Convenience stores, Dec. 17, 2020

34

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

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Category Management | Tobacco

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The agency has until September to determine which ENDS will be approved for future sales and whether some banned SKUs can return to tobacco backbars.

In the meantime, c-stores can continue selling items under PMTA review.

“The FDA has not yet published a list of submitted PMTAs but has indicated publicly that it intends to do so,” said Briant. Retailers, he added, should contact the manufacturers of those tobacco products for confirmation of a PMTA filing.

“I will be waiting to see how the FDA rules on flavored vapor products,” Clifford said, “but like everyone else, I’ll be watching to see what other effects the pandemic continues to have on consumers’ purchasing habits and suppliers’ ability to keep up with production.” CSD

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• Petition to overturn California flavor/ menthol ban collects more than 1 million signatures.

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Category Management | Snacks

Customers

Munch

Into 2021 Snack sales continue to prove a bright spot during the pandemic.

Howard Riell • Contributing Editor

Meat snacks and salty snacks remain huge categories for convenience stores, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As customers and retailers finally put 2020 in the rearview mirror, both categories are anticipated to continue their strong performance in 2021.

For the 52 weeks ending Nov. 1, 2020, the c-store channel saw dried meat snack sales hit $1.8 billion, a 4.9% increase over the previous year, according to market research firm IRI. Jerky sales topped $777 million, up 3.3%. For the same period, IRI saw salty snack sales reach nearly $5.6 billion, a decrease of 4.7%, due in part to greater competition, especially from healthier snacks.

Potato chip sales rang in at $1.7 billion, down 6.5%, while cheese snack sales saw 38

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

less of a decline — just 1.4%, at more than $803 million. Pretzel sales topped $246 million but saw a 6.4% year-over-year drop for the same period.

The pandemic is taking its toll.

Mintel Group Ltd. noted that if the lockdowns stretch on for one to two years, “an economic downturn will have consumers reining in nonessential purchases, such as snacks. For consumers financially impacted, trading down or cutting back will likely occur.” cstoredecisions.com

Category Management | Snacks

“

Upsizing is the biggest trend in the meat snack category.

Extra-large, value-size meat sticks saw strong growth and sales in 2020, and this trend should continue into 2021.

“

— Randy Demster, buyer, AAFES

40

MEATY OPPORTUNITIES

SALTY SATISFACTION

For the foreseeable future, meat snacks will continue to show steady growth, according to Kaitlin Wolfe, vice president of merchandising for Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters of America, which operates 271 locations in 44 states and Canada. “Grab-and-go protein snacks will continue to rise in popularity, which will continue to accelerate as we navigate through the pandemic.”

Additional trends will include innovation and proliferation of bolder flavor offerings, alternative proteins including plant-based, and the interest in immune-boosting, high-protein meat and protein/ energy bar snacks. Larger pack sizes will continue to grow in popularity along with the shift into prepackaged, alternative meals and meal replacement.

“While there may be a struggle in multiple daypart traffic,” Wolfe noted, “we expect to continue experiencing increased basket sizes due to guests stocking up during their trip.”

Meat snacks will, indeed, continue to be a growth driver in 2021, agreed Randy Demster, a buyer for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES).

The Exchange operates 122 main stores and 589 convenience stores. The natural organic and sugarfree meat snacks will fuel buying as more customers look for healthier options.

“Upsizing is the biggest trend in the meat snack category,” Demster said. “Extra-large, value-size meat sticks saw strong growth and sales in 2020, and this trend should continue into 2021.”

Country Archer and Cattleman’s Cut brands are helping lead this growth, and the 10-ounce size is very popular. Window clings, column communicators and pumptoppers have also worked well to drive sales growth for the Exchange.

“We are giving more space on our planograms to value bags and healthier meat snacks options,” Demster said.

Badih El-Nemr, executive vice president of Nouria Energy in Worcester, Mass., has found that $1-off promotions across various sizes of jerky products work very well.

“Jerky sticks really drive the business with a lot of space,” El-Nemr said. “The 10-ounce Old Trapper does not have much space, but at the high ticket, it drives gross profit dollars.”

The popularity of salty snacks is growing because of what Dragana Ilic, a buyer for AAFES, called “the ‘snackification’ of American diets.”

“Most consumers snack multiple times each day, most commonly midday and evenings,” Ilic said.

C-store customers continue to demand healthier snacks with clean labels, which have been trending for a few years. “That trend has carried over to salty snacks as well,” Ilic added.

Clean-label products include those that contain better-for-you ingredients and/or are organic, offer lower calorie intake per serving, are low in carbs and keto-friendly; feature reduced sodium and sugar per serving or are higher in protein and fiber per serving.

C-store consumers are also looking for bold and spicy flavor profiles such as chili, jalapeño and Tajín seasoning, all of which have become mainstream.

Chips are the top-performing product category within salty snacks, with significant representation in Exchange stores. Over and above a chips-anddips planogram, they are featured monthly on endcaps at promotional prices.

Health-conscious customers are also reaching for nuts and nut trail mixes packed with healthy fats, plant-based protein, nutrients and antioxidants. Also popular are plant-based products that replace traditional ingredients such as corn and potatoes with beets, sweet potato, peas, beans and Brussels sprouts. Popular package sizes remain take-home (eight ounces to 16 ounces) and on-the-go resealable bags. CSD

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

fast facts: • C-store consumers are looking for snacks with clean labels and bold, spicy flavor profiles.

• Dried meat snack sales in c-stores hit $1.8 billion for the 52 weeks ending Nov. 1, 2020, a 4.9% increase over the previous year, according to IRI. • Larger pack sizes for meat snacks are expected to grow in popularity, as are alternative proteins, including plant-based “meat” snacks. cstoredecisions.com

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Category Management | Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic

Beverage Boom As bars and restaurants closed due to the pandemic, customers turned to c-stores for wine, beer, hard seltzer and pre-mixed cocktails in 2020. C-stores prepare for similar demand in 2021.

Erin Del Conte • Executive Editor

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CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

cstoredecisions.com

Alcoholic beverages provided one of few bright spots for c-store retailers last year, as customers flocked to convenience stores for large packs of beer and hard seltzer to help them weather lockdowns and social distancing rules.

As customers looked to relieve the stress of the pandemic, many also treated themselves to wine or pre-mixed cocktails at the end of the day, said Datassential Trendologist Mike Kostyo. And as lockdowns limited restaurant outings and large social activities, many customers partook at home.

All of which meant c-stores were racing to keep beer caves and coolers stocked ahead of demand.

Dollar sales for beer grew 8.6%, hard seltzer climbed 251.8% and wine was up 19% for the 52 weeks ending Nov. 28, 2020, reported market research firm Nielsen.

With the COVID-19 pandemic far from over, retailers are boosting their alcoholic beverage sections to prepare for a busy Q1 in 2021.

ADAPTING TO ‘NEW NORMAL’

At Clark Oil Food Stores, with 49 locations across Mississippi and Alabama, alcoholic beverage sales were up over 14% in 2020. Vice President Herb Hargraves noted Clark Oil Food Stores customers

cstoredecisions.com

were gravitating toward hard seltzers, vodka soda, tequila cocktails and other canned spirits.

With the exception of two weeks in March, the chain saw double-digit growth week-over-week overall, with general merchandise, grocery and packaged beverages among growth drivers.

Hargraves attributed the chain’s success to remaining open 24/7 throughout the pandemic, ensuring customers knew they could count on the stores for their needs any time. That included the alcoholic beverage segment.

For example, when the aluminum can shortage hit, the chain struggled with out-of-stocks in its alcoholic beverage section but worked fast to find a solution.

“I immediately got with the beer vendors and our packaged beverage vendors and said, ‘Look, throw the planograms out the window. Whatever you can bring me, bring me, and just fill my shelves,’” Hargraves said.

The strategy kept sales soaring throughout 2020.

What’s more, in Mississippi, it became legal to sell

January 2021 • CSTORE DECISIONS

43

Category Management | Alcoholic Beverages

spirit-based products with an alcohol by volume (ABV) below 5% in stores with a state-issued beer permit in 2020.

“In the past, spirit-based products could only be sold in liquor stores,” Hargraves said.

Hard seltzer was up triple digits for the chain, with White Claw at 53% share of the seltzer sales, Hargraves noted. “And that number is with significant inventory challenges. Consumers expect us to have their flavor available — that flavor would be ‘variety,’ as the majority of seltzer sales are through variety packs,” he added.

Craft beer also performed well for the chain in 2020. The beer segment was up double digits, with 50% of the sales from local and regional crafts.

In light of the pandemic, customers have gone back to brands they are familiar with, Hargraves said. “We are seeing previously declining core brands return to growth. Larger packages are being purchased. (We’re)

looking at average unit dollar-salesper-store increases in 18-packs (+31%) and 24-pack sales (+34%).”

Hargraves saw preferences play out by age group. The 21- to 28-year-olds are not brand-specific and are more interested in variety.

“They’re willing to try different flavors,” he said. “For example, Bud Light Seltzer came out with an Ugly Sweater 12-pack, which had some really interesting flavors in there. And they’ll buy that variety mix pack just to try the flavors, to see if they like it, even though it’s just a seasonal flavor.”

Meanwhile the 28- to 38-yearold consumer gravitates toward the tequila, vodka and rum-based cocktails, while the 45- to 55-yearolds are looking for traditional domestic beers such as Bud Light, Miller Lite and Coors Light.

To keep up with demand, Clark Oil expanded its hard seltzer and flavored malt beverage offerings in 2020, and it

Hard Seltzer Leads Alcoholic Beverage Growth in 2020 Nielsen data for the 52 and four weeks ending Nov. 28, 2020, show that beer, wine and hard seltzer sales soared last year both at convenience stores as well as across U.S. off-premise channels.

TOTAL U.S. CONVENIENCE

LATEST 52-WEEK PERIOD ENDING 11/28/20

LATEST 4-WEEK PERIOD ENDING 11/28/20

Dollar sales

1-Year % Change

Dollar sales

1-Year % Change

Beer

$19.7 B

8.6%

$1.48 B

11.3%

Hard Seltzer

$1.41 B

251.8%

$114 M

132.2%

Total Wine

$1.42 B

19.0%

$118 M

17.1%

TOTAL U.S. OFF-PREMISE

LATEST 52-WEEK PERIOD ENDING 11/28/20

LATEST 4-WEEK PERIOD ENDING 11/28/20

Dollar sales

1-Year % Change

Dollar sales

1-Year % Change

Beer

$40.1 B

8.2%

$2.95 B

8.1%

Hard Seltzer

$4.02 B

172.6%

$284 M

94.6%

Total Wine

$20.6 B

16.3%

$1.77 B

11.2%

(grocery, liquor, convenience, drug, dollar, mass merchandiser)

Nielsen, 52 weeks and four weeks ending Nov. 28, 2020

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January 2021

plans to do the same in 2021.

GetGo Café + Market, which operates 265 stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Maryland, is seeing record sales growth in beer, as well as in wine at stores where it can legally sell the items cold. And, in areas where restaurants and indoor dining have been either closed or limited, the chain is seeing 25-30% increases in alcoholic beverage purchases.

“During the early stages of the pandemic, we became a destination for beer and wine, and the customer has continued to trust us with their business,” said Jon Cox, vice president and chief merchant for GetGo. In the states where GetGo operates, alcohol rules vary, and as a result, so does the chain’s offering.

“In Pennsylvania, we have added our new Spiked Slushy lineup. A customer can come in and get a frozen alcoholic slushy in four different flavors,” Cox said. “In Ohio, we have added low-proof alcohol (including rum and vodka) in most of our stores.

In all stores, we have expanded our seasonal beers as customers look for the one-stop shop solution as well as seasonal wine varietals.”

Due to the pandemic, “for alcohol specifically, we are seeing a transition into larger pack sizes as people are choosing to stay at home and not go out,” Cox said.

When it comes to beer, GetGo sees 15-pack and 18-pack cases of core items selling well.

“We are seeing a 20% increase in core items,” Cox said. “Craft beer is up double digits, but seasonal beer is up 50% (over last year).”

Wine became a destination for GetGo during the pandemic, with the chain doubling its wine volume compared to the previous year.

Hard seltzer saw 20%-plus increases in 2020, even as hard seltzer and some core canned beer items were “hit hard” by the aluminum shortage,

cstoredecisions.com

which caused out-of-stocks.

The hard seltzer sales surge was enjoyed across the retail industry in 2020. According to Datassential’s Future of Drink report, 40% of adults of drinking age had a hard seltzer in the past month.

“On the foodservice side, hard seltzer was the top-growing item on menus overall last year,” Kostyo said.

NEW YEAR EXPECTATIONS

Looking to 2021, Cox expects the alcoholic beverage category to continue to grow at 20%-plus for the first part of Q1. “We expect it to level off slightly once we start to cycle at the end of March,” he said.

Hargraves expects hard seltzers and craft beers to continue to expand and grow share, and for Mexican imports to continue on their current growth path. Clark Oil Food Stores is set to remodel its beer caves in 2021 to accomodate the expanding category.

“We’re looking to reset all of our coolers by the March-April time frame. COVID did put us a little bit behind, so that’s why we’re not doing it at the beginning of the year like we normally would,” he noted.

The chain has roughly 30 beer caves and will be adding racks to allow for multiple levels, so it can fit more product and triple its variety. It expects to be finished remodeling the beer caves by April. “Our cooler is busting at the seams,” Hargraves said. “We’re having to take some 12-packs out of the cooler doors and bring them into the beer cave so we can have the pack out that we need.”

In 2021, customers may be looking to celebrate as lives return to normal, “which will include alcohol,” noted Datassential’s Kostyo, but he added customers are also likely to be more mindful of their health.

“They may not have eaten particularly healthy in the past year, and a global health crisis will still be on their minds, so they’ll look to incorcstoredecisions.com

Wine became a destination for GetGo convenience stores during the pandemic, with the chain doubling its wine volume compared to the previous year. The chain is anticipating a strong Q1 for the alcoholic beverage category.

porate more health-driven habits next year,” he said. “This push and pull between wanting to celebrate and enjoy some relative normalcy again in 2021, while also looking for healthy options, means there will be an opportunity to give consumers the best of both worlds next year.”

That could mean stocking alcoholic beverages that include healthy and functional ingredients.

“Sometimes a product that has that health-driven ingredient like a superfruit or fresh-pressed juice can give the consumer the permission they need to indulge,” Kostyo said.

He expects to see the hard seltzer segment evolve in 2021. Look for customers to seek out new and interesting flavors and formats that are adding excitement to the hard seltzer category.

“In the same way that hard seltzer grew out of the non-alcoholic cider trend, we’ll also see more operators and manufacturers looking to make every on-trend drink ‘hard,’” Kostyo said. “There are plenty of hard teas and hard kombuchas hitting the market, which also hit that ‘healthy indulgence’ need state.”

In good news for beer and craft beer, customers are already anticipating getting back to social gatherings in Q3 of 2021, and beer is a social beverage, Kostyo pointed out. “We

expect next summer to be big for beer, so operators should start preparing their strategy and marketing now. We also expect to see a lot of the beer trends we were seeing prior to COVID-19 spike again, like sours and coffee beers.”

Kostyo expects that wine, like beer, will benefit from renewed socializing in the back half of 2021.

“Rosé will see growth again, particularly in the summer, and it continues to impact other categories, with rosé-style beers, ciders and hard seltzers also attracting interest from consumers,” he said. “Sparkling wines should be marketed for their celebratory potential for parties and celebrations, including 2021 holidays. Canned wines and natural or biodynamic wines will also continue to grow, particularly with younger consumers.”

The Future of Drink report also pointed to drink delivery as a major trend. The biggest issue with implementation can be legality, Kostyo noted, but c-stores are in a good position as they can sell packaged products.

“It’s absolutely something that c-stores should have on their radar in the future,” he said. “Overall, 63% of consumers say they are interested in alcohol delivery, and awareness of the option continues to grow.”CSD

January 2021 • CSTORE DECISIONS

45

Category Management Q&A | CBD

ENTERING CBD RETAIL As wellness and pain relief qualities nudge cannabidiol products into mainstream consumer use, retailers will have to decipher what to carry and where to display it.

Thomas Mulloy • Senior Editor

Casey Taylor

CStore Decisions’ sister publication CBDRetailTrends.com recently spoke with Casey Taylor, vice president of client development for market research firm CivicScience, about growing opportunities and strategies for brick-and-mortar retailers looking to join the cannabidiol (CBD) marketplace. Here are a few takeaways from the interview.

CBDRetailTrends (CBDRT): What’s your take on the CBD market, and how can c-store retailers that want to enter this segment best appeal to customers?

Casey Taylor (CT): A thing to think about if you’re a c-store is where you are putting the product. How are you positioning it? It’s not about getting high. It’s not about inebriation. It’s about health. … If you’re carrying vitamins, and they’re behind the counter — because it’s an expensive, bigger-ticket item that you don’t necessarily want out and at risk of theft — maybe that’s where you should be putting (CBD) instead of next to the Marlboros and the Camels, right? That’s kind of how I would think about it.

CBDRT: In those states where there are cannabis outlets, which also offer CBD, is there an opportunity there for c-stores to provide more of a comfort level for some of those folks who are a bit reticent about going to a dispensary?

CT: There’s no stigma around walking in a convenience store, right? But when you go into a dispensary in Colorado or something, there’s also such a

diverse array of products that people tell you exactly what they’re going to do for you, right? I think the difference, while c-stores may be a more comfortable environment for some people — if they’re there for other things or if they don’t want to hold up a line — can your cashiers actually talk through the difference between individual CBD products?

CBDRT: Should convenience stores be paying attention to CBD specialty shops?

CT: To me, the opportunity is (CBD specialty shops) may be boutique, and they may have a different type of clientele, but because of that, they’re going to know what’s popular and what’s hip before everyone else. So, it’s probably not a bad idea to be checking in, even as a secret shopper, to see what they’ve got. Because I think the opportunity there, the advantage that convenience stores have on that type of retailer, is that you offer everything else. Someone’s going to stop for gas, and they might be a specialty boutique store consumer of CBD. But, hey, if you have the product they like when they’re out, and they just came in because they’re paying for $20 on pump four and they see the product they want, you’ve increased the odds that you’re going to make that sale.

So, trying to align with what is being offered at those stores isn’t a bad idea. I don’t necessarily think the consumer expectation is the same. And the consistency of the consumer profile is different enough that I wouldn’t view yourself as competing with them directly. Or, if you are going to get into this space, you probably want to know what they’re doing because they’re going to know better than you — because that’s all they have to focus on.

To access the full podcast conversation with CivicScience Vice President of Client Development Casey Taylor and CStore Decisions Senior Editor Thomas Mulloy, visit: Cbdretailtrends.com/podcast-cbd-strategies-outlook-for-retail-stores/.

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Technology

Foodservice | Pizza and Chicken

Pizza and Chicken

BOOST MENU APPEAL

Pizza and chicken, two undeniable foodservice favorites, are helping c-store retailers grow sales in every daypart, even amid the ongoing pandemic.

Isabelle Gustafson • Associate Editor

Universally beloved — morning, noon and night — pizza and fried chicken are the ultimate comfort foods, and consumers have turned to them more than ever this past year.

Waycross, Ga.-based Friendly Express, which offers Hunt Brothers Pizza at 19 of its 34 locations, has seen pizza sales grow about 35% since March, primarily whole pizzas in the evening daypart.

“We’ve always done a very good evening business, a good call-in business, especially in our rural locations, but that business has grown by leaps and bounds since March,” said Gary Sellers, director of marketing and foodservice, Friendly Express. “From a sales perspective, what I love about Hunt Brothers in combination with what we do in our delis is that it’s incremental sales — I’d say 90% of our sales are incremental. It really does not cannibalize any other programs.”

Friendly Express’ new app-based loyalty program, which launched in March, has also helped with pizza sales, thanks to loyalty member offers like a free two-liter of Coca-Cola with the purchase of a whole pizza.

“Our focus is on that evening daypart with the whole pies,” Sellers said. Increased margins and new strategies from Hunt Brothers have pushed the chain to zero in on elevating that evening daypart, including focusing on it within its loyalty app.

Foodservice | Healthy Lunchtime Solutions

While grab-ang-go sales are still going strong, Friendly Express has seen massive growth with whole, made-to-order pizzas in the evening daypart. Gary Sellers, Friendly Express director of marketing and foodservice, said the top seller is the Lotsa Meat Pizza.

The chain also does a “tremendous graband-go business” with Hunt Brothers.

“We’ve still got a few stores that are 85-90% grab and go,” said Sellers. “But I love what’s going on with the made-to-order, with the call-in business.”

Friendly Express is also working on a new online ordering system with PDI that’s integrated with Vroom in order to continue growing its pizza business with curbside pickup.

As far as toppings and flavors, while pepperoni may be the favorite for many c-store pizza programs, customers are more apt to try new trends these days than ever before.

Limited-time offers (LTOs) are a great way to attract new customers and keep your offer fresh.

Interestingly, according to Grubhub’s “Year in Food” report, which is based on trends gathered from tens of millions of orders on the Grubhub platform, Buffalo Chicken pizza was ordered 226% more this year compared to 2019, and Hawaiian pizza rose a massive 689% in popularity.

“For us, the top seller is the Lotsa Meat,” 50

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

said Sellers. “It’s the No. 1 pizza that we sell by ‘Hunk.’ I actually think that it probably is the No. 1 pizza we sell in whole pies, as well. I always thought it was Pepperoni, but Pepperoni is in second place.”

Hunt Brothers’ LTOs also perform well, he said, and Friendly Express promotes them heavily on social media.

CHICKEN CRAZE

Kwik Trip, which operates more than 700 locations throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, is known for its pizza, but in 2019 the c-store chain branched out into fried chicken.

By 2021, Kwik Trip has 530 stores with fryers for its fried chicken program, and the rest of its stores, those without space for frying equipment, are still able to offer the program thanks to Kwik Trip’s new Take Home Meal plant.

“Things have not slowed down in Kwik Trip Land,” said Paul Servais, Kwik Trip’s retail food service director. “We met our goal of having all 700 locations with a chicken program by Oct. 1, 2020! Pretty awesome.” cstoredecisions.com

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Foodservice | Pizza and Chicken

Kwik Trip launched a fried chicken sandwich in September, which was met with “outstanding response” from customers.

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January 2021

“

We met our goal of having all

“

The demand for chicken sandwiches is still strong, even post peak “chicken sandwich wars” hype in 2019, when the Popeyes fried chicken sandwich generated lines around the block and massive sales.

In fact, Kwik Trip rolled out its own fried chicken sandwich in September, which Servais said was met with “outstanding response” from customers.

“Demand is still very strong, and I believe it will stay,” said Servais. “The company average is about 20 (sandwiches) per store per day, with our busiest stores selling 80100. This is on top of all our other hot food offerings.”

Friendly Express is also serving up chicken in addition to Hunt Brothers Pizza. The chain features a proprietary deli program as well as Chester’s Chicken, which Sellers said has seen an increase in sales since the pandemic started, particularly in the lunch daypart. Its bestsellers are the three-piece and the fourpiece tender snacks.

Similarly, the “king of (Kwik Trip’s) chicken program,” Servais said, is the three-piece jumbo chicken tenders. But Family Meal Deals are slowly growing, as well.

Among its goals for the program in 2021, Servais said Kwik Trip is working to become a destination for the dinner daypart.

“Once you have a fryer in a store,” he said, “the possibilities are endless.” CSD

700 locations with a chicken program by Oct. 1, 2020!

— Paul Servais, retail food service director, Kwik Trip

fast facts: • Consumers continue to turn to comfort foods like pizza and fried chicken amid the pandemic.

• While longtime favorites tenders and pepperoni pizza still come out on top for many retailers, limited-time offers are a great way to attract new customers and keep your offer fresh.

• Loyalty offers, meal deals and curbside pickup or delivery options can help increase evening traffic.

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Operations | Fuel

R

L

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CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2021

cstoredecisions.com

Retail Fuel Evolution

Lumbers Forward As more efficient vehicles and lower emissions goals prod alternative fuels, c-stores will need to take careful steps adjusting to evolving markets and new competitors.

Thomas Mulloy • Senior Editor

In response to COVID-19, 2020 saw the convenience industry make quick adjustments to how it keeps and attracts customers. With electric-vehicle charger (EVC) numbers on the rise, increased vehicle efficiency, demands for decreased emissions and new competition, that experience may turn out to be a primer for the changes to come.

John Eichberger, president of the Alexandria, Va.-based Fuels Institute, praised the industry for realizing it had to become nimbler to cope with the pandemic.

“They embraced curbside delivery, they embraced home delivery, they embraced remote ordering — a lot of them,” Eichberger said of c-store retailers. “They became much more creative in terms of how to go to market.”

Those changes on the part of both retailers and consumers, added Eichberger, will continue.

“I think that’s going to stick,” he said. “I think that quick, rapid change in that mindset will influence how the industry develops over the next couple years.”

The pandemic also forced down fuel demand, causing the price to fall dracstoredecisions.com

matically early in the year. Initially, that drop increased margins on fuel sales for the convenience industry.

“With COVID, and with The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) playing the market at the beginning of the year, the price dropped (like) a rock,” said Erik Kotanchik, vice president of fuels for Fuel City, which operates seven stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. “Well, that was a good time for margins because every day the price was dropping dramatically, but the street (price) took a lot longer to catch up. So margins were really healthy.”

But the market does catch up, said Kotanchik. Now the scenario is reversed. Prices have steadily been rising with approval of COVID-19 vaccines and federal stimulus money for consumers.

January 2021 • CSTORE DECISIONS

55

Operations | Fuel

they play the cards and what type of government programs they’re going to advocate for to help them transition to that.”

Fuel City’s Kotanchik said that the pandemic’s initial drop in demand accelerated some industry trends when it comes to biofuels.

“A lot of refineries have been shutting down around the world, or they’re converting to producing biofuels,” he said. “For those big, massive players’ refineries, they’re having to look ahead and project what demand is going to be there in the future.”

56

CSTORE DECISIONS •

BIOFUELS’ ROLE

Biofuels will certainly play a role in that mix. Despite the fact that EVCs seem to get the bulk of the clean energy publicity, Eichberger believes with the incoming administration in Washington and the trend of the global regulatory community to “decarbonize the transportation space,” liquid fuels will be a part of the fuel market for decades.

“I think biofuel is a great opportunity to lower the carbon intensity of the liquid fuel that we’re putting in our combustion engines,” said Eichberger. “It’s just a question of how

“

January 2021

Demand on a per-capita basis is going to go down. So I think what (c-store operators) realized is, ‘We cannot be as dependent on the fuel business to generate our traffic as we have been.’

“

“But it’s very slow and steady,” he said, “so margins are getting squeezed.”

The pandemic, though, may have been a wake-up call for the convenience industry and the role fuel sales will play as commuting habits change, vehicles become more efficient and consumers expect products to come to them.

“Demand on a per-capita basis is going to go down,” Eichberger said.

“So I think what (c-store operators) realized is, ‘We cannot be as dependent on the fuel business to generate our traffic as we have been.’”

Add to that the certainty that automakers will continue turning out more efficient vehicles. An October Fuels Institute report, “Impact of Transportation-Related Environmental Initiatives,” addressed the effectiveness and costs over the next 20 years to society, government, industry and consumers of 14 distinct transportation movements.

The report uses hard data to provide an accurate context for policymakers across the broad fuels and emissions spectrum. While the environment is a great concern, the Fuels Institute report revealed the need for balance as the industry moves forward.

— John Eichberger, president of the Fuels Institute

EVCS WILL GAIN POWER

The pandemic’s distancing and lockdown protocols altered consumer habits and forced convenience stores to be more creative in serving customers. Those changes may prove to be a harbinger of enormous market shifts that electric vehicle adoption will likely bring. In the coming decade, fuel is expected to begin to lose its status as a significant customer draw for c-stores.

“If you think about it, 10 years ago, the (electric vehicle) market — it was a baby,” said Alison Alvarez, CEO and co-founder of utility intelligence consultant firm Blastpoint. “And now it’s starting to come into its own, but it’s nowhere near even puberty at this point. … There’s going to be really dramatic change over the next 10 years.”

C-stores, though, may want to proceed prudently. Even the largest chains are taking their time, wisely weighing their options.

GetGo, which operates 265 stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Maryland, is pursuing a two-pronged strategy, according to Joel Hirschboeck, vice president of fuel for GetGo. The first is moving ahead with Tesla EVCs. GetGo already has a relationship with the EV maker.

“One, we’re going forward with cstoredecisions.com

fast facts: • The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated fuel trends for c-stores.

Tesla. We’ve already got a couple of locations partnered with them, and I think we’re looking to expand that with another four. And that’s to give us one view into the segment,” he said. “Obviously, Tesla’s a pretty big player in the market space.”

The second piece of the puzzle is installing proprietary chargers for non-Tesla vehicles. Hirschboeck said that one option is to partner with a vendor to run the operation, but there’s a downside to that approach.

“It becomes their customer,” he said. “We want to get a little deeper, and that’s where the proprietary components come in.”

GetGo prefers to install its own hardware, which is better from a point-of-sale and loyalty perspective.

“We’ve got a very strong loyalty program today between GetGo and Giant Eagle,” Hirschboeck explained. “… As we’re thinking about this longterm, how do we bring our existing customer base and that loyalty component together with the EV side of things?”

A large retailer like GetGo is used to managing complex projects and coordinating costs and logistics. But for smaller retailers like Fuel City, electric charging doesn’t yet add up.

“As of right now, I think that the cost is prohibitive, and we’re not seeing the demand for it,” said

cstoredecisions.com

• In the coming decade, fuel is expected to begin to lose its status as a major customer draw for c-stores.

• Electric vehicle charging brings c-stores new competition from the hospitality, entertainment and other segments.

Kotanchik. “As things change, I could certainly see us doing that sort of thing. But as of right now, we don’t have any of that, and as far as I know, no plans to do any.”

Even for a big player like GetGo, the plan is to start small and expand as the landscape dictates. GetGo’s footprint stretches from Maryland to Indiana, and the goal is to continue to add charging spots as it makes sense in those places.

“We really want to focus on connecting the dots between our entire footprint so that our customer base can travel,” said Hirschboeck.

PRICING & COMPETITION

While the upfront costs of installing EVC infrastructure may be high, it has advantages over retailing liquid fuels as the industry moves forward.

“If you’re adding electrical charging infrastructure, it’s a lot simpler,” said Blastpoint’s Alvarez. “You don’t have to have deliveries. You don’t have a potentially combustible fuel that you’re keeping track of, so you have

to have a lot of safety infrastructure in place. It’s just a lot simpler.”

While that simplicity could prove beneficial for the convenience industry, it also opens the door to competition from other industries.

“We’re seeing lots of hotel brands pick up EV charging,” said Alvarez.

“Sheraton is a big one that we’ve seen in Canada. And what’s really interesting is we’re seeing wineries pick them up, spas, resorts.”

Anywhere that involves consumer dwell time could use EVCs as part of its product mix. That includes movie theaters, grocery stores, dine-in restaurants, pharmacies — even amusement parks.

GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY

Government policy will be a strong factor in reshaping the fuels market, too, especially with a pro-clean energy administration set to occupy the White House, Eichberger said. The incoming Biden administration is expected to pursue EVC infrastructure growth, and Eichberger feels that Congress may consider an extension of the EV tax credit.

Still, that evolution will likely take several years. Eichberger said that he’s seen data predicting that by the end of the 2020s, 75% of the electric vehicles built in the U.S. will be trucks or utility vehicles.

“And that changes everything,” he said. “Because now, 75% of EVs on the road are Teslas and sedans.

Shift that five years, where half the vehicles on the road are utility vehicles. Now the customer has a real choice.” CSD

January 2021 •

CSTORE DECISIONS

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SPECIAL ISSUE • CStoreDecisions.com

2021 Leaders in Convenience

Leading

Through Crisis or Calm Erin Del Conte • Executive Editor

THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY

relationships between convenience store retailers and supplier partners has perhaps never been more pronounced than in 2020.

As the COVID-19 pandemic appeared, it waved in sweeping changes seemingly overnight and left retailers struggling to adapt. And who did operators turn to for insights and solutions? Their best, most innovative and trustworthy supplier partners.

In the spring of last year, as lockdown rules began in many areas of the country, c-store retailers rushed to implement safety measures and source plexiglass shields, masks and gloves for employees, and spacing decals.

They also jumped to team with technology companies to roll out order-ahead, mobile apps, contactless payments, curbside pickup and delivery services. Those already ahead of the curve on new technology implemented new opportunities faster, boosting revenues while others scrambled to find their sea legs.

Numerous success stories abound. One such example is Chicago-based Foxtrot. With a successful e-commerce app already in place when the pandemic hit, Foxtrot saw revenues double from January to May. It nimbly adjusted its online product mix to suit the needs of the day and quickly introduced an online version of its coffee and prepared food menu for delivery.

Not everyone was as lucky. 2020 also saw an unprecedented number of businesses across industries close their doors for good.

As the year went on, supply disruptions caused out-of-stocks, including an aluminum can shortage. C-store retailers appealed to suppliers to help keep a steady stream of 60

LEADERS IN CONVENIENCE 2021 I

CSTORE DECISIONS

products flowing onto store shelves and into coolers. C-stores offering foodservice turned to suppliers for assistance in tweaking menus to better meet evolving requirements, as well as packaging that would keep food safe, while maintaining product integrity during delivery.

Even in the best of times, the partnerships you choose can make or break your business.

But it can sometimes take a crisis to realize how crucial strong relationships with quality suppliers can be to this industry. During COVID-19, best-in-class suppliers were quick to problem-solve with convenience store operators to find new solutions to unique and unforeseen challenges.

NEW TOOLS FOR A NEW YEAR

As we look ahead to a hopefully brighter 2021, the many challenges caused by the ongoing pandemic remain. What’s more, technological disruption, which accelerated by a decade in a matter of months due to the pandemic, is here to stay.

On the pages that follow, CStore Decisions is featuring best-in-class, leading suppliers in various categories. These suppliers are prepared to help you navigate the new year and respond to whatever challenges lie ahead. And respond, we must.

I recently spoke with global futurist and disruption expert Daniel Burrus about the path forward for retailers. He noted that the pandemic has required the industry to change, and that call to action leaves two options: “Either we go down for the count and do nothing, or we look at the tools — typically, they’re digital — and how they can help us.”

The following ‘Leaders in Convenience’ are here to offer tools that can help you navigate the year ahead. Give them a call. It could be the most important thing you do for your business. cstoredecisions.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Introduction to Leaders ...................60 Ascentium Capital ............................61 Mars Wrigley ....................................63 5-hour ENERGY ................................64 Abbott Nutrition ...............................65 ADD Systems ...................................66 Apter Industries, Inc. ........................67 Brakebush Chicken ..........................68 Calico Brands, Inc. ...........................69 Cheyenne International, LLC. ..........70 The Coca-Cola Company ................72 Click It, Inc. ......................................73 ConvenienceWorks by Hussman .....74 Core-Mark International ..................75 Cost Control Associates, Inc. ...........76 DayMark Safety Systems .................77 DigitalMint .......................................78 Dover Fueling Solutions ..................79 E-Alternative Solutions, LLC ............80 Einstein Bros. Bagels .......................81 Flex Forward ....................................82 Franke Coffee Systems Americas .....83 Fully Loaded, LLC ............................84 GAMCO ...........................................85 Gilbarco Veeder-Root ......................86 Global Widget LLC ..........................87 Home Market Foods ........................88 Hoshizaki America, Inc .....................89 Hunt Brothers Pizza ..........................90 Invenco Group Ltd. ..........................91 J&J Snack Foods Corp. ...................92 Johnsonville .....................................93 Krispy Krunchy Chicken ...................94

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Liggett Vector Brands ......................95 Legal Lean Co. ................................96 Loomis U.S. .....................................97 MasonWays Indestructible Plastics ....98 McLane Company, Inc. ....................99 MDI Wordwide ..............................100 Modern Store Equipment ..............101 Naughty Chile Taqueria .................102 Perfetti Van Melle ..........................103 Premier Manufacturing, Inc. ..........104 Premier Nutrition ...........................105 PriceVision .....................................106 Procter & Gamble Company .........107 Promotion In Motion .....................108 Red River Software ........................109 Royston Group ..............................110 Ruiz Foods .....................................111 Safecid Corporation ......................112 SBARRO .........................................113 Smokey Mountain Chew Inc. .........114 SPC Retail ......................................115 Success Systems ............................116 Swisher ..........................................117 Teaza Energy, LLC ..........................118 Texas Pete .....................................119 Trion ...............................................120 Universal Lighting Technologies ....121 Uncle Ray’s LLC ..............................122 Utz Brands, Inc. ..............................123 Vitamin Energy, LLC ......................124 Welbilt ...........................................125 Wenzel’s Farm ................................126 Xcalibur International ....................127

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

5-hour ENERGY

®

5-hour ENERGY® Living Essentials LLC, based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, markets and distributes 5-hour ENERGY products. 5-hour ENERGY shots can help you feel alert and energized for hours.

They contain a special blend of B vitamins, amino acids and nutrients — all with zero sugar.

VISIBILITY. POPULARITY. PROFITS.

These are just three of the reasons that 5-hour ENERGY® products have come to be a favorite of independent convenience store owners. No other front-end product offers the margins of 5-hour ENERGY shots.* Since 2004, 5-hour ENERGY has offered adult consumers a way to get a boost in an easy-to-take package.

The pioneering energy shot, today 5-hour ENERGY is available in most U.S. convenience stores. The brand is synonymous with the billion-dollar energy shot category, thanks to its national advertising campaigns and major sports sponsorships. 5-hour ENERGY is the only energy shot to offer this market presence.

For store owners, 5-hour ENERGY offers a way to generate unbeatable profits from a product displayed on a compact, countertop rack. At suggested retail prices, 5-hour ENERGY shots offer an average profit of $1.50 per bottle. Not even chips, soda or candy can do that.

Independent C-stores have been critical to the success of 5-hour ENERGY products, which is why Living Essentials LLC created the 5-hour ENERGY(sm) Retailer Rewards Program — an initiative designed just for small-business owners. Through 64

LEADERS IN CONVENIENCE 2021 I

regular, targeted communications, program members learn about the best ways to sell 5-hour ENERGY, such as where to place racks for maximum impact and how to use suggestive selling to increase profits.

A recent communication, “Fix the Mix,” taught owners about the importance of carrying the right 5-hour ENERGY shot flavors, tailoring product selection to each size display rack. By ensuring that every rack is stocked with the correct flavor assortment, store owners maximize their sales and profit potential.

Other topics recently covered in member-only emails include the pitfalls of selling bargain-brand energy shots and why it pays to know the people who live and work near your store.

Retailer Rewards program participants also set themselves apart by having the opportunity to promote 5-hour ENERGY sales through free in-store advertising and point-of-sale displays, and branded merchandise available only to members.

Interested in learning more about the 5-hour ENERGY Retailer Rewards Program or becoming a member?

Visit 5hourEnergyRetailer.com.

CSTORE DECISIONS

Living Essentials LLC 38955 Hills Tech Drive Farmington Hills, MI 48331 P: 248.960.1700 W: 5-hourEnergy.com

*Source: Convenience A IRI retail audit, Nielsen 52 weeks ending 5/18/19 and 2018 NACS margin report cstoredecisions.com

2021 Leaders in Convenience

Abbott Nutrition ZONE PERFECT – Zone Perfect offers a range of product forms and flavors to support individual lifestyles. Our products have specific macronutrient ratios for various nutritional needs and are created by registered dieticians, food scientists and nutritionists. Our classic bars have an excellent source of protein, and with 17-19 vitamins and minerals plus antioxidants, they are great for snacking and small meal replacement. Zone Perfect KETO is designed to support your keto lifestyle with only 3-4 grams net carbs and 15 grams fat. Our MACROS bars have fans in the CrossFit, Paleo, and wellness-pros communities for a few reasons; it’s a clinically proven ratio of carbs, protein, and fat for effective weight loss and improvements in total body wellness.

Proper nutrition is the foundation for healthy lives, which is why we at Abbott Nutrition have been developing science-based nutrition products for over 90 years. Our goal in developing these products is to support families through all stages of life, from infancy to childhood to adulthood and everywhere inbetween, so that they are able to live their fullest life possible.

PEDIALYTE – For over 50 years, Pedialyte has been one of the go-to drinks for dehydration.

Pedialyte Advanced Rehydration is a specially formulated with an optimal balance of sugar and sodium needed to help replenish vital fluids and electrolytes which, when lost, can lead to dehydration. Plus, it’s only 20 calories! Pedialyte can help prevent mild to moderate dehydration caused by extreme heat, prolonged exercise, flu symptoms, travel, and alcohol overindulgences. Pedialyte is trusted among Healthcare professionals (#1 Doctor and #1 Pharmacist recommended), professional sports teams and the United States Military.

Over 70% of consumers are adults and are looking for our 16.9 fl. oz. RTD in the cooler! #lifetothefullest, #seethelyte

P: 214.843.7012 E: linnea.solbrook@abbott.com Abbottnutrition.com Pedialyte.com Zoneperfect.com

cstoredecisions.com decisions.com

CSTORE DECISIONS

Abbott Nutrition Linnea Solbrook 5190 Shaw Lane Denton, TX 76208

Corporate office 100 Abbott Park Rd Abbott Park, IL 60064 P: 800.227.5767

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

ADD Systems ADD SYSTEMS® SOFTWARE helps

you spend less time on administrative tasks and more time providing a great customer experience and improving your financial position.

Designed with trusted client advisors from top industry chains, ADD software exemplifies a modern convenience store application, with unprecedented efficiency and visibility into your operation, tighter merchandise and fuel management, and efficient data access.

Business Intelligence (BI)

Get customizable, timely reports with actionable information sent automatically. These reports can be driven by exception, containing only information that needs attention.

Customized KPI Dashboards and Scorecards give accurate, quickly consumable snapshots of store activity.

Inventory Management

Minimize shrink by scanning at the POS, scanning store invoices, and taking full advantage of a centralized price book. Reduce out-of-stocks by implementing strong inventory controls and using picture-based shelf tags for effective planogram management.

Labor Utilization

Reduce labor expense through better staffing decisions. Understand your traffic and transaction trends with simple graphical reports.

Category Management

Maximize sales using store traffic to understand customer shopping.

Analytical reports provide a precise view of sales velocity, helping you meet customer demand and manage vendor purchases. With this information, you can implement highly effective promotions to drive larger basket sizes.

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Scan Data Benefits

Automatically submit cigarette scan data to take advantage of financial incentives.

Wholesale Fuel Efficiency

Automatically send scheduled wholesale price quotes based on cost-plus, percentage or customer contracts. Deliver profitable wholesale loads with accurate margins that incorporate “best buy” logic for vendors, terminals and freight. Expedite dealer network processing by importing fuel sales from your gas station dealer network and credit card receipts from your major oil company processors for quick reconciliation and settlement. Manage a host of dealer commission structures efficiently and automatically.

Since 1973, Advanced Digital Data® has worked hand-in-hand with clients throughout the U.S. and Canada to understand the needs of the convenience store, wholesale petroleum, propane, home heating oil, HVAC, and lubricant industries. Our goal has always been to develop the best software solutions that exceed the needs of our clients, today and tomorrow. ADD Systems is more than a software provider; we are a true partner, committed to client success.

ADD Systems 6 Laurel Drive Flanders, NJ 07836 P: 800.922.0972 973.252.3803 E: info@addsys.com W: www.addsys.com

Partner Agnostic

Choose your partner products. ADD interfaces with multiple related partners like wholesale distributors and POS providers. Experienced companies like Skip, a touchless checkout service provider, and Electrum, a proven loyalty company, interface with ADD to provide additional services.

CSTORE DECISIONS

cstoredecisions.com decisions.com

2021 Leaders in Convenience

Apter Industries, Inc.

TM

PROVIDING CLEANING SOLUTIONS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC

THANK YOU!!! Apter Industries would

like to thank the front liners in the convenience stores and travel plazas, who worked through the uncertain pandemic environment against an invisible enemy, to provide America with everything it needed to keep going. We would also like to thank our manufacturing team for working long hard hours to allow us the privilege of providing our family of customers with the essential cleaners and disinfectants they needed to furnish a safe shopping environment. We look forward to humbly continuing to serve this industry. Best wishes for a fabulous 2021.

Two to Try this Year:

Apter Micro SprayTM All Surface Cleaner is a virus fighting cleaner that can be used effectively on any surface not harmed by water. Gorilla Pump Shine has protected fuel dispensers from harmful weather elements for years. Now with the newly added Micro SprayTM Shield, it will provide a long-lasting defense against viruses and microorganisms.

During and after the pandemic, Apter Industries will continue to be the industry’s most reliable source for innovative disinfectants and cleaners.

TILE TIME® FLOOR CLEANER

A slippery floor is a dangerous floor. Floors become slippery when deeply embedded soil clogs their pores. As a result, feet never make solid contact so safety becomes an issue.

TILE TIME deep cleans floors which raises the slip coefficient and brings back their luster. TILE TIME blasts through heavy grease from food service, tracked in petroleum based soil, road salt stains, and brings grout back to its original color.

TILE TIME can be safely cstoredecisions.com

used on ceramic tile, marble, quarry tile and wax and no wax vinyl floors.

Unlike typical floor cleaners, TILE TIME works without heavy scrubbing. Wake up your floor with TILE TIME. FORECOURT FIRST® GAS ISLAND CLEANING KIT

Forecourt First is the most comprehensive cleaning system in the industry for fuel island cleaning and maintenance. It features environmentally sensitive Garage Gorilla® Cleaners. The necessary products, Garage Gorilla® Pump Cleaner, Gorilla Pump Shine and Protector, Gorilla XDX Concrete and Asphalt Cleaner, and Gorilla Odor Killer, are housed in a “Grab and Go” Safety Pail. The safety pail, which alerts customers that employees are cleaning the fuel pumps, also contains a bright reflector vest, sprayers, wipes, and an instructional card ring. Forecourt First safely allows employees to get results cleaning fuel islands.

Apter Industries started manufacturing high quality cleaners in 1967 and quickly became the leading provider of innovative cleaning systems for the convenience store industry.

Dedication to producing safe, environmentally friendly products that “Just Work Better”, led to the formation of long-standing partnerships with convenience store retailers as well as their distributors. If a convenience store has a cleaning problem, Apter Industries has a proven solution.

Apter Industries, Inc. Box 385 Rillton, PA 15678 P: 800.441.7146 E: info@apterindustries.com W: www.apterindustries.com

PROBLEM SOLVERS

Gorilla Everyday Pump CleanerBug Bucket Wash was added to the Apter line up to safely clean fuel dispenser video screens, decals, and other sensitive areas. The two-ounce packets charge a quart spray bottle and can also be used to make up to five gallons of bug bucket juice.

Apter Oven Safe is recommended by oven manufacturers for cleaning their newest equipment. These are just a couple of our solution-oriented products. If you have a cleaning problem, give us a shot at it.

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Brakebush Chicken

Good People. Great Chicken.™

Brakebush is U.S. company, family owned and operated since 1925.

Though we have facilities across the nation, we still operate out of Westfield, Wisconsin where the People.fiGreat Chicken.

Brakebush Good brothers rst began their venture of producing great chicken products. ™

THERE’S A REASON we’re in convenience stores across the country. When guests get a taste of great chicken, they turn into repeat customers, who then turn into loyal fans.

That’s why we work hand-in-hand with c-store operators like you to help menu the chicken that brings back the crowds. Every operator gets personal support from a rep who knows all there is about chicken, making menuing even easier—from prep tips to application ideas to getting the newest products the moment they’re available.

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STAYING ON-TREND

We’re also helping c-store operators stay up to date on what customers are expecting to find in a hot case. 70% of consumers eat chicken dishes weekly* and 78% of consumers say they believe chicken is “healthy” or “very healthy”*.

Chicken falls into the ideal space between plant-based products and other meats like beef and pork.

A great option for keeping breakfast on-trend is our new Chicken Breakfast Sausage Pattie.

All natural and gluten free, these chicken patties are crafted to menu and eat like traditional breakfast sausage.

They’re a unique and fully cooked option with less fat than beef and pork.

Other C-store favorites are our Flame-Grilled Chicken Burger (an all-natural, gluten free, coarse-ground lunch and dinner staple), and our new, bakeable Homestyle Pepper Boneless Wings—whole muscle, boneless chicken breast meat with a homestyle coating.

CSTORE DECISIONS

Over the years, we’ve kept ourselves grounded in some important values: that food should always be a positive part of the day, that no one should ever have to question the quality or integrity of their food, that people and relationships will always be at the foundation of our business, and that doing the right thing makes good things happen.

Brakebush Chicken 800.933.2121 N4993 6th Drive Westfield, WI 53964 E: marketing@brakebush.com W: BrakebushChicken.com

* Technomic Center of the Plate: Poultry, 2019 cstoredecisions.com

2021 Leaders in Convenience

Calico Brands, Inc.

LIGHT UP MORE SALES AND PROFITS WITH SCRIPTO® POCKET LIGHTERS.

Calico Brands, Inc. is one of the leading suppliers of pocket and multi-purpose lighters in the U.S., selling under the Scripto® and Calico® brand names. It is also the #1 supplier of private label programs in the U.S. Scripto® is one of the most trusted and popular brands of lighters and has been a household name for over 90 years. Our product innovations continue to set new category standards of excellence.

Scripto® Ultima® Designer Pocket Lighter

Scripto® Ultima® is the “Ultimate” pocket lighter designed to be the best premium lighter on the market. Setting itself apart from the competition, the Scripto® Ultima® has up to 3,000 lights on full-size lighters, greater fuel capacity compared to the leading brand, a sparkwheel design that allows for comfortable ignition, visible fuel supply, adjustable flame and is made with polycarbonate material able to withstand high impact and high heat.

Scripto® Hybrid™ Lighter

Scripto® Torch Flame Wind Resistant Pocket Lighter

The refillable Scripto® Torch Flame Wind Resistant pocket lighter was designed to handle everyday, outdoor and recreational activities with ease offering a high heat, blue torch flame, rubberized tank body, flip cap, push button ignition, and refillable tank. Available in 4 colors with a dragon accent.

cstoredecisions.com

The Scripto® Hybrid™ lighter is the perfect crossover of a multi-purpose lighter and pocket lighter, perfect for lighting barbecue grills, candles, hookah bowls, fireplaces, and more.

Available in 5 popular colors and unique wrap designs.

The Scripto® Hybrid™ offers an extended nozzle for safer lighting, is conveniently sized to fit in the palm of your hand and has an ecofriendly refillable tank.

Calico Brands, Inc. 2055 S. Haven Ave Ontario, CA 91761 P: 800.544.4837 E: marketing@calicobrands.com W: www.calicobrands.com

Scripto® Hybrid™ Jet Flame Lighter

The Scripto® Hybrid™ Jet Flame is the newest refillable crossover jet flame lighter, the perfect combination of a multi-purpose lighter and pocket lighter.

Offering a high heat blue jet flame and extended nozzle for safer lighting, the Scripto® Hybrid™ Jet Flame lighter is perfect for handling all outdoor and indoor lighting needs.

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Cheyenne International, LLC Cheyenne International is a full-line tobacco product manufacturer with a focus on creating valuable customer partnerships and producing high-quality products at a fair price. Located in North Carolina, the heart of American tobacco country, Cheyenne International prides itself on delivering profitable, market-leading brands that meet the demands of adult consumers.

FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES, Cheyenne International has grown and evolved from a small tobacco start-up to a reputable manufacturer carrying the #1 Filtered Cigar brand in America. Cheyenne’s continued commitment to wholesale and retail customers is reflected in the four pillars of excellence from which the company operates: partnership, quality, compliance and success.

Cheyenne International, LLC Toll Free 1-866-254-6975 E: contactus@cheyenneintl.com W: www.cheyenneintl.com

Leader in Cigars

The filtered cigar category saw an explosion of brands several years ago.

As the category continued to grow, Cheyenne consistently remained a top choice for consumers. As the brand celebrated its 15th year in business, it also took on the official title of being the top player in the market. While FDA’s PMTA process has forced other brands out of the market, Cheyenne Cigars are a clear leader and here to stay. Out of the top 5 SKUs in the filtered cigar category, Cheyenne accounts for 85% of the volume, a staggering number that proves Cheyenne continues to be a market leader, never wavering on quality or taste.

Leader in Support

For a retailer, there are many challenges to tackle on a daily basis and as business has rapidly changed in recent months, Cheyenne International believes in making business simple. By providing unique programs to help stores gain the most from their valuable shelf space, they take the convenience industry seriously. In addition to their seasoned sales force, Cheyenne also provides in-store merchandising and digital marketing support programs that go beyond what the competition is doing. By functioning as a partner and collaborator with their customers, both Cheyenne and retail stores have made great strides together.

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The National Advisory Group (NAG) is an association driven by convenience store retailers for retailers. It is an organization committed to building profits and relationships for all of our members. NAG is aimed at small, mid-sized and family-owned convenience chains and the executives that run them.

NAG’s role in the industry is unquestioned.

NAG remains an organization that is fully committed to its members, promotes relationships, networking, intimacy and, most importantly, executable ideas and takeaways.

For additional information, contact John Lofstock at jlofstock@wtwhmedia.com or info@nagconvenience.com.

2021 Leaders in Convenience

Coca-Cola

®

STARTING IN JANUARY 2021,

U.S. consumers will be able to refresh their coffee routine with Coca-Cola’s latest cross-category innovation: Coca-Cola with Coffee.

Coca-Cola® with Coffee – which officially hits ready-to-drink coffee shelves nationwide this month – fuses the familiar, authentic taste of Coca-Cola with the rich, luxurious flavor of 100% Brazilian coffee. Three signature flavors – Dark Blend, Vanilla and Caramel – will be offered in 12oz. cans.

The hybrid innovation will pioneer a new category The Coca-Cola Company is calling refreshment coffee, as it sips like a Coke and finishes like a coffee. Coca-Cola with Coffee is one of the company’s most successfully tested innovations in recent years.

The beverage is also the latest output of the company’s “lift and shift” strategy to scale successful beverage innovations from market to market via an experimental, test-and-

learn approach. The product was first piloted in Japan in 2018 and is now available in more than 30 markets around the world, including Australia, Brazil, Vietnam, Turkey and Italy. Each country, and the U.S. is no different, tailors the Coca-Cola with Coffee recipe and packaging mix to meet local tastes.

Research shows that consumers are more open to trying new categorycrossing drinks like Coca-Cola with Coffee, which contains 69 mg of caffeine per 12-oz. serving, that push Coca-Cola into uncharted territory while staying true to its core values.

In preliminary consumer testing, more than 80% of consumers who tried Coca-Cola with Coffee said they would buy it.

The launch is the latest creative extension of the Coca-Cola Trademark in the United States, following the recent rollouts of Coke Energy/Coke Energy Cherry, Cherry Vanilla Coke, Orange Vanilla Coke (and their zero-sugar counterparts).

The Coca-Cola Company, American corporation founded in 1892 and today engaged primarily in the manufacture and sale of syrup and concentrate for Coca-Cola, a sweetened carbonated beverage that is a cultural institution in the United States and a global symbol of American tastes. The company also produces and sells other soft drinks and citrus beverages.

With more than 2,800 products available in more than 200 countries, Coca-Cola is the largest beverage manufacturer and distributor in the world and one of the largest corporations in the United States. Headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Coca-Cola Company PO Box 1734 Atlanta, GA 30301

W: ww.coca-colacompany.com

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A VIDEO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BUILT FOR INTELLIGENCE POSITION

1

POSITION

2

Heat Map — identify areas with the highest traffic

POSITION

5

Path Analysis — report customer movement

POSITION

4

POSITION

3

People Counting — report on customer entry and current occupancy

Conversion Rate — report on purchase vs browse

Line Queue — report on how long customers are waiting

TOTAL VIDEO MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS • Recording • Traffic Counting • Retail Video Analytics • Data Integration

Map and analyze the customer journey with a Video Management System from ClickIt. Built with powerful technology that records and provides analytics so you can monitor customer behavior at multiple points throughout the store—the second they walk through your door.

To learn more about our single source technology and create strategies from insights gained at various points inside your store, call 631-686-2900 or email sales@clickitinc.com.

www.clickitinc.com

2021 Leaders in Convenience

ConvenienceWorks

by Hussmann CONVENIENCE IS OUR SPECIALTY THE CORNER STORE is a

cornerstone of the community.

Hussmann has a long history of helping convenience stores create an exceptional shopping experience that keeps shoppers local, pleased and coming back for more.

ConvenienceWorks taps a century of Hussmann expertise as a leader in refrigeration and merchandising solutions for fresh-food retailers.

As a Panasonic company, we now have the capability to bring even more innovation and integrated technology to the convenience store space, to ensure your continued growth today and tomorrow.

equipment and support for whatever you have in store.

Leave the details to us

Hussmann is much more than a refrigeration manufacturer. We’re your integrated solutions provider for food retail, supporting your convenience store with consolidation, project management, logistics and other turnkey services.

Our procurement service eliminates the frustrations of individual equipment purchases Partnering with you to maximize from multiple suppliers. You get a sales and profits complete package of equipment We’re on your team to increase needed for your new stores while performance and profitability at we handle all the details. To make your convenience store. From sure your equipment arrives on-site enhancing the look and appeal of your when needed, we consolidate and facilities and displays to improving warehouse your complete equipment the effectiveness of your in-store equipment, we’ll work with you to drive package prior to delivery.

Experienced project managers sales and achieve your business goals. ensure every job is handled efficiently Get the equipment that – on time and on budget. We provide provides the best performance, the level of project management merchandising appeal, energy support you need to help optimize efficiency, reliability and overall the development process. value for your unique needs. In Get your equipment right when it’s addition to ConvenienceWorks needed, thanks to our logistics pros. products and services, we give Shipments are carefully planned you access to equipment from and scheduled, streamlining the hundreds of suppliers through our construction process, reducing consolidated purchasing program: cooking equipment, drink dispensers, freight costs and facilitating faster store openings. refrigerators, digital solutions, Expert commissioning ensures the shelving, ice machines, work tables, reliability, performance and efficiency racks, counters, millwork and more. of your equipment during and after We also provide customized start-up. Our convenience store service solutions matched to your evolving experts install, test and verify optimal food strategies, including packaged performance throughout the process. grab-and-go foods, made-to-order This provides reliability you can depend meals, food prep and pastries. on long after your grand opening.

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CSTORE DECISIONS

ConvenienceWorks by Hussmann is focused on helping Convenience Stores attract and retain more customers while increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations.

Hussmann has been serving the food retail industry for over a century and through ConvenienceWorks by Hussmann, we have increased our capabilities to ensure we have the dedicated resources to help convenience stores succeed in this dynamic marketplace.

ConvenienceWorks is with you every step of the way with solutions from in-store designs, to equipment selection, consolidation, installation and service.

Hussmann Corporation 12999 St. Charles Rock Rd. Bridgeton, MO 63044 P: 877.385.7142 E: ConvenienceWorks@hussmann.com W: www.hussmann.com/retail-solutions/ convenience-store-services

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Core-Mark International OUR MISSION IS “To be the most valued marketer of fresh, food and broad-line supply solutions to the Convenience Retail Industry.” To meet this expectation for our Customers, we have created the Core-Mark Center of Excellence. This state-of-the-art collaboration space aims at combining forward thinking consumer trends within food, category innovation, and technology, to take on our industry’s future. In addition to this, we offer various retailer programs and solutions designed to grow your business, make you more profitable, and create efficiency in your store!

For more information, visit www. core-mark.com. We are Core-Mark, the leader in fresh solutions delivered to the convenience store industry.

Category Innovation and Focused Marketing Initiative Core-Mark’s Focused Marketing Initiative™ was created to improve our Retailers’ sales and profits. Each customized plan includes neighborhood trends and demographics, current store data analytics, program recommendations, and industry trends. Once we understand a Retailer’s business goals, we leverage our distribution model, Vendor Consolidation Initiative (VCI), to optimize the Retailer and Supplier relationship. VCI will help generate sales increases with better gross profits while reducing costs via improved operational efficiencies.

Fresh Our state-of-the art supply chain that features refrigerated docks and our fleet of tri-temperature trailers built specifically for delivery to convenience stores is part of our comprehensive platform and delivery model to enable the delivery of fresh foods to our customers. Whether it is grab-and-go or made-to-order, we offer a variety of products and programs that appeal cstoredecisions.com

to customers who are demanding convenient, healthier meal and snacking options such as salads, sandwiches, wraps and cut fruit with our exclusive partnership with Fresh & Ready.

Foodservice Convenience store foodservice options are continuing to evolve beyond the microwave. Today, more retailers are offering full-service foodservice programs, from pizza to fried chicken and other made-to-order concepts. Freshly prepared food that can satisfy any craving is becoming much more commonplace and we deliver with our turn-key foodservice program QuickEats.

Technology We off a full array of industry-leading, easy-to-use technology solutions designed to help grow and manage your business! Core-Mark’s strategic and exclusive partnership with PDI allows us to market loyalty and store operations products that will benefit independent, small and large retail chains! These products include loyalty programs and reporting, tobacco scan data, and PDI’s CStore Essentials, a cloud-based store operations software designed to improve operational efficiency. Our proven solutions also include CORE-SOURCE, a “one-stop-shop” streamlined solution containing the necessary tools to help support a successful partnership with Core-Mark. Within CORE-SOURCE, our customers have access to www. imarkportal.com, an online ordering platform that aligns with our mobile ordering applications (OrderPro – Apple; DroidPad – Samsung); Track My Order, a key tool that provides alert notifications to customers on the status of their deliveries; Retailer Analytics Dashboard application that leverages real-time, advanced data analytics to our customers; and (POD) Paperless Delivery that allows customers to view their delivery receipts online via the IMark Portal.

CSTORE DECISIONS

Core-Mark’s marketing approach is keenly focused on the consumer, recognizing the critical need to deliver relevant and appealing offers at the point of purchase. Core-Mark offers our retailers marketing programs in every key category: Fresh, Foodservice, General Merchandise, Health & Beauty and Tobacco.

Major Servicers: Fresh Foods, Foodservice Products, Dairy Products, Fresh Bakery, Alcoholic and NonAlcoholic Beverages, Candy, Snacks, General Merchandise, Novelty Products, Snacks, Groceries, Tobacco Products, Health & Beauty Care and Automotive Products.

Core-Mark International W: www.core-mark.com

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Cost Control Associates

OUR CONVENIENCE STORE clients

recognize that outsourcing expense management not only makes their lives easier but is also crucial to staying competitive and protecting profitability. Careful management of utility and other overhead costs keeps expenses as low as possible, but it’s a time-consuming activity that eats into your budget and exhausts your manpower. When your company has multiple locations and facilities, the challenges grow exponentially.

Cost Control Associates has helped hundreds of convenience stores and other clients reduce their monthly operational costs through a variety of innovative programs--often saving clients 20-40% on recurring expenses. We do this by closely examining your invoices for each of your business locations, negotiating best-in-class rates, tracking costs through a custom-built database, questioning and researching anomalies, obtaining refunds, and applying our extensive industry knowledge to each client we serve.

We help you avoid late fees and service shut-offs and ensure you are paying the optimal rates for your services. Our process often includes timely payment of bills and ongoing review for errors and savings opportunities. You get the peace of mind that comes with knowing your bills are paid on time and your costs are low.

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Cost Control Associates consults with clients across the U.S. and in Canada. Our expense management services include invoice audits for more than 90 fixed expense categories, processing and paying bills, analyzing and reporting utility and other cost data, energy procurement, and account opening/ closing.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Cost Control Associates has proven expertise in delivering top-of-the-line expense management services that bring value to your organization. We operate independently, so we always have your best interests in mind when negotiating with your vendors.

We know your providers and your industry, and we know what your neighbors are paying for the same services. We can save you money!

CSTORE DECISIONS

When you operate multiple locations, it’s challenging to manage utility costs and other fixed expenses. Cost Control Associates works with convenience stores to provide bill pay, energy procurement, data management/reporting, and account opening/closing services. We also examine invoices to identify refunds and savings for 90+ spend categories such as utilities, waste, telecom, cable, satellite TV, credit-card processing, bank fees, corporate insurance, janitorial, property tax, workers’ comp and more. Many services are contingent on the savings we find with no upfront costs.

Cost Control Associates, Inc.

Division of SIB Fixed Cost Reduction 310 Bay Road Queensbury, NY 12804 P: 518.824.0321 E: lisa.miller@costcontrolassociates.com W: costcontrolassociates.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

DayMark Safety Systems Kitchen Automation, Featuring Food Safety Labeling

DayMark’s proprietary, cloudbased and app-driven kitchen automation platform transforms how retail foodservice kitchens efficiently and safely prepare food for the public. It starts with DayMark’s totally secure, server-independent digital distribution platform: the GATEWAY, which hosts several innovative applications that DayMark has developed to run your business better—and safer.

MenuPilot®, the flagship application, coupled with streamlined corporate management of menu data via the MenuCommand web portal, reduces dependence on hardware and increases emphasis on platform. These provide a deeper understanding and improved management of back-of-house workflows such as receiving, daily tasks, cooler and freezer temperature monitoring, and food check monitoring. DayMark also delivers a companion hardware bundle with the Matt85™ direct thermal label printer and available Android tablet, facilitating on-demand production of shelf-life, food rotation and complex grab & go product labeling.

Tamper-Evident Delivery Labels

Delivery has redefined what c-store operators can do to appeal to consumers who place a strong value on both convenience and access to healthier food choices. In a recent survey, “third-party delivery options” was named the top service that c-store operators said that they plan to add within the next year.

With this in mind, DayMark offers the TamperSeal™ labeling system: a line of tamper-evident labels for use in the food delivery service industry. The labels can be handwritten or used in conjunction cstoredecisions.com

with the MenuPilot app, allowing for date code information, a company logo, and other types of customized information to be printed on the label. TamperSeal labels feature an aggressive adhesive that sticks to most any packaging material safely and securely. Each label has security slits that cause the label to lose its integrity if someone attempts to open the container. If the seal is broken upon delivery, it is a clear indication that the food may have been tampered with.

Antimicrobial Gloves

As the disposable glove supply continues to experience increasing costs and limited availability, SafetyApplied® Antimicrobial Gloves

by DayMark® allow your store to allocate supply of disposable gloves to essential, back-of-house employees and tasks as needed, while also providing customer-facing employees the ability to help protect themselves and the public from the spread of bacteria.

Machine washable for continued wear and made in the USA, the gloves feature Microban® antimicrobial fabric that helps to stop the spread of bacteria, as well as a breathable, lightweight 13-gauge knit fabric that provides dexterity to perform everyday tasks. Touchscreen capability in the index and thumb fingertips makes the gloves ideal when working with POS systems and smart devices.

CSTORE DECISIONS

DayMark® provides foodservice and related industries with efficient and innovative systems in the areas of food safety, facility safety, employee safety, technology and support.

DayMark’s MenuCommand® kitchen automation platform delivers a truly affordable, real IoT solution for every foodservice kitchen. MenuCommand’s suite of applications include solutions for date code labeling, on- and off-premise food labeling, menu management, asset temperature monitoring, food checks, task management, inventory control, and more.

DayMark Safety Systems 12830 S. Dixie Hwy. Bowling Green, OH 43402 P: 800.847.0101 E: info@daymark.com W: www.daymarksafety.com/

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DigitalMint BASED ON BITCOIN’S growing usage and untapped cash-to-cryptocurrency opportunity, c-store and gas station owners are in a prime position to implement a Bitcoin point-of-sale solution. DigitalMint offers multiple options for stores to generate a new revenue stream with Bitcoin, including the Bitcoin Kiosk, ATM Sidecar Attachment, and over-the-counter iPad Teller Application.

Bitcoin not only generates revenue but also drives foot traffic leading to potential cross-selling opportunities. DigitalMint handles all installation, maintenance, regulatory obligations, and customer support so that you can focus on your business!

Bitcoin ATM

Our stand-alone kiosk allows customers to purchase Bitcoin with cash in minutes autonomously. Our Bitcoin ATM is a Genmega Universal Kiosk operating on DigitalMint’s in-house developed proprietary software. The kiosk functions similarly to a traditional ATM that you might see at a bank.

ATM Sidecar Attachment

Through our partnership with Genmega, a leading ATM hardware manufacturer, DigitalMint has developed a Sidecar attachment that facilitates Bitcoin transactions through the current ATM at your store location.

The new, state-of-the art Sidecar is the first and only attachment of its kind to enable cash-to-cryptocurrency transactions on a traditional ATM. The Sidecar attachment upgrades your current single-purpose ATM into a modular financial services terminal with a simple drop-in upgrade.

Teller iPad Application

DigitalMint’s easy to use iPad Teller Application empowers your staff to sell Bitcoin over-the-counter through a preconfigured tablet. This highly scalable point-of-sale solution stores easily behind the counter and does not compete for retail shelf space.

DigitalMint is the leading Bitcoin point-of-sale provider in the nation, enabling convenience stores, grocery chains, and gas stations to sell cryptocurrency through physical kiosks and point-of-sale solutions at the counter. DigitalMint technology powers cryptocurrency transactions at locations across the United States. DigitalMint is a FinCEN registered Money Services Business. An industry leader in cash-to-cryptocurrency compliance standards, DigitalMint adheres to all federal banking regulations, including Know Your Customer laws, the Bank Secrecy Act, OFAC, fraud prevention, and other anti-money laundering rules.

DigitalMint

Bitcoin Point-of-Sale Solutions 153 W Ohio St. Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60654 P: 844.405.6170 W: www.digitalmint.io

Culture of Banking Compliance

DigitalMint fosters a strong culture of compliance that flows through every aspect of the business. As a FinCEN-registered Money Services Business, we adhere to all federal banking regulations, including Know Your Customer laws, the Bank Secrecy Act, OFAC, fraud prevention, and Anti-Money Laundering standards. Our industry-leading compliance standards separate DigitalMint from every other Bitcoin point-of-sale provider, keeping our partners compliant and increasing earning potential. Because of our best in class compliance procedures, DigitalMint can offer customers the highest purchase limit in the industry as we’ve become a preferred organization that banks work with. The final result provides our customers with a better experience and our partners with more revenue.

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CSTORE DECISIONS

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Dover Fueling Solutions DOVER FUELING SOLUTIONS® (DFS®) is a

global technology leader in commercial and retail fueling. For 130 years, DFS and its brands have been driving global innovation in the fuel and convenience retail space through advanced dispensing and secure payment technology, wetstock monitoring and compliance services, site optimization and remote management solutions, comprehensive tank gauging and more.

Comprised of some of the most trusted names in the industry, DFS and its Wayne®, Tokheim®, OPW® Fuel Management Systems, ClearView™, Fairbanks® and ProGauge™ brands are enabling the evolution of the consumer experience in fuel and convenience retail for customers worldwide.

It is with great appreciation for its history that DFS also looks toward the future and offers support for the growth of alternative fuels. From investing in new CNG technologies to new partnerships with electric vehicle (EV) charging station manufacturers like ChargePoint and ABB, DFS is working to help drive in-store traffic in relevant ways to cater to the new customers who will spend 20-25 minutes charging their cars, instead of 3.5 minutes to fill their fuel tanks.

DFS also works to drive business in ways that support the convenience stores beyond fuel sales. Acknowledging many in-store sales come from food service and packaged beverage offerings, DFS develops technology to promote these primary revenue drivers with personalized dispenser solutions. These innovations allow customers to receive relevant ads that make the fueling experience more enjoyable, while contributing to the growth of the industry by driving traffic inside in ways never imagined.

With products already sold in more than 150 countries, DFS continues to grow, learn, adapt and innovate – evolving daily to meet the needs of an ever-changing world and positioning the fuel and convenience retail industry for a strong future and lasting success. cstoredecisions.com

CSTORE DECISIONS

Dover Fueling Solutions (“DFS”), part of Dover Corporation, comprises the product brands of ClearView, Fairbanks, OPW Fuel Management Systems, ProGauge, Tokheim, and Wayne Fueling Systems, and delivers advanced fuel dispensing equipment, electronic systems and payment, automatic tank gauging and wetstock management solutions to customers worldwide.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, DFS has a significant manufacturing and technology development presence around the world.

Dover Fueling Solutions 3814 Jarrett Way, Austin, TX 78728 P: 737.529.6345 W: www.doverfuelingsolutions.com

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E-Alternative Solutions, LLC Regulatory challenges, sharpening consumer demand, and rapid growth are quickly shaping emerging, alternative industries. Are you positioned to succeed?

E-Alternative Solutions (EAS), an independently owned sister company of Swisher International, and innovator of adult consumercentric brands, can help you navigate these markets. Our award-winning portfolio of research-tested products, resources and trade programs help you effectively maximize profitability and drive shoppers through your doors. Additionally, our unmatched compliance expertise helps wholesalers and retailers better manage new business categories.

At EAS, we prefer to be “Right” to market rather than “First” to market.

Our product portfolio focuses on consumers’ needs for high-quality, trustworthy alternative solutions.

We’re committed to innovation, excellence, compliance—and ultimately leading new industries into the promise of A World Beyond.

Forth™ CBD features a comprehensive portfolio of US-grown, hemp-derived CBD tinctures, lotions, ingestibles and vape pens. All items have been tested and developed specifically for adult consumers who

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Founded in 2014, E-Alternative Solutions (EAS) develops, markets and distributes highquality, trustworthy alternative solutions in emerging industries for adult consumers. Our product portfolio includes Forth™ CBD and Leap®. Our business pillars of understanding the marketplace, prioritizing customers’ needs, and providing reliable regulatory analysis have positioned us as a thoughtful, respected retail partner.

E-Alternative Solutions, LLC are seeking products that may help with relaxation, physical recovery or focus. Significantly, form factors, price points and packaging sizes for Forth CBD products are designed to meet the needs of the typical convenience store shopper. Visit ForthCBD.com to learn more.

459 E. 16th St. Jacksonville, FL 32206 P: 904.447.6054 W: EalternativeSolutions.com

Leap® includes two great product lines that are an excellent addition to any backbar. The pod-based Leap rechargeable e-cigarette delivers an unmatched vaping experience for adult smokers who are seeking a satisfying alternative. The Leap Go® e-cigarette is an ideal disposable option – enabling adult smokers to effortlessly customize their vaping experience with Smooth Tobacco, Mint and Mango flavors.

Visit LeapVapor.com to learn more.

CSTORE DECISIONS

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Einstein Bros. Bagels ®

HOW EINSTEIN’S BROS BAGELS BREAKFAST CAN BOOST OVERALL SALES

Breakfast isn’t just the most important meal of the day—it’s many consumers’ favorite meal, too. Even a busy morning or a rushed commute won’t keep consumers from picking up a toasty bagel, a hearty egg sandwich or a refreshing iced coffee along the way.

And the breakfast-food cravings don’t disappear once the morning has passed, either. This means convenience-store retailers have a prime opportunity to expand breakfast offerings—and sales— throughout the day.

Offering all-day breakfast leaves retailers with multiple priorities to juggle, including keeping their service fast, maintaining freshness and upholding high profit margins. C-store foodservice sales—which have fallen between 19% and 26% in 2020—are expected to bounce back strong in 2021, according to Technomic’s August 2020 Foodservice Industry Forecasts.

Purchases are expected to rise as the economy reopens and more consumers begin commuting again—an estimated 26% to 36% more than in 2019—so c-stores must prepare for significant rises in demand to maximize their allday breakfast program’s profitability.

Luckily, Einstein Bros. Bagels offers a solution. Already a fan-favorite brand, Einstein Bros. offers convenience retail solutions to solve the all-day breakfast puzzle. Einstein Bros.’ modular unit is a compact quick-service-restaurant designed to deliver the same high-quality, great-tasting convenient breakfast foods served at standalone Einstein locations—with a smaller footprint that’s perfect for convenience stores.

The modular unit offers a simplified, easy-to-operate breakfast platform that provides c-store customers with a quick stop for great breakfast food—familiar foods from Einstein Bros. Bagels that are fresh, nutritious and portable. Offerings range from classic bagels with a cream cheese “shmear” to savory egg sandwiches and pizza bagels, as well as ultra-trendy cold brew coffee in a variety of flavors. Installation includes all design, equipment, construction, and training support while keeping the initial investment low and the floor plan as small as 130 square feet. cstoredecisions.com

CSTORE DECISIONS

Einstein Bros.® Bagels is part of the Bagel Brands family, a leading quick-casual company also known for, Bruegger’s Bagels®, Noah’s New York Bagels® and Manhattan Bagel® brands. Einstein Bros.® Bagels is a neighborhood bagelry that’s always baking up a new way to bagel. Known for its freshbaked bagels available in a variety of flavors and premium doublewhipped shmears, Einstein Bros.® Bagels also serves gourmet bagel sandwiches, coffee, espresso, sweets and snacks. Einstein Bros.® Bagels is proud to be the largest bagel retail company in America with more than 700 locations in 40 states and the District of Columbia. To learn more, visit www.EinsteinBros.com.

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. 555 Zang Street, Suite 300 Lakewood, CO 80228 P: 720.458.9735 E: petrolicensing@coffeeandbagels.com W: www.EinsteinBros.com

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Flex Forward FLEX FORWARD is an online media hub that guides fuel station and convenience store owners through the process of adding E15 and Flex Fuels to their fuels slate. It delivers business advice to decision-makers from the perspective of people who understand them: other fuel retailers.

The hub consolidates the best thinking, the most up-todate regulatory information, compliance assistance, advice, and encouragement from scores of station owners who have successfully implemented Flex Fuels around the United States.

The objective of Flex Forward is simple: make it easier to add new ethanol blends by a) cutting through the noise, and b) empowering independent station owners to make their own choices on growing profits at the pump.

To that end, Flex Forward serves as the antidote to the misinformation about ethanol blends that for too many years has scared some retailers from making a break from the standard playbook of their fuel slate.

“Owning or operating a convenience store isn’t easy,” explains Flex Forward President Ron Lamberty. “The decision to add a new product or buy some new equipment can be gut wrenching.

But many of the new E15 and flex fuel retailers are individual or small chain owners — what can you learn from their experience?”

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Flex Forward shares information the American Coalition for Ethanol has gathered from decades of advising and learning from real-world fuel retailers about financial benefits, technical needs, and funding to offer higher ethanol blends.

With a combination of video, infographics, and news articles, the Flex Forward campaign focuses on four key issues around the fuel slate: the financial upside to adding flex fuels, how to navigate regulations to upgrade to flex fuels, how to execute an upgrade, and why it pays to ignore the noise from uniformed or ill-intentioned opponents of E15 and higher ethanol blends.

Flex Forward delivers straight talk to leaders in both single-store businesses and larger independent chains. It features insights, testimonials, and encouragement from actual veterans of the convenience store business — in other words, people just like you.

“Don’t you owe it to yourself to check out what they’ve done and learn more about E15 and Flex Fuels?” Lamberty say. “Get their story. Go to flexfuelforward.com and go your own road.”

CSTORE DECISIONS

Led by the ACE’s Ron Lamberty, a veteran c-store owner who understands what working in the business means, Flex Forward is designed by and for independent fuel retailers. Flex Forward is a natural expression of ACE’s mission to help retailers take back control of their fuel slate.

American Coalition for Ethanol Ron Lamberty, SVP O: 605.977.7622 C: 605.376.5702 W: www.flexfuelforward.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Franke Coffee Systems Americas PROVIDE C-STORE CUSTOMERS A COFFEE EXPERIENCE THEY WON’T FORGET.

Through years of experience working in the c-store industry, Franke provides advanced coffee solutions that meet your specific business needs.

With leading technology that delivers top quality coffee for c-store operators looking to elevate their coffee program, this innovative equipment allows customers to enjoy a variety of drinks at the touch of a button.

CONTACTLESS SOLUTIONS FOR TODAY’S C-STORE ENVIRONMENT

Gain consumer trust with Franke’s bean to cup or espresso-based coffee machines, all systems that include self-contained coffee, milk, and syrups.

Additionally, operators can provide paper screen protectors which work with Franke’s touchscreen, providing minimal touch points for dispensing. For operators who want to err on the side of caution, Franke Coffee has added the Franke Touchless feature to their Digital Services offering. This option allows customers to use their mobile phone camera to scan a QR code, which populates the available coffee beverages for selection on their phone.

INCREASE SALES WITH THE HIGHEST IN-CUP-QUALITY

In-cup-quality is one of the top drivers for attracting consumers to coffee establishments. With Franke’s iQFlow™ technology, coffee preparation has been revolutionized. Real-time extraction control allows you to design individual taste profiles and ensure consistently high quality, cup by cup.

AUTOMATIC CLEANING SYSTEM PROVIDES MAXIMUM HYGIENE AND RELIABILITY

Operate safely and efficiently with an automatic cleaning system. With less labor requirements than traditional units, c-store team members will have minimal contact and more time to focus on consumers.

OFFER CONSISTENT EXPERIENCES – IN EVERY LOCATION

Serve your customers coffee that offers the same high in-cup-quality wherever and whenever they buy it – even if they prepare it themselves. This way, you can ensure your customers get accustomed to the distinct taste of your products and become longterm fans – no matter where in the world they visit a location.

At Franke, we’re not just in the business of selling coffee machines. We’re in the business of creating wonderful coffee experiences for your customers.

With our expertise and experience within the coffee industry, we can help you provide the perfect in-cup-quality while solving any challenges that stand in the way of your coffee business, no matter the scale of your ambition.

Because, whatever business you’re in, we know it’s about more than coffee.

It’s all about the moment. We can help you make it wonderful.

Franke Coffee Systems Americas

800 Aviation Parkway Smyrna, TN 37167 P: 800.310.5710 W: coffee.franke.com Email Franke today to schedule your in-store test at cs-coffeesales.us@franke.com

WORK WITH A PARTNER YOU CAN ALWAYS RELY ON

From our Swiss-manufactured machines and the consistently high in-cup-quality coffee they produce, to the all-round customer service we provide – everything about Franke’s solutions are designed with reliability and operational efficiency in mind.

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Fully Loaded, LLC

FULLY LOADED PRODUCTS provide nicotine satisfaction formulated specifically for moist dippers. All food-grade ingredients are utilized and listed on each retail unit. The nicotine source infused in their products is TFN® (tobacco-free nicotine), providing a true tobacco-free experience, at 7mg of nicotine per dose, comparable to traditional smokeless.

Fully Loaded is the only moist tobacco-free nicotine pouch on the market, providing traditional smokeless tobacco users a true tobacco-free alternative.

Fully Loaded is available in 8 Flavors at varying nicotine levels.

The Fully Loaded consumer experience: Same solid pack, mouth feel, moisture, appearance, and nicotine satisfaction, but 100% tobacco-free.

Dryv is a new brand and product that the Fully Loaded team released in 2020.

Dryv is a nootropic energy pouch manufactured with a coffee base. A nootropic is a dietary supplement that helps support brain functions, including memory, mental speed, and focus. Each pouch of Dryv is equivalent to a ½ cup of coffee.

Made with their energy blend and 60mg of caffeine, Dryv delivers a healthy boost of sustained energy. REAL ENERGY. NO JITTERS.

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CSTORE DECISIONS

Fully Loaded is a nicotine dip & pouch manufacturer, born in Akron, Ohio. Every product line they produce is 100% tobaccofree. From their grassroots beginnings, the focus has been simple: quality, innovation, and customer relationships. Fully Loaded prides themselves on delivering a superior product, at a fair price, that delivers all the attributes their adult consumers are looking for in their dipping experience. All products are made in USA (Akron, OH).

Fully Loaded, LLC 180 Cuyahoga Street Akron, OH 44304 E: info@fullyloadedchew.com W: fullyloadedchew.com/pages/ retail-wholesale-information

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

GAMCO SAVE ON YOUR RESTROOM’S NEXT FACELIFT

For an instant, budget-conscious restroom upgrade, GAMCO Commercial Restroom Accessories offers a wide selection of simple, durable options that are easy on your bottom line. Products include soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers, waste receptacles, toilet tissue dispensers, mirrors, grab bars and more.

Say goodbye to obsolete, unsanitary plastic accessories suffering from years of deferred maintenance. Update your restroom with a professional, integrated look—for less than you’d expect— with GAMCO: Bobrick’s value line of restroom accessories.

ENHANCING HEALTH & HYGIENE

Access to functional soap and paper towel dispensers is essential.

Are your restroom accessories unsanitary or in disrepair? GAMCO offers a wide selection of simple soap and paper towel dispensing options that are easy on your bottom line.

Reduce touch points with touchless, stainless steel soap dispensers, such GAMCO’s G-950SA liquid or G-950-FA foam wallmounted soap dispensers. Or,

Coverall Recessed Towel Dispenser (TD-6)

simplify maintenance—reducing risk of dispenser downtime—with the touchless G-63SD counter-mounted liquid soap dispenser, which is easy to fill with reliably available bulk soap. In fact, nearly all GAMCO soap dispensers accept universal bulk soaps readily available in the market, as opposed to costly, proprietary cartridges.

Support new soap dispensers with a budget-conscious hand drying upgrade. From the recessed, compact TD-6 paper towel dispenser to a high-capacity combination unit like the TW-9, GAMCO has your solution. GAMCO offers full lines of paper towel dispensers, combination paper towel dispensers/waste receptacles and hand dryers to meet any store’s hygiene needs.

GAMCO Commercial Restroom Accessories, a division of Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. specializes in budget-friendly commercial stainless steel restroom accessories. GAMCO offerings include a complete line of soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers, hand dryers, stainless steel grab bars, fold-up shower seats, waste receptacles, toilet tissue dispensers and more.

GAMCO also manufactures custom restroom products made from specialty materials, such as solid brass and solid bronze, or with powder coated finishes in a variety of colors.

GAMCO Commercial Restroom Accessories One GAMCO Place Durant, Oklahoma 74701 P: 580.924.8066 W: gamcousa.com

Basin-Mounted Soap Dispenser with All-Purpose Valve (G-64LB-6)

MEET EVERY REQUIREMENT

GAMCO distributors can provide all the restroom accessories required for commercial women’s, men’s, and family restrooms, at prices to meet all budget requirements. Many GAMCO products meet ADA compliance requirements for operability and wall protrusion and are made with postindustrial recycled stainless steel.

Automatic Wall-Mounted Liquid Soap Dispenser (G-950SA) cstoredecisions.com

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Gilbarco Veeder-Root PASSPORT® POS

The Gilbarco Passport POS system is designed to meet the unique needs of c-stores and other fuel retail sites.

With Passport, retailers can futureproof their businesses for the PCI requirements of today and beyond.

Passport is certified for all major POS networks and interfaces with more third-party partners than any other convenience store POS system in the industry. The easy user interface allows new employees to train in 20 minutes or less. With the industry-leading 24/7, U.S.-based help desk, businesses powered with Passport are never alone. Passport is EMV-ready right out of the box and with easy integration with third-party systems and powerful tracking tools it gives you everything you need to run and manage a cuttingedge fuel retailing system. Investing in Passport today, means investing in the POS technology of tomorrow.

PASSPORT EDGE®

Passport EDGE offers the industryleading power of Passport POS, streamlined for the small business owner. The only forecourt-focused, tablet-style POS system is the futureproof solution small businesses need as technology constantly evolves. It uses the time-tested foundation of Passport to create a lighter, tabletstyle system with a small front-counter footprint. With a subscription-based payment plan and no long-term contract, Passport EDGE gives you the flexibility your business needs to stay nimble. The POS system is EMVready out of the box, offering the major retail security that customers expect. The 24/7/365, U.S.-based remote help desk ensures you’re never alone. Passport EDGE, what you need with room to grow.

PASSPORT EXPRESS LANE™

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Passport POS Passport Express Lane self-checkout shrinks lines, cuts labor costs, and enhances the shopping experience to increase loyalty. Consumers crave quick service and control. Keep your shoppers on schedule and speeding along without putting extra stress on your workforce. With seamless Passport integration and customizable display features, Express Lane will fit your brand perfectly. Thrill shoppers by helping them save time and skip the line. All they have to do is scan, pay, and be on their way.

HYDRX™ FUEL CONDITIONING SYSTEM

The Veeder-Root HydrX Fuel Conditioning System is the latest innovation to combat corrosion in the harshest fueling environments.

HydrX helps prevent in-tank corrosion by providing continuous water removal within diesel underground storage tanks. It does not allow water to stagnate on tank bottoms and breed microbial activity, accessing water from the lowest point in the tank. The integrated filtration removes entrained water, rust, sand, and microbial particulate from the fuel, polishing it before returning clean fuel back to the tank.

Eliminate loss of revenue due to unplanned site shutdowns caused by out of specification fuel and broad contamination leading to equipment failure.

CSTORE DECISIONS

Whether it’s outside, inside, underground or in the cloud, Gilbarco Veeder-Root has the solution for your site’s needs. We are the worldwide technology leader for retail and commercial fueling operations offering the broadest range of integrated solutions from the forecourt to the convenience store and head office. For over 150 years, Gilbarco Veeder-Root has earned the trust of its customers by providing long-term partnership, uncompromising support, and proven reliability. The company’s major product lines include fuel dispensers, nozzles, pump media, point-of-sale systems, payment systems, automatic tank gauges, submersible turbine pumps, fleet management systems, and e-mobility solutions.

Gilbarco Veeder-Root W: www.gilbarco.com www.veeder.com

HydrX Fuel Conditioning System

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Global Widget LLC Global Widget, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor and marketer of CBD and wellness products, and the trusted powerhouse behind the iconic Hemp Bombs, Nature’s Script and Perfect Paws Hemp brands and Defense Boost brand. Global Widget’s products are sold in over 25,000 retail locations.

Global Widget LLC AS PIONEERS IN THE CBD INDUSTRY and one of the largest and most

vertically integrated manufacturers, Global Widget partners with those looking to successfully open new revenue streams with CBD and other wellness products. Global Widget’s CBD brands include Hemp Bombs, Nature’s Script, and Perfect Paws Hemp. Our recent accolades include the 2020 Retailer Choice Best New Product Award-winning CBD Gummies, and the 2020 Progressive Grocer Editors’ Pick Best New Product award-winning CBD Bath Bombs. In addition, we just launched Defense Boost, which is our first non-CBD product line. With a continued focus on innovation and identification of consumer trends, Global Widget is committed to delivering the industry’s best experience for our retailers and distribution partners. Learn more at partners.globalwidget.com.

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CSTORE DECISIONS

8419 Sunstate St. Tampa, FL 33634 www.globalwidget.com www.hempbombs.com www.naturesscript.com www.perfectpawshemp.com www.defenseboost.com

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Home Market Foods GROW YOUR FOODSERVICE business with a large selection of roller grill favorites from Home Market Foods. With a focus on quality and incredible taste, Home Market Foods delivers craveable products aimed at driving traffic and loyalty for your operation. Check out some of our latest and most popular products:

RollerBites®

Bold! Different! Better!

Bursting with flavor and packed with protein, RollerBites offer the perfect on-the-go snack. Seasoned all-white-meat Chicken RollerBites offered in a variety of bold flavors have more protein than any other chicken product on the grill. Try the NEW! Buttermilk Ranch Chicken and the best-selling, crowd-pleasing Cheesy Buffalo Ranch Chicken!

Our flame-broiled Cheeseburger RollerBites has that juicy home-grilled flavor that’s sure to satisfy and keep customers coming back for more. Savory Breakfast RollerBites varieties combine hearty eggs, sausage and cheese for a delicious on-the-go breakfast option.

Eisenberg®

Premium all-beef franks and gourmet sausages are an experience your protein-craving customers won’t soon forget. Carefully crafted with a passion for quality, Eisenberg Franks deliver only the best cuts of beef and all-natural seasonings for deliciously awesome flavor!

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Bahama Mama®

Complete your grill selection with the epic flavor of Bahama Mama Sausages. Choose from the fan favorite German Recipe, hot-trending Jalapeño ’N Cheddar and the NEW! Smoked Cheddar Sausage. Made from quality cuts of beef and pork, 100% real cheese and no fillers.

Cooked Perfect®

Home Market Foods has been creating delicious food products since 1957 using authentic recipes and the finest quality ingredients. Our innovative, forward-thinking culinary team leads the industry with a commitment to providing craveable products for today’s discerning consumers. With safety as our mantra and quality at our core, we are your goto provider for all things “delicious.”

Home Market Foods 140 Morgan Drive Norwood, MA 02062 P: 800-367-8325 781-948-1500, Ext 529 E: info@HMFfoodservice.com W: www.HMFfoodservice.com

Lette • PC LAM DESIGN • 06.04.15

1A

Taste is King, and Cooked Perfect is on top! Our new Gourmet Italian Meatballs are flame-broiled and seasoned with a balance of Romano & Parmesan cheese and proprietary Italian seasonings. Cooked Perfect beats all market leaders in taste preference and is the #1 frozen meatball brand in the nation.

CSTORE DECISIONS

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Hoshizaki HOSHIZAKI FOODSERVICE EQUIPMENT helps c-stores have

more efficient operations–saving energy and money!

Customers can have a variety of ice types with Hoshizaki crescent cubers and cubelet nugget-style ice machines. Available for use on top of dispensers, on bins or under the counter. Continuous innovation makes our ice machines more efficient with increased ice production and longer lifetime – operation savings. Our refrigerators, merchandisers and prep tables have features to maximize temperature control and keep food safe – saving on food and labor costs.

Dispensed drinks and freshly prepared foods have a higher profit margin than their prepackaged counterparts have and are therefore a smart choice for c-store owners.

There is continued growth in c-store beverage choices for the consumer.

This includes additional coffee flavors, smoothies and a broader variety of fountain drink options with flavor shots, teas, juices and sparkling waters.

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C-store favorites include the KMD530M_J, Crescent Cuber (crescent ice) and the FD-1002MAJ-C (cubelet ice). Both produce ice consistently and dependably to keep customers’ drinks deliciously chilled. These modular models are easily mounted on most major beverage dispensers.

The old standard prepackaged sandwiches provided by a third party are still available; however, they are quickly being replaced by fresh sandwiches made on location and, in many cases, made to order. The menu is not limited to sandwiches – many other options have been added to the c-store menu such as pizza, wraps, bowls and salads.

Hoshizaki Sandwich Prep Tables, Mega Top Tables and Pizza Prep Tables allow for quick food prep and service while keeping food products at ideal, food-safe temperatures.

For sandwich, salad, or taco prep, the SR48A-12D4 twosection refrigerated prep table with drawers features stainless steel interior and exterior.

Hoshizaki’s line of glass door merchandisers come in 6 different sizes from 7 to 65 cubic feet of interior storage capacity.

CSTORE DECISIONS

HOSHIZAKI is the world leader in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of a wide range of products for the foodservice industry including ice machines, refrigerators, freezers, prep tables, display cases and dispensers. With corporate headquarters in Peachtree City, Georgia, Hoshizaki America, Inc.’s continuous innovation and commitment to the highest standards ensures that our customers have exceptional quality products.

Hoshizaki America, Inc. 618 Highway 74 South Peachtree City, GA 30269 P: 800.438.6087 W: www.hoshizakiamerica.com

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Hunt Brothers Pizza AT HUNT BROTHERS® PIZZA, WE KNOW PIZZA.

The Hunt Brothers® Pizza program was created specifically for convenience stores. With 30 years of experience serving the c-store industry, our branded pizza program is designed to make foodservice easy and profitable.

The program offers high quality, high margin products that take virtually no time to prepare. Most stores are able to handle our new program with existing employees and the program can be operated in as little as 59 square feet with flexible pizza shoppe and equipment options.

Hunt Brothers Pizza offers a 12˝ original crust pizza, thin crust pizza, breakfast pizza, bone-in chicken wings, and boneless WingBites®.

Our grab-and-go pizza option, Hunk A Pizza®, is one-quarter of a whole pizza that makes for a quick breakfast or lunch on the go. Our made-to-order whole pizza provides consumers who are looking to customize their pizza with a quick dinner option, providing all toppings at no extra charge.

A Nationally Branded Program for a Reasonable Investment

With 7,800+ locations in 30 states, Hunt Brothers Pizza is a nationally recognized brand and the #1 brand in the c-store industry. Unlike many other branded foodservice programs, Hunt Brothers Pizza does not charge franchise, royalty or marketing fees.

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With 7,800+ locations in 30 states, Hunt Brothers® Pizza is the nation’s largest brand of made-to-order pizza in the convenience store industry.

Hunt Brothers Pizza offers pizza available as a graband-go Hunk A Pizza® or as a customizable whole pizza that is an exceptional value with All Toppings No Extra Charge®.

Hunt Brothers Pizza As a NASCAR sponsor, Hunt Brothers Pizza provides its locations with free national branding to 75 million racing fans. In-store marketing is also provided at no cost, and it’s installed and refreshed by a dedicated Pizza Professional.

Our direct store delivery ensures pizza products are delivered on Hunt Brothers Pizza trucks. A dedicated Pizza Professional will rotate and restock inventory and refresh marketing each week. They will even prepare your order for you and confirm quantities before restocking.

To keep consumer interest high, Hunt Brothers Pizza offers several LTO (Limited Time Only) pizzas throughout the year. Fan favorites like Buffalo Chicken Pizza and Chicken Bacon Ranch keep customers coming back to your store.

CSTORE DECISIONS

4020 Jordonia Station Road Nashville, TN 37218 P: 800.453.3675 E: info@hbpizza.com W: huntbrotherspizza.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Invenco Invenco is a global provider of revolutionary self-service payment technology and secure customer engagement solutions. With a strong presence in the retail fuel vertical, Invenco’s product lines include the G6 and G7 Outdoor Payment Terminals, the Invenco-i2 affordable EMV solution, iNFX retail micro-services and the Invenco Cloud Services platform.

Invenco has US offices in Atlanta, GA and Tampa, FL.

Invenco Group Ltd.

INVENCO IS AN INDUSTRY LEADING

digital agility. provider of micro-service designed Invenco is also the creator of the applications and self-service industry’s first “as a service” program payment solutions for the global for outdoor EMV-compliant pay-atretail fuel market. Their offerings pump terminals. The offering was are engineered from the ground up developed when Invenco recognized to deliver fast, reliable, and secure retailers were being asked to technology that is flexible enough invest too much, too frequently in to address various retailer needs. expensive and inflexible proprietary Invenco’s product line includes the G6 equipment. Instead, Invenco-i2 and G7 Outdoor Payment Terminals, offers retailers a solution that Invenco Link high-speed ethernet solves the security and liability shift network, iNFX forecourt and card problem with a low-cost monthly payment services and the Invenco payment. The payment is fixed and Cloud Services platform for remote “all-inclusive” covering equipment, management of technology, customer services, repairs, support, software experiences, and media. updates and access to the Invenco As the industry continues to Cloud for the life of the contract. The accelerate into an age of digital only up-front cost is an affordable growth, Invenco has been a vocal installation fee and retailers are advocate for enabling 3rd party upgraded to the latest compliant development using SDKs and open terminal model at the end of each protocol solutions. This is illustrated contract on resigning. through their use of open API Leadership to Invenco means architecture and following of the delivering solutions that enable Conexxus Payment Terminal v1.0 digital agility for the modern Protocol. By enabling extension of retailer. They achieve this by solving capabilities through open SDK and challenges and improving customer APIs, Invenco seeks to empower experiences while delivering return customers to accelerate their on investment. As industry trends own digital strategies and deliver and regulations continue to change, improved customer experiences Invenco is proud to offer solutions through its core micro-services that position retailers to achieve their framework designed to drive secure next level of ongoing success. cstoredecisions.com

CSTORE DECISIONS

245 Hembree Park Drive Suite 90 Roswell, GA 30076 P: 877.515.0939 E: sales@invenco.com W: www.invenco.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

J& J Snack Foods, Corp.

TODAY’S CONVENIENCE STORE

customer is constantly on-the-go and unwilling to sacrifice quality or taste for convenience. Consumers are searching for craveable food at a fair price. At J&J Snack Foods, we understand convenience.

We’ve carefully crafted products that are easy to prepare at the operator level and are loved by convenience shoppers, like our latest introductions to the convenience channel: Supreme Stuffers® Individually Wrapped Bagel Twists are the next big thing in breakfast or anytime snacking. J&J Snack Foods knows that breakfast is a huge traffic driver for the convenience channel, and consumers are looking for more out-of-the-box menu items, daily.

Supreme Stuffers® Bagel Twists come in three delicious fan-favorite flavors, individually wrapped in an innovative kraft paper wrapping that allows the product to be baked or microwaved right inside its eyecatching packaging to help ease store operations. These items boast a 1-year frozen shelf life, 14-day refrigerated shelf life, and will hold up to 4 hours in a heated warmer.

They can be eaten right out of the packaging, either warmed or refrigerated, making these easy to merchandise in any category across the store.

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Pretzel Fillers® Individually Wrapped Stuffed Soft Pretzels combine convenience, portability, and mouthwatering flavor which is what we do to help make your life a little less busy. Now we’re introducing a hot new flavor – Buffalo Cheddar Stuffed Soft Pretzel made with Frank’s RedHot®, America’s #1 Hot Sauce! It’s all in the details with this new item – white cheddar cheese infused with Frank’s RedHot® Sauce and lightly dusted with Ranch Dressing Powder. The Pretzel Fillers® Individually Wrapped items can be merchandised in a cooler case, with a 7-day refrigerated shelf life, or can be baked or microwaved and held in a hot foods case for up to 4 hours!

We take the time to craft products with our partners in mind (you!), that will transform your store to a meal or snacking destination, all while helping provide a great product that your customers are sure to crave. We want to be your partner! Whether that means working with you to get branded equipment, or eye-catching point-of-sale materials, we want to be your go-to for convenient solutions! #FunServedHere CSTORE DECISIONS

J&J Snack Foods, Corp.

(NASDAQ: JJSF) is a leader and innovator in the snack food industry, providing innovative, niche, and affordable branded snack foods and beverages to foodservice, convenience stores, and retail supermarket outlets.

Manufactured and distributed nationwide, our principal products include soft pretzels, churros, handheld snacks, baked goods, frozen beverages, novelties, and frozen desserts such as churros and funnel cakes.

The company is consistently expanding its unique product offering while making families smile worldwide!

J&J Snack Foods, Corp.

6000 Central Highway Pennsauken, NJ 08109 P: 800.486.9533 W: www.jjsnackfoodservice.com

Frank’s RedHot® is a registered trademark of The French’s Food Company, LLC, licensed to J&J Snack Foods. cstoredecisions.com

2021 Leaders in Convenience

Johnsonville

®

JOHNSONVILLE® DELIVERS NEW HANDHELD SANDWICHES FOR C-STORES About Johnsonville® C-Store

Johnsonville® is dedicated to the c-store operator’s success.

No matter what store footprint, Johnsonville speaks the language and understands the issues operators face. Dedicated to be problem solvers, Johnsonville is armed with an arsenal of products and programs designed to help the c-store business thrive.

Johnsonville employs approximately 3,000 members globally. Founded in 1945 by the late Ralph F. and Alice Stayer, the privately held company remains family owned today and is based in Wisconsin.

To learn more and see all Johnsonville c-store products, visit cstore.johnsonville.com.

JOHNSONVILLE HAS LAUNCHED

two new handheld sandwiches specifically for the convenience store market. The new sandwich varieties – Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage and Beef Hot Dog – offer a quick, delicious option for those seeking something more substantial on-the-go. Each portable sandwich is packaged in a sealed, microwavable film and features a high-quality, Johnsonville link enrobed in golden-brown bread.

“Our new enrobed handheld sandwiches are a perfect option for in-store displays,” says Austin Van Treeck, Product Marketing Manager for Johnsonville. “With quality ingredients and grab-and-go convenience, these sandwiches are ideal for busy consumers who desire a satisfying meal that can easily be enjoyed without disrupting their daily routine.”

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The new, handheld sandwiches are available in two, craveable varieties for c-store operators.

The Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage sandwich is made with 100% premium pork that has been naturally hardwood smoked and filled with real cheddar cheese and diced jalapeño peppers. This new product is right on-trend, as the jalapeño cheddar flavor has grown by +63% in menu penetration over the past three years.* The Beef Hot Dog ready-to-eat sandwich is naturally hardwood smoked and takes advantage of a flavor favorite made even easier to enjoy on-the-go. Hot dogs are the #1 flavor on roller grills, and beef hot dogs are up 5% in penetration over the past four years.* To learn more, visit the Johnsonville C-Store product page cstore.johnsonville.com CSTORE DECISIONS

Johnsonville

PO Box 906 Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 P: 800.837.5391 W: cstore.johnsonville.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Krispy Krunchy Chicken

®

KRISPY KRUNCHY FOODS, LLC

announces another record-breaking year in 2020, adding 375 new locations to its growing family of over 2,600 stores with its branded fried chicken program. In 2020, Krispy Krunchy® rolled out its first direct to consumer product, Perfectly Cajun

by Krispy Krunchy® Seasoning and Marinade. Their new seasoning and marinade combine the unique flavor profile and signature coloring exclusive to Krispy Krunchy Chicken® in a convenient take-home package.

This product offers the perfect blend of Cajun spices with a mild flavor that is…Perfectly Cajun!

To find a location near you, go to krispykrunchy.com/locations or for more information on partnering with Krispy Krunchy Chicken®, visit krispykrunchy.com/partnering or contact info@krispykrunchy.com.

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CSTORE DECISIONS

Established in 1989, Krispy Krunchy Chicken® is one of the fastest-growing premium c-store based quick-service restaurant (QSR) concepts in the country with approximately 2,600 retail locations in 47 states. Krispy Krunchy® features Cajun-style chicken, which is infused with Krispy Krunchy’s® proprietary marinade, and fried in zero trans-fat oil, along with signature sides and delicious honey butter biscuits. Krispy Krunchy Chicken® is always… Freshly Made. Perfectly Cajun, every time!

Krispy Krunchy Foods P: 318.483.4343 E: info@krispykrunchy.com W: www.KrispyKrunchy.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Legal Lean Co. Legal lean is a market leader in the alternative lifestyle, health and wellness and relaxation segment of the convenience store market. We are an innovator and stay ahead of the health and wellness trends as well as pop culture, and Legislative climate challenges and environmental trends. Our brand is expected to grow as mood enhancement/health and wellness, as well as, cannabis culture products become legalized and culturally accepted in mainstream society. We expect they will eventually become a staple in the convenience store markets globally.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY LEGAL LEAN BRAND PRODUCTS?

Our brand offers retailers very high gross profit per square inch counter space compared to others. With an average gross profit of $6 per bottle, you will yield a whopping 60% gross profit.

This is significantly higher compared to the industry average of other general health/wellness and over-the-counter medicine products.

Founded in 2015, Legal Lean has risen as a leader in alternative lifestyle, mood enhancement and relaxation products. We believe in providing consumers with eye catching alternative health and wellness products at affordable pricing to enhance people’s lives. At the same time, we also believe in providing retailers the highest margins and brand visibility for all levels in the supply chain.

WE STAND OUT

Our eye-catching and flamboyant branding really sets us apart and turns heads which will surely attract attention and consumer impulse buys.

We provide retailers with acrylic countertop displays, strong eyecatching marketing materials and even complimentary giveaway items to increase value and build long term brand loyalty.

Legal Lean Co. 10151 University Blvd, #328 Orlando, FL 32817 P: 321.236.2619 E: Legalleanstore@gmail.com W: www.Legalleanstore.com www.Legallean.com

“TO KEEP PEOPLE CALM AND “CHILL” DURING STRESSFULL TIMES”

Our products can be used to aid in sleep, and help people relax and enhance their quality of life.

DRAW NEW DEMOGRAPHICS

Our strong brand recognition will bring a new demographic of consumers into your store.

Most likely millennials, as well as multicultural and ethnic consumers, seeking mood enhancement and wellness alternatives will be loyal to the culture that our brand represents.

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Loomis U.S. EVEN WITH THE AVAILABILITY “The great thing about the of alternative forms of payment, SafePoint product line is that we’re convenience stores are still truly able to offer our clients the right predominately cash-run businesses, solution for any business situation,” with cash accounting for 60 percent says Lenny Evansek, vice president of purchases. But having large of SafePoint business development amounts of cash on hand leaves for Loomis. “From low-value and lowbusinesses vulnerable to risks such risk cash environments to those that as internal and external loss or theft. need complete in-store automation Additionally, outdated and manual around deposits and change order cash-handling processes are timemanagement—there are more than consuming and financially draining.

60 different options available that can Fortunately, there’s SafePoint be used together with one common

by Loomis—a complete cash interface and platform.” management ecosystem that helps SafePoint customers also have total convenience stores streamline cash access to their cash data with Loomis processes, increase security, and Direct. This online customer portal save money. features equipment management SafePoint combines cuttingcapabilities and provides complete edge smart safe and cash recycler visibility of and near-real-time technology, dedicated IT support, access to account information, cash system monitoring, armored reporting, and tracking information, transport, and customer service to from pickup to delivery. address every cash management In addition to complete visibility, need with ease.

SafePoint customers also benefit from The SafePoint Titan family of smart comprehensive system monitoring safes (the flagship Titan model, and diagnostic capabilities, which Titan C, and Titan X expansion help anticipate and solve issues peripherals, plus the newest Titan before they happen. This is made S and Titan Z models) are the most possible with integration into advanced and secure on the market SafeSync. This revolutionary platform and are built to accommodate the is capable of supporting up to needs of any size business. Features 100,000 safes with no downtime and like remote support, a user-friendly 100% issue resolution, and gives interface, and built-in tutorials make Loomis’ dedicated SafePoint IT team for seamless integration in a store a comprehensive, centralized view of environment, and minimal downtime the entire SafePoint system to ensure for training. better service.

The Titan R line of cash recyclers Finally, when customers choose introduce a new wave of benefits SafePoint, they gain access to for retail customers, allowing them Loomis’ industry expertise and cash to automate nearly all steps in their management services portfolio, which cash-handling processes. Gone includes secure armored transport, are the days of spending hours hundreds of provisional banking in the cash room—with the Titan partnerships, and a dedicated R, employees can spend more national customer support team. valuable time on the sales floor “SafePoint is a technology-driven assisting customers. And with sizes one-stop shop for our customers, ranging from under-counter options and we strive to provide service to large-scale options for large that’s second to none,” says Moises retail operations, the Titan R line is Gonzalez, vice president of product development for SafePoint by Loomis. designed to suit businesses of any size, helping them maximize their “It’s about becoming a partner for our ROI while closing the loop in their customers and letting them know that cash management process. we will always go above and beyond.” cstoredecisions.com

CSTORE DECISIONS

Loomis is a global leader in cutting-edge cash management products and solutions. Our business is built on trust and integrity, and our vision is to continually expand our offerings to find the right solutions for our retail customers so that they can cut costs, improve efficiency, boost profitability, and protect their cash.

Loomis U.S. 2500 CityWest Blvd. #2300 Houston, TX 77042 P: 713.435.6700, option 2 W: www.loomis.us

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MasonWays Indestructible Plastics DUNNAGE RACK DISPLAY BASES/ STORAGE BASES

Over 80 base sizes with various heights to choose from. Four Dunnage Rack lines, so you never have to settle for the wrong size.

Most units are NSF certified and produced with USDA approved materials. Colors, sign holders, molded in logos/graphics and antimicrobial additives available.

Meet Health Department regulations by keeping products off the floor.

STAIR STEP MERCHANDISERS

Bases require no assembly, are water repellent and impervious to chemicals and the environment.

Optional sign holders and molded in graphics. Available in three and fourfoot sizes.

REFUSE/RECYCLING BINS

Municipalities require and customers now want to recycle.

MasonWays was awarded the ‘Best Product Award’ for its Recycling Programs. Durable and weather resistant. Recycling centers have labeling options so customers can discard their recyclables properly.

LOCKING OUTDOOR CABINETS

Economical Stock and Custom Display Solutions.

MasonWays has the largest selection of Molded Bases, Dunnage Racks, Displays, Fixtures, Merchandisers, and Forecourt Fuel Chain products for Grocers, Supermarkets, Convenience Stores, Mass Merchandisers, and the Food Service Industry in NA. Five strategic production facilities expedite deliveries and reduce shipping costs. Our manufacturing process uses a no seam technology that is durable and economical priced. 10-year warranty. Stock and custom display solutions.

Corporate Offices 580 Village Blvd.

West Palm Beach, FL 33409 P: 800-837-2881 F: 800-693-7745 W: www.masonways.com E: info@masonways.com

Georgia • Ohio • Indiana • Oregon • Canada

Increase impulse sales. Sell additional merchandise outdoors by offering water, windshield-washer fluid, rock salt, wood, and other seasonal products to encourage impulse sales. Cabinets lock overnight. Keep products dry, free from snow, rain, and dirt.

NEW GREEN OFFSET PROGRAM

offers plastic credits for returned MasonWays units that we recycle into raw material to be repeatedly used.

Retail plastic waste is removed from the environment proportionately to what is purchased, reducing the cost to retailers and benefiting our environment.

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

McLane Company, Inc. MCLANE IS YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN advantage in action. As an industry leader, McLane has invested heavily in its end-to-end grocery supply chain services. Our one-of-a-kind solution combines unparalleled procurement resources and relationships, state-of-the-art logistics, data and analytics based merchandising services and costsaving technology applications that empower our customers to buy better, sell smarter and profit more.

NATIONWIDE BUYING POWER

To effectively service nearly 110,000 retail locations, we work closely with thousands of manufacturers to offer the widest range of products to our customers. In fact, we are one of the largest worldwide purchasers of products in such key retail categories as tobacco, candy and salty snacks.

This kind of buying power means that we can assist you in getting the best manufacturer buying brackets possible.

CATEGORY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS & PROVEN PROCESS

With our highly experienced category management professionals, we’re ready to help you in all merchandising and sales areas from inventory and pricing management to category analysis and product promotion. Whether it’s tapping into the latest trends or leveraging lucrative new opportunities, we can provide the valuable insights and tools your business needs to optimize your product mix.

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IN-DEPTH DATA, MARKET INSIGHTS

A key advantage of working with McLane is the depth of our information resources and market insights. Our merchandising strategies are all based on proven results, not marketing budgets. With one of the industry’s most robust data warehouses, we are able to use an aggregated class of tradespecific data and compare and contrast these findings with multiple syndicated data sources. With this powerful analytic approach, you can compare your sales and product movement with that of other trends on a national, regional and local level, as well as by individual stores and specific items to determine your best-mix product scenarios and identify key selling opportunities.

McLane Company, Inc. is one of the largest supply chain services leaders in the United States, providing grocery and foodservice solutions for convenience stores, mass merchants, drug stores and chain restaurants. Through McLane Grocery and McLane Foodservice, McLane operates over 80 distribution centers and one of the nation’s largest private fleets. The company buys, sells and delivers more than 50,000 consumer products to nearly 110,000 locations across the U.S. Additionally, McLane provides alcoholic beverage distribution through its subsidiary, Empire Distributors, Inc. McLane is a wholly owned unit of Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE: BRK) and employs 24,000 teammates.

McLane Company, Inc. 4747 McLane Pkwy Temple, TX 76504-4854 P: 254.771.7500 800.299.1401 W: www.mclaneco.com

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Technology solutions are designed to help you buy better, sell smarter and profit more. As a grocery retailer, dealing with thousands of SKUs, dozens of technology applications and various front- and back-office accounting systems can be a neverending challenge. Fortunately, our dedicated team of IT professionals is ready to help. Not only do we provide a broad range of custom applications, but we also help ensure that they work with the enterprise applications—such as SAP, PDI, Radiant and many others.

CSTORE DECISIONS

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MDI Worldwide MDI Worldwide specializes in designing and producing indoor and outdoor custom and stock displays, signage, and fixtures for convenience stores and petroleum stations. Our products include column cladding, valances, pump toppers, a bollard sign system, WindMaster® curb sign stands, window mounted PosterGrip® frames, and lit signs. We collaborate with you so your customers buy something for the road.

Column Cladding, Valances, and Pump Toppers:

• Steer customers to your fuel and store • Enhance structural elements with custom graphics • Add brand recognition to columns and dispensers • Promote programs with interchangeable signage

MDI Worldwide 38271 W 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48331 P: 248.553.1900 W: www.mdiworldwide.com

Bollard Sign Systems:

• Feature front-loading frames for simple changeouts • Include clear overlays for weather protection • Mount cleanly to walls, poles or bollards

WindMaster® Curb Signs:

• • • •

Draw and move customers from pump to store Feature durable legs or robust rolling bases Boast best-in-industry wind resistance Includes frames with mitered or rounded corners

Window Mounted PosterGrip® Frames:

• Front-loading frames mounted directly to the glass • Replace static cling graphics inside and out • Reduce average changeout time from 3 hours to 10 minutes

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Modern Store Equipment Over 60 years ago, the Dunigan family founded Modern Store Equipment. Now in their second generation of leadership, they continue to design and build profitable store interiors for category leaders. Among their clients are the nation’s largest liquor chain, most of the nation’s top 10 liquor chains, and many other successful independents.

Their expertise in the beer & spirits industry gives them a unique advantage in c-store design and installation.

MODERN STORE EQUIPMENT

has developed a unique system of fixtures specifically for c-stores: MOCO Modular C-Store System.

This extensive line offers you a truly custom look at an affordable massproduced price. And everything is built in the USA. MOCO units can be ordered for self-install or you can trust Modern Store to do everything.

Their experienced team ships and installs across the Continental US. MOCO’s sleek units are designed in modular sections to mix and match to fit the size of your store and the scope of your project. All elements are durable and easy-to-clean so they’ll continue to look great for years. The interiors and exteriors are smooth, leaving nowhere for dirt to accumulate. There are no ridges or welds where mold, germs and dirt hide. Doors and kicks can be easily removed for cleaning and service access. Every piece can handle heavy equipment without additional support.

Coffee & Beverage Prep Islands and Wall Stations are available in a wide array of sizes. Self-Serve Beverage Walls contain ample room for cup display and supplies storage. Checkout Counters are available with curved or angled cstoredecisions.com

corners, merchandising or storage fronts, and plenty of storage in back.

The Sandwich Prep & Prepared Food Counters are compact and easy-toclean. The Cigarette Merchandisers are sleek and easy-to-load.

Also available is MOCO CleanGuard+, offering an added antimicrobial layer beneath the laminate surface that provides lifetime protection against mold, mildew, and bacterial odors. It definitely takes clean to a whole new level.

To make it easy on you, Modern Store offers full turnkey equipment packages. As one of the largest distributors of walk-in coolers and shelving in the country they have unmatched buying power. They can coordinate your entire equipment package to remove the stress of coordinating multiple vendors for delivery and installation. In this era of quickly rising freight costs they also coordinate everything to arrive efficiently in fewer truckloads.

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Modern Store Equipment T: 877.532.8433 F: 609.543.9492 E: sales@modernstoreequipment.com W: modernstoreonline.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Naughty Chile Taqueria

®

MEXICAN FOOD IS on fire. It’s the

perfect addition to the convenience foodservice portfolio: it covers all three dayparts plus snacking and sharing opportunities, and it covers grab & go portability plus 3rd party delivery options. According to Technomic, Mexican food increased more than any other item on 2019 convenience menus. Naughty Chile Taqueria® is the brand for high-quality Mexican foodservice for the convenience industry. As retailers look to expand foodservice for greater profitability, operators can quickly and easily add this licensed concept to capitalize on the popularity of Mexican food.

Naughty Chile’s high-quality recipes are authentically Mexican, so

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there’s no compromising on quality with fillers or stretchers. All the food items are fully cooked and easy to prepare – just thaw, reheat and serve.

For an even easier preparation, the company’s line of Quickie Burrito Mixes are one scoop wonders of pre-mixed burrito fillings. There’s no measuring, only portioning the amount per burrito, so a foodservice clerk can crank out the burritos needed per daypart for the hot food display merchandiser.

That’s another of the concept’s strengths - it’s a low labor model that’s easy to execute.

Naughty Chile is an exciting brand that’s consumer friendly and fun to work with. With no royalty or licensing fees, the company also boasts easy integration that fits into existing foodservice operations.

Naughty Chile plays well with others.

Available nationwide via the Dot Foods distribution network, it’s easy to join the Naughty Chile family. For convenience retailers ready to serve authentic high-quality Mexican food to their customers, Naughty Chile Taqueria® has a perfect solution.

CSTORE DECISIONS

Naughty Chile Taqueria® was born from the desire to serve delicious and authentic Mexican food at the convenience level.

Shultz Hartgrove, CEO, had a long career in consumer packaged goods, plus Quick Serve Restaurant concepts, both in the non-traditional channel.

His wife Jane had always wanted to offer the industry the delicious high-quality ingredients from her Tres Picosos packaged burrito line. Together the two launched Naughty Chile Taqueria® in 2015. Now with more than 50 locations nationwide, Naughty Chile Taqueria’s scalable platform is ideal for capitalizing on the popularity of Mexican cuisine.

Whether it’s a simple hot graband-go burrito program on up to a full made-to-order restaurant, for every Mexican opportunity Naughty Chile has you covered.

Naughty Chile Taqueria® P: 303.329.0900 W: www.naughtychile.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Perfetti Van Melle PERFETTI VAN MELLE USA recently launched a delicious new gummy candy option for today’s families and kids looking for a fun, delicious treat in the Better-For-You candy category.

Since 1930, Fruit-tella has created popular fruit-flavored candy treats.

Proven winners at retail across Europe, now entering the U.S. with a storied brand heritage, strong marketing program and already getting notice among consumers in the limited better-for-you candy category.

Fruit-tella Soft Gummies join the $150 million-plus Better-For-You confectionery segment that includes the $80 million real and natural confectionery segment that grew 64% since 2015, according to IRI 2019 U.S. industry data. Plus, as consumer behaviors have changed through the

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2020 COVID-19 pandemic, “gummy and fruity chewy candies continue to drive [the non-chocolate candy] segment”, especially those with sour or unexpected flavors. Perfetti Van Melle’s newest addition to the portfolio is right on time, focusing closely on fruit puree as its first ingredient and delivering big, bold flavors.

Fruit-tella’s colorful packaging, reflective of its clean, fresh ingredient profile, also stands out on the shelf and can help drive impulse sales. In addition to a large, front-of-pack callout about fruit puree as the #1 ingredient, Fruit-tella also notes its free-from attributes. Each Fruit-tella Soft Gummy is a fun and playful fruit character shape, falling into a recent hot consumer trend toward candies with unique shapes.

Fruit-tella is currently available in two delicious flavors, Strawberry / Raspberry & Peach / Mango.

Consumers can find Fruit-tella, as well as PVM USA’s other brands, on Amazon.com, select Walmart locations, regional retailers and convenience stores.

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Imagination, Taste & Passion Perfetti Van Melle is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and marketers of confectionery and chewing gum.

We’re always innovating and creating imaginative products and brands that are enjoyed in more than 150 countries around the world.

In the U.S., Perfetti Van Melle operates out of Erlanger, KY, where we proudly manufacture Airheads Bars and Airheads Xtremes Belts and Bites. We also package and distribute Mentos Gum and distribute Mentos Mints, Fruit-tella Soft Gummies and Chupa Chups.

Perfetti Van Melle W: www.perfettivanmelleus.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Premier Manufacturing, Inc. Premier Manufacturing, Inc. distributes national brands such as Manitou®, Wildhorse®, 1839®, Shield®, 1st Class®, Ultra Buy®, Traffic® and Belmore Premium Cigars® . Premier brands are manufactured in North Carolina.

All of Premier’s products: cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, RYO tobacco and cigarette tubes provide the adult age consumer with a high quality tobacco product at the very best value; plus they are guaranteed 100%.

MANITOU IS A SUPER-PREMIUM CIGARETTE from Premier

Manufacturing, that uses 100% flue-cured tobacco and is made with only tobacco and water. Manitou cigarettes are free from any harmful chemical additives, humectants and synthetic flavors commonly found in other popular tobacco brands.

Additionally, Manitou cigarettes are made in the U.S., from hand-picked tobacco from the upper part of the stalk, which provides the best flavor experience. These cigarettes contain no reconstituted sheet tobacco, stems or other fillers that can degrade the experience, making them a premium choice for choosy adult smokers.

While additive-free cigarettes are not safer than traditional cigarettes, many consumers prefer them because they feel they taste better or are more enjoyable for other reasons.

For convenience store retailers, it’s important to offer an array of options for shoppers—both for those who

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have a favorite brand and for those who are looking for their new favorite.

The tobacco in Manitou retains its natural tannins that create the slightly sweet, mild taste and smell of smoked tobacco, and is higher in sugar with medium to high levels of nicotine, all of which contribute to a superior smoking experience. Best of all, Manitou cigarettes are available in six different varieties, each offering a different smoking experience. This not only ensures every smoker has the chance to find the best one for their preferences, but also means interested adult smokers can try a variety before choosing their favorite.

Premier also manufactures and distributes roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, premium cigars, and cigarette tubes. Premier Manufacturing offers other brands such as Wildhorse®, 1839®, 1st Class®, Shield®, Traffic ®, Ultra Buy® and Belmore Premium Cigars®.

More information on the company is available at GoPremier.com.

CSTORE DECISIONS

Premier Manufacturing, Inc. 629 Cepi Drive Chesterfield, MO 63005 P: 800.272.8656 W: www.gopremier.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Premier Nutrition

AT PREMIER PROTEIN, we

understand the hardest part of starting and maintaining a health journey is often finding great tasting, nutritious products. That’s why we make delicious protein shakes – to make nutritional choices easy!

Premier Protein 30g High Protein Shakes are the ultimate tool to have on hand because they taste so good.

Each shake has 30g of protein, 160 calories, 1g sugar, and 24 vitamins and minerals that help support a healthy immune system thanks to antioxidants Vitamins C & E. Premier Protein 30g High Protein Shakes are best enjoyed as part of a delicious and nutritious breakfast, afternoon snack, post workout boost or as an ingredient in a protein packed recipe. Premier Protein shakes are available in nine delicious flavors, including Café Latte, Chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel, Peaches and Cream, Cookies and Cream, Bananas and Cream, Strawberries and Cream, and Cinnamon Roll.

Premier Protein continues to bring innovation to the protein shakes category with Premier Protein Shakes with Oats. Premier Protein Shakes with Oats are the first ready-to-drink shakes from the brand that have been formulated to be enjoyed hot or cold, creating even more ways to enjoy this delicious shake.

These breakfast inspired shakes are available in 3 flavors, Chocolate cstoredecisions.com

Hazelnut, Apple Cinnamon, and Blueberries and Cream. Each shake features a smooth and creamy texture, 20g of protein, and 7g of fiber. It’s a delicious addition for every morning of your health journey with 150 calories and 1g of sugar.

Premier Protein has been driving growth in the Convenient Nutrition category by bringing new consumers into the category. It has the highest household penetration in the Readyto-Drink Protein Shakes category* thanks to a variety of great shakes flavors. Premier Protein will continue to support people on the path to becoming the healthiest version of themselves with our great tasting protein products.

Premier Nutrition is a company of momentum. We believe nutrition is at the core of a healthy world, which is why we’re driven to deliver nutritious products that better meet the needs of all consumers. We are a team of builders and innovators united by our passion for bringing great tasting nutrition to the world.

Our brands include Premier Protein®, delivering great tasting protein shakes and powders Dymatize®, maker of nutritional and bodybuilding supplements, and PowerBar®.

Premier Nutrition Corporation / BellRing Brands 1222 67th Street Suite 210 Emeryville, CA 94608 Contacts:

Brandi Davis, West Region Manager, 559.798.8058 Jocelyn Kondrotas, East Region Mgr. 508.688.2247 Tony O’Dowd, Nat’l Director of Sales, 469.667.5476 National Broker - CROSSMARK

*Nielsen Household Panel 52wks ending 09.26.20 CSTORE DECISIONS I

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

PriceVision

PRICEVISION SMART LED PRICE SIGN SYSTEM PRICEVISION’S NEXT GENERATION

LED fuel price signs takes digital fuel price signage to the next level.

Designed to light up your bottom line, these systems will give you peace of mind and provide the best overall value for now and well into the future. Featuring the industry’s most advanced SMD technology and design standards, PriceVision systems are literally Smarter, technically Brighter, and economically Better.

PriceVision Smart Digits®

PriceVision Smart Digits® set the highest standard for performance and durability. The smart digits’ brilliance extends beyond their luminescence.

Each digit operates independently and is equipped with built-in intelligence to verify the performance of each one of its LEDs. PriceVision Smart Digits® incorporate impactful high-definition digit fonts approved by all major fuel brands.

Ease of installation and Connectivity

The PriceVision Integrated Plugand-Play Smart Port® hub simplifies sign installations and support. The smart port enables intuitive, faster, easier installation and more reliable operation. PriceVision offers signage mounting solutions to match every sign type and image requirement.

Smart POS Integration Support

PriceVision features extensive POS Integration solutions with all major POS providers. PriceVision’s exclusive PVlink platform extends

POS integration options beyond PriceVision price sign systems.

It offers a unique opportunity to integrate otherwise unsupported legacy price signs produced by third party suppliers.

Smart Remote Monitoring and Support

PriceVision’s remote price sign monitoring and diagnostics ensure your price signs are always fully functional. If needed,assessment for corrective service is performed remotely minimizing travel and site visits. PriceVision’s real-time site information offers the ultimate control solution for centralized fuel pricing operations.

Responsive Service and Support

Our products are backed up with a fast and efficient, customer-oriented help desk and technical support team. We offer 24/7 support and next day parts availability. We offer warranty coverage up to 5 years for parts and field labor.

PriceVision, Inc. is a leading LED price sign technology specialist with the primary focus of addressing the requirements of the Petroleum Retail and Convenience Store industries.

With operations located in Carrollton, Texas, PriceVision has been an industry leader in LED price signs for over 20 years. Recognized for originating change in both technology and the market structure of fuel price signs and control systems, innovation is our way of life!

PriceVision was the FIRST to introduce LED price signs to the fuel retail industry and will continue to deliver industry leading solutions using the most advanced technology to meet present and future requirements.

PriceVision, Inc. 1505 Wallace Dr. Suite 140 Carrollton, Texas 75006 P: 972.770.0000 E: sales@PriceVision.com W: www.PriceVision.com

Domestic Production, Fast and Flexible Delivery

PriceVision products are proudly produced in the USA. We offer fast and efficient product delivery to meet your timeline requirements.

See PriceVision for Yourself

Contact us today to learn more about how PriceVision’s advanced price displays and management systems can take your convenience store or fuel retailing operations to the next level.

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CSTORE DECISIONS

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Procter & Gamble Company VICKS DAYQUIL AND NYQUIL SINGLE DOSE- 1 OZ.

Stock new 1 Dose Liquid DayQuil and NyQuil starting Q1 2021. Order a pegboard display today!

Make space in your immediate consumption section for the new single dose DayQuil/NyQuil bottles.

Designed for the convenience shopper who prefers liquid on the go, this hot new product is the only single dose liquid in cold & flu.

Eliminates consumer concerns of product expiration with an expected margin range of 35% to 50%.

VICKS NYQUIL SINGLE DOSE- 1 OZ.

Same formula as Large size Nyquil Severe in a 1 oz., Single Dose.

NyQuil™ SEVERE delivers maximum symptomfighting ingredients to relieve your ugliest, nastiest, roughest, toughest cold symptoms at night*.

Temporarily relieves common cold/flu symptoms:

• Nasal congestion • Sinus congestion & pressure • Cough due to minor throat & bronchial irritation • Cough to help you sleep • Minor aches & pains • Headache • Fever • Sore throat • Runny nose & sneezing • Reduces swelling of nasal passages • Temporarily restores freer breathing through the nose • Promotes nasal and/or sinus drainage

VICKS DAYQUIL SINGLE DOSE- 1 OZ.

Same formula as Large size Dayquil Severe in a 1 oz., single dose.

DayQuil™ SEVERE Cold & Flu Relief delivers maximum symptom-fighting ingredients to relieve your worst cold symptoms.* cstoredecisions.com

Temporarily relieves common cold/flu symptoms:

• Nasal congestion • Sinus congestion & pressure • Cough due to minor throat & bronchial irritation • Cough to help you sleep • Minor aches & pains • Headache • Fever • Sore throat • Runny nose & sneezing • Reduces swelling of nasal passages • Temporarily restores freer breathing through the nose • Promotes nasal and/or sinus drainage • Helps loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to rid the bronchial passageways of bothersome mucus and make coughs more productive

VICKS VAPOCOOL SEVERE DROPS

We build brands whose efficacy is backed by clear, clinically supported data and are manufactured to the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance.

We are committed to developing technologies that will step change category growth long term. We are investing in innovation comprised of new product forms as well as active ingredients that deliver faster, longer, better consumer benefits.

• FROM THE MAKERS OF VICKS: the world’s #1 selling cough & cold brand.

• COOLING RELIEF with a powerful rush of Vicks Vapors to soothe your sore throat.

• MAXIMUM-STRENGTH RELIEF: a powerful rush of Vicks Vapors with 33% more medicine.

• A TRUSTED CHOICE in Drops for over 85 Years.

• WINTER FROST Flavored Oral Anesthetic.

Trusted Vicks Vapors in a powerful drop! Vicks VapoCOOL SEVERE Medicated Drops with 33% more medicine* deliver a powerful rush of Vicks Vapors to soothe your worst sore throat for maximum-strength relief.

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Making every day more than ordinary Our brands are trusted in millions of living rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms—and have been passed down from generation to generation. Over the course of 181 years, they’ve challenged convention, led innovation, and helped shape culture. But no matter how much we grow, we always keep ourselves grounded in our deeprooted purpose, values, and principles. We’ve done it for over 66,000 days, and we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Procter & Gamble Company Visit www.pgconvenience.com for more information

*Among OTC Cold & Flu medicine LEADERS IN CONVENIENCE 2021

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Promotion In Motion

WELCH’S® FRUIT SNACKS are the

#1 Fruit Snacks brand in America and leaders in C-Store with a 61% $ share1 of the C-Store Fruit Snacks category.

Welch’s® Fruit Snacks are always made with Real Fruit and feature Fruit as Our 1st Ingredient!, are an Excellent Source of Vitamins A, C & E, and are Gluten and Preservative free. Welch’s® Fruit Snacks offer on-the-go C-Store consumers the taste profile and flavor variety they seek. Available in 10 mouth-watering flavor varieties like Mixed Fruit, Island Fruits, Superfruit Mix and more. Welch’s® Fruit Snacks offer convenient packaging options and display solutions to drive C-Store growth!

Building on the success of Welch’s® Fruit Snacks, The Promotion In Motion Companies, Inc. is excited to announce the national launch of our breakthrough new innovation Welch’s® Juicefuls® Juicy Fruit Snacks! See the Juice…Taste the Fruit™ in this delicious new line of snacks that are bursting with flavor from a juicy fruit center. Delivering delicious, bold taste in three flavor varieties: Mixed Fruit, Berry Blast 108

LEADERS IN CONVENIENCE 2021 I

and Island Splash, Juicefuls® feature Fruit as Our 1st Ingredient!, only Naturally Sourced Colors and Flavors and No Preservatives. Available in a 4oz peg bag and multiple display solutions to drive excitement, trial and transformative category growth!

Gummi FunMix® is a fun, oneof-a-kind brand offering consumers a party in every bag! Capitalizing on the strength of non-chocolate Chewy in Convenience (+5.7%2), it is the most successful startup gummy brand launch in the past 3 years.

The brand boasts a unique mix of flavors and shapes, with varieties like Gummi Party, Sour Party, and Soda Pop Party. In 2021, two brand new flavors will round out the Gummi FunMix® family! Swirl’z Party™ brings fruit and crème flavored gummi swirl’z together in one bag. Tropical Fish Party™ brings beloved gummy fish shapes to the next level with 18 different mashups of shapes and tropical flavors, like Kiwi Guava & Mango, Passion Fruit & Lemonade, and Tropical Punch & Watermelon.

Mix it Up. Mash it Up. Live it Up.®

CSTORE DECISIONS

Promotion In Motion (PIM) is one of America’s leading makers of popular brand name snacks and confections and one of the 50 largest global candy companies. We are passionate about delivering delicious and innovative snacks and treats developed with the highest quality ingredients and standards, offered whenever and wherever consumers want them. As one of the fastest growing consumer packaged goods companies in the U.S., we are committed to bringing joy to peoples’ day with high quality snacks and confections.

Promotion In Motion 25 Commerce Drive Allendale, NJ 07401 P: 800.369.7391 E: GrowMySales@pimbrands.com www.promotioninmotion.com www.welchsfruitsnacks.com www.gummifunmix.com 1 2

IRI C-Store Sales Ending 11/29/20 Source: IRI period L52 weeks ending 7/12/2020

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Red River Software FROM PUMP TO REGISTER TO BACK OFFICE, RED RIVER SOFTWARE IS YOUR FULLSERVICE SOLUTION. Since

1978, Red River has been the leading provider of software for convenience stores, co-ops, jobbers, and fuel marketers.

Now we also offer complete point of sale and private card solutions, computer hardware, and more. Whether for a single c-store or a multi-store chain, our solutions give you the freedom to manage your business and track your profits from anywhere.

Integrates seamlessly with CSMinder to quickly and accurately manage Pricebook and speed up receiving.

Complete C-Store Package

Secure Payment Processing

Looking for a way to improve the efficiency of your business? You will find it in Red River Software’s complete management system, CSMinder. Easily manage inventory, track shrinkage, and view gross margins remotely for multiple locations. CSMinder’s intuitive interface will help you streamline your processes, saving time and money.

Mobile Accessibility

Increase scanners on hand using your existing Android or Windows mobile devices! The CSMFlex App

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With the Triple E product family, Red River Software provides secure processing, outside EMV, and PCI compliant payment solutions. Our systems are made to the highest level of industry security standards allowing you to safely take payments at the register, pump, or from our island card reader.

Red River Software is a nationally recognized provider of backoffice accounting solutions. In 2019, Red River acquired Triple E Technologies, expanding services to include point of sale, proprietary card systems, and secure payment processing. With two offices in Fargo, ND and Post Falls ID, Red River Software serves thousands of convenience stores, fuel marketers, coops, and unattended fueling sites across the United States.

Red River Software 4150 19th Ave S, Unit 202 Fargo, ND 58103 P: 800.397.0780 W: www.redriversoftware.com

One-Stop Shop

At Red River Software, our goal is to provide customers with the tools they need to run their business profitability.

Whether you are looking to foster customer loyalty with your own private cards, aiming to cut down on training time and user error, or need to manage multiple locations remotely, Red River Software has a solution that caters to your needs.

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Royston Group INNOVATION IS ROYSTON GROUP’S 150-YEAR TRADITION WE’VE BEEN EXPANDING

and enhancing the ways we serve customers for generations. Today, sophisticated design capabilities are an essential aspect of reinforcing your brand. We can design, build, install, and maintain dynamic environments strategically created to drive greater sales and enhance your profitability.

Whether you need customized solutions or right-out-of-ourcatalog elements, we deliver lightning-fast service and coast-to-coast capabilities.

And now we’ve added custom signage to our portfolio. It’s time for a major upgrade in your design, cabinetry and signage suppliers. Choose the company that’s constantly expanding to anticipate your needs— Royston Group has it all under one roof.

Royston Group brings a collection of industry leaders in the outfitting of retail environments and in the production of exterior signage.

For superior store interiors, Royston LLC sets the pace in the creation of first-class, modular fixtures for the entire retail space. For convenience stores and grocery outlets, Southern CaseArts is the premier manufacturer of innovative refrigeration units that lead to better shopping experiences and increased sales. For showcasing your brand outside the store, SignResource is the image expert when it comes to exterior signage.

Royston Group P: 800.334.1766 E: info@royston-group.com W: www.roystonllc.com

Royston’s New Convertible Check Lane

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CSTORE DECISIONS

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Ruiz Foods

YOUR PARTNER FOR HIGH QUALITY, GRAB & GO FAVORITES FROM THE ROLLER GRILL, HOT CASE, COLD CASE AND FREEZER. ®

Tornados

Tornados is America’s favorite roller grill snack! Eleven on-trend flavors are packed with bold ingredients in a crispy, seasoned shell and are available to keep the roller grill exciting from morning until night.

Ranchero Beef Steak & Cheese and Southwestern Style Chicken have a huge following across the country.

Cheesy Pepper Jack is a popular non-meat flavor with just the right kick of spice. And Pork Chile Verde is a great way to bring authentic Mexican flavor to your grill. Breakfast options include French Toast & Sausage Tornados and three other satisfying AM flavors.

Not Your Nonna’sTM Stuffed Pizza Wedges

Stuffed Pizza Wedges are grab & go perfection! Pepperoni, real mozzarella cheese and zesty pizza sauce are covered by a crispy parmesan-seasoned crust. With a 4-hour hold time in a hot case, they help you reduce waste while offering your customers on-the-go dining with great taste and less mess.

At Ruiz Foods, we’ve built a legacy of making great food since 1964. From America’s No. 1 frozen Mexican food El Monterey® and America’s favorite on-the-go snack Tornados® to exciting new offerings, our brands and products deliver grab & go convenience, value, and great taste to c-store consumers nationwide.

Ruiz Foods

El Monterey® Signature 8oz Burritos

These delicious, high quality burritos include two AM and two all day flavors. Real ingredients – like tender shredded steak, Monterey Jack cheese, and scrambled eggs – are wrapped in a fresh-baked flour tortilla.

501 S. Alta Ave. Dinuba, CA 93618 www.RuizFoodservice.com For more information contact your Ruiz Foods broker or email newcustomers@ruizfoods.com

El Monterey® Empanadas

Seasoned fillings inside a light and flaky crust make Empanadas a hot case favorite. Breakfast flavors are filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, potato and either bacon or sausage.

All day flavors include seasoned chicken or beef with melted cheese.

El Monterey® Tamales

Authentic Tamales are made with moist corn masa and wrapped in real corn husks. Shredded beef steak, chicken or pork flavors are available.

Sell them from a merchandised selfserve steamer or hot case.

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Safecid Corporation SAFECID C-STORE PRODUCTS are

the answer to your toughest cleaning challenges. Take cleaning to a whole new level of STRENGTH and SAFETY. The power of Safecid saves scrub time, which saves money. The safety of Safecid protects your employees from dangerous chemicals, chemical burns and noxious fumes.

DIESEL FUEL RESIDUE REMOVER

Tired of your diesel pumps looking like this? Your search for an easy, effective diesel fuel residue cleaner, stops here. Deezy Diesel Fuel Residue Remover is a powerful product that easily cleans your diesel fuel pumps, tanks, and concrete. Deezy Diesel Fuel Residue Remover is easy to use, highly effective, and safe for your employees.

Spray, wait a few minutes, and rinse clean with water.

No more soaking pots, pans and other hard to clean kitchen equipment overnight. Safecid Degreaser is odorless and does not leave cleaning cloths with an off-putting odor like the leading degreasers do.

Our customers experience a 1-4 hour per day reduction in cleaning times.

Manage your bottom line with effective cleaning products that save time.

TOILET & URINAL CLEANER

KITCHEN DEGREASER

Safecid Degreaser is a multipurpose kitchen cleaner that cleans and degreases cookware and kitchen surfaces. Designed to use in ovens, pizza ovens and microwaves, grills and grill grates, stovetops, fryer surfaces and surrounding area (not a vat cleaner). Safecid Degreaser beautifully shines stainless steel surfaces and sinks, and is great at cleaning coffee and tea stains from equipment in your coffee service area.

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Safecid Toilet & Urinal Cleaner eliminates germs and odors and easily cleans calcium, scale, and rust from toilets and urinals. Save employee manhours with no scrubbing. Safecid Toilet & Urinal Cleaner is an excellent solution to problem with water with high calcium and rust content.

No more scrubbing to remove rust and scale from your toilets. No more dangerous chemicals or noxious fumes that put your employees in harms’ way and jeopardize their health. Safecid Toilet & Urinal Cleaner is strong enough to easily remove urine stone from urinals and will not burn human skin or tissue.

Clean bathrooms are an effective tactic for customer retention.

Keep your toilets and urinals sparkling clean with Safecid Toilet & Urinal Cleaner, and say goodbye to toilet rust.

CSTORE DECISIONS

Safecid Corporation is the leading innovator of “powerful yet safe” cleaning chemicals. Safecid products are patented, safe, and synthetic. Nothing else on the market has the strength of Safecid products along with a 0-0-0 hazmat safety rating. Our products will not burn the skin, harm eye tissue or lungs.

Safecid products are used by restaurants, breweries, beer line cleaners, grocery stores, hood cleaners, grill cleaners, military, hotels, and water parks. Safecid products are safe for people and the environment without sacrificing cleaning power.

Safecid Corporation N58W39800 Industrial Road Unit A Oconomowoc, WI 53066 P: 800.407.1173 F: 262.565.2291 W: www.safecid-c-stores.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

SBARRO

REDEFINING C-STORE PIZZA.

The leading pizza-by-the-slice QSR brand has a fresh approach to convenience. If your existing pizza concept has gone stale, or if you want to invest in an established brand for your c-store, Sbarro can add dough to your bottom line.

Sbarro’s not new to convenience— we’ve been serving handmade XL NY slices to customers on-the-go since Mama Sbarro sold slices to dock workers back in 1956.

Our experience, and position as the global QSR leader in the impulse pizza category, make c-stores a natural fit for Sbarro.

A Fresh Approach

Foodservice is the fastest growing category in the c-store industry and produces the highest margins. Sbarro not only optimizes the sales and profit potential within c-stores, it also attracts customers to your store for incremental fuel and retail purchases.

Sbarro’s appeal in “on-the-go” venues is due to our high-quality offerings. Our pizza is only made with fresh, hand-stretched dough,

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100% whole milk mozzarella cheese and premium ingredients.

Our quality pizza and Stromboli generates strong sales and outstanding returns that will attract more customers to your stores.

So, fresh dough for them means more dough for you.

Outside of the Box Approach

Sbarro doesn’t take a “one size fits all” approach. Instead, we customize menu offerings and site design to optimize sales and profit for our franchisees.

Menu recommendations vary based on site and market demand, including pizza, Stromboli, subs, Italian entrees, breakfast specialties and more.

Additionally, more than 60 years of experience in all types of venues allows us to get creative with location and site flexibility. Whether designing a 300 sq ft or 3,000 sq ft restaurant, our goal is the same—to provide a cost-effective, custom build that allows franchisees a quick ROI, store profitability, and menu variety to drive customer frequency.

Sbarro’s current global footprint in c-stores provides new franchisees with a turnkey program, and have developed a new store opening process to meet fast opening deadlines.

It’s proven that concepts with high brand recognition draw more customers into the store. Everyone has a Sbarro story. Make it part of yours.

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Sbarro is the leading QSR brand in the impulse pizza category.

Best known for as the Original XL New York slices since 1956, it has grown from one Italian Salumeria in Brooklyn into more than 600 corporate and franchise restaurants in 24 countries in venues as shopping centers, transportation sites, universities, and convenience stores.

Contact us to find out more at https://franchise.sbarro.com/

SBARRO W: franchise.sbarro.com

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Smokey Mountain Chew, Inc. SINCE CONDUCTING BUSINESS

this year was quite different than a traditional year, SMC took advantage of the lock-down situations and directed our focus on our longterm growth plans. We invested in R&D and new equipment to develop an outstanding product mix that will be the base for our new pouches line. The top-of-the-line pouch machine will reside in our state-of-the-art F.D.A. inspected food grade manufacturing facility in Coppell, Texas. We believe our new line of pouches are sure to please our current consumer base and will attract a new audience as we have recognized a popular product attribute and included naturally occurring caffeine in our mix. In addition to the new pouch line, SMC’s eight snuff flavors: Wintergreen, Classic, Straight, Arctic Mint, Cherry, Peach, Citrus and Grape, have undergone a brand refresh and have a new premium look to match the premium product inside.

Same great taste with new premium packaging beginning 2021.

So, why new pouches? The tobacco-free pouches segment is booming, and that is bringing more attention to tobacco and nicotine-free alternatives for consumers looking to completely leave tobacco and nicotine. Furthermore, the alternative segment is developing on its own, with new brands regularly entering the market and retailers carving out more dedicated space for products like SMC that serve as category extenders; meaning they keep profits in the category and assist our industry friends that continue to be challenged with merchandising restrictions and flavor bans.

SMC provides the strongest advertising support of any tobaccofree smokeless brand. We work with the Sportsman Channel, featuring our partnership with Major League 114

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Fishing and our pro Josh Bertrand, Major League Bow Hunters, starring Hall-of-Fame baseball star Chipper Jones and former MLB pitcher Matt Duff, and we continue to proudly partner with Hall of Fame football legend Randy White.

Energize your profits with SMC Wintergreen and Arctic Mint Pouches that deliver long-lasting great taste and are backed by our always fresh guarantee. For more information contact Adam Carr: acarr@ smokeyusa.com

For more than 20 years, Smokey Mountain Chew, Inc. (SMC) has developed and marketed premium tobacco-free products to assist adult tobacco consumers who are looking for tobaccofree alternatives. Our brand is America’s Original and Best-Selling Tobacco-Free Smokeless and has garnered multiple industry awards.

We are proud to be considered the market leader and innovator in this fast-growing tobacco-free category, and we are thankful for our distributor and retail partners who provide us the space to bring “Better for You” and “Community Friendly” tobacco-free alternatives to consumers.

Smokey Mountain Chew, Inc. P: 800.762.2439 F: 651.462.4118 W: www.smokeysnuff.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

SPC Retail

AN SPC RETAIL DISPLAY is modular

in design yet durable in structure.

With features such as no-tool assembly, weather-resistant material, lightweight design, and graphic integration options, our fixtures will help retailers quickly achieve their merchandising goals. Featuring various configurations and sizes, we’ve got display solutions for indoor and outdoor merchandising.

Outdoor Merchandising

With merchandising space instore becoming overrun with more products than can be displayed, retailers need to expand the sales floor by implementing an elevated outdoor merchandising strategy.

By keeping products front and center, you can capture the outdoor audience and pull them inside for more add-on sales. From small merchandise to bulk items, our versatile line of outdoor displays will allow you to organize and

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transform your selling space without sacrificing style. Choose from our platform, multi-tier, and mobile display configurations for maximum merchandising space, open sightlines, and product showcases.

Indoor Merchandising

When it comes to an interior merchandising strategy, an effective store layout and product organization is imperative. SPC Retail offers compact and brandable displays that will capture attention from the second your customers walk in the door. Our small-footprint display solutions will fit into small spaces to organize and lift products off the ground.

For over thirty-nine years, SPC Retail has been designing specialty fixtures made from postconsumer recycled plastic. Our team has a collaborative attitude and an energetic process that allows us to work side by side with clients to find a long-lasting, practical solution with superb value. Just as we rejuvenate old materials to make our displays, we’ll help you refresh and optimize your store’s layout and merchandising strategy.

Structural Plastics Corporation 3401 Chief Drive Holly, MI 48442 P: 800.523.6899 F: 810.953.9440 E: hello@spc-retail.com W: spc-retail.com

Layout & Design Service

When you work with SPC Retail, you’re our top priority. From the moment you contact us to the delivery of your new display, our team will make you and your store the center of our attention. We understand that your retail display goals are specific and important. To meet those goals, we’ll collaborate with you to tailor our solutions to your needs. We’ll provide layout and design recommendations, narrowing in on our most valuable display recommendations that will work in your space to create a wonderful experience for your customers.

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Success Systems WITH 36+ YEARS’ EXPERIENCE,

Success Systems® is now the most recommended automation solution for independent retailers. Offering the most diversified cloud solutions including real-time loss prevention, back office, store analytics, and the most comprehensive tobacco rebate and loyalty reporting service for Altria, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (RJRT), ITG and Juul. Our tobacco rebate reporting solutions integrate with 25+ point-of-sale (POS) solutions, including Gilbarco, Verifone and Clover.

Regardless of your existing back office solution, we can improve the profits and vision of both single-store and chain-based retail businesses. Our customers range from single-store operators to nearly 200 store chains.

We cover all the important aspects of controlling and managing successful gasoline retail, convenience, grocery, tobacco and liquor stores. What’s more, we offer the most diversified Store Automation Solutions available and without hefty ongoing costs. For example, our C-Store Essentials® suite increases the revenue and thus the profits of our customers — it’s that simple. Our customers see revenue rise more than 4%. That is an extra $42,000 profit, per store per year. ePB™

Bookkeeping, price book, buydowns, merchanting, analytics, fuel management and inventory control, are just a few of the many features available.

PriceCheck®

Peel back the curtains and see the best available vendor prices. PriceCheck can provide you with an accurate and comprehensive analysis of what you are being charged for your items vs. other retailers, saving you potentially thousands of dollars in purchasing costs.

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ItsRealTime®

When we say “the most comprehensive,” we mean you can see your store’s activity in real-time. Do you want to see the POS receipt of your cashier’s void, error correct or open within seconds — and directly on your cell phone? Start leveraging your electronic journal to increase profits.

Smokin’ Rebates®

Simply stated, there is no better compliancy-based scan data reporting system available for 25+ POS systems.

Smokin’ Rebates® includes a comprehensive cloud price book, multi-pack, buy-down, promotional management and supplier electronic data interchange (EDI.) Add to that margin analysis, category reporting, rebate audit control and rebate check optimization.

With direct integration to most tobacco suppliers, retailers can stay on top of their price book and keep a backup of their entire price book in the cloud.

• Transparent SKU level reporting of submissions • Projected reporting of rebate income • Smokin’ Rebates® supports 25+ different POS registers • Support tobacco loyalty for Altria, RJRT • All scan data reporting for Altria, RJRT, ITG and Juul

Any effective back office starts with a comprehensive and accurate price book.

Success Systems® is the most recommended solutions provider for independent retailers because we, among our other unique services, have a team of professionals visit your store, build your price book, set you up for success, and we guarantee accurate results.

And all at the best price point…

• Installation Services Second to None • On-Site Price Book Creation • On-Site POS & Equipment Installation • On-Site Training • Dedicated Project Managers • Free Life-Time Updates, Data Storage and Security • No Mandatory Monthly or Annual Fees

Success Systems P: 800.653.3345 W: success-systems.com

LotteryTrak®

LotteryTrak® is the most comprehensive lottery tracking system for convenience store operators. This dynamic and flexible cloud solution will enable lottery retailers to gain better sales, revenue, shrink and inventory control for the lottery category, which is likely the most loss-prone, thin-margin and labor-intensive. Instant text notifications of lost scratch tickets, market basket analysis and revenue management are a few of the benefits.

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Swisher SWISHER, A CATEGORY LEADER in adult consumer lifestyle brands, helps

adult consumers discover what inspires them through experiences that promote culture and lifestyle.

Swisher’s five businesses: Swisher Sweets Cigar Company (Large & Little/ Filtered Cigars); Fat Lip Brands (Smokeless); Drew Estate (Premium Cigars); Hempire (Hemp Products); and Rogue Holdings (Modern Oral Nicotine) - bring customers focused and dedicated support. Swisher understands that each one of the categories within these businesses has different consumers, different growth rates and different stores and shelves where the products succeed—and we use these insights to inform the way we partner with our customers.

There is no other cigar brand that leads the way in market share the way that Swisher Sweets Cigar Company does. Swisher Sweets never stop meeting adult consumer needs by offering Limited Editions and seasonal packaging along with staple products such as BLK, Optimo and Leaf.

Swisher is a leading lifestyle brand for adult consumers. Its superior customer relationships and unwavering commitment to innovative thinking and action have driven the company to grow and adapt to the evolving preferences of adult consumers for nearly 160 years. While Swisher is best known for its legendary Swisher Sweets cigars and classic tobacco brands, the company has worked to expand its offerings with Drew Estate premium cigars, Hempire pure-hemp rolling papers and Rogue’s portfolio of Nicotine On Demand® products.

Swisher 459 E 16th St. Jacksonville, FL 32206 With a lineup of products ideal for any adult consumer, Fat Lip Brands products provide an experience that can’t be easily defined. With tobacco sourced in the U.S., Fat Lip Brands’ consumers have plenty of products to choose from—Moist Snuff, Chew and Dry Snuff straight from the heart of the U.S.A. Drew Estate Premium Cigars are known as the lifestyle premium cigar brand for the 21st century.. The reason for this is simple. With the largest hand-made cigar factory in Nicaragua, adult consumers can’t go wrong with the smooth consistency of Drew Estate.

Hempire provides the adult consumer with 100% hemp rolling papers that fit the wants and desires of the modern hemp fan. All Hempire products are vegan, non-GMO and free from pesticides and lead.

Rogue Nicotine On Demand® products provide adult consumers with a full lineup of 100% tobacco-leaf free nicotine products.

These products can be enjoyed on the adult consumer’s own time, own terms and own preference—without smoke, liquid or vapor.

As part of Swisher’s commitment to trade partners, the company recently introduced Success Simplified. Through its core tenets of Innovation, Insights, Action, Reliability and Shared Success, Success Simplified strengthens the connection between Swisher and its trade customers, helping them continue on a path to prosperity.

With the alignment Swisher’s five businesses and the implementation of Success Simplified,, Swisher’s commitment to adapting and innovating to meet the needs of trade partners and its more than 200 million adult consumers across the country is moving the company into 2021 and beyond. cstoredecisions.com

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P: 800.874.9720 W: www.swisher.com

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Teaza Energy, LLC WITH INCREASING REGULATIONS

on tobacco and vape products and a higher attention being placed on health and wellness, a new category for tobacco alternative products has emerged. Teaza® has been poised and ready for this opportunity because it uniquely gains attention in both the energy and tobacco alternative markets.

Teaza’s Healthy Dip® was carefully created by a medical doctor to provide a higher level of focus and energy from the oral stimulation created by the pouch delivery. Teaza contains zero calories, requires no spitting, and does not require I.D. checks.

The nicotine and tobacco-free Teaza is the only true nutrient supplement in the pouch tobacco alternatives category. This has powered Teaza into the driver’s seat of the category with the passionate message that dipping doesn’t have to be bad when the ingredients are good and motto – Redefining what it means to dip.

Teaza® Energy Pouches (caffeine)

Teaza Energy pouches contain between 50-125 mg of caffeine from coffee bean extract, various peppers, select herbs, and vitamins. There are eight flavor SKUs of the energy product with two of them, Mango Habanero and Bangin’ Black Cherry, that are slightly larger pouches along with double the caffeine (125 mg).

Teaza Energy pouches have long lasting flavor and energy without the crash.

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Teaza® Chill Pouches (no caffeine)

Teaza Chill pouches contain ZERO caffeine and replace the caffeinated herbs with chill ingredients, such as Passionflower and Magnolia Bark, for relaxed focus. There are three flavor SKUs of the chill product. The chill pouches are perfect for those wanting focus without the extra stimulation or caffeine.

Teaza® Energy and Chill Pouches with CBD

Teaza® pouches with hemp contain the same great ingredients, but we add 25 mg of broad or full spectrum hemp, depending on the SKU. Many studies are already being done to hopefully validate the several potential health benefits of using CBD. We have found some of the best hemp sources that provide just the right amount of hemp flavor with excellent terpene and cannabinoid profiles. There are two energy CBD and two chill CBD SKUs with more in the pipeline.

Research Supported

Teaza® Energy…redefining what it means to dip. From its inception, Teaza has spent years creating the best healthy tobacco alternative and energy product.

Our success is in our attention to the manufacturing process. Teaza products are doctor formulated with select tea cut herbs, vitamins, spices, and flavors to deliver a satisfying oral experience that is unique and memorable. Teaza has seen unprecedented growth because they focus on their consumers, which has turned into a repurchase rate of 70%. Teaza is already helping stores fill the void, caused by the lost vape and flavored tobacco products, with a healthy energy and tobacco alternative product that requires no ID check and no guilty conscience. Make Your Mouth Happy®

Teaza Energy, LLC 6236 147th Ave N Clearwater, FL 33760 P: 855.832.9200 W: Teazaenergy.com

Teaza performed their own research in partner with University of California and Project Rishi (Rural India Social Health Improvement) and 100% of participants reduced or completely quit using cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products.

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Texas Pete

TEXAS PETE® IS AMERICA’S #1 PORTION CONTROL (PC) HOT SAUCE BRAND*!

LET YOUR CUSTOMERS

customize the flavor to your pizza, sandwiches, fried chicken, BBQ, and roller grill items for a competitive edge.

With bold and balanced flavor, Texas Pete® lets you Sauce Like You Mean It®!

Texas Pete® 7g PC packets are ideal for grab and go, dine in or curbside applications.

Try Texas Pete® Original Hot Sauce, CHA! by Texas Pete® Sriracha Sauce or ¡SABOR!

by Texas Pete® Mexican-Style Hot Sauce PC packets. To add value to family meal deals, try Texas Pete® Original Hot Sauce in a 1.69 oz. plastic resealable bottles.

For back-of-house, Texas Pete® offers even more flavorful options including wing sauce, garlic hot sauce, and more. By using Texas Pete® Hot Sauces as an ingredient with other common back of house sauces, like mayo and ranch dressing, you can offer a signature sauce.

Apply them on sandwiches, salads, or as a dipping sauce to amplify your menu item. Additionally, some operators charge for their signature sauces for added revenue. Calculate the potential of our signature sauce recipes at TexasPeteFoodservice. com/calculator.

Hot sauce is a condiment your customers expect to be offered

Texas Pete® is a proud brand of Garner Foods®. Family-owned and operated, Garner Foods® is a 92-year-old company that serves grocery and convenience retailers nationwide with quality sauces, salsas, and tortilla strips. Texas Pete® is the #1 portion control hot sauce brand in America*

Texas Pete when you serve fried chicken, tacos, burritos, pizza, and BBQ—with Texas Pete® you will serve a quality hot sauce they know and love.

Menus mentioning hot sauce are up 16% since 2016** because your customers love spicy foods.

Due to the pandemic, 86% of consumers prefer their condiments be served in portion control packaging**. That’s why the big brand power of Texas Pete®, in affordable and convenient PC packets, lets your customers safely add spicy goodness to their food.

W: texaspetefoodservice.com

*NPD, Oct. 2020 **Datassential, 2020 cstoredecisions.com

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Trion FOR OVER 55 YEARS TRION has

proudly been the industry leading manufacturer of products that provide targeted merchandising solutions for retail business. Our long sought-after merchandising solutions come courtesy of American innovation and production.

ZipTrack® Grab-and-Go Beverage System

Trion Industries has introduced the ZipTrack® single-serve beverage pusher system. Each product lane quickly adjusts to fit everything from skinny Red Bulls to oversized Gatorades, while consistently keeping each drink pushed to the shelf front for easy customer choices.

This durable, American-made system eliminates space-wasting gravity feed shelves and accurately fits your full shelf depth; from shallow display coolers, to the deepest rear-load coolers and everything in between.

Shelf-based and cooler-ready, ZipTrack® billboards product for easy selection and fast sale. Lanes simply adapt to different sizes. Slide product front-to-back to ‘ZIP’ tracks together in final position.

Not just for beverages! Deploy ZipTrack® in multiple categories to showcase many different types of product from food, health, beauty, and more!

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WonderBar® Tray Merchandising

Sell More In The Same Space™!

Increase your SKUs by 20% to 30% in the same retail real estate. Our revolutionary Tray and WonderBar® Merchandising System is designed and manufactured with the most innovative accessories to increase facings, maximize visibility, enhance package billboarding, ensure product rotation and reduce shrinkage for a full range of frozen, refrigerated and general merchandise products. Easy to install and adjust, this complete merchandising system also ensures quick restocking.

Since 1965 Trion Industries, Inc. has been a leading American manufacturer of retail fixtures. Based in WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania, Trion is rated among the top-50 North American Retail and Point-ofPurchase fixture makers. Product lines include Shelf Management Systems, ZipTrack® Single-Serve Beverage Pusher System, Display and Scanning Hooks, Cooler and Freezer Merchandising Systems, Storewide Labeling Systems, Anti- Theft and Security Fixtures, WonderBar® Merchandisers, and POP Display Components and Hardware.

Trion’s innovation and engineering has resulted in more than 120 patents, and additional product growth for the company.

Trion 297 Laird Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

This is a perfect way to showcase more products in existing space.

WonderBar® exceeds all of your merchandising needs on gondolas and in coolers and freezers.

Trion will help you optimize your display space, attract customers, increase sales and cut labor costs— and our products are built to last. No wonder we’re the industry’s leading manufacturer and supplier, with more than 16 million trays earning high praise from retailers and shoppers every day!

CSTORE DECISIONS

P: 800.444.4665 E: info@triononline.com W: www.triononline.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Universal Lighting Technologies ENABLE THE FUTURE OF RETAIL WITH UNIVERSAL.

Universal Lighting Technologies can help you get more value from your lighting from simple LED replacement and connected Bluetooth® lighting systems of today, to IoT enabled services. Turn IoT on when you are ready – it’s already in our luminaires.

Upgrading your store from legacy fluorescent to enabled LED lighting has significant benefits.

• 30% to 45% immediate LED energy savings over conventional systems (savings are even higher with our controls) • Lowers maintenance and repair due to longer lifetime and durability • Reduces carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions • Ecologically friendly with no mercury-use like fluorescent and HID bulbs • Increases uniformity of light levels – even illumination • Creates meaningful omni-channel location experiences for shoppers • Increases understanding of what drives traffic in your store • Offers real-time analytics to make data-driven decisions and improve operational efficiency • Supports safety capabilities like smart check-in, employee proximity alerts, and contact tracing

Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc. a member of the Panasonic group and a subsidiary of Panasonic Lighting Americas, Inc., engineers, manufactures and markets innovative solutions for commercial lighting across North America, including LED drivers, LED modules, fluorescent, HID and Bluetooth connected devices.

With over 75 years of experience, the company is recognized for its commitment to quality and customer service.

Universal Lighting Technologies

51 Century Boulevard Suite 230 Nashville, TN 37087 P: 800.862.8666 W: www.unvlt.com

Owned by Panasonic.

We are owned by Panasonic and provide global leadership in the design and manufacturing of LED upgrade retrofit solutions (Tubes, Drivers, Retrofit Kits), luminaires (from Industrial High Bays to Volumetric and Strip), and enabled Bluetooth® location-based services.

North American Manufacturing.

We engineer, manufacture and market innovative solutions for commercial lighting across North America. Universal’s EVERLINE® LED retrofit continuum provides a range of solutions for upgrading fluorescent to LED. We are one of the largest LED lighting companies in North America and were on the forefront of OEM LED fixture components.

Finely tuned over decades of advanced production in North America, our lighting systems are known for superior performance.

Known for Quality and Reliability.

With 75 years of experience, we are recognized for our commitment to quality and reliability. Our custom end-to-end vertical solutions allow you to have a cost effective, future-forward, and scalable lighting system. Backed by the world-class research and development that comes with being a member of the Panasonic family, we are driving industry innovation forward with solutions today that can help enable your future. cstoredecisions.com

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Uncle Ray’s LLC UNCLE RAY’S was first famous for our delicious potato chips, now we are your complete salty snacks solution. Through a network of leading convenience & food service distributors, we provide a premium product at a value price to stores throughout the US & Canada. With a lower SRP and more chips per bag (vs. comparable size), Uncle Ray’s is delivering more revenue and margin to the category. Popular in the convenience channel is our 3oz chips SRP $1.59 and our 8oz chips SRP $2.69. It is no wonder Uncle Ray’s is one of the fastest growing brands in the convenience channel!

The Uncle Ray’s Way

Our values are at the core of everything we do and make at Uncle Ray’s. For example, we start with the freshest potatoes and the highest quality ingredients while taking care that each chip that makes its way into the bag is cooked to perfection. We don’t skimp on the flavor and offer over a dozen seasonings to delight any taste bud- not to mention the innovative flavors we release each year! Not only do our chips taste great; they have a great shelf life insuring the freshest snacks for your customers. This is uniquely achieved through packaging advancements and the quality of our ingredients.

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Beyond Good

Gradually, we have expanded our line to include pretzels; popcorn, tortilla chips, cheese puffs, onion rings, kettle chips and most recently pork rinds -just to name a few. We have held the same high standard on all our snacks as we have on our potato chips. Our products must taste great and be a better value for our customers, our chips and snacks must be “Beyond Good”- as Ray would say.

It took us awhile, but eventually we got it right and produced a Pork Rind that is Beyond Good. With the trending Keto diet, we set out to develop a premium pork rind full of flavor without the carbs. Uncle Ray’s Pork Rinds are now available in four delicious flavors – BBQ; Hot; Regular and Salt & Vinegar!

Uncle Ray’s potato chips and snacks are a beyond good alternative to increase your top line and bottom-line salty snack category. We have dedicated professionals available to share more information, plan-o-grams and best practices to help increase your business.

For more information, visit our website www.unclerays.com or email us at info@unclerays.com today!

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Uncle Ray’s is a national chip and snack food brand founded in 1965 in Detroit by Mr. Ray Jenkins. First famous for our delicious potato chips we have since expanded into a full line of salty snacks. With distribution capabilities in 47 states through leading convenience and grocery distributors we deliver a premium product at a value price to retailers across the country.

In addition to our Detroit plant, a second production facility located in Montgomery City, MO is under construction and scheduled to be operating mid-2021. This 180,000 sq ft. facility will allow us to meet the increasing demand for the Uncle Ray’s brand and will provide the capacity to expand our private label partnerships.

Uncle Ray’s LLC 14245 Birwood Street Detroit, MI 48238 P: 313.834.0800 E: info@unclerays.com W: www.UncleRays.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Utz Brands, Inc. We are Utz. Our story began with Bill and Salie who started making and selling potato chips in 1921.

Now we are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

This is a reflection of Utz quality…in our facilities, in our products and in our people.

Together, the Utz team has provided the very best products to an ever growing marketplace since our start.

UTZ BRANDS, INC. (NYSE: UTZ)

manufactures a diverse portfolio of salty snacks under popular brands including Utz®, Zapp’s®, Golden Flake®, Good Health®, Boulder Canyon®, Hawaiian® Brand, TGIF®, H.K. Anderson®, On The Border® and TORTIYAHS!®, among others.

After nearly a century, with strong family heritage, Utz continues to have a passion for exciting and delighting consumers with delicious snack foods made from top-quality ingredients.

Utz’s products are distributed nationally and internationally through grocery, mass merchant, club, convenience, drug and other channels. Based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Utz operates fourteen facilities located in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Washington, and Massachusetts.

We are committed to providing our snacks in the convenience channel via various routes to

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Utz Brands, Inc.

market, to include: DSD and Direct to Warehouse thru our wholesale distributors Nationwide. In addition, Utz Brands, Inc. will offer our brands and items in pack sizes and forms that will meet the needs of our convenience customers and consumers.

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900 High Street Hanover, PA 17331 P: 800-FOR-SNAX W: www.utzsnacks.com

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Vitamin Energy, LLC VITAMINENERGY® IS THE MOST

convenient way to nourish your body with vitamins while boosting your energy up levels up to 7+ hours, with no sugar crash later.

Doubling energy shot sales for its customers, VitaminEnergy® is the fastest growing energy shot in the world according to IRI. VitaminEnergy® attracts new customers to your energy shot category and increases sales.

Each VitaminEnergy® shot packs a different set of vitamins that gains new trial across consumers. As the #1 seller on Amazon Prime and the fastest growing shot in retail, 40%+ of consumers that try VitaminEnergy® incorporate it into their daily diet regimens because: 1. Vitamins are important to take daily.

2. The energy boost from VitaminEnergy® lasts up to 7+ hours.

3. VitaminEnergy® tastes great.

4. There’s no sugar crash.

Add VitaminEnergy® to your Energy Shot set today to grow your revenue. VitaminEnergy®, it’s energy, with Benefits™.

VitaminEnergy® is the most convenient way to nourish your body with vitamins while boosting your energy up levels up to 7+ hours, with no sugar crash later.

Doubling energy shot sales for its customers, VitaminEnergy® is the fastest growing energy shot in the world according to IRI. VitaminEnergy® attracts new customers to your energy shot category and grows sales.

Vitamin Energy, LLC 391 Wilmington W. Chester Pike Unit 3, #403 Glen Mills, PA 19342 P: 800.420.3106 E: Sales@VitaminEnergyLLC.com W. VitaminEnergy.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Welbilt WELBILT MAKES IT easy for convenience store operators to deliver successful foodservice programs with equipment that offers accelerated cooking, customized work stations, ventless ovens, and pre-programmable, easy-to-use cooking technologies – all within a reduced footprint, making foodservice programs as easy to undertake as they are profitable.

At Welbilt, we have the product that’s the perfect match for your c-store needs. From that allimportant morning cup of coffee to a healthy snack that’s fresh from the oven, our equipment can be trusted to serve up a taste experience that will keep your customers coming back for more!

Our 12 product brands* are carefully crafted to give you more flavor and more choice. From the latest healthy trends to that must-try coffee flavor - we’re there! Serve up warming seasonal beverages with our Crem range, wow customers with the latest innovative beverage systems like the FreshBlender from Multiplex and find the Convotherm oven that fits your space like a glove.

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Our three service brands also deliver market-leading c-store solutions.

Customers are also looking for value at a low price point so foodservice operations must be extremely efficient to meet these expectations. Equipment connectivity, through our Welbilt KitchenConnect brand, provides these efficiencies.

KitchenConnect is a digital solution that enables operators to adapt quickly to an ever-changing environment, increase profitability, and comply with food and safety standards.

Now more than ever, resilience is key. So, if you need any aftermarket equipment support, Welbilt KitchenCare offers parts, services, solutions and monitoring. Our industry is changing faster than ever, and there’s no shortage of daily challenges competing for your attention. That’s why Welbilt FitKitchen, our fully integrated kitchen systems brand, is committed to keeping you ahead of the game.

We’ve been bringing innovation to the table for nearly a century so collaborate with us to find your next level.

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Welbilt, Inc. provides industryleading equipment and solutions.

We connect food, people and equipment into a single kitchen ecosystem, with customized system solutions that are perfectly tailored to respond to our customers’ everyday needs. Our innovative products span across 12 product brands* and three service brands. We are passionate about bringing customers the very best in foodservice solutions, perfectly tailored to their needs.

Welbilt, Inc. 2227 Welbilt Blvd.

New Port Richey, FL 34655 P: 877.375.9300 F: 727.375.0472 W: www.welbilt.com

*Cleveland, Convotherm, Crem,

Delfield, Frymaster, Garland, Kolpak, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Merco, Merrychef, Multiplex

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Wenzel’s Farm

WENZEL’S STRIVES TO PRODUCE

“Real Meat for Real Life”. They know that real life calls for real, sustainable energy. The kind of energy that only high-quality protein can deliver. This is why they only use quality cuts of meat in all of their products. No fillers, no corn syrup, no binders, no extenders, no artificial colors or flavors. Known for their innovative flavor offerings, Wenzel’s has over 13 varieties of snack sticks, including the new Mango Habanero, and Bacon Cheddar. These snack sticks are crafted in small batches using premium cuts of beef, perfectly seasoned and naturally smoked. Like all Wenzel’s snack sticks, no artificial colors are used, there is no MSG and they are gluten free.

Expanding on their snack stick success, Wenzel’s recently launched a premium line of Jerky products that not only taste great, but also provide “Real Meat for Real Life”. Wenzel’s Beef Jerky is gluten free, uses no

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artificial colors, no MSG and no nitrates have been added. The jerky is available in 3 oz and 10 oz sizes and in original beef, peppered beef, and teriyaki flavors.

To see the complete line of Wenzel’s Farm products, visit www. wenzelsfarm.com. Wenzel’s branded snack sticks and other products are available in over 8,000 locations across the country and can be found in all 50 states.

In 2017, Wenzel’s acquired the Nick’s Sticks brand of snacks, significantly broadening their customer base. Nick’s Sticks utilizes 100% grass-fed beef and free-range turkey and chicken. These Grass-Fed and Free-Range offerings have flourished in Natural Foods stores and are now penetrating convenience stores as consumers are looking for healthier options in the channel.

Nick’s Sticks are available in 6 varieties including beef, spicy beef, turkey, spicy turkey, chicken, and spicy chicken.

CSTORE DECISIONS

Wenzel’s Farm, a Castleray company, located in Marshfield, Wisconsin is a premium provider of high quality, hand crafted, small batch meat snacks and products.

Tucked away in the heart of dairyland and still operating on the original farmland, Wenzel’s brought the craft of sausage making from Germany to Wisconsin more than 100 years ago. With dozens of highly prestigious awards, Wenzel’s takes great pride in crafting some of the finest, naturally hardwood smoked meat products available.

Wenzel’s Farm, LLC 500 E 29th Streeet Marshfield, WI 54449 P: 800.336.6328 W: www.wenzelsfarm.com

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2021 Leaders in Convenience

Xcaliber International ONE TOBACCO ROAD- A fitting

address for the nation’s premier fourth-tier cigarette manufacturer, Xcaliber International was founded in 2001 by a pair of tobacco retail veterans who observed a growing trend in customer demand: a premium cigarette experience at an attainable price. They set out quickly to achieve this goal, building a state-of-the-art factory that utilizes the latest in high-speed manufacturing techniques, with an emphasis on premium ingredients and materials, world-class quality assurance standards and testing, and a full range of compelling tobacco products. Nearly two decades later, Xcaliber International’s 250,000 square-foot manufacturing facility features 6 high-speed production lines, shipping out millions of cigarettes every day.

CHANGING CUSTOMER TRENDS-

While the overall cigarette market continues to trend downward, the burgeoning fourth-tier market is the only cigarette category experiencing increased growth. As a result, more retailers are taking a hard look at fourth-tier solutions to meet customer demand. Xcaliber International’s product portfolio features 11 distinct

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Xcaliber International manufacturers the highest quality fourth-tier tobacco products available today, right in the heartland of America. With 15 distinct brands, ranging from cigarettes, filtered cigars and OTP, we proudly offer the most extensive product portfolio of any fourth-tier manufacturer, meeting every conceivable customer preference or retailer request.

fourth-tier cigarette brands, the most diverse array of such products in the industry. As customer trends continue to shift towards low-cost cigarette alternatives, Xcaliber International is particularly well-poised for the road ahead.

MADE BY RETAILERS, FOR RETAILERS- Given the retail

background of Xcaliber’s founders, our core focus has always been on how we can make retail businesses better. Simply put, we aren’t here to tell retailers how to run their businesses, we are here to support their businesses with high quality, low-cost fourth-tier products. Our contracts are simple, straightforward and easy to understand. For retailers, the low prices of our products mean less money tied up in inventory.

Lower pack and carton prices translate to higher basket totals from customers. Our products are also fully backed by a 100% guarantee: if they don’t sell, we’ll buy them back, no questions asked. Xcaliber International is truly your onestop shop for fourth-tier cigarette solutions!

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Centrally located in the United States, Xcaliber International’s products are proudly made in Oklahoma, USA, providing American jobs and the freshest, American-made tobacco products possible.

Xcaliber International 1 Tobacco Road Pryor, OK 74361 P: 918.824.0300 W: www.xcaliberinternational.com

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As the convenience store and petroleum industry continue to evolve, training the leaders of tomorrow is more important than ever before. To help young executives have a group that is solely focused on exchanging personal experiences with peers in their age group, the National Advisory Group (NAG) is proud to be growing its Young Executives Organization (YEO).

YEO members are industry leaders who are approximately 40 years of age or younger.

Members are entrepreneurs, leading top businesses and actively pursuing a higher level of professionalism in the convenience store and petroleum marketing industry.

For additional information, contact John Lofstock at jlofstock@wtwhmedia.com or Board Chairman Jeremie Myhren at jeremie@roadrangerusa.com.

PRODUCTShowcase

Chocolate and Vanilla Cigar

Disposable Device ZStick is excited to announce that its Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) has been accepted, passing the filing stage and currently under scientific substantial review. It is one of the only disposable companies on the market to be on the last stage of the PMTA process. It has all valid documents, including its acceptance and filing letter.

ZStick is a key player in the vaping industry thanks to its quality ingredients, excellent customer service and PMTA status. It offers 13 unique flavors in a variety of nicotine strengths.

With Chocolate and Vanilla together in one great cigar, White Owl Swirl is a unique experience, featuring a two-color wrapper, an idea created by White Owl’s Dominican Republic team. In the age of social sharing, White Owl is encouraging picture-taking by giving consumers a chance to enter the ‘Share Your Swirl and Win’ sweepstakes. Consumers can share their Swirl pictures with Swedish Match via a QR code that takes them to the White Owl website. White Owl Swirl: Chocolate & Vanilla arrives in stores nationwide in early January, available in a ‘two for 99 cents’ and a ‘save on two’ format that allows for retail pricing flexibility.

Swedish Match

www.swedishmatch.com

Molten Lava Cakes Prairie City Bakery’s new Ooey Gooey Molten Lava Cakes are a unique, individually wrapped, indulgent treat sure to satisfy any sweet craving. Each features a rich, fudgy, cake filled with an ooey gooey lava center.

Available in three decadent flavors — Fudge, Peanut Butter and Salted Caramel — these cakes are a dessert lover’s dream.

Ziip Lab (844) 944-7522

Prairie City Bakery

www.pcbakery.com

wholesale@ziiplab.com

Birthday Candle Lighter Calico Brands Inc. is introducing five new birthday party designs to its Scripto Hybrid lighter line. The Scripto Birthday Candle lighters appeal to all demographics and feature five assorted fun, vibrant birthday designs, available in a one-pack open stock with a suggested retail price of $2.79 per lighter. The Scripto Birthday Candle lighter features a refillable tank, extended nozzle for safer lighting, adult-friendly push button ignition and adjustable flame. All Scripto lighters feature a patented childresistant mechanism that exceeds Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requirements and yet is still easy for adults to operate.

Calico Brands Inc. (800) 544-4837 • marketing@calicobrands.com

www.calicobrands.com cstoredecisions.com

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PRODUCTShowcase

Fresh Apple Slices Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF) has announced the launch of Arctic apple slices to the c-store market. Arctic apples’ fresh slices are available in two sizes and two varieties: Arctic Golden (sweet) and Arctic Granny (tart) in 10-ounce and five-ounce bags. Arctic apples use the apple’s own genes to “turn off” the enzyme responsible for making apples turn brown when cut or bruised. The result is a longer shelf life and an apple that tastes and looks better, which means less food waste from harvest to consumption.

Okanagan Specialty Fruits

www.okspecialtyfruits.com

Robotic Micro-Bakery

Mozzarella and Pepperoni Pizza Bites Satisfy consumers’ grab-and-go cravings with McCain’s Golden Crisp Italian Style Mozzarella Pepperoni Pizza Bites. Filled with a premium blend of mozzarella and pepperoni and finished with a crunchy Italianseasoned breading, these bite-sized nuggets are loaded with flavor. It’s an on-trend offering that’s perfect for the quick lunch bite or late-night snack your customers seek. Great hold time means they stay fresh and crispy longer. Plus, they’re easy to prepare: Just fry or bake.

Bake Xpress is a bakery vending machine that provides a choice of fresh-baked foods including artisan pastries, pizzas and sandwiches. The items are partially prepared at a traditional bakery and then stored in the Bake Xpress refrigerator. At time of order, Bake Xpress calibrates the combination infrared/convection/microwave oven and freshly-bakes each item in one to three minutes to produce hot, fresh, restaurantquality food. Bake Xpress is an ideal solution, especially during unpredictable COVID-related closures where traditional food services are not reliably available.

Le Bread Xpress Inc.

www.lebreadxpress.com

Green Offset Program MasonWays has a new program that offers plastic credits for returned MasonWays units that the company recycles into raw material to be molded over and over again. Through Plastic Collection Credits, retail plastic waste is removed from the environment proportionately to what is purchased. The program reduces the cost of products purchased by retailers. Full Circle Recycling with savings may be the right forward-thinking option for your company and team. MasonWays can customize a program to meet your needs while helping the environment by keeping plastic out of landfills.

McCain Foodservice

MasonWays Indestructible Plastics LLC

www.mccainusafoodservice.com

(800) 837-2881

www.masonways.com

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January 2021

cstoredecisions.com

PRODUCTShowcase

Probiotic Yogurt Portfolio Chobani announced the debut of the new World of Chobani Probiotics, a full portfolio of probiotic yogurts and drinks, kids pouches and shakes, and non-dairy functional beverages with immunity-supporting probiotics. The new Chobani Probiotic yogurts and yogurt drinks have a diverse blend of scientifically confirmed probiotic strains with multiple benefits for immune, digestive and gut health. Like all Chobani products, Chobani Probiotic yogurts, drinks and pouches are made with only non-GMO ingredients and no artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, starches or artificial flavors.

Chobani

Next-Generation Console

www.chobani.com

Premium Pizza Program Wingman Pizza is a turnkey, simple license pizza program. With premium ingredients like five-blend cheese and flaky crust, Wingman Pizza is full-throttle deliciousness at jet-fast speed. It’s a big profit opportunity with premium support, a minimal footprint, few SKUs, marketing development funds to grow your business and minimal-contact packaging. Grab-and-go by the slice, full pizzas and take-and-bake: It’s the pizza customers want, when they want it and how they want it.

PFSbrands

(855) 632-3373 programs@pfsbrands.com

www.pfsbrands.com

New Sausage Flavors Johnsonville is bringing three new flavors to c-store operators. The Ultimate Queso Sausage is filled with the flavor of Tex-Mex, featuring spices and a blend of creamy pepper jack and cheddar cheese, with no MSG or gluten. Southern Style BBQ Sausage features a naturally hardwood smoked with a bold tomato-based barbecue flavor, seasoned with a hint of cayenne and black pepper. Smoked Honey BBQ Sausage features a subtle honey flavor that’s balanced with the tangy heat of barbecue sauce and is free of MSG and gluten.

Dover Fueling Solutions’ (DFS) next-generation console, the ProGauge MagLink LX 4, features several upgrades and enhancements, including “touch and swipe” technology. Coupled with enhanced graphics, including realistic three-dimensional storage tank readers that give an accurate visualization of the fuel stored in underground tanks, this technology enables fuel retailers to glide between screens, zoom in and activate buttons to easily view all tank data instantly. The MagLink LX 4 console also has a brighter screen and a faster processor, and it integrates with many products and services from within DFS’ portfolio. The superior graphical display gives an instant visualization of all fuel inventory on-site, enabling fuel retailers to quickly make informed decisions over their wetstock.

Dover Fueling Solutions

www.doverfuelingsolutions.com

Johnsonville

www.cstore.johnsonville.com cstoredecisions.com

January 2021 • CSTORE DECISIONS

131

Classifieds/Ad Index 5-Hour Energy

25

NRS Petro Solution

133

Ascentium Capital

61

Oberto Snacks Inc.

39

6-7

Perfetti Van Melle

www.5hourEnergyRetailer.com www.ascentiumcapital.com

CB Distributors

888.824.3256 www.cbprices.com / www.hempbombs.com/ www.naturesscript.com

Copenhagen E-Alternative Solutions

31

Fully Loaded Chew

32

LeapVapor.com/Retailers

www.wholesale@fullyloadedchew.com

2

GSK C-Store

9

Gulfcoast

3

Scott.F.Breisinger@gsk.com 727.449.2296 / www.gulfcoast.com

Hunt Brothers Pizza

www.huntbrotherspizza.com/csd

Liggett Vector Brands 877.415.4100

Mars Wrigley www.mars.com

MasonWays Indestructible Plastics LLC 800.837.2881 / www.masonways.com

Mondelez International Group

www.mondelezgrowthprogram.com

North American Bancard

866.481.4604 / www.nynab.com

51 33, 95 63 133 17 132

888.260.0112 / www.nrspetro.com www.oberto.com

5

800.283.5988

Prairie City Bakery, Inc.

36

Premier Manufacturing, Inc.

19

Republic Tobacco Safe Shop Assured

47

www.pcbakery.com

www.gopremier.com

35

www.safeshopassured.com

Swedish Match

800.367.3677 www.zyn.com www.whiteowlcigars www.gamecigars.com

11 27 37

Swisher International

800.874.9720 / www.swisher.com

Texas Pete

www.TexasPeteFoodservice.com/FlavorsForTheRoad

The Hershey Company

www.HersheySolutions.com

136 41 135

Trion Industries, Inc.

23

Welbilt

53

800.444.4665 / info@triononline.com / www.TrionOnline.com 877.375.9300 / welbilt.com

Sanitizing Gel + Wipes Dispenser Station

• Keep Staff and Customers Safe • Prevent the Spread of Germs

www.masonways.com | 800-837-2881 cstoredecisions.com

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IndustryPerspective

Par Mar’s Proactive Approach

to Loss Prevention

Par Mar’s director of loss prevention discusses theft reduction strategies heading into 2021.

Isabelle Gustafson • Associate Editor

As technology evolves, c-stores’ loss prevention tactics continue to mature. CStore Decisions spoke with Terri Caldwell, director of loss prevention for Par Mar Oil Co. — which operates 156 Par Mar Stores in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania — about the company’s best practices for loss prevention and plans for the new year.

rette retail (prices) go up. Twenty years ago, if you stole a carton of cigarettes, that was $30. Today it’s $90.

We’ve only had one instance (with masks) that really affected us, and we couldn’t see the person’s face.

Only one instance since March. Of course, it’s harder for (bigger stores), I’m sure.

CStore Decisions (CSD): Which loss prevention strategies or tools does Par Mar currently implement?

Terri Caldwell (TC): One of the big things is scanning. We call them ‘controllables’ — tobacco, smokeless cigarettes, lottery and any kind of beer, wine, liquor — which stores are required to count. Cigarettes and lottery are counted every single day.

And that way you can tell what you’re missing. You can tell the exact pack of cigarettes that was taken because our registers are set up where everything connects with our scanners to our registers to our computers.

CSD: What’s the biggest challenge in your role right now?

TC: I would say staffing — making sure you have that person who’s doing their scans, and they’re watching their store and communicating with the manager. You’ve got to have that line of communication.

And you have different supervisors with different techniques. The main thing is accountability and ownership.

If you give your district manager, your leads, your shifts — different companies call them different things — everybody needs to take ownership in that location to make it successful.

CSD: In what ways has the pandemic affected loss prevention?

TC: I really haven’t seen a big rise (in theft). From when I was a manager and came to work for Par Mar in 1998 to today, there’s always been theft.

Where you get a rise is when ciga-

CSD: Are there any new loss prevention strategies or new opportunities that you’re looking at for 2021?

TC: Camera systems. We are definitely looking into camera systems. And bringing everything together, where

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January 2021

as soon as you do a transaction, it’ll be on the camera, on the register.

I’ll get an email right to me and the manager. It is very nice with modern technology because the choices are so much better.

We went from 50 to 156 stores in four years, so we have many different systems out there at this time. We’re working to get it down.

Of course, you always have to make sure the cost is going to save you money. If you’re going to spend a million dollars and you don’t have a million dollars in loss, then there’s really no point in spending that money in dollars. And we have a big enough IT department now that we can install cameras in-house. Because it’s just like a plumber at your house; everything has a cost.

CSD: Overall, what do you think is the key to successful loss prevention?

TC: My biggest thing with loss prevention is being aware and being proactive. Those are the two best formulas. And greeting people. One thing I learned when I was a manager is if you greet them coming in the door, they know you see them.

But I think being proactive is the biggest thing: knowing where your merchandise is and where your cameras are and watching the camera.

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