CStore Decisions January 2020

CStore Decisions

CStoreDecisions

®

Solutions for Convenience Retailers

JANUARY 2020

How C-Stores Are Responding to

Fuel Disruption HOW C-STORES ARE RESPONDING TO FUEL DISRUPTION

Despite traditional fuel’s expected dominance in the new decade, c-store retailers are adapting to signs of disruption in the fuel market by integrating electric vehicle charging stations and flex fuels.

INSIDE

Tobacco Turns 21 ...........................30 The Social Media Awards ...............44

SPECIAL EDITION:

LEADERS IN CONVENIENCE ....57 Recognizing the Leaders of the C-Store Industry

January 2020

•

CStoreDecisions.com

CStoreDecisions

steps 3to higher profits

Solutions for Convenience Retailers

Look inside to find out how successful retailers sell over 100 bottles of 5-hour ENERGY per week. ®

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January 2020

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CONTENTS January 2020

•

Number 1

•

Volume 31

CStoreDecisions ®

EDITOR’S MEMO

8 Working Together to Make a Difference

FRONT END

10 16

Front End Profile: High-Tech Innovations, Personal Touch Steer Pilot Flying J Quick Bites

CATEGORY MANAGEMENT

30 34 36

Tobacco Turns 21 Meat Snacks Weather the Winter Convenience Doubles Down on Craft

20

FOODSERVICE

40

Pizza & Chicken Shine as Foodservice Favorites

TECHNOLOGY

44 52

The 2020 Social Media Awards Is A Micro Mart Concept Right for Your Business?

SPECIAL REPORT:

57 LEADERS IN CONVENIENCE SECTION

CStoreDecisions

®

Solutions for Convenience Retailers

Leaders in

Convenience SPECIAL EDITION

4

CSTORE DECISIONS •

•

COVER STORY 20 How C-Stores Are Responding to Fuel Disruption

Despite traditional fuel’s expected dominance in the new decade, c-store retailers are adapting to signs of disruption in the fuel market by integrating electric vehicle charging stations and flex fuels.

BACK END 112 Product Showcase 117 Ad Index 118 Considering Unleaded 88

CStoreDecisions.com

January 2020

cstoredecisions.com

the CSD Group www.cstoredecisions.com

CStoreDecisions .com CStoreDecisions CStoreDecisions

Convenience Store Decisions

®

®

Convenience Store Decisions • EDITORIAL

CREATIVE SERVICES

VICE PRESIDENT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John Lofstock jlofstock@wtwhmedia.com

VICE PRESIDENT, CREATIVE SERVICES Mark Rook mrook@wtwhmedia.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Erin Del Conte edelconte@wtwhmedia.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Erin Canetta ecanetta@wtwhmedia.com

SENIOR EDITOR Thomas Mulloy tmulloy@wtwhmedia.com

ART DIRECTOR Matthew Claney mclaney@wtwhmedia.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Isabelle Gustafson igustafson@wtwhmedia.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER Barbra Martin bmartin@wtwhmedia.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Marilyn Odesser-Torpey CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Anne Baye Ericksen COLUMNIST Mark Radosevich

ADVERTISING VICE PRESIDENT/GROUP PUBLISHER Tom McIntyre tmcintyre@wtwhmedia.com

(216) 533-9186

PUBLISHER John Petersen jpetersen@wtwhmedia.com

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VICE PRESIDENT, SALES Tony Bolla tbolla@wtwhmedia.com

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REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Ashley Burk aburk@wtwhmedia.com

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REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Patrick McIntyre pmcintyre@wtwhmedia.com (216) 372-8112 REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Jake Bechtel jbechtel@wtwhmedia.com (216) 299-2281

DIGITAL MEDIA/ WEB DEVELOPMENT VP, DIGITAL MARKETING Virginia Goulding vgoulding@wtwhmedia.com DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Dave Miyares dmiyares@wtwhmedia.com SR. DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Pat Curran pcurran@wtwhmedia.com DIGITAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Reggie Hall rhall@wtwhmedia.com DIGITAL PRODUCTION SPECIALIST Nicole Lender nlender@wtwhmedia.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE

DIGITAL PRODUCTION/ MARKETING DESIGNER Samantha King sking@wtwhmedia.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Jane Cooper jcooper@wtwhmedia.com

SR. DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIST Michael Ulanski mulanski@wtwhmedia.com SOFTWARE ENGINEER DJ Bozentka dbozentka@wtwhmedia.com

EVENTS MANAGER Jen Osborne josborne@wtwhmedia.com

WEBINAR COORDINATOR Halle Kirsh hkirsh@wtwhmedia.com

EVENT EXHIBITOR & SPEAKER MANAGER Michelle Flando mflando@wtwhmedia.com

WEBINAR COORDINATOR Kim Dorsey kdorsey@wtwhmedia.com

VIDEOGRAPHER Bradley Voyten bvoyten@wtwhmedia.com VIDEOGRAPHER Derek Little dlittle@wtwhmedia.com

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Jim Callahan, Director of Marketing (Retired) Geo. H. Green Oil Inc. • Fairburn, Ga. Bill Kent, President and CEO The Kent Cos. Inc. • Midland, Texas Greg Lorance, Dispensed Category Manager Cumberland Farms • Framingham, Mass.

Billy Milam, President RaceTrac Petroleum Inc. • Atlanta

EVENTS

VIDEO SERVICES

CStore Decisions is a three-time winner of the Neal Award, the American Business Press’s highest recognition of editorial excellence.

Robert Buhler, President and CEO Open Pantry Food Marts • Pleasant Prairie, Wis.

DIRECTOR, AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Bruce Sprague bsprague@wtwhmedia.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER Stephanie Hulett shulett@wtwhmedia.com

Leading Through Innovation

Patrick J. Lewis, Managing Partner Oasis Stop ‘N Go • Twin Falls, Idaho Scott Zaremba, President and CEO Zarco USA • Lawrence, Kansas

NATIONAL ADVISORY GROUP (NAG) BOARD Doug Galli, Board Chairman Reid Stores Inc./Crosby’s • Brockport, N.Y. Mary Banmiller, Director of Retail Operations Warrenton Oil Inc. • Truesdale, Mo.

FINANCE CONTROLLER Brian Korsberg bkorsberg@wtwhmedia.com ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SPECIALIST Jamila Milton jmilton@wtwhmedia.com

VIDEOGRAPHER Graham Smith gsmith@wtwhmedia.com

Greg Ehrlich, Chief Operating Officer 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. • Utica, N.Y. Vernon Young, President and CEO Young Oil Co. • Piedmont, Ala.

YOUNG EXECUTIVES ORGANIZATION (YEO) BOARD Jeremie Myhren, Board Chairman Road Ranger • Rockford, Ill.

WTWH MEDIA, LLC 1111 Superior Ave., 26th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44114 • Ph: (888) 543-2447 EDITORIAL AND NAG 1420 Queen Anne Rd., Suite 4, Teaneck, NJ 07666 • Ph: (201) 321-5642

Garet Bishop, Chief Financial Officer BFS Cos. • Morgantown, W.Va. 2011 - 2019

Caroline Filchak, Director, Wholesale Ops Clipper Petroleum • Flowery Branch, Ga. Kalen Frese, Food Service Director Warrenton Oil Inc. • Warrenton, Mo.

SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES To enter, change or cancel a subscription, please e-mail requests to: bmartin@wtwhmedia.com or Mail: CStore Decisions, 1111 Superior Ave., 26th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44114 Copyright 2020, WTWH Media, LLC

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.

Alex Garoutte, Director of Marketing The Kent Cos. Inc. • Midland, Texas Sharif Jamal, Corporate Training Manager Chestnut Petroleum Inc. • New Paltz, N.Y. Lindsay Lyden, Vice President, Development True North Energy • Brecksville, Ohio Stacey Davis, Manager of Marketing Clifford Fuel Co. Inc. • Marcy, N.Y.

CSTORE DECISIONS does not endorse any products, programs or services of advertisers or editorial contributors. Copyright© 2020 by WTWH Media, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or by recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Circulation audited by Business Publications Audit of Circulation, Inc.

6

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

cstoredecisions.com

Editor’s Memo

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

Working Together to Make a Difference Convenience store industry sales have posted solid gains over the past decade and, by all accounts, 2019 was another strong year. A lot of hard work, capital investments and employee training goes into making c-stores a destination for customers of all ages and backgrounds across the country.

For most industries, this hard work would be celebrated.

Convenience stores are not most industries.

The relentless pursuit of c-store profits by federal, state and local governments — not to mention Visa and MasterCard — has been ongoing for decades. The industry has not been seen as a successful channel of trade to lawmakers, but rather as a cash cow to fill their coffers.

This hurts the industry from top to bottom.

While larger chains are more visible, the majority of businesses have under 25 stores and struggle to drive profits. Virtually every chain I’ve covered over the past 20-plus years in this industry has counted on earnings and profits to reinvest in the business. That includes hiring more employees and helping to stimulate the local economy. It’s business economics 101.

However, lawmakers at all levels see nothing but dollar signs as they continue their aggressive attacks on the industry, especially as it relates to tobacco and vape products. We are heading into 2020 with some of the most restrictive legislation to date.

“

“

Despite infringing on the rights of adult consumers, all these regulations will do is drive sales to neighboring states and the black market.

Tobacco taxes raise hundreds of millions of dollars for a state when tobacco is sold by responsible retailers to legal-age consumers, yet history shows overzealous state, local and federal politicians have become masters at biting the hand that feeds them.

In New Jersey, for example, state lawmakers raised cigarette taxes in 2006 to the highest in the nation, then found themselves perplexed when the number of smokers in the state stayed the same, but tobacco tax revenue declined. In the 14 years since, little has been learned.

8

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

Take Massachusetts, which in December passed a ban on flavored tobacco, including vaping products and menthol cigarettes. The bill also imposed an outrageous 75% excise tax on vaping products. The Feds piled on to this by increasing to 21 the legal age to purchase tobacco and outlawing vape flavors. We can send 18-year-olds to war, but we must protect them from citrus vape? Give me a break.

Despite infringing on the rights of adult consumers, all these regulations will do is drive sales to neighboring states and the black market. History shows this is an absolute certainty.

Instead, lawmakers will have wasted an opportunity to work with retailers on a fair and equitable plan to sell and tax tobacco fairly to adult consumers. Tobacco regulations and taxes are unavoidable, and few retailers argue this. What retailers want is to participate in the discussion.

That is why the collective voice of c-store retailers matters more than ever. Whether it’s increasing tobacco taxes, rising minimum wages or credit card fees, c-store owners need to make their voices heard.

Effective state and local lobbying requires c-store owners to establish meaningful relationships with lawmakers to share the impact their businesses have on the communities they serve as employers, and as supporters of local schools and other important local programs. When retail profits fall, these programs will be the first to suffer. Employees will be second.

It is incumbent on c-store owners to contact their local legislators. Invite them to your stores, visit their offices and make regular phone calls. Tell them about the good you do in the community and how important your funding of local programs is to thousands of their constituents. Your words and actions can have an enormous impact, but you have to make your voices heard.

k c o t s f o L n Joh

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For trade purposes only. ©2019 Swedish Match North America LLC

CONTACT YOUR SWEDISH MATCH REPRESENTATIVE OR CALL 800-367-3677 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS

FRONT END Profile

High-Tech Innovations, Personal Touch

Steer Pilot Flying J

PFJ plans to expand in Texas’ Permian Basin, while also aggressively remodeling existing sites, investing in new technology and growing its foodservice program.

Thomas Mulloy • Senior Editor

“We’re not your traditional c-store.”

Quite the understatement from Pilot Flying J (PFJ) Chief Strategy and Information Officer Mike Rodgers. The chain has more than 750 locations across North America open 24/7, serves three distinct customer categories, averages 4,500 customers per day, and operates 250 Subway shops and just under 100 Wendy’s and Arby’s among its dozen or so quickservice restaurant (QSRs) brands.

“So I think we’re the eighth largest restaurant company in the U.S. when you add in all our QSRs,” said Brian Ferguson, PFJ chief merchant. That doesn’t include dozens of leased McDonald’s and Denny’s franchises on its sites.

But PFJ isn’t content to rest on its laurels. The chain has its sights set on an aggressive growth plan to expand its footprint in Texas and other states, while also launching new foodservice offerings including a bean-to-cup coffee program, diving into food delivery, remodeling stores and investing in new technology.

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CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

Mike Rodgers

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FRONT END Profile

Pilot Flying J ‘s mobile app is designed for the chain’s three distinct customer types: Pro drivers, RV travelers and automobile travelers. The app’s features are tailored to the unique needs of each driver type.

PROS, RVS & AUTO CUSTOMERS Pilot Flying J released its upgraded mobile app last year with benefits tailored to its three customer bases: professional drivers, RV customers and automobile travelers. For the pros, it’s a highly useful tool.

“You know, when it’s 20 degrees below zero in North Dakota and you’ve got to enter 14 different prompts into the pump to get it to start?” said Rodgers. With the app’s ‘mobile fueling,’ they can do it from the warmth of the cab.

But the app’s importance goes a lot further for those over-the-road drivers. For them, wheel time is strictly regulated. Booking a space to park for the night and a hot shower at the end of a long day eases time burned searching for those things.

“You know where you’re going to be that night; you know where you can park; you know where you’re going to start your next day,” said Ferguson.

For RV and auto drivers, the app lets them order food, redeem offers, monitor fuel prices, track myRewards points, Coffee Club status, store payment info and purchase history, and a host of other amenities.

FAMILIAR FACES While technology can seem magical, Rodgers said it shouldn’t replace people; it should free them up for customer service duties by taking friction out of the transaction.

“How do they help them with their day? How do they make them feel good and feel good coming back? Again, the human interaction

PFJ’s robust in-house food program is complemented by the several QSR brands it operates at its locations as well as several dozen leased on-site McDonald’s and Denny’s franchises.

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CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

part,” said Rodgers. “So we’ll be investing in technology to automate some of those transactions that occur in the store.”

For those professional drivers, the human element is even more important. Hauling long distances on America’s roads, pulling in for food and fuel is also a stop for some friendly human interaction.

When so many drivers repeat the same routes, they’ll gravitate to the same PFJ stores because of the friendly relationships they’ve made with the familiar folks working there.

“So, our really good associates understand that,” said PFJ Chief Operator Jason Nordin. “They try to deliver that kind of personal connection.”

‘BEST COFFEE ON THE INTERSTATE’ Ferguson boasted that the chain’s slogan, “Best Coffee on the Interstate,” holds true.

“We’ve invested a ton in beanto-cup,” he said, “which you’ll hear that barista parallel drawn where you can go and get your freshly ground, make-your-own cup of coffee.”

At press time, the company had plans to unveil “a ton” of new food offerings by the end of 2019.

Ferguson is also plenty proud of Pilot Flying J’s current offerings.

“I would put our pizza and wings up against any restaurant chain in America,” he said. “That’s just not the big guys who deliver to your house, that’s anybody serving wings and pizza in America.”

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FRONT END Profile

Pilot Flying J invested heavily in its fresh-brew coffee service, underscoring a commitment to its slogan, ‘Best Coffee on the Interstate.’

Ferguson is also excited about PFJ’s efforts in the home delivery arena. There’s an opportunity, he said, to capture customers at home on their sofas. So far, the company has tested the program in Knoxville, Tenn., and is ready to launch it at nearly 100 locations.

“What we can do is serve dayparts that not a lot of QSRs and normal restaurants do, right?” he said. “So, late night, early morning, we have all these incredible products — like pizza, wings and every other product in the store that you’ll be able to order over Uber Eats.”

Ferguson gets even more animated when talking about the company’s Thungry promotion, now in its fourth year, which offers with any beverage purchase a ‘buy one, get one free’

of a rotating special product — for example, meat snacks.

“If you walk up to one of our stores in Avon, Ohio, and you’ve got a $12.99 pack of Jack Link’s in your hand,” he said, “and you already have a soda or a bottle of water, our cashiers will say, ‘Hey, get another bag for free. Yeah, this one’s on us.’”

Ferguson stressed that the company’s performance in cold vault and grocery sales are powered by Thungry. The promotion is the result of partnerships with major national brands whose participation helps fund the program.

HIGH-TECH NEW BUILDS AND MAKEOVERS The company is also expanding its footprint with plans to build stores

in Texas’ Permian Basin, where an oil boom is driving truck traffic. Pilot Flying J also has its eyes on Illinois for more stores, as well as the West Coast — Arizona, California and possibly Washington. Meanwhile, the company also continues investing in its current locations.

“When I first joined in 2016,” said Ferguson, “that first year, we did almost 15 store renovations. Last year, we did just around 30 to 40; we’ll do another 20 to 30 each year.”

These aren’t just fresh-coat-ofpaint upgrades, either. The makeovers include indoor and outdoor LED lighting and store monitoring system packages. Through a partnership with NCR, they’ll also include state-of-the-art software solutions to offer frictionless checkout, speeding service and point-of-sale transactions, as well as easing upgrades and innovations.

“Our company is a collection of acquisitions over years. So we’re actually spending as much at modernizing the existing plant as we are building new stores,” said Nordin.

“So we’re bullish about the future.”

Promotions like PFJ’s Thungry program, which offers a BOGO on featured items, have helped buoy sales in groceries and cold vault.

14

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

cstoredecisions.com

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quickBites FUEL TRENDS AT A GLANCE HYDROGEN STORAGE TANK – SIMILAR TO BUTANE

TOP FUEL DESTINATION

Domestic Fuel Options – water, natural gas, biomass, waste product

Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction – up to 90% for non-natural gas fuel

C-stores are the No. 1 U.S. retail destination for fuel

Tailpipe Emission – water

80% of fuel purchased in the U.S. is purchased at c-stores

Refuels Rapidly – taking only a few minutes using familiar technology Distance Between Refills – 300 miles

Source: Embracing Modern Convenience, December 2018, Hartman Group, NACS/Coca Cola RRC

Primary reason for c-store stop: Gas vs. Store

43% GAS customers and also used store 25% STORE customers and also bought gas

Runs Quietly – even at high speeds; no mechanical gears or combustion

68% of visits involve fuel purchase

33% STORE customers and no fuel

* Percentages may appear to not add up due to rounding.

Operational Efficiency – 60%, compared to 20-30% for internal combustion

Source: Embracing Modern Convenience, December 2018, Hartman Group, NACS/Coca Cola RRC

Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Fuel Cell Technologies Office

ALTERNATIVE FUELS VS. OIL: WHICH IS CHEAPER? Gasoline, diesel and ethanol price is per gallon.

As electricity and natural gas are not liquids, their prices were determined using the gallon of gasoline equivalent (GGE).

2018 GLOBAL ETHANOL PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY (millions of gallons, share of global production)

United States

16,100

56%

Diesel

$2.76

Gasoline

Brazil

7,950

28%

$2.49

1,430

5%

Natural Gas

European Union

$2.17

1,180

4%

Ethanol

China

$2.10

Canada

480

2%

Electricity

$1.26

Rest of the World

1,560

5%

Source: Fuel Freedom Foundation, Feb. 14, 2018

Source: Renewable Fuels Association Analysis, public and private data sources, 2019

ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERS WERE ASKED: HOW IMPORTANT IS HAVING ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING STATIONS TO YOUR DECISION TO VISIT A CONVENIENCE STORE?

11%

51%

Extremely important

13%

18%

Very important

Important

Not at all important

6%

Somewhat important Source: “Innovating to compete: Next steps for North American convenience stores,” Alix Partners, December 2018

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CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

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1. Multiple locations in-store. One 15-box rack at each register plus at least one secondary location such as an endcap, a floor display, or next to the coffee station.

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Future of Fuels

How C-Stores Are Responding to

Fuel Disruption 20

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

cstoredecisions.com

Despite traditional fuel’s expected dominance in the new decade, c-store retailers are adapting to signs of disruption in the fuel market by integrating electric vehicle charging stations and flex fuels.

Thomas Mulloy • Senior Editor The ‘20s have arrived carrying early signals that this decade will begin to bring transformation to the fuels market as convenience store retailers know it. C-store operators are pivoting with the changes, piloting electric vehicle chargers, experimenting with a range of fuel options and evaluating market headwinds and tailwinds. cstoredecisions.com

And they’re not alone.

Fuel disruption also provides new opportunities for competing channels to enter the field with electric vehicle chargers, which makes astute c-store retailers all the more interested in monitoring market conditions and testing new options.

January 2020 • CSTORE DECISIONS

21

Future of Fuels

In addition to EV chargers, Kum & Go offers ethanol options in both Flex Fuel E85 and the newer E15 at many of its stations.

Until then, passenger cars will be powered by fossil fuels either fully or in combination with another form of technology. Make no mistake — those technologies are developing, in some segments rapidly and on the brink of wide introduction. Savvy c-stores are preparing now so they’re in position to ride the wave of disruption when it hits.

HIGHER OCTANES, IMPROVED FUELS

“Given the level of disruption that is likely in the fueling space over the next 10 to 20 years, we think it’s becoming increasingly important to embrace change rather than push back on it,” said Ken Kleemeier, vice president, fuels, with Kum & Go, which operates 400 stores across 11 states. “It all comes back to meeting the needs of our customers — we’ll continue to evolve our offering as their preferences change.”

Far from the “fuel vs. electric” options most of the general public seem to weigh, between those choices exist a myriad of fuel sources, technologies and combinations thereof that’ll emerge in the coming decade and beyond. Countless variables are expected to affect the future of fuels, not only in the U.S., but globally.

The big question for c-store retailers is which forms of fuel will flourish and when? And which will limp off into history?

For now, retailers can breathe easy.

Even as changes arrive, fossil fuels aren’t disappearing anytime soon. Experts estimate it could take decades for pure electric vehicles (EVs) to gain significant market share, nevermind replace internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

22

CSTORE DECISIONS •

Companies are moving forward with fuel alternatives, according to Alice Flesher, general manager of Chevron Corp.’s 900 company-owned and operated c-store network in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada and Utah.

“There are promising innovations among a variety of potential solutions, like EVs, increasingly efficient and clean ICEs, hydrogen vehicles, hybrids and low-carbon liquid fuels,” she said.

Earlier this year, Alexandria, Va.based The Fuels Institute released a

January 2020

pair of studies outlining the effectiveness of higher octanes. At the time, the institute said that a high-octane standard for the U.S. gasoline market “could be the fastest and most cost-effective way to enhance fuel efficiency for vehicles produced in the next few years.”

ExxonMobil continually partners with universities and equipment manufacturers to optimize fuels with the latest technologies. And with good reason.

“Increased on-road efficiency and more electric vehicles will lead to a decline in light-duty vehicle liquid fuel demand,” said ExxonMobil Senior Research Associate Joan Axelrod.

“But overall transportation fuel demand growth is driven by increased commercial activity — moving more people and products by bus, rail, plane, truck and marine vessel. Oil will remain the predominant transportation fuel.”

In July, Exxon released Synergy Supreme plus premium gasoline, designed to work with more efficient and cleaner engine technology. The company did the same with Synergy Diesel Efficient with the goal of offering better mileage, cleaner burning and reduced emissions — all part of the future fuels’ equation.

Chevron in 2019 installed more than a dozen EVgo chargers at five companyowned stations in California, including this one at its Menlo Park location.

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Future of Fuels

UNPLUG FROM THE HYPE

Electrified transportation is not only coming, it’s here, according to John Eichberger, president of The Fuels Institute. The numerous headlines touting EVs, however, are a mismatch for their relatively tiny market penetration.

While EVs are growing fairly rapidly on a yearly basis, they still represent a small sliver of the overall light-duty vehicle pie and are expected to take a long time to grow into a substantial market segment, Eichberger explained.

He predicted that by the end of the ‘20s, EVs will represent 15% of sales, including both pure battery electric and plugin hybrid.

Still, traditional fossil fuel companies, convenience stores and competing channels are wading into the EVC market now.

“Chevron is currently working with ChargePoint and EVgo to pilot EV charging stations at select companyowned and operated stations in California,” said Flesher.

Kleemeier at Kum & Go said, as it stands now, location is a prime factor when it comes to actual usage of EVCs. At some locations, he said, EV chargers are only touched a few times a day, while others see appreciable usage.

24

CSTORE DECISIONS •

The nation’s largest c-store chain, 7-Eleven, recently celebrated the kickoff of its ChargePoint fast-charger trial run at a Pomona, Calif., location, in collaboration with Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready program.

“While not all locations see big demand on day one, we do see usage growing at all of our existing EVC locations and expect that will continue moving forward,” Kleemeier said.

“We’re taking the long view when it comes to EV charging.”

It’s hard not to ignore the trend when the c-store heavy hitters like 7-Eleven are moving full steam ahead with EVCs. The Irving, Texas-based c-store chain is not new to the electric charging industry. It installed fastcharging networks in Illinois in 2012 and New York state in 2013.

Most recently, it began a ChargePoint fast-charger trial run in November at a store in Pamona, Calif., in collaboration with Southern California Edison (SCE)’s Charge Ready program.

“Our collaboration with SCE through Charge Ready is a win-win for

January 2020

everyone,” said Ann Scott, 7-Eleven’s senior director of energy, engineering and store planning. “Fast chargers mean added convenience for EV drivers who visit our store and cleaner air for the surrounding community. We look forward to testing and learning during this pilot.”

7-Eleven is far from alone. A plethora of other convenience store chains across the nation are piloting EV chargers as well.

Among them is Stillwater, Okla.based OnCue, which partnered with OG&E (Oklahoma Gas and Electric) to provide Oklahoma’s first highspeed charging station in 2016, at its Yukon, Okla.-based OnCue location as part of a pilot program. Today, OnCue offers two Level 3 direct current fast charging stations with four more in the permitting process.

“It’s great to expand our alterna-

cstoredecisions.com

Future of Fuels

OnCue partnered with OG&E (Oklahoma Gas and Electric) in 2016 to test the state’s first high-speed charging station at its Yukon, Okla., location. Today, OnCue offers two Level 3 direct-current fast charging stations with four more in the permitting process across the state.

tive fuel offer and accommodate more Oklahomans as they make the switch to electric vehicles,” said Scott Minton, director of business development at OnCue, which operates 75 c-stores.

On the other end of the country, Alltown Fresh, which now operates four stores, opened its debut c-store in Plymouth, Mass., in 2019, and included four Electrify America directcurrent (DC) fast chargers to serve customers with EVs, ranging in power from 150kW to 350kW. EVCs that offer 350kW are capable of delivering energy for up to 20 miles of range per minute, which is seven times faster than most of today’s DC chargers, the company pointed out.

But that doesn’t mean every c-store operator needs to jump headlong into installing banks of EVCs — especially if it runs only a handful of stores.

As always, it depends on each chain’s unique customer base.

“If you’re in California and Palo Alto, you better have the Tesla super26

CSTORE DECISIONS •

chargers,” Eichberger said. “Otherwise, you’re missing the boat. Biggest customer market in the country. If you are in Des Moines, you’re probably not going to need a charger as quickly as you might need in Los Angeles.”

Entering the EVC arena doesn’t have to be an ordeal, either. Finding the right companies to work with makes a big difference in easing the process for a c-store operator, Kleemeier said. He

Alltown Fresh opened its first Plymouth, Mass., location in 2019 and included four Electrify America direct-current fast chargers.

January 2020

said Kum & Go had good experiences collaborating with its primary partners in the planning and execution of charger installation projects.

Meanwhile, Savannah, Ga.-based Parker’s views EVCs as an opening to grow its customer base.

“When we’re talking about EVs and EVCs, for us it becomes an opportunity to attract an audience that might not necessarily have a reason to stop at our stores besides what we offer inside the box,” said Jeff Bush, president of Parker’s, which operates 64 stores in Georgia and South Carolina.

In its “Innovating to Compete: Next steps for North American Convenience Stores” report, consulting group Alix Partners recommended that stores with chargers “adjust their store layouts to provide ‘dine-in’ occasions suiting the extended visit of EV owners.”

Which is precisely what Parker’s did.

“We’ve shifted our store layouts to where we have a c-store side and a kitchen side,” said Bush. Parker’s added seating on the kitchen side to give customers — and especially EV customers — a place to wait while eating lunch or breakfast.

Does that mean that Parker’s is shifting its focus to electric vehicle drivers? Not at all, Bush said.

“Because let’s be frank here; ICE vehicles are still the bulk of your customer,” he said. “So, it’s not like we’re shying away from what we know is the core of our business. We’re just continuing to build ancillary offerings as that demand starts to increase as well.”

Competing channels that are traditionally non-fuel outlets are also

cstoredecisions.com

edging into the EVC arena. Reston, Va.-based Electrify America and others are installing ultra-fast EVCs at retail and restaurant locations, including Target, Walmart, McDonald’s and others.

GROWTH OF BIOFUELS

Meanwhile, the biofuels market and ethanol offering continue to reshape themselves.

Eichberger warned that demand for E85, whose primary customer was the driver of Flex Fuel vehicles, will likely drift away. He added that the tax credit automakers used to receive for making Flex Fuel cars expired. There’s no incentive, he said, to produce a Flex Fuel vehicle.

Currently, there are approximately 2,000 stations carrying E15, according to Eichberger, but he expects

Parker’s became to first chain in Georgia to host a V3 Tesla charging site when it installed six new Tesla Superchargers in December 2019 at a location in Metter, Ga., strategically located between Atlanta and Savannah.

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27

Future of Fuels

Light-Duty AFV, HEV, and Diesel Model Offerings, by Fuel Type 250

E85 CNG (Dedicated and Bi-Fuel)

200 Number of Models Offered

that number to increase rapidly now that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) freed retailers to sell E15 year-round.

Most c-store chains are bullish on a variety of biofuel options.

“You can find E15, E85 and biodiesel blends offered at many of our store locations,” Kleemeier said of Kum & Go. “Particularly in the markets that we operate, customers like having these fueling options that reduce environmental impact and help strengthen the economies in our agricultural communities.”

Diesel Electric Vehicle* Hybrid Propane (Dedicated and Bi-Fuel)

150

100

Hydrogen Methanol (M85)

50

0 1991

1995

1999

2003

Last updated: January 2019 Printed on: December 17

2007

2011

2015

Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory

LITTLE MOVEMENT IN HYDROGEN

In 1991, the only significant alternative fuel light-duty vehicles (passenger vehicles) available ran on diesel. Flex Fuel vehicle model offerings steadily grew throughout the 2000s, but by 2018, diesel, electric and hybrid vehicle options caught up.

For the majority of U.S. retailers, hydrogen fueling has remained inert in most places, with the exception of the West Coast. Hydrogen triggers electrical power in an onboard battery pack.

Kleemeier said that Kum & Go hasn’t seen significant demand for hydrogen fueling.

Bush, on the other hand, said Parker’s is open to the variety of options still on the table.

As it is now, hydrogen availability and demand are severely limited.

The handful of stations offering

hydrogen are located in California.

So, for passenger cars, it’s not a large market. Yet. Germany-based Daimler Trucks & Buses recently said its fleet of new vehicles for Europe, Japan and North America will be completely carbon neutral by 2039. Its first CO2-neutral production plant will open in Europe by 2022 with all plants to follow.

The announcement sets the bar higher for all vehicles and markets.

Could automakers be far behind?

Source: U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center

The market for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles is in its infancy, yet it may be the cleanest, most environmentally-friendly option. As hydrogen technology evolves, other alternative fuels and consumer demand will carry the industry toward a zero-emissions future.

28

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE …

As disruption forces the fuel landscape to evolve, the internal combustion engine is expected to remain constant for the foreseeable future.

“We’re going to be selling liquid fuels for the next 60 years or so,” Eichberger advised. “But the volumes are going to go down because the miles per gallon is going to improve.”

As technology evolves in all areas of fueling, staying ahead of the changes can be an overwhelming task. There are ways, though, to keep it straight: Stay on top of nationwide trends. Be aware of what’s happening in your own markets. Most importantly, pay attention to your customers.

After all, they’re the fuel your business runs on.

Perhaps, take a cue from Parker’s Bush on how to handle the changes.

“For us, we’re going to continue to be nimble and agile and react to them,” Bush said. “And what I mean by that is the headwinds for the future of our industry in regards to the changing dynamics of the fuel landscape. We want to make sure that we’re there to present options for our customers, no matter what those options may be.” CSD

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Category Management | Cigarettes & Cigars

TOBACCO T

Lawmakers raise the U.S. national minimum purchase age for tobacco to 21, while Massachusetts’ retailers face a June 1 flavor ban including menthol.

Anne Baye Ericksen • Contributing Editor

30

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

As customers prepared to welcome 2020, c-store retailers were watching legislation drop on tobacco products.

The day before President Donald Trump signed the omnibus spending bill on Dec. 20 that raised the national tobacco minimum purchase age from 18 to 21, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) expressed dismay with the lack of a military exemption by lighting up a stogie in a Twitter video. Despite his objection, the bill became law.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a directive on its website on Dec. 28, stating, “It is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product — including cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes — to anyone under 21.” The FDA noted it would provide additional details as they became available.

Although there’s been concern about the immediate impact on convenience stores — such as updating signage, reprogramming point-of-sale (POS) systems and training staff — the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) urged compliance. cstoredecisions.com

O TURNS 21

cstoredecisions.com

“

It is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product — including cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes — to anyone under 21.

“

“While there are unanswered questions about when FDA plans to enforce this requirement and whether the agency can legally enforce it before updating its regulations, retailers should be aware that FDA views any sale to a person younger than 21 as a violation of the new law,” the industry group said in a statement.

The National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) concurred that to comply, “retailers in every state need to immediately cease selling any kind of tobacco product (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, electronic cigarettes, nicotine vapor products, hookah tobacco, etc.) to anyone that is under the age of 21.”

At press time, NATO had contacted the FDA to ask if it planned to temporarily delay retail compliance checks to allow retailers the time needed to adequately train employees, educate customers and reprogram POS systems.

While NATO awaited word from the FDA, it pointed out that complying with the new law and enforcing the new law are two different things.“Retailers are advised to comply with the new law now while the FDA determines

— Food and Drug Administration

January 2020 •

CSTORE DECISIONS

31

Category Management | Cigarettes & Cigars

how and when the agency will begin retail compliance inspections,” NATO advised.

However, the cigarette category did receive positive news, too. The day after President Trump signed the spending bill, the FDA announced approval of two new cigarettes — Moonlight and Moonlight Menthol, manufactured by 22nd Century Group. It specifically cited the fact that these cigarettes contain between 0.2 and 7.4 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette, significantly lower levels than typically found in legacy brands. “(This authorization) represents the first product to successfully demonstrate the potential for these types of tobacco products to help reduce nicotine dependence among addicted smokers,” said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA Center for Tobacco Products.

That’s just a snapshot of activity at the federal level last month.

Free Age 21 “We Card” Resources for Retailers The We Card organization is making certain retail resources available at no cost to assist retailers in complying with the new federal law, which raised the legal age to purchase tobacco products to 21.

Four types of free resources for retailers are available: • Three different age 21 signs to download, print and display in stores • The We Card Age Checker Application • The wecardnow.com Age Calculator for use on mobile phones • A 10-minute “Training Booster” video course that covers the new age 21 purchase law The free resources are available at: wecard.org/21-yearminimum-age-resources

bacco products, including menthol.

The only exception is licensed smoking bars and hookah lounges, where MENTHOL WOES IN the products must be consumed MASSACHUSETTS on site. The legislation immediately Most of 2019 was a regulatory prohibited the sale of flavored vaproller coaster, with cities and states ing nicotine products; however, the proposing and enacting restrictions. menthol ban will begin June 1.

A recent example is Massachusetts’ “Keep in mind, it’s a ban on sales statewide sales ban of flavored toand not a ban on using tobacco products. We’ve already seen the impact in cities and towns that banned flavors. It has exported sales to neighboring states and the black market,” said Jonathan Shaer, executive director for the New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association.

• The Food and Drug Adminis“I’ve seen significant growth for our New Hampshire sites,” tration announced approval said Anna Bettencourt, senior of two new cigarettes. category manager for Verc En• Massachusetts passed a terprises, which owns and operates 27 convenience stores in statewide sales ban of Massachusetts and three in flavored tobacco products.

New Hampshire.

• The national tobacco mini“As we hit June 1, menthol customers will go to New mum purchase age is now 21.

Hampshire. If they don’t want

fast facts:

32

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

to make the trip, smokers might switch to non-menthol cigarettes,” she added. “Cigar smokers might try cigarettes. It’s a very tough market to predict where it exactly will go.”

MEANWHILE IN TENNESSEE

While 2019 ended on a down note for Bettencourt, it turned out well for Rick Staley, merchandising manager for Tri Star Energy, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.

“It was a very good year for us in both (cigarettes and cigars) — much better than anticipated and better than the market,” he said. “Fourth tier (brands) have performed very well for us the past two years and have not hurt our premium brands.”

Of course, the fact that the company’s 89 Twice Daily stores are located in states that haven’t been inundated with additional oversight aided sales.

That said, Staley realizes the environment would change if lawmakers or FDA administrators succeed in implementing a national menthol ban.

“It would kill the category,” he said. CSD cstoredecisions.com

Category Management | Meat Snacks

MEAT SNACKS WEATHER THE WINTER While seasonal trends can influence sales, go-to flavors keep moving, and protein still packs a punch.

Thomas Mulloy • Senior Editor

Meat snacks prove a hearty seller in convenience stores. The category was up 6.1% for the 52 weeks ending Nov. 23, 2019, in all U.S. outlets including c-stores, compared to the previous year, according to Greg Doonan, communications manager at research firm Nielsen. Jerky sales didn’t quite keep up with the category as a whole, but still grew at a respectable 3.1% clip over the same period.

Yet, despite the muscle over the long haul, the winter months can pose a challenge for many c-store categories, including meat snacks.

This time of year brings a sales dip in the meat snacks category, said Scott Zaremba, owner of Lawrence, Kan.-based Zarco USA, which operates two convenience stores. “This is our normal trend.

From now through the end of February, we’re flat. Happens every year — like clockwork.”

For Joseph Bickham, president of the five-store Fuel City chain in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, part of the category dip is due to the traveling season.

“I would say that during the summer, that’s just typically when people spend more time on the road,” he said. “It’s a great road snack.”

But with savvy maneuvering, c-store retailers can still maximize results in the category.

34

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

For example, this time of year, Bickham drives sales by consolidating his meat snacks display into about four feet of space — focusing his efforts on showcasing the top movers for the season. But he also repositions the display in a key location.

“We’ve given it priority,” he said. “So we do put it up in the front of the store so everyone sees it.”

TRADITIONAL TASTES

While exotic flavors and proteins can move briskly in the summertime — “We’ve sold ostrich jerky before,” said Bickham — this time of year, the mainstays keep the category solid.

What are those mainstays?

“It’s probably the traditional, like a four-ounce pepper stick,” Bickham said. “Then second, I’d say teriyaki. Then maybe third,

like a habañero. We’re in Texas; we like our spice.”

Zaremba echoed that assessment. He said that traditional and teriyaki are his top sellers.

In general, meat snacks appeal to customers because of their low-fat, no-carb and no-sugar profile, Bickham said. “It’s always been a healthy alternative.”

Both retailers see beef sticks and standard peg bags selling well. Bickham is also seeing success with variety protein packs.

“There’s a (three-protein) pack we do really well with,” he said.

“I would say that it’s the growth in that category for us. (It) would include almonds, cheeses and then some meat snacks.”

LOCAL ITEMS

Still, incorporating some unique items — including local products — can add excitement in the category.

While Fuel City carries the big national brands, it carries local products, too. Fuel City has found success with local products from a supplier out of Waco, Texas,

cstoredecisions.com

that cures its own meats.

“Across all categories, (even) with the prepared foods, I think folks really love buying local,” said Bickham. “We love offering local.”

Zarco USA tried to make its own jerky at one point, Zaremba said. “We started to do some of our own, and then we backed off of it because we couldn’t get our product quality or day-to-day consistency.”

Though, he wouldn’t rule out trying again. “We might ramp that back up into the early summer.”

Flavor is still growing in the segment, said Bickham. And while Fuel City isn’t afraid to try a selection of varied flavor options, it’s hit or miss. Some do really well, he said. But certainly not all of them.

Slow season or not, market consultant Mordor Intelligence, in its “Meat Snacks Market-Growth, Trends and Forecasts” report, projected that the category is set to grow at a 9% pace between now and 2024.

That’s a solid performer — no matter how you bite it. CSD

cstoredecisions.com

fast facts:

• Highlighting the meat snacks category and focusing on core items and traditional flavors has helped c-store retailers boost winter sales.

• Meat snacks sales were up 6.1% for the 52 weeks ending Nov. 23, 2019, compared to the previous year, Nielsen reported.

Category Management | Adult Beverages

CONVENIENCE

DOUBLES DOWN

on Craft

C-stores up their craft beer game with proprietary offers, while keeping an eye on other category trends.

Isabelle Gustafson • Associate Editor

Craft beer has seen explosive growth in the past few years.

According to the Brewer’s Association, retail dollar sales of craft beer increased 7% in 2018, up to $27.6 billion, and now account for more than 24% of the $114.2 billion U.S. beer market.

To keep up with the trend, c-stores are not only stocking local beers, but are delving into the category further with proprietary offers.

Kim Jenks, category manager of alcohol beverages and tobacco for La Crosse, Wis.-based Kwik Trip, said the company had discussed private-label beer for years, but there was some hesitation.

“All the research we have done shows, historically, private-label beers have not been overwhelmingly successful,” she said. “Although, if you look at limitedrelease beers, especially from localized craft breweries, they are very popular. People will drive hundreds of miles to a limited-release party at a craft brewery.”

Kwik Trip, which operates more than 600 stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, decided to partner with a local craft brewery to offer a limited-release beer of its own at its Wisconsin stores.

36

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

Kwik Trip chose Madison, Wis.based Karben4 Brewing for its full distribution coverage of Wisconsin, eye-catching packaging and, most importantly, great beer. In a flooded craft market, Jenks said, Karben4 was one of the established craft breweries that was still showing growth in Kwik Trip’s stores.

The result was Glazer Bean — a chocolate coffee stout made with Kwik Trip’s Karuba Dark Roast coffee.

“The reaction has been more than we could have imagined, and the beer has sold very quickly,” said Jenks.

cstoredecisions.com

In fact, Jenks said Kwik Trip underestimated just how quickly it would sell and ultimately produced a second — and final — batch, released just before Christmas.

Glazer Bean is now officially retired. But it could be the first of many for Kwik Trip.

“Additional beer collaborations were contingent on the success of Glazer Bean,” said Jenks. “At this time, we believe we will more than likely move forward with another beer based on the reaction we received from our guests with Glazer Bean.”

The PRIDE Stores now operates its own brewery. 93 Octane Brewery is located next to The PRIDE Stores’ St. Charles, Ill., location, in a mixed-use building that also houses its Urban Counter restaurant and its liquor store, The PRIDE Beer & Wine Plus Spirits.

cstoredecisions.com January 2020 • CSTORE DECISIONS

37

Category Management | Adult Beverages

Kwik Trip’s recent limited-release craft beer collaboration, Glazer Bean, features Kwik Trip’s Karuba Dark Roast coffee.

24 HANDLES

Not only does The PRIDE Stores operate its own restaurant and liquor store, the company now operates its own brewery, too.

“We have always had a passion for craft beer at The PRIDE Stores and strived to have a strong offer of local craft beers at all our locations that have a liquor license,” said The PRIDE Stores Owner and CEO Mario Spina. “Brewing our own craft beer was a great way to add to our selection, plus differentiate ourselves from others in the marketplace.”

93 Octane Brewery is located next to The PRIDE Stores’ St. Charles, Ill., location, in a mixed-use building that also houses its Urban Counter restaurant and its liquor store, The PRIDE Beer & Wine Plus Spirits.

In total, there are 24 tap handles — 12 in the brewery, four in the restaurant and eight in the liquor store so customers can purchase a growler or a pint while they shop.

store, we go up to $240.”

Many of his stores also carry a selection of local spirits.

Jenks said Kwik Trip offers beer in almost all of its stores and wine and spirits in about 300 of its 700 stores, all contingent on local laws and ordinances.

Younger generations, she said, aren’t loyal to any style or brand.

They’ll choose a drink based on the occasion.

Overall, Jenks said seltzers, better-for-you (BFY) beverages and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails are all trending.

“You need to be able to offer all these segments to be able to capture that drinker and keep them coming back to your stores,” she said. “They also want whatever is new, so you need to be fluid and first to market as

CONSUMER CHANGES

The PRIDE Stores offers a variety of adult beverage options in addition to craft beer.

“For wine, we strive to have a great selection at every price point,” said Spina. “At our stores, we offer wine up to $60 per bottle. At our liquor

38

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

quickly as possible.”

At The PRIDE Stores, Spina said New England IPAs (NEIPA) and seltzers are top sellers.

“NEIPAs have many subcategories, but they are fueled by local craft (brewers) experimenting with flavors,” he said. “A couple years ago, we would have never thought a Cherry Shake or Orangesicle beer would fly off the shelves, but they do.”

Another recent trend, according to Nielsen: Younger generations are drinking less. Sixty-six percent of millennials said they’re making efforts to reduce their alcohol consumption.

At retail, non-alcoholic beverages are worth $7 billion more than just four years ago. In the last year alone, retail sales of non-alcoholic beverages have posted sales growth of $1.1 billion.

But Spina said his alcohol sales have been strong.

“In the future, we will continue to monitor the current trends, but we don’t see these items slowing down,” he said. “People are spending more money on alcohol than they ever have, with a focus on higher-quality, locally made products.” CSD

fast facts:

• C-stores are building on the craft beer trend with proprietary offers.

• Younger generations aren’t loyal to any style or brand, choosing drinks based on the occasion.

• Along with craft beer, seltzers, better-for-you (BFY) beverages and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails are trending.

cstoredecisions.com

Foodservice | Pizza & Chicken

PIZZA & CHICKEN SHINE AS FOODSERVICE FAVORITES Amid trends like plant-based and healthy options, classics like pizza and chicken are mainstays in c-store foodservice.

Isabelle Gustafson • Associate Editor

fast facts: • Quality and freshness of ingredients are key to any successful foodservice program.

• Branded foodservice programs are especially beneficial for smaller chains with fewer resources and staff to devote to foodservice programs.

• Despite trends toward healthy and plant-based, pizza and chicken remain customer favorites.

40

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

cstoredecisions.com

When it comes to foodservice, no matter the offer, whether proprietary or branded, today’s consumers expect quality as much as convenience.

New trends emerge, but classics like pizza and chicken will always have a place in consumers’ hearts (and stomachs).

PROFITING WITH PIZZA

Greeneville, Tenn.-based Greeneville Oil, which operates 33 Quick Stop Markets in Tennessee and Virginia, has seen firsthand how a quality pizza program can grow its business.

The chain offers a Hunt Brothers Pizza program at seven of its locations.

Greeneville Oil Foodservice Director Gregg Curtis found that the partnership made his job of implementing a pizza program much easier.

“My homework was done,” said Curtis. “I didn’t have to find a pizza crust. I didn’t have to find a pizza sauce and all the components that go with it. I didn’t have to create any marketing programs or any signage. And, with this company, in my position, that was invaluable because I’m a department of one.”

To showcase its quality and drive sales, Curtis said he gives out samples when he adds the program to a store. “Sampling, I found — not just with pizza, with anything — it helps,” he said. “If you just give people a taste of something, just enough to make them want it, then you’ve created a sale.” cstoredecisions.com

January 2020 •

CSTORE DECISIONS

41

Foodservice | Pizza & Chicken

Pepperoni is the top seller in his stores, but Curtis said he’s especially excited about the breakfast pizza.

“Breakfast (pizza) has been a big deal to us because it’s something that we didn’t offer before,” he said.

“Who doesn’t like pizza? So why not have it for breakfast?”

You can hardly mention breakfast pizza without talking about Casey’s General Stores, which has offered it for nearly 20 years.

“Our Breakfast Pizza is one reason we’re famous, and you can get it with veggies, sausage or bacon,” said Casey’s Chief Merchandising Officer Tom Brennan. “We introduced Breakfast Pizza in 2001, and it remains a favorite.”

Casey’s is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. by kitchen count, and it’s in the top 10 when it comes to sales.

Casey’s pizzas are handmade instore, every day, using fresh dough, high-quality sauce, toppings and whole milk mozzarella cheese.

Casey’s also features limited-time offers and innovative styles, such as Mac & Cheese Pizza and Chicken Alfredo Pizza. Taco Pizza, a top specialty pizza for the brand, features refried beans, salsa, beef or chicken and mozzarella cheese, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, taco chips and cheddar cheese.

“In addition to following trends, we get feedback from our guests

through social media and our guest relations team on a daily basis in order to ensure we understand and are responding to what our guests want,” said Brennan.

Even so, many customers gravitate toward tried-and-true favorites.

“Pepperoni (pizza) is the winner when it comes to sales with over five million sold each year,” he said.

CHICKEN CRAZE

While Casey’s is undoubtedly known for its pizza, Brennan said chicken plays an important role in its foodservice offering.

“We have seen positive growth in our lunch daypart due to our new crispy chicken and grilled chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders and popcorn chicken,” he said.

Meanwhile, at Station Management Consultants’ Sunoco-branded Food Marts in Philadelphia, tenders remain the most popular chicken style, said Chris Moynihan, director of foodservice. The 14-store chain offers chicken at two stores through a partnership with Krispy Krunchy Chicken. “It’s been great,” he said of the program. “It brings a lot of traffic to the neighborhood.”

Moynihan saw the program’s fresh chicken as a key differentiator. “We

Chicken remains a c-store foodservice favorite, with freshness and quality as keys to a successful chicken program.

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January 2020

Taco Pizza is one of the top specialty offers at Casey’s General Stores, the fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. by kitchen count. didn’t want to use frozen products, and all its products are fresh,” he said.

Moynihan also saw positive effects on chicken sales after quick-service restaurant Popeyes introduced a chicken sandwich in August that became a viral sensation. As a result, Moynihan saw increased requests for chicken sandwiches at his c-stores.

Next to freshness and quality, Moynihan cited transparency as key to a successful chicken program.

“Everybody likes the open kitchen now,” he said. “I think people want to see some theater, to see you cooking right there.”

Young consumers especially are looking for transparency from brands, said Julie Heseman, principal of Foodservice IP, a research-based management consulting firm that specializes in foodservice. They’re also more conscious of their food choices overall and are the primary drivers of new trends. But even as consumers look toward new trends, chicken remains a favorite.

“Everyone is looking at plantbased, but if you’re wanting that traditional comfort food, fried chicken is still the go-to,” she said.

That said, Moynihan recognizes that competition is stiff. What worked for yesterday’s customers might not work for tomorrow’s.

“If you want to stay in business, if you want to have a loyal clientele, you’ve got to give them what they’re looking for,” he said. “It’s not just about price anymore; it’s about quality and being innovative.” CSD cstoredecisions.com

Technology | 2020 Social Media Awards

The 2020

Social Media

Awards

From TikTok to chatbots, 2020 is shaking up social media trends.

CStore Decisions outlines must-know best practices for the year ahead and recognizes c-stores winning with social media and mobile apps.

Erin Del Conte • Executive Editor

CStore Decisions (CSD), for the eighth consecutive year, is recognizing convenience store chains leading the way on social media and mobile commerce. As customers ring in 2020, they’ll be posting to social media platforms, but the platforms themselves are evolving, and younger generations are forging their own paths in the social media landscape. This leaves conPat Pape • Contributing Editor venience store retailers with new questions and considerations when determining how to focus their efforts in the new year.

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CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

Facebook (FB), which is set to celebrate its 16th anniversary this February, and YouTube are the most widely used online platforms among U.S. adults, according to Pew Research Center.

A Pew Research Center survey conducted Jan. 8 to Feb. 7, 2019, found social media adoption growth has been slowing in general. The number of adults who report using FB, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Twitter are on par with 2016 numbers.

cstoredecisions.com

Snapchat and Instagram are especially popular among those ages 18-24, the Pew Research Center survey pointed out. Some 73% of 18- to 24-yearolds use Snapchat (compared to 47% of those ages 25-29), and 75% use Instagram (compared to 57% of 25- to 29-year-olds).

The study further noted that 42% of women versus 15% of men use Pinterest, while around 50% of college graduates from high-income households use LinkedIn, compared to 10% or fewer among customers who didn’t attend at least some college or who are from lower-income households.

WhatsApp is more popular among Hispanics (42%) compared to other demographics.

But what platforms should c-store retailers use, and what best practices should they implement to stand out in the year ahead?

THE TRENDS

CStore Decisions spoke with Mari Smith, premier Facebook marketing expert, social media thought leader and CEO of Mari Smith International Inc.,

Source: Pew Research Center, conducted Jan 8 - Feb. 7, 2019

cstoredecisions.com January 2020 • CSTORE DECISIONS

45

Technology | 2020 Social Media Awards

Source: Pew Research Center, conducted Jan 8 - Feb. 7, 2019

to learn more about social media trends for 2020 and best practices for c-store retailers in the year ahead.

In 2020, the ‘stories’ format on Instagram and FB, short videos and FB messenger chatbots will continue to be trends to watch, Smith said.

“Short-form video is critical for businesses of all sizes, and not just in the stories format, but also you can post short form videos — anything from 15 seconds to a minute or two — on your Instagram feed and your FB feed,” Smith said.

The stories format brings in 500 million daily active users on both Instagram and FB, Smith noted.

“It’s such a powerful way for businesses of all sizes to reach their audiences in a more informal way,” she said.

On the chatbot front, Smith noted c-stores might consider implementing a chatbot mechanism into FB messenger to provide automated directions or answer frequently asked questions.

“Keep it simple, and then see how you can build it out throughout the year to really get creative with your chatbot,” she said.

What’s new for 2020 is the rise of the TikTok platform, which has become the No. 1 most downloaded app in the last 12 months around the world, according to Smith.

“It’s absolutely taking that younger generation by storm,” Smith said. TikTok competitors — such as Byte and Quibi — are vying for Gen Z attention as well.

C-store retailers may vary in where they focus their efforts depending on their unique demographics.

Smith recommended that c-store retailers focus efforts on FB, as it’s the No. 1 social platform, and Instagram, which skews younger. But if retailers want to also reach teens and tweens, they might want to consider platforms like TikTok as well.

“Snapchat is definitely a little more mature in terms of market penetration and is definitely used by that younger demographic, too,” she added.

C-store operators that are producing video content may want to also use YouTube. “It’s owned by Google, and it’s really the No. 2 search engine in the world, second only to Google.” In other words, when customers search on Google, YouTube videos could appear in their search results.

For more on trends and best practices on social media for 2020, check out the full podcast with Mari Smith at cstoredecisions.com/2020/01/03/socialmedia-trends-2020/.

The Awards The data and research for this year’s social media and mobile commerce awards were created and supplied in part by Stuzo’s Market Insights Platform.

Stuzo is a provider of personalized, frictionless commerce technology solutions for convenience and fuel 46

CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

retailers, powered by its Open Commerce Platform, best-in-class partner integrations, professional and engineering services, and insights.

Stuzo examined the social media pages across FB, Instagram and Twitter, and the mobile commerce platforms for the top 100 c-stores

(based on number of locations) between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2019, and ranked each chain on a scale of five, with five being the top score.

In addition, Stuzo identified a number of additional chains making noteworthy strides on social media and mobile commerce.

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Technology | 2020 Social Media Awards

BEST OVERALL SOCIAL MEDIA AWARD

Chains were evaluated based on brand responsiveness, frequency of posts, creativity of content and level of engagement on FB, Instagram and Twitter.

Winner: Wawa, Score: 4.56 Wawa boasts a large social media following (FB: 1.4 million; Instagram: 157,000; Twitter: 363,400) compared to brands with a similar number of locations. Wawa frequently posts content across all its social media channels, including FB, Twitter and Instagram. Its posts include images of food, beverages and customers, as well as polls. It responds to comments and concerns, keeping customers engaged.

Runner Up: Speedway, 4.5 Speedway features engaging posts from funny pictures to special offers, and videos on how to find deals in the mobile app. Speedway encourages customer interactions by providing chances to win prizes.

The brand is responsive to customer concerns or questions and excels at interacting with them in positive, friendly ways. Speedway posts content about once per day and encourages customers to stop by the store to redeem rewards, enter sweepstakes or take advantage of current offers.

Top left: Kwik Trip (KT) hopped on the popular annual Mean Girls trend — “It’s October 3rd” — with a meme that resonated with followers. Top right: KT created this Wisconsin tweet after the format began trending. Various Twitter users recreated the tweet format using different emojis. KT’s was a favorite among Wisconsin followers. It was meant to poke fun at the fact that Kwik Trips are on nearly every street corner in Wisconsin. KT used the gas pump emoji to signify this.

thoughtful gifs, images and notes. do we want them to know?” to This results in high engagement.

“What do they want to hear?”

Posts on FB reach up to 7,000 “When we focused more efforts on likes and more than 2,000 shares. creating quality, humorous content Tweets reach up to 3,700 likes and that seamlessly fits into our follow250 shares. ers’ social feeds, our engagement KT decreased Snapchat efforts in rates and other key performance 2019 compared to years prior. indicators skyrocketed,” Nedegaard “We still actively respond to cussaid. “We were able to increase tomer snaps and questions, but we our average engagement rates by rarely publish organic content and 40% across all social platforms, and do not allocate paid media spend we’re earning more than double the toward the platform,” said Kendra organic reach per post compared Nedegaard, digital content superto 2018.”

Honorable Mention in Brand Responsive- visor. “We’ve realized that other ness & Engagement: Kwik Trip, 4.22 (Brand platforms result in much stronger Honorable Mention in Creativity of ConResponsiveness Score: 5. Customer Level returns, and we’ve reallocated tent: Cumberland Farms, 4.43 (Creativity of Engagement Score: 5.) more time towards existing and of Content Score: 4.5) Kwik Trip (KT) has a strong new social accounts.”

Cumberland Farms’ posts inpresence across all social media The chain’s main efforts go toclude interactive polls, promotions verticals, including Snapchat. It ward FB, Instagram and Twitter, but for its mobile app and SmartPay, engages its customers with content, it is also active on LinkedIn and new special deals, new store opensuch as gifs, customer quotes and platforms like TikTok, where it’s cur- ings and more. Its content is fun, limited-time offers. KT responds rently listening to brand mentions humorous and valuable for custo nearly all customer comments, and trends. In 2019, KT shifted its tomers. Cumberland responds to questions and concerns with social media strategy from “What customer comments and concerns.

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cstoredecisions.com

Technology | 2020 Social Media Awards

BEST OVERALL MOBILE COMMERCE AWARD

Winner: ExxonMobil, 3.11 ExxonMobil’s new Exxon Mobil Rewards+ loyalty app enables customers to pay at the pump using a credit or debit card, the ExxonMobil Smart Card, or Alternative Payment Method (APM) digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Masterpass. The integrated Exxon Mobil Rewards+ loyalty program enables customers to earn points on fuel, c-store purchases and car washes.

For every 100 points customers earn, they may redeem them for $1 in savings on fuel.

ExxonMobil launched a refreshed version of its Rewards+ loyalty app in September. Its updated Mobile Commerce app design is bright, modern and intuitive.

“The Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app unveiled earlier this year replaces the Exxon Mobil Speedpass+ app created in 2016 to provide consumers with a simple, safe and more secure way to pay at the pump,” said Devin Miller, ExxonMobil’s digital development manager. “The app was designed and developed in partnership with IBM iX and is hosted in IBM public cloud, delivering advanced security and data protection for each transaction.”

Miller noted that the new app offers the same benefits as Speedpass+, but also unlocks more savings and personalized offers 50

CSTORE DECISIONS •

through the integration of Exxon’s loyalty program.

“With the ExxonMobil Rewards+ app, users can pay securely from inside their car, track and manage loyalty points, and save on fuel and c-store purchases,” Miller said. The ‘find a station’ feature lets customers locate their closest Exxon or Mobil station.

“We understand our consumers are always looking for new solutions to meet their changing lifestyle,” Miller added. “Through the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app, consumers can pay securely using Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and all major credit and debit cards. We look forward to unveiling additional enhancements in 2020.”

Runner Up: Sunoco, 3.09 With Sunoco's mobile app, customers can pay at the pump, link grocery rewards, find the nearest Sunoco stations and view location-specific offers. The app is well designed, easy to navigate, and makes it easy for customers to access digital receipts. Customers have the option to link their debit or credit card, Sunoco Rewards credit card, a Sunoco gift card or pay via Apple or Android Pay. The app also includes “Apply and Buy" functionality enabling users to apply for a Sunoco credit card.

Customers instantly receive a digital version of the card, which lets them save on each fuel purchase.

Honorable Mention for Mobile Payment: Phillips 66 (2.85), Conoco (2.85) and 76 (2.81); Mobile Payment Score: 3.17 All Phillips 66 brand apps offer the same functionality and design. Customers can select from a variety of payment types, including Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Visa Checkout, MasterPass, Direct Pay, Chase Pay or the brand’s credit card, or they can link the app

January 2020

to a checking account. The Phillips 66 app makes it easy and fast to pay for fuel at the pump and to buy c-store items in store.

Honorable Mention for Mobile Loyalty: Speedway, 2.91. Mobile Loyalty Score: 5.

Speedway's app has a well-designed and attractive user interface, which customers report is easy to use. The app includes a rewards program enabling customers to track points and store their rewards card, digital gift cards and coupons.

The SpeedyRewards program offers monthly perks, the ability to earn bonus points, and clubs where customers earn free items or discounts after they purchase six. Speedway also partners with multiple grocery stores and brands, allowing customers to earn discounts or points when shopping at partner companies.

Digital cards and coupons are accessible through the app's Speedy Wallet, which makes it easy to use at checkout.

Honorable Mention for Order Ahead: Casey’s General Stores, 1.95, Order Ahead Score: 2.67 Casey's mobile app relaunched July 24. Customers can use the app to order food items from pizza to sandwiches for delivery or pickup.

Customers can customize each food item, save previously placed orders, set a default card for payment and search nearby gas prices.

Casey’s delivers a superior user experience by enabling its customers to order ahead in just three clicks — similar to Casey’s recently updated website. CSD

Check out the social media trends podcast with Social Media Thought Leader Mari Smith at cstoredecisions.com/2020/01/03/ social-media-trends-2020/ cstoredecisions.com

CStoreDecisions.com is geared toward C-Store retailers, convenience store suppliers, and distributors looking to stay abreast of industry trends, new product offerings and category management best practices.

CStoreDecisions .com Making Connections that Drive Business

We use the latest media technology, delivering content the way you want it: print issues, digital issues, enewsletters, and videos.

Use CStoreDecisions.com to help you strengthen your peer network with social engagement through Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Google+.

Browse, bookmark, share and interact with the most relevant industry content and people in the market.

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Technology | Micro Marts

Is A Micro Mart

Concept Right for Your Business?

Micro marts offer c-store retailers new opportunities.

Erin Del Conte • Executive Editor

Micro marts are appearing in office buildings, fitness centers and as small, stand-alone, self-service convenience stores offering a limited SKU mix to customers in an autonomous checkout environment. C-store operators are watching and determining how they can integrate this model to their advantage.

NanoStore and lunchbox are two recent examples.

In November, Ahold Delhaize USA’s services company Retail Business Services began piloting ‘lunchbox,’ a small-format frictionless store, in its Quincy, Mass.-based office. Customers must register and scan a proprietary app to enter. Then they select their items and walk out. The micro mart offers fresh, healthy food and snacks and is open 24/7. Customers can select from a range of payment methods in the app. Inside the store, artificial intelligence (AI) systems detect which products are removed from shelves and ‘anonymous body skeletal tracking’ connects the products with the correct shopper.

AiFi, which launched NanoStore — a small-footprint, all-in-one, automated plug-and-play store that includes AiFi’s sensor fusion and AI to enable auto-checkout — recently provided the template for Albert Heijn’s micro mart at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport that opened in September.

Customers gain access by tapping a contactless debit card — or other contactless payment method like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay — to open the door. Then customers select products and walk out.

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January 2020

cstoredecisions.com

But what makes a micro mart a micro mart?

“We see (micro marts) clearly as attempts to compete with Amazon Go and Pret A Manger,”said Richard Crone, CEO of Crone Consulting. “Micro markets or micro marts or nano marts are really quickservice restaurants (QSRs), if you analyze the SKUs. That’s the defining point in distinguishing them from traditional vending machines or banks of vending machines.”

Micro marts are cashier-less, include autonomous check-in, offer a limited SKU mix compared to traditional c-stores and feature open-air shelving, which provides flexibility for accommodating various packaging that holds prepared foods.

“In the case of Amazon Go, again it’s a QSR, but it’s created a new category — premium prepared foods with groceries (PPFG). These cstoredecisions.com

“

The convenience operators today have to be watching this, but they must know that it’s a whole new merchandising concept.

It’s radically different than the product mix and customer experience they have today.

“

DEFINING MICRO MARTS

— Richard Crone, CEO of Crone Consulting

other concepts are trying to do the same,” Crone said.

Micro marts aren’t always standalone locations. Crone pointed to Byte Technology, which offers small-footprint, unattended “stores” that are around the size of a small refrigerator and fit beside the gas pump. Customers can use a credit card or app to check in and open the case to select their products. C-stores can stock it themselves or partner with a local company.

It’s not a coincidence that micro marts’ SKU mix focuses on food.

“They have to eliminate the exceptions that autonomous checkout can’t handle,” Crone noted. “The reason the SKUs are limited and principally focused around food is that merchandising concept works.

You don’t have any tickets switching or partial scans, or scan and switch, or skip and slip the line, or check on theft profiling,” he said.

“The convenience operators today have to be watching this,

January 2020 • CSTORE DECISIONS

53

Technology | Micro Marts

Micro markets allow The Army & Air Force Exchange Service to serve military communities in small or remote locations, as well as outside normal operating hours. It currently operates 47 micro mart locations with 60 more under consideration.

but they must know that it’s a whole new merchandising concept. It’s radically different than the product mix and customer experience they have today,” Crone added.

The best way c-stores can prepare is to create a check-in strategy at their stores. “You can’t do these other things without a check-in strategy,” he said.

RUSSELL’S EXPRESS

Russell’s Convenience is not only watching micro marts but diving into the concept.

Raymond Huff, president of HJB Convenience Corp., operates 19 Russell’s Convenience locations across Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Detroit, including two Russell’s Express micro mart locations in office buildings. The two Russell’s Express locations are cashier-less, open 24/7 and feature cameras.

“The nearest manned store is always watching that store,” Huff said.

Customers enter their telephone number into a touchscreen to open

the door. “So you have to be a member,” Huff said.

Once inside, customers select their products, scan the UPCs and pay using credit, debit or with the SKIP app. Russell’s Express eliminated any products that require an employee to be present such as coffee, alcohol or cigarettes. The SKU mix includes prepackaged foods customers can heat up in a provided microwave.

Huff had the idea for cashier-less locations when a couple of locations didn’t have enough sales volume to warrant having an employee present.

But at the time, he couldn’t convince the landlords of the buildings to allow him to implement the idea. That is, until he visited China in 2013 and saw tried-and-true examples of these automated stores at work.

Russell’s had been scanning since

the ‘90s, so Huff began the transition by analyzing the store’s top-selling items to determine which SKUs to keep. The health and beauty aid section, for example, dropped from 500 items to less than 50.

Today, one Russell’s Express measures 700 square feet, and the other, 300 square feet. The larger location features 150 items, while the smaller store offers between 30 and 50 items.

One of the biggest challenges for micro marts today, Huff said, is legislation from cities and states requiring that stores accept cash. Huff pointed out that if he needed to add a machine to handle cash payments, that would up the cost of his micro mart by $35,000. “And that’s just for the machine.”

While some retailers worry about tailgating — where one person enters their code, but several people enter with them — Huff welcomes the practice because it converts

Russell’s Express offers a cashier-less shopping experience. Customers must be members to gain access to the store and enter by typing their phone number into a touchscreen.

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January 2020

cstoredecisions.com

new customers. When it’s time to check out, customers only get the discount if they enter their number, which inspires spectators to become members.

“In my opinion, every c-store operator should have a micro market option,” Huff said. He suggested looking at opportunities to open such locations in office buildings.

Huff noted, based on his experience, micro marts do about 25-50% of the sales volume of a standard c-store. “What I would say to other operators is, ‘Get out of your box … and look for growth opportunities because they’re out there.’”

24/7 ACCESS

Micro markets allow The Army & Air Force Exchange Service to serve military communities in small or remote locations, as well as outside normal operating hours. It introduced its first Exchange micro market in 2014 at the Raven Rock Mountain Complex in Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. The Exchange currently has 47 operating micro markets that are unmanned and open 24/7. It has approximately 60 more under consideration.

Exchange micro markets carry snacks, cold beverages and small meals, with a focus on healthy — such as fresh fruit and salads — and sundries, said Trini Saucedo, senior vice president for services and food for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.

“A single Exchange micro market can easily stock between 500 and 700 SKUs. ...,” Saucedo said. Exchange micro markets do not stock any agerestricted products.

Shoppers select items from open-air shelving or coolers and scan their purchases at the point of sale, where they can pay in a variety of ways depending on location — some even allow payment with a fingerprint and a PIN. “On military installations that are geographically expansive, the

With demand for pick-up, order-ahead and returns now soaring, c-stores could create a partitioned area inside their existing c-store for order ahead or buy-online, pick up in store, or for store product returns on behalf of Amazon or FedEx, and equip that area with autonomous check-in/checkout.

Exchange food court or nearest Exchange store might be quite a distance away from a particular building. Micro markets give shoppers at these locations grab-and-go options that are convenient and nutritious,” Saucedo said. “They are complementary to areas where we may not be able to provide or support full Express stores.”

IMPLEMENTATION 101

Crone suggested two entry points for c-stores to micro markets that play to their strength — “which is their location.”

The solution is not to retrofit an entire existing store. “That’s boiling the ocean,” he said.

Given the demand for pick-up, order-ahead and returns, c-stores could create a partitioned area inside their existing c-store for order-ahead or buy-online/pick-up in-store, or for product returns on behalf of Amazon, FedEx, etc.

“Equip that area with autonomous check-in/checkout,” he said. “Then use that data to curate a set of personalized product add-ons that are sitting right next to the FedEx package.” Customers can put those add-ons in their bag and walk out.

Another option is installing something similar to aforementioned Byte

Technology at the gas pump.

The consumer is already checked in to the fueling app to pay for their gas, and “can easily use that to open this refrigerator,” he said.

As c-stores venture into micro marts, protecting their data rights is crucial. “That data is yours. That’s your lifeblood and competitive advantage.

Autonomous checkout suppliers don’t have a business model unless they can get inside the store and start recording all that data,” Crone said.

Developing a check-in strategy that allows retailers to capture and own their own data is an important step in the process. CSD

fast facts:

• M icro marts are cashierless, include autonomous check-in and offer a limited SKU mix usually focused on food.

• C-stores can tap into this growing segment with automated refrigerated cases at the gas pump, or within a designated area of the store focused on pick-up or returns.

cstoredecisions.com January 2020 • CSTORE DECISIONS

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Solutions for Convenience Retailers

Leaders in

Convenience SPECIAL EDITION

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Leadership for a New Decade 2020 is set to bring new changes and challenges. Partnerships with innovative supplier companies can help convenience retailers differentiate themselves in the year ahead.

Erin Del Conte • Executive Editor

2020 welcomes not only a new

decade but a smorgasbord of new opportunities for convenience store retailers. Growing disruption is exploding across the industry — from electric vehicle chargers to frictionless solutions and from plant-based proteins to trendy flavor combinations.

Luckily, convenience store operators don’t need to forge new terrain alone. Leading-edge supplier companies are illuminating new frontiers in frictionless solutions, foodservice success, core category innovations and more.

As the definition of ‘convenience’ continues to evolve with each passing year, suppliers are working to bring new innovations to the c-store marketplace to help convenience retailers lead the competition.

Global futurist and best-selling author Daniel Burrus told me c-stores have two choices as the pace of technological disruption ramps up: to be the disruptor or the disrupted.

“The key is to become a positive disruptor and pre-solve problems before they appear,” he advised.

C-store industry suppliers and wholesalers are vital to helping convenience retailers achieve this goal.

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January 2020

MAXIMIZING PARTNERSHIPS

As you prepare to reach out to new supplier connections, first get clear about exactly what you need. Remember that successful relationships benefit both parties even if competing needs are present.

While it’s important to know what you need, keep in mind that you don’t have to have all the solutions.

Supplier companies can present you with options you hadn’t considered and help you brainstorm unique solutions for your individual situation. Supplier partners can also keep retailers up to date on the latest foodservice trends, explain the newest technological advancements and share data that can better inform business decisions.

Together with suppliers and wholesalers, c-stores can lead the disruption they want to see in the marketplace. The alternative is being left behind.

On the pages that follow, a number of industry-leading suppliers and wholesalers present a range of products, solutions and services that can help you take your business to the next level. If something catches your eye, reach out and start a conversation. It could be a phone call that changes your business.

Erin Del Conte cstoredecisions.com

2020 Leaders in Convenience index

5-hour ENERGY ................................60 ADD Systems ...................................61 Apter Industries, Inc. ........................62 ASCC Inc. ........................................63 Baker Boy .........................................64 blu ....................................................65 Calico Brands, Inc. ...........................66 Click It, Inc. ......................................67 Cheyenne International, LLC ...........68 DIRECTV ..........................................69 E-Alternative Solutions, LLC ............70 Fintech .............................................71 Forte Products .................................72 Franke Coffee Systems Americas .....73 Gilbarco Veeder-Root ......................74 Global Widget, LLC .........................75 Home Market Foods ........................76 Hershey’s ..........................................77 Hoshizaki America, Inc .....................78 Hunt Brothers Pizza ..........................79 Inline Plastics Corp. .........................80 J&J Snack Foods Corp. ...................81 JUUL Labs, Inc. ................................82 Kellogg’s Away From Home ............83 Krispy Krunchy Chicken ...................84 Last Call Beverage ...........................85

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Legal Lean Co. ................................86 Liggett Vector Brands ......................87 Loomis U.S. .....................................88 Mars Wrigley ....................................89 MasonWays Indestructible Plastics ....90 McLane Company, Inc. ....................91 MDI Wordwide ................................92 Mondelēz Global, LLC .....................93 Omaha Steaks .................................94 PFSbrands .......................................95 Pierce Chicken .................................96 The Pinnacle Corporation ................97 Premier Manufacturing, Inc. ............98 Procter & Gamble Company ...........99 Raybern’s .......................................100 Red River Software ........................101 Reynolds American, Inc. ................102 SMART Software ............................103 Solari Hemp ...................................104 Subway ..........................................105 Swisher International, Inc. .............106 TransAct Technologies ...................107 Trion ...............................................108 Wenzel’s Farm ................................109 WinCup .........................................110 ZuRI ................................................111

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2020 Leaders

5-hour ENERGY

in Convenience

®

Living Essentials, LLC, headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan distributes and markets 5-hour ENERGY® shots.

5-hour ENERGY® shots are liquid energy shots that can help you feel energized and alert for hours.

They contain a special blend of B-Vitamins, amino acids, and nutrients – all with zero sugar and four calories.

In 2004, the energy drink category was fairly new, but growing fast in convenience stores. Similar to traditional sodas, energy drinks were confined to store coolers. But what if an energy product could be adapted to a store’s front end? That was the question that started the development of 5-hour ENERGY® and gave birth to the energy shot category.

5-hour ENERGY® shots were introduced in 2004. They combined the functional benefits of energy drinks, compact packaging ideal for merchandising at checkout, and high margins. Right away, retailers saw the potential this new product held.

With 24 or 36 bottles occupying a tiny amount of front-end space, and growing consumer demand, 5-hour ENERGY® quickly became one of the most profitable products in convenience stores.

Over the years, 5-hour ENERGY® has maintained the role as energy shot category leader and innovator.

The introduction of new flavors and an extremely successful extra strength variety has kept 5-hour ENERGY® at the top of the energy shot category. Continuous national advertising campaigns, and sponsorships with NASCAR, Major League Baseball and country music star Dierks Bentley has kept consumer demand high.

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Today, 5-hour ENERGY® is found in nearly every convenience store in the United States and has become a household name across the country.

Retailers continue to enjoy their high turns and profitability. And they have found new ways to maximize their popularity. The most successful 5-hour ENERGY® shot retailers carry as many as 60 bottles at each checkout area as well as four-count multi-packs. Cross merchandising in aisles, the cooler and at the coffee counter also yield outstanding results.

As long as people lead busy lives and need a quick, effective energy boost, 5-hour ENERGY® will be in demand. It really is energy on the go.

January 2020

Living Essentials, LLC 38955 Hills Tech Drive Farmington Hills, MI 48331 USA P: 248-960-1700 W: https://5hourenergy.com

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2020 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 in concert with our trusted client advisors from top industry chains, ADD Systems software exemplifies a modern convenience store application with unprecedented efficiency and visibility into your operation, tighter management of merchandise and fuel, and efficient data access when and where you need it.

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE (BI)

Save time and money by getting customizable, timely reports with actionable information. No need to weed through pages of output because these reports can be driven by exception to contain only information that needs your attention.

New Dashboards and Scorecards with relevant KPI’s give an accurate, quickly consumable snapshot of store activity. And all reports can be pushed out automatically.

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. Our cstoredecisions.com

Since 1973, Advanced Digital Data® has worked hand-inhand 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.

BI-driven, analytical reports provide a precise view of sales velocity, which helps you meet customer demand and manage vendor purchases. With this information, you can implement highly effective promotions, like mix-and-match and combos, to drive larger basket sizes.

ADD Systems 6 Laurel Drive Flanders, NJ 07836

SCAN DATA BENEFITS

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

P: 800-922-0972 973-252-3803 E: info@addsys.com W: www.addsys.com

WHOLESALE 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.

MAKE YOUR VISION A REALITY

Built with over 45 years of experience in the c-store industry, ADD Systems helps retailers save time, improve profitability, and create the business they envision.

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Apter Industries, Inc. At Apter Industries, cleaning solutions are our business. As the convenience store industry continues to strive for improved appearance, Apter Industries works to develop answers for their cleaning problems. When the industry started installing grouted floors, Apter Industries responded with TILE TIME to provide clean, safe floor surfaces. When food service became the “go to” way to add sales and margin, Apter Industries partnered with equipment manufacturers to develop GREASE ZONE food service degreaser. Convenience store operators needed clean fuel islands to enhance inside food and merchandise sales, so Apter Industries broke through with FORECOURT FIRST, the most effective and comprehensive program in the industry for fuel island maintenance. At Apter Industries, our laser focused products and programs are making dirty convenience stores a thing of the past.

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 used on Ceramic tile, Marble, Quarry tile and wax and no wax vinyl floors.

Unlike typical floor cleaners, TILE TIME

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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 began 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 Box 456 McKeesport, PA 15134 P: 800-441-7146 E: info@apterindustries.com W: www.apterindustries.com All trademarks and service marks used by Apter Industries, Inc. are licensed from AIFCO, LLC. Copyright © 2016 Apter Industries, Inc. All rights reserved.

PROBLEM SOLVERS

Gorilla Everyday Pump Cleaner/ Bug 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 Cleaner 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.

January 2020

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

ASCC Inc.

Retail customers within the c-store sector face complex challenges due to convergence of technologies over the decades. As the need for technology has grown, so has the volume of equipment often provided by a variety of vendors.

The result can be a communications nightmare. Efficient information technology in a c-store requires use of vendors with unique understanding of the c-store market and experience with the complete OSI seven-layer model of networks — a value-add that ASCC brings to the c-store workplace.

telephony, door access control, video surveillance and point of sale.

• ASCC technicians are certified.

• ASCC has complete in-house computer-aided design (CAD) capabilities.

• ASCC’s installation team is capable of implementing a range of mixed technologies, from traditional analog systems to converged IP-based solutions.

• ASCC has multi-site, multi-crew capabilities.

ASCC provides data, voice and video services on a single premise or multiple premises, using twisted-pair, coaxial cable, fiber optic, wireless or satellite transport media. We can implement private-network local area networks (LANs) confined to a single premise, or link multiple sites over wide area networks (WANs) by use of public carrier services. We can provide turnkey solutions, manage and maintain solutions for you or train your people to support the networks we install. We engineer, design, install and maintain all aspects of data, voice, video and audio networks, video security and access control, including wiring, hardware, software, internet and common carrier services, voiceover-IP, remote access and unified messaging using wired or wireless connectivity.

ASCC Inc. 15 Ogle View Road Cranberry Township, PA 16066 800-772-0797 www.asccinc.com

• ASCC Inc. has been focused on the c-store sector for many years and belongs to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and Conexxus to strengthen our capabilities and commitment in this sector.

With the help of ASCC, your c-store can become and remain “technology friendly.”

• ASCC is experienced and competent with many technologies: data networking, cstoredecisions.com

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2020 LeaderS

i n C o n v eP n i e n c e

Baker Boy Turn your convenience store’s food program and bakery lineup into a fresh profit stream with Baker Boy. We offer one of the most diverse portfolios of premium bakery products in all of foodservice, and the understanding that C-store operators need baked goods that deliver more than just taste and variety.

Baker Boy’s wide selection of quality bakery items will help drive new traffic and sales, while helping ease your preparation demands. And all of it is backed by our market insights, reliable distribution, personalized service and valuable training!

We also pride ourselves on innovation, showcased by the fact that we are exclusive home of the Magic Ring® Filled Donuts – the only American-made ring donuts with delicious filling in every bite.

Magic Ring® Filled Donuts

Square Sandwich Croissant

Our full line of ready-to-ice pre-fried donuts are ideal for operators with foodservice prep staff. These donuts are the perfect canvas for your team to decorate donut masterpieces. Ice, glaze and top them however you’d like to meet your customers’ donut demands.

Whether it’s thaw-and-serve or ready-to-ice flavors, you can’t go wrong with our Magic Ring® Donuts.

These exceptional filled ring donuts are available in six ready-to-ice and three thaw-and-serve flavors, including the unique dual-injected Strawberry Cream Cheese and Chocolate & Bavarian Crème.

Baker Boy, located in Dickinson, North Dakota, is a family owned bakery manufacturer with 65 years of experience and a mission to be the preferred brand for premium, on-trend bakery goods.

We manufacture nearly 300 different doughs and baked products for the foodservice, convenience store, retail and in-store bakery segments. All Baker Boy products are made in our sophisticated 172,000-squarefoot production facility that includes a recently completed $11 million donut line update and expansion.

Baker Boy 170 GTA Drive Dickinson, ND 58601 P: 800-437-2008 W: www.bakerboy.com

BOOST BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

DONUTS DONE RIGHTTM

Baker Boy gives convenience a new meaning with its lineup of Donuts Done Right!

Baker Boy can help you capture 24/7 donut sales with The Donut Hole® line of thaw-and-serve fully finished donuts, which features more than a dozen flavors of iced and glazed donuts ready to be sold inside of bakery cases, or in convenient grab-and-go six-pack trays.

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Baker Boy goes far beyond donuts. We offer a full line of sweet goods, pastries and cookie doughs, croissants, turnovers, buns and breads to boost your breakfast and lunch programs.

Drive impulse sales by baking our sweet roll doughs into scrumptious and indulging cinnamon rolls and caramel rolls. Need a new sandwich carrier? Try our Baked Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits, or our Square Sandwich Croissants, and check out our premium buns, breads and carriers – available in many popular varieties and sizes.

January 2020

Glazed Apple Filled Fritter

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

blu The modern e-cigarette was born in 2003, introducing nicotine delivery without the need to burn tobacco.

The device soon found favor in China when it hit the market in 2004, and it wasn’t long before it was being sold around the world. Since then, blu has been designing products to best support the e-smoker and the retailer.

MEET myblu™

myblu provides nicotine satisfaction crafted for smokers.

It’s that simple. Designed for convenience and optimal vapor delivery. All you need is your device and liquidpod to get started – that’s it. Charge myblu once for all day vaping. Our long-lasting battery guarantees that myblu will always be ready when you are.

Our pre-filled liquidpods satisfy in a click. No refilling necessary. Just choose your liquidpod flavor, click into place, and enjoy.

A FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

All of our flavors are formulated to provide optimal flavor delivery and smooth satisfaction. Our Best Seller Collection is made up of our nine top sellers that span from classics like Tobacco to fruity flavors like Blueberry.

You can find our Best Seller Collection of myblu and myblu INTENSE flavors in multiple nicotine strengths, ranging from 0% to 4%.

From fruity to fresh and everything in between, you’re sure to find a flavor that satisfies. Our breakthrough nicotine salt formulation means you get more satisfaction faster to create a next-level vaping experience.

Allow our history and extensive knowledge of the e-cigarette market to help boost your e-cig business.

We didn’t set out to change the world, just redefine the way people smoke.

To do that, we had to reimagine everything from the ground up. So we did.

We believe that satisfaction shouldn’t require sacrifice or compromise. blu isn’t an alternative, it’s a choice. We’re driven by a relentless pursuit of something better. At blu, we work to make better products and even better experiences. Just like you, we want a vaping experience that works for us.

blu @ Fontem US Inc. 3730 GlenLake Drive Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28208 P: 888-207-4588 W: www.blu.com

myblu EXPERIENCE

myblu allows vapers to experience the best vaping experience from blu yet, including a quick rechargeable battery, flavor options, and easy to use liquidpods. In terms of how the product works, the myblu e-cigarette is comprises of a rechargeable device and liquidpod. cstoredecisions.com

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Calico Brands, Inc. LIGHT UP MORE SALES AND PROFITS WITH SCRIPTO® POCKET LIGHTERS.

SCRIPTO® ULTIMA® DESIGNER POCKET LIGHTER

Scripto® Ultima® is the newest “Ultimate” pocket lighter offering a brand-new design, look and feel to the pocket lighter category. The Scripto® Ultima® lighters were designed to be the best premium lighters on the market.

Offering a lighter for every style, more lights, popular colors, unique wrap designs and features that appeal to multiple consumer groups and demographics.

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 premium 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.

Calico Brands, Inc. is one of the leading suppliers of multipurpose and pocket 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.

Calico Brands, Inc. SCRIPTO® TORCH FLAME WIND RESISTANT POCKET LIGHTER

Scripto® Torch Flame Wind Resistant lighter is the newest refillable pocket lighter designed to handle everyday, outdoor and recreational activities with ease.

The Scripto® Torch Flame Wind Resistant lighter offers a high heat, wind resistant, blue torch flame, rubberized tank body, flip cap, push button ignition, and refillable tank.

Available in 4 colors with a dragon accent.

2055 S. Haven Ave Ontario, CA 91761 P: 800-544-4837 E: marketing@calicobrands.com W: www.calicobrands.com

SCRIPTO® HYBRID™ LIGHTER

The Scripto® Hybrid™ lighter is the perfect crossover of a multi-purpose lighter and pocket lighter.

The Scripto® Hybrid™ features a refillable tank, extended nozzle for safer lighting, an adult-friendly push button ignition and adjustable flame.

The Scripto® Hybrid™ lighter is perfect for lighting barbecue grills, candles, hookah bowls, fireplaces, and more.

Available in five colors: blue, green, red, white and black.

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January 2020

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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.

Visit us at NRF 2020: Retail’s Big Show Both #3831 www.clickitinc.com

2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Cheyenne International, LLC Cheyenne International, LLC 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. *MSAI November 2019 LEADER IN CIGARS

#1 Filtered Cigar Brand 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. Cheyenne Cigars account for 40% of the top 10 SKUs nationally.

Not only that, they also account for nearly half of the volume in the top 5 SKUs. Cheyenne Cigars continue to be a market leader, never wavering on quality and taste.

tackle on a daily basis. At Cheyenne International, the company believes in making business simple and 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 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.

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

LEADER IN SUPPORT

Silent Salesman Support For a retailer, there are many challenges to 68

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January 2020

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

DIRECTV DIRECTV is the Premium Entertainment Solution for National Businesses

Convenience stores have recently become destinations where consumers can linger over food and beverages and enjoy an array of other amenities. To compete with quickservice and fast-casual restaurants, leading C-Store retailers are enhancing their ambiance to create the comfortable and engaging instore experiences young consumers are demanding. Amenities such as TVs and WiFi are now being offered by convenience retailers, which can be a quick and easy way for operators to elevate the in-store experience and are especially important to younger customers.

According to a recent Technomic survey conducted on behalf of DIRECTV for BUSINESS, 33% of consumers said an in-store TV makes them stay longer, and the same percentage said having a TV would increase their satisfaction. Among millennials, 26% said they expect TVs in convenience stores, and 21% said they would visit convenience stores more often if TV programming was available.

Furthermore, the same survey showed that among conveniencestore retailers who currently offer cstoredecisions.com

TVs, 58% said it creates a welcoming environment for customers, and 52% said it encourages customers to stay longer and spend more.

DIRECTV can be a valuable tool that helps to drive repeat business by creating a more pleasant dining experience. It can also help reduce perceived wait times for customers in the check-out line by keeping them engaged and taking their mind off the clock. Patrons can stay up to date on news of the day, keep tab on their favorite sports teams, or be entertained by a variety of popular programs.

As part of our DIRECTV National Accounts program, you will be provided with unparalleled service and benefits that include the following: • Negotiated discounts on programming, equipment, and installation • A single point-of-contact and 24/7/365 dedicated support • Simplified and streamlined program management across all your locations, including consolidated billing • Same great service and setup anywhere in the U.S. with our national footprint • Best-in-class HD programming for a seamless customer experience

DIRECTV for BUSINESS National Accounts P: 855-656-5720 W: https://www.directv.com/ forbusiness/learn/enterprise

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2020 Leaders

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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 consumer-centric 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.

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Founded in 2014, E-Alternative Solutions (EAS) develops, markets and distributes trustworthy alternative solutions in emerging industries for adult consumers.

Our product portfolio includes Forth™ CBD and Leap® Vapor.

Our business pillars of understanding the marketplace, prioritizing customers’ needs, and providing reliable regulatory analysis have positioned us as a thoughtful, respected retail partner.

• Forth™ CBD features a comprehensive portfolio of US-grown, hemp-derived, full-spectrum CBD topical and edible products. All items have been tested and developed specifically for adult consumers who are seeking general wellness products. Significantly, form factors, price points and packaging sizes for Forth full-spectrum products are designed to meet the needs of the typical Convenience Store shopper.

The Forth lineup also features an isolate CBD vape pen in 2 flavors. Visit ForthCBD.com to learn more.

E-ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS, LLC 459 E. 16th St. Jacksonville, FL 32206 P: 904-447-6054 W: EAlternativeSolutions.com

• Leap® Vapor rechargeable e-cigarettes deliver an unmatched vaping experience for adult smokers who are seeking a satisfying alternative. With multiple nicotine levels and a full suite of tobacco and menthol flavors that suit the mature palate, Leap delivers a vaping experience the way it was meant to be. The Leap Go™ e-cigarette is a perfect disposable option – enabling adult smokers to effortlessly customize their vaping experience to their flavor preference and nicotine level. Visit LeapVapor.com to learn more.

January 2020

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Fintech YOUR ONESOURCE SOLUTION FOR BEVERAGE ALCOHOL MANAGEMENT

As a pioneer in the convenience store space, Fintech has over 30 years of experience providing owners and operators with solutions built to simplify beverage alcohol management. Fintech is used every day by over 25,000 convenience stores nationwide to automate alcohol invoice payments, eliminating manual payment processes for alcohol deliveries while helping to ensure payment compliance. Beyond payments, Fintech delivers a smart platform that brings convenience to the entire management process, from ordering to reconciliation. Category managers, executives, and even store managers can access ordering, pricing, and purchasing data for all their locations in one place, online, empowering them to quickly make decisions that align with their brand and margin strategy.

JOURNEY THROUGH YOUR PERSONALIZED, INTEGRATED PLATFORM

Your alcohol management process begins with ordering. To simplify this step, Fintech introduced our online order management tool that allows you to order all your alcohol from multiple distributors in a single online request, while controlling brands, quantities, and costs across your locations.

Fintech then takes automation a step further by providing electronic invoice payments. Eliminate cash, checks, money orders, or escrow accounts for alcohol deliveries, get delivery trucks out of your parking lot quicker, and gain online access to your invoices.

Keep your locations in compliance and off the no-sale list and get all the data you need at your fingertips.

After invoices are paid, Fintech automatically imports invoice data directly into your back office or cstoredecisions.com

accounting system, eliminating manual data entry. By integrating millions of line items, Fintech makes it easy to analyze purchase data to improve expected margins. Fintech now also offers electronic payments and invoice data transmission for select general commerce DSD vendors, so you can receive a single daily file for all your invoices.

Need even more insight? Fintech aggregates your alcohol data and provides detailed reports that give insight into things like cost discrepancies, top products, brand compliance, margin protection, and total spend. And, our report library is fully customizable, made to fit any business need. With instant access to data, you can stop time-consuming manual research and get back to focusing on driving a prosperous customer experience.

Ready to build a better alcohol business? Fintech offers an industry-leading OneSource® solution for beverage alcohol management. With over 30 years of industry experience and unwavering dependability, Fintech develops technologies that protect alcohol margins, maximize operating efficiencies, and provide the data you need to run a successful alcohol category. Fintech’s smart platform helps successfully manage over 600,000 alcohol retailer, distributor, and supplier business relationships nationwide.

Fintech 3109 W Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Suite 200 Tampa, FL 33607 P: 800-572-0854 W: www.fintech.com

PIONEERING THE JOURNEY FROM GRAIN TO GLASS

Fintech forged the path of automation by bringing electronic payments to the industry and continues to be the trusted leading business solutions provider for beverage alcohol management. Working with over 4,000 distributors nationwide, we remain committed to assisting you with elevating your customer experience and growing your brand. Visit www.fintech.com today to get started!

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Forte Products FORECOURT AMENITIES - Forte Products supplies unique, highquality and value-priced forecourt amenities to the fuel and C-Store markets. We offer a variety of waste/ windshield service centers that provide operators with efficient and long- term solutions to service their customers conveniently and affordably. Our products are readyto-use, enhance brand image, make forecourts more attractive, require minimum installation and labor and, are reliable and long lasting. When looking for a great valet unit to complement your forecourt, choose one of the many options that Forte offers which include the Contour™ All-In-One Waste/Windshield Service Center, Sidekick™ Waste/Windshield Center and the Two-Fold™ Pole Mount Windshield Center.

FOODSERVICE FIXTURES Foodservice is a key and very competitive area in C-stores. In addition to offering an attractive and diverse food selection, operators must comply with health department and food safety regulations and choosing the proper storage equipment is paramount to achieve such mandatory step. Forte’s SureStack dunnage racks promote food safety, maximize storage space, and comply with health department regulations. The SureStack dunnage 72

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racks are made of strong plastic material and provide a superior alternative to metal racks. The racks are rust and corrosion free when exposed to food acids, and are highly resistant to temperature changes. The SureStack safely supports up to 4,000 lbs to keep all types of food item packaging off the floor. Racks are offered in many sizes and in a variety of colors to implement “color” coding systems to prevent cross-contamination and to keep work areas organized. The SureStack is NSF and CE certified.

SAFETY PRODUCTS - One of the most hazardous conditions at any gas station site is an oil spillage.

Operators must be able to respond promptly to this type of incident to maintain a safe and harm free environment. Forte’s Spill Kit Station is designed to hold all the necessary materials to keep oil and gas spillage cleaning supplies in a single and safe place and your sites hazard-free.

The Spill Kit Station’s ample and compartmentalized interior keeps contents organized and easy to locate when responding to an emergency.

This exceptional unit is made of strong plastic with UV inhibitors to provide great insulation and it is resistant to impact, chemicals and solvents to keep contents dry. The Station has a user-friendly front door with a visible and easy to grasp handle that opens safely and quickly to provide convenient and hassle-free access to contents. A combination lock is included to keep the unit secured and prevent theft of spillage response supplies.

January 2020

Forte Products is a leading US manufacturer of plastic fixtures and components for the retail and OEM markets.

Our products are used in a variety of applications and within a wide range of industries that include the C-Store, Food Service, Grocery, POP markets and many others. Our company is headquartered in Kansas City, MO with manufacturing plants in Farmington, MO; Cherryvale, KS and Burlington, KS. We are brand image approved by most major fuel marketers as well as preferred supplier to large and smaller C-Store chains nationwide.

Forte Products 4801 Main Street Kansas City, MO 64112 P: 816 741 3000 816 813 3337 W: www.forteproducts.com

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

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

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.

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.

OPERATE YOUR MACHINES WITH EASE

Thanks to their unique, intuitive and interactive user interfaces and touch screens, Franke’s bean to cup or espresso-based coffee machines are easy to operate, clean and maintain – reducing time spent educating staff.

Additionally, operators have the flexibility to customize the user interface with branded and/or educational screensavers and advertising images. This is how you can ensure everyone knows how to prepare the perfect cup of coffee – even first-time customers using the self-service option.

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.

SERVE YOUR CUSTOMERS EFFICIENTLY

Let your staff focus on face-to-face interactions with customers, safe in the knowledge your coffee machine is preparing the perfect cup of coffee at the same time. This will reduce your overall costs and increase speed of delivery – no matter how many customers pass through.

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.

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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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Gilbarco Veeder-Root PASSPORT EDGE™

Passport EDGE offers the industry-leading power of Passport POS, streamlined for the small business owner. The only forecourt-focused, tabletstyle POS system is a futureproof solution small businesses need as technology constantly evolves. It uses the time-tested foundation of Passport to create a lighter, tablet-style 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.

ERGO NOZZLE ™

Gilbarco Veeder-Root engineers designed the Ergo 75 Nozzle from scratch to create the bestperforming, most ergonomic and durable, ¾-inch retail prepay nozzle on the market today. With the lowest pressure drop and highest sustained flow rate available, it ensures rapid fueling and a better customer experience — regardless of who is pumping and how many pumps are in use. The lightweight, streamlined nozzle is designed for customer comfort and ease of use in one-handed operation. Engineered with materials that maximize the working life of the nozzle, the Ergo 75 underwent 3 Ergo million cycles of testing — three times the industry standard and it is backed up by a two year warranty.

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Passport Edge PASSPORT EXPRESS LANE™

Designed specifically for the modern convenience store environment, 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!

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 longterm partnership, uncompromising support, and proven reliability.

Major product lines include fuel dispensers, point-of-sale systems, payment solutions, tank gauges, retail software development and integration and fleet management systems. For more information, please visit: www.gilbarco.com

Gilbarco Veeder-Root P: 336-547-5772 W: www.Gilbarco.com

ENCORE EXPERIENCE™

The few minutes consumers spend fueling is a prime opportunity for retailers to create unique and timely experiences. Encore Experience lets retailers create those consumer experiences by offering an open application platform as well as Gilbarco and third party-developed, easy-touse applications (apps) that are fully customizable and securely deployed. Apps can range from merchandising to loyalty, to gaming and purchase at pump. This new pump on-screen flexibility can drive business from the forecourt into the store — where retailers generate the majority of their profits.

January 2020

Express Lane

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

GLOBAL WIDGET LLC Global Widget, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, is the leading industrial hemp-derived CBD products manufacturer and distributor committed to revolutionizing the industry, starting with our consumer product lines Hemp Bombs, Nature’s Script and Pure Paws Hemp.

Global Widget LLC Our competitive advantage is driven by our cGMP manufacturing standards and proven distribution model that lead to premium products and keeps our distributors, wholesalers and affiliates growing in step with a rapidly emerging industry. We are proud to partner with distribution and retail partners to offer our products at more than 25,000 convenience and retail stores nationwide.

With our 110,000 square foot facilities in the U.S., we are constantly raising the bar on how to deliver the industry’s best CBD experience through our formulation and multistage lab testing, our marketing and partnership support materials, and our focus on compliance. By establishing trust and strong relationships with our business partners, we help them identify market opportunities that reach consumers who strive to improve their lives through quality CBD products that enhance their lifestyle and well-being. Learn more at www.globalwidget.com.

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8419 Sunstate St. Tampa, FL 33634 www.GlobalWidget.com www.HempBombs.com www.NaturesScript.com www.PurePawsHemp.com

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

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 meal or snack.

Fire Grilled Cheeseburger RollerBites lock in that juicy, home-grilled flavor.

The original Cheeseburger is sure to satisfy or try the wildly popular Ghost Pepper Cheeseburger.

Cheeseburger Seasoned all-white Chicken RollerBites, offered in a variety of bold flavors, have more protein than any other chicken product on the grill. Try the NEW! Bourbon BBQ Chicken or Nashville Hot Chicken, and the best-selling, crowd pleasing Cheesy Buffalo Ranch Chicken! Savory Breakfast varieties combine hearty eggs, sausage and cheese for a delicious on-the-go breakfast option.

Bahama Mama®

Complete your grill selection with premium Bahama Mama Sausages that provide an all-day snacking solution.

Made from highquality cuts of beef and pork, no fillers, and 100% cheddar cheese, and available in a variety of delicious flavors, our sausages are sure to satisfy hearty appetites.

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: sales@homemarketfoods.com W: www.homemarketfoods.com

In addition to our total grill solutions, our Cooked Perfect line of meal builders will elevate your foodservice offering to drive more business.

Choose from the #1 brand of Meatballs in the country, delicious Shaved Steak, or tender Pulled Pork, all seasoned just right and cooked to perfection, to bring a new level of quality to your customers.

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Eisenberg®

Our Beef Frankfurters have a long tradition of quality since 1929. Eisenberg Franks are an experience your customers won’t soon forget. Great tasting, minimally processed products with an authentic natural taste – that’s the Eisenberg way.

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Hoshizaki America, Inc. 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 lifetimeoperation 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.

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 either – many other options have been added to the c-store menu such as pizza, wraps, bowls and salads. Hoshizaki Sandwich Prep

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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.

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

Both cubelet and crescent ice make fantastic smoothies depending on your blender equipment – look for the F-330BAJ-C or one of the KM cuber undercounter series for up to 300 pounds of ice daily.

For sandwich, salad, or taco prep, the CRMR48-12 two-section refrigerated prep table 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.

January 2020

Hoshizaki America, Inc. 618 Highway 74 South Peachtree City, GA 30269 P: 800-438-6087 W: www.hoshizakiamerica.com

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29 YEARS. 7,800 C-STORES.

WE KNOW PIZZA. A nationally branded pizza program created specifically for the c-store industry that fits into existing space and uses existing labor.

We Know C-stores. We Know Pizza.

Download the Branded Pizza Guide at huntbrotherspizza.com/csd Call 1-800-453-3675

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2020 LeaderS

in Convenience

Inline Plastics Corp.

Inline Plastics New Snackers™ Safe-T-Fresh® Food Containers for Consumers On the Go Inline Plastics (Shelton, CT) continues to meet the growing demand in the Grab & Go market with the new SquareWare® Snackers™ mini PETE containers.

Retailers and consumers alike are seeking smaller, single serve food containers. As the industry leader in food packaging, Inline Plastics is responding in a big way with a new product line of ‘mini’ sized containers.

In May 2019, the company announced the expansion of its popular Safe-T-Fresh® SquareWare® family with the addition of the new line of Snackers™.

Snackers™ are cute, compact, and leak resistant containers that are perfectly sized for small servings.

They make the most of snug merchandising spaces, while offering consumers the trusted safety and security of the Safe-T-Fresh tamper-resistant locking system.

Snackers™ are 100% curbside recyclable and available in 4 popular sizes: 2 oz., 4 oz., 6 oz. and 8 oz. They are made in the U.S.A. and compatible with the Inline Plastics automation solutions.

“As retailer and consumer needs change with modern lifestyles, Inline is poised to provide food packaging options that support these transformations,” explained Carrie Cline, Inline Plastics Senior Product Manager. “The launch of Snackers into the marketplace provides retailers with individual portion sized food packaging and delivers convenience to consumers with the added confidence that the food products will be fresh and secure.”

For more information on Snackers: www.inlineplastics.com!

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January 2020

Inline Plastics is the leading manufacturer of innovative, high quality, crystal clear, food packaging containers. The company transformed the marketplace with their Safe-TFresh® line, a tamper-resistant and tamper-evident product which utilizes their patented tear-strip technology, providing retailers and consumers with greater product protection.

They continue to design and manufacture packaging solutions that keep food products safe, fresh, and enhance on the shelf merchandising. The company also offers the most complete line of automated equipment to load, close and label their containers. Headquartered in Shelton, CT, Inline Plastics celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2018.

For more information on their vast line of award-winning products, visit inlineplastics.com.

Inline Plastics Corp.

42 Canal Street Shelton, CT 06484 P: 800-826-5567 E: sales@inlineplastics.com W: www.inlineplastics.com

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2020 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. They’re searching for craveable food at a fair price! At J&J Snack Foods, we understand convenience… From artisan Soft Pretzel breads to churros of all shapes and sizes, and even classic frozen novelties – J&J Snack Foods has all the answers to your customers’ cravings! We’ve carefully crafted products that are easy to prepare at the operator level and are hailed by convenience shoppers, like our latest introductions to the convenience channel: Pretzel Fillers® Individually Wrapped Stuffed Soft Pretzels can be merchandised in a cooler case, boasting a 7-day refrigerated shelf life, or can be baked or microwaved and held in a hot foods case for up to 4 hours! Our Pretzel Fillers® are stuffed and oozing with crowdpleasing flavors like classic Cheddar Cheese, Jalapeño & Cheese, and Sweet Cream Cheese – making them all you need in one SKU!

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Our SUPERPRETZEL® Bavarian All-in-One Product Case includes everything you need to sell in order to reduce SKU complexity for your store employees: our beloved Bavarian-style Soft Pretzels, salt, and serving sleeves all in the same case.

Delicious Supreme Stuffers® foodservice handhelds in various shapes, sizes, and flavors perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Our favorite is also our newest – the Supreme Stuffers® Breakfast Stick, because the only thing better than a breakfast sandwich is a breakfast sandwich wrapped up in an easy to eat flaky crust dough. Stuffed with scrambled eggs, mild cheddar cheese, juicy crumbled breakfast sausage, and diced peppers & onions, it’ll be sure to satisfy your customers’ morning cravings.

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! You can expect continued innovation and customized solutions to our valued partners when it comes to niche snack foods in 2020 and beyond! #FunServedHere

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 worldwide smile!

J&J Snack Foods Corp.

6000 Central Highway Pennsauken, NJ 08109 P: 800-486-9533 W: www.jjsnackfoodservice.com

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

JUUL Labs, Inc. The vapor product category is witnessing historic changes in the way customers choose to consume nicotine. Cigarette sales continue to decline across the United States, with a 5.6% drop in year-over-year cigarette pack volumes in Q3 of 2019.

By contrast, JUULpods increased their percent of market share by volume to 7.7% in the same period.

Despite increased scrutiny of the vapor category and removal of flavors in our efforts to combat the youth vaping crisis, JUUL retains the number one vape share across a crowded, competitive market.

As of November 2019, JUUL sales accounted for a total of $3B, while remaining the #5 Backbar brand and the only Vapor product in the Top 10.

As we remain committed to the fight against youth vaping, JUUL is the vapor product most capable of drawing in new adult smokers to your stores.

JUULpods 3% Nicotine-Strength & JUULpods 2-Packs continue to show major growth, grab vapor market share, and bring new adult smokers to the vapor category. In fact, if JUULpods 3% NicotineStrength & JUULpods 2-Packs were their own brands, they would be the #4 & #5 largest brands within the vapor category. Both products saw astronomical sales growth yearover-year in 2019, with JUULpods 3% Nicotine Strength growing some $294K to $93.5M in 2019 and JUULpods 2-Pack increasing from $46K to $87.8M.

JUUL Labs was founded by former smokers, James and Adam, with the goal of improving the lives of the world’s one billion adult smokers by eliminating cigarettes.

We envision a world where fewer adults use cigarettes, and where adults who smoke cigarettes have the tools to reduce or eliminate their consumption entirely, should they so desire. Smoking alternatives continue to be the subject of conversation, and we welcome related dialogue, debate and data.

Learn more at juul.com

Increasing the number of SKUs in your stores by bringing in our full JUUL menthol and tobacco flavor portfolio will earn you more revenue than retailers who chose not to. That’s because more SKUs equates to higher revenue, adding up to roughly $11,500 more per store annually. Similarly, increasing the total number of facings in your stores will reduce out of stocks. That’s according to Nielsen, who found that retailers who increase by + 1 facing will decrease their out of stock rate by 50%.

By bringing customer favorites like our Menthol, Classic Tobacco and Virginia Tobacco flavors into your store, you can harness the national trend towards the adoption of vapor products by adult smokers. Not only will you have the opportunity to increase your overall revenue thanks to increased SKUs and facings, you will know you’re at the front lines of the critical fight to defeat the youth vaping crisis.

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Kellogg’s Away From Home

®

Kellogg’s® is bringing a powerful line-up of innovations your way!

Featuring craveable flavors from our iconic brands, new products include: Cheez-It® Extra Cheesy and Extra Toasty; Pop-Tarts® Pretzel Cinnamon Sugar and Chocolate; Pop-Tarts® Bites Frosted Strawberry and Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon; Pringles® Rotisserie Chicken and Parmesan & Roasted Garlic; and Rice Krispies Treats® Snap Crackle Poppers in new Caramel and Vanilla Crème flavors, along with Rice Krispies Treats® Dunk’d in Chocolatey and Cookies & Crème flavors.

Kellogg’s® is particularly excited to launch the newest addition to the Rice Krispies Treats® roster: Rice Krispies Treats® Dunk’d – an indulgent confection bar with the irresistible combination of the classic Rice Krispies Treats® enrobed in creamy goodness and available only in convenience stores.

In addition to Dunk’d, the Rice Krispies Treats® brand is introducing two new flavors of its Snap Crackle Poppers available to convenience stores: Vanilla Crème and Caramel.

Snackers are sure to love these bitesized, dipped squares of the delicious, marshmallowy crunch your customers crave – now unwrapped and ready to pop and share on the go.

The Kellogg’s® Pop-Tarts® lineup is expanding with two new products, as well: Pop-Tarts® Bites and PopTarts® Pretzel. Pop-Tarts® Bites allow consumers to enjoy the same Pop-Tarts® crust and filling they love in a bite-sized, portable snack any time of day! “Pop-Tarts® Pretzel is the first time we have altered the classic crust and have created one that is pretzel-inspired with a flake salt topping,” said Ami O’Keefe, Sr. Commercial Strategy Manager for Convenience at Kellogg Company. “We created Pop-Tarts® Pretzel because, while it can be enjoyed in the morning, it is also a sweet and savory snack that can be enjoyed throughout the day.”

With consumers gravitating toward savory snacks with bold and unexpected flavors, Cheez-It® and Pringles® each bring two new options to convenience: Cheez-It® Extra Cheesy and Extra Toasty, and Pringles® Rotisserie Chicken and Parmesan & Roasted Garlic.

For more information on these or other Kellogg’s® products, visit KelloggsAwayFromHome.com. cstoredecisions.com

At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), we strive to enrich and delight the world through foods and brands that matter. Our beloved brands include Pringles®, CheezIt®, Special K®, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Eggo®, Mini-Wheats®, Kashi®, RXBAR®, MorningStar Farms® and more. Net sales in 2018 were approximately $13.5 billion, comprised principally of snacks and convenience foods like cereal and frozen foods. Kellogg brands are beloved in markets around the world.

Kellogg’s Away From Home 545 Lamont Road Elmhurst, IL 60126 P: 630-833-2900 W: KelloggsAwayFromHome.com

January 2020 • CSTORE DECISIONS

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Krispy Krunchy Chicken

Krispy Krunchy Foods, LLC (Krispy Krunchy Chicken®) announces another record-breaking year in 2019, adding 441 new locations to its growing family of participating stores to its branded fried chicken program. In 2019, Krispy Krunchy® celebrated its 30th Anniversary of the Krispy Krunchy Chicken® brand, proudly unveiling a new, modern logo, and changing the tagline to “Freshly Made. Perfectly Cajun.”

Krispy Krunchy® offers the perfect blend of Cajun spices with a mild flavor that is…Perfectly Cajun! The brand

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®

proudly introduced several new menu items, from its Boneless Wings, with a new Buffalo dipping sauce, to its signature Crispitos® and Corn Dog to the menu. Krispy Krunchy® celebrated National Biscuit Day with free biscuits for its customers and rolled out a successful yearlong National Marketing Promotional Package for its customers. Krispy Krunchy® is also proud to continue its international expansion by opening its 10th participating location in Mexico, with more Krispy Krunchy® branded locations on the way in 2020! Krispy Krunchy® will further expand its brand nationally, as well as internationally, in many other ways in 2020 with more exciting news to look forward to!

January 2020

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 2,500 retail locations in 47 states, American Samoa, and Mexico. 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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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Last Call Beverage Since its introduction, Last Call Recovery Beverage has been celebrated as a disruptive leader in new product innovation. It offers outstanding value to the convenience category by providing consumers with the functional benefits, timely relevance and premium wellness offering they actively seek. Recently awarded a NACS Top 10 Cool New Products of 2019, Last Call’s proprietary blends of vitamins and antioxidants across a broad flavor range are uniquely engineered to meet on trend, diverse consumer demands with exceptional results.

But this is no overnight success story…

These proprietary formulations are the product of over 20 years of development and testing by one of the world’s leading Naturopath experts. Sourced globally, ingredients include: high quality plant extracts and antioxidants to aid in recovery, electrolytes for rapid hydration and Coenzyme Q10 to reduce inflammation. Produced using

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only natural flavors, certified NonGMO, Kosher, and Vegan, Last Call Vitamin Recovery Beverage has been ultimately ‘prescribed’ to tens of thousands of appreciative consumers who continue to praise its effects for numerous recovery missions.

Part science, part engineering, part art- Last Call offers a combination like no other. Adoption has been swift. The product’s use of North America’s top selling deployment cap, innovative bottle design, taste and quality already has consumers in 6 countries reaching for Last Call morning, noon and night to Feel.

Better. Faster. With proven product efficacy and bolstered by a truly unique product experience, Last Call Vitamin Recovery Beverage is an exciting offering targeted squarely to serve the convenience category and continue to meet on trend consumer demands in a highly relevant and engaging manner.

Last Call is the all-natural way to feel better, faster. It’s engineered to help you recover from your hangover, workout or lack of sleep. Last Call is an effective vitamin recovery beverage that is safe, naturally-sourced and convenient. Powered by a highquality, proprietary blend of vitamins and antioxidants, Last Call is mixed using the push cap to ensure maximum potency and freshness at your moment of consumption.

Last Call Beverage E: customerservice@lcbeverages.com W: www.lastcallbeverage.com

Reach for Last Call and Feel. Better. Faster.

January 2020 • CSTORE DECISIONS

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2020 LeaderS

in Convenience

Legal Lean Co. Legal lean is a market leader in the alternative lifestyle and health/ wellness mood enhancement segment of the convenience store market. We are an innovator and stay ahead of the health/wellness trends as well as pop culture while keeping up with legislative climate challenges. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Legal Lean Co. 10151 University Blvd, #328 Orlando, FL 32817 P: 408-883-5326 E: Legalleanstore@gmail.com W: www.Legalleanstore.com www.Legallean.com

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.

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Loomis U.S. Even with the availability of alternative forms of payment, convenience stores are still predominately cash-run businesses, with cash accounting for 60 percent of purchases. But having large amounts of cash on hand leaves businesses vulnerable to risks such as internal and external loss or theft.

Additionally, outdated and manual cash-handling processes are timeconsuming and financially draining.

Fortunately, there’s SafePoint by Loomis—a complete cash management ecosystem that helps convenience stores streamline cash processes, increase security, and save money.

SafePoint combines cuttingedge smart safe and cash recycler technology, dedicated IT support, system monitoring, armored transport, and customer service to address every cash management need with ease.

The SafePoint Titan family of smart safes (the flagship Titan model, Titan C, and Titan X expansion peripherals, plus the newest Titan S and Titan Z models) are the most advanced and secure on the market and are built to accommodate the needs of any size business. Features like remote support, a user-friendly interface, and built-in tutorials make for seamless integration in a store environment, and minimal downtime for training.

The Titan R line of cash recyclers introduce a new wave of benefits for retail customers, allowing them to automate nearly all steps in their cash-handling processes. Gone are the days of spending hours in the cash room—with the Titan R, employees can spend more valuable time on the sales floor assisting customers. And with sizes ranging from under-counter options to large-scale options for large retail operations, the Titan R line is designed to suit businesses of any size, helping them maximize their ROI while closing the loop in their cash management process.

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SafePoint product line is that we’re truly able to offer our clients the right solution for any business situation,” says Lenny Evansek, vice president of SafePoint business development for Loomis. “From low-value and lowrisk cash environments to those that need complete in-store automation around deposits and change order management—there are more than 60 different options available that can be used together with one common interface and platform.”

SafePoint customers also have total access to their cash data with Loomis Direct. This online customer portal features equipment management capabilities and provides complete visibility of and near-real-time access to account information, cash reporting, and tracking information, from pickup to delivery.

In addition to complete visibility, SafePoint customers also benefit from comprehensive system monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, which help anticipate and solve issues before they happen.

This is made possible with integration into SafeSync. This revolutionary platform is capable of supporting up to 100,000 safes with no downtime and 100% issue resolution, and gives Loomis’ dedicated SafePoint IT team a comprehensive, centralized view of the entire SafePoint system to ensure better service.

Finally, when customers choose SafePoint, they gain access to Loomis’ industry expertise and cash management services portfolio, which includes secure armored transport, hundreds of provisional banking partnerships, and a dedicated national customer support team.

“SafePoint is a technology-driven one-stop shop for our customers, and we strive to provide service that’s second to none,” says Moises Gonzalez, vice president of product development for SafePoint by Loomis. “It’s about becoming a partner for our customers and letting them know that we will always go above and beyond.”

January 2020

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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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

MasonWays Indestructible Plastics DUNNAGE RACKS/STORAGE & DISPLAY BASES

MasonWays offers over 80 different size bases with various heights and options to choose from. We offer four Dunnage Rack lines, giving you the opportunity to get the size you require without having to settle. MasonWays units are NSF certified and produced with USDA materials. Optional graphics, sign holders, colors and antimicrobial additives are available.

LOCKING OUTDOOR CABINETS

MasonWays Cabinets increase impulse sales at the front of stores, pump islands and forecourts at convenience stores, supermarkets and fuel retailers. The cabinet merchandises and sells products where retailers were not able to before.

Water, windshield-washer fluid, rock salt and other seasonal products are now available at the point of purchase to encourage impulse sales.

Cabinets allow products to stay in place securely overnight with locking doors.

24/7 operations can purchase units without doors to keep products dry and free from snow, rain and dirt. Create sales for motorists filling up or entering stores. Ring up more profits!

STAIR STEP DISPLAYS

Super strong, no assembly required, lightweight, water repellent, impervious to chemical and solvent, easy-to-clean merchandisers have room for messaging on the front panels. Available in three and four-foot size options. Durable and easy to stack and sell, sell, sell!

Economical Stock and Custom Display Solutions.

MasonWays has the largest selection of plastic Rotational 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 North America. Five strategic production facilities expedite delivery and reduce shipping costs. Our manufacturing process uses a no seam technology that is durable and economically priced.

10 year warranty. Stock and custom sustainable display solutions.

MasonWays Indestructible Plastics Corporate Offices 580 Village Blvd.

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

Georgia • Ohio • Indiana • Oregon • Canada

MASONWAYS RECYCLABLE/TRASH BINS & WINDSHIELD SERVICE CENTERS

Municipalities and customers are beginning to require or want to recycle more. MasonWays was judged and awarded by a select group of retailers the Best Product Award for its Mixed Recycling Units. Durable and weather resistant. Recycling centers have flexible labeling options that accommodate specific separation requirements for clear content identification at retail. Each unit is clearly labeled so customers can easily discard their recyclables properly. Custom colors are available.

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2020 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.

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.

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 trade-specific 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.

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

McLane Company, Inc. 4747 McLane Pkwy Temple, TX 76504-4854 P: 254-771-7500 800-299-1401 W: www.mclaneco.com

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 never-ending 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.

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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, and lit signs.

We collaborate with you so that your customers buy something for the road.

Our column cladding, valances, and pump toppers drive customers your way.

They enhance your petroleum station’s structural elements with decorative touches.

The cladding and valances brand poles and pumps with colors and logos. The toppers frame changeable signs to show your store’s specials.

MDI Worldwide 38271 W 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48331 P: (248) 553-1900 W: www.mdiworldwide.com

Our bollard sign system is a straightforward way of steering customers from your pumps to your store. The system holds a promotional poster neatly and enables simple changeouts. It has a front-loading frame with rails that open and close by hand in a snap. Its mounting bracket attaches in back and adjusts to accommodate a bollard with a single post, double posts, or a horseshoe shape.

Our WindMaster® curb sign stands uphold your promotions to attract traffic that’s driving or walking by. Boasting best-in-industry wind resistance, the stands feature our strong springs on legs or rolling bases. They include frames that load posters with speed and ease.

Their setup is toolless.

Our lit signs brighten your brand by bringing recognition to products, services, or departments outside or inside your store. They’re available in a variety of styles: backlit, halo lit, edge lit, animated, faux neon, channel letter, and laser-etched acrylic. They use LED lighting that’s bright and smooth, energy efficient and long-lasting.

The signs mount to walls, windows, or ceilings.

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January 2020

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2020 Leaders

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Mondelez Global LLC SOUR PATCH KIDS & SWEDISH FISH brands are leaders in the candy category; we ignite the love for our brands by focusing on our core candy as well as introducing exciting innovations. In C-store we continue to see successful launches and activations from SOUR PATCH KIDS Soft & Chewy Candies like Zombies, Red vs. Blue, and Red White & Blue – tying these innovations into exciting key program moments like summer and Halloween.

Mondelēz International, Inc. (MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world.

With 2018 net revenues of approximately $26 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www. mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

SOUR PATCH KIDS Soft & Chewy Candy Red vs. Blue was a huge promotion for 7-Eleven as it delivered 40% of our 2019 FY 5 oz. pack $ sales growth and outperformed previous promotions in the first 7-weeks by 80% and total sales by 20%(1)! SOUR PATCH KIDS Soft & Chewy Candy Red vs. Blue also drove high social media engagement and earned media (received press coverage from lifestyle outlets like Delish, Insider, & PopSugar).

In 2020, we are continuing this path by launching SOUR PATCH KIDS & SWEDISH FISH CRUSH® flavored Soft & Chewy Candy, bringing together 3 iconic brands!

CRUSH® Orange is the #1 Fruit Flavored Soda Brand amongst Gen Pop, Teens and Hispanics(2), and 80%(3) of SOUR PATCH KIDS Soft & Chewy Candy consumers feel CRUSH® fits the SOUR PATCH KIDS brand extremely well. We have robust marketing plans to support the CRUSH® partnership launch! The support plans include our new TV Campaign that will feature an end-card tagging CRUSH® SOUR PATCH KIDS & SWEDISH FISH CRUSH® flavored Soft & Chewy Candy. Strong digital and social support as SOUR PATCH KIDS has the #1 Candy Brand followed on Instagram(4), our Playbook program at retail, and in-store support/multi-brand displays. The Keurig Dr Pepper team will also be licensing the SOUR PATCH KIDS brand to launch CRUSH® SOUR PATCH KIDS Blue Raspberry Flavored Soda in April 2020. We will have an IRC/Tearpad offer (.75c off WYB one 20oz soda and 1 pack of any SPK candy) available to C-store customers in March; this is to drive more awareness and trial and tie both launches together.

Mondelez Global LLC 100 Deforest Ave East Hanover NJ 07936 P: 855-535-5648

(M to F: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET)

Earn up to 12% on your total Mondelēz Global LLC business by purchasing core SKUs, new item and Displays 2020.

Visit WWW.MONDELEZGROWTHPROGRAM.COM TO GET DETAILS TODAY!

Source: (1) 7-Eleven: PS’19: June 26th – Aug 13th (2) Kantar Millward Brown Brand Equity Tracker Total Self & Treat Myself – Q2 2018; JAN 18 IPSOS Sour Patch Kids Changeovers DUEL Idea Screen.

(3) Aug 18 Nielsen bases Quick Predict concept study – SOUR PATCH KIDS (4) Dec 2019 Facebook & Instagram

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Omaha Steaks Omaha Steaks Meat Snacks The unparalleled boldness of Omaha Steaks perfectly aged is naturally outstanding. Marinated just right for a flavor-packed and savory meat snack that’s almost too deliciously tender to be believed.

Our signature marinade was chef-crafted to amplify the taste of our beef - not obscure it. Add in the natural hickory smoke we use to cure it, and the result is unrivaled, steak-forward deliciousness in every bite.

Whether you choose our perfect Beef Jerky, ultra-tender sirloin Steak Bites, or savory and snappy Beef Sticks, you’ll enjoy a premium, proteinpacked snack in three outstanding flavors.

With over a century of bringing you the world’s best beef, Omaha Steaks is America’s Original Butcher.

• Product of the USA • Made with REAL Omaha Steaks Beef • 11-13 grams of protein per serving • Real hickory smoked • No artificial flavors • No nitrates or nitrates added • No MSG

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January 2020

Omaha Steaks is a fifthgeneration, family-owned company with a passion for providing the finest, most tender and most flavorful beef. Over the course of a century, we’ve evolved from a small-scale butcher shop to a world-famous purveyor of gourmet foods. Our founders embarked upon their journey with a simple mission in mind, one which still applies today. We deliver exceptional experiences that bring people together.

Guaranteed.

Omaha Steaks 11030 O Street Omaha, NE 68137 P: 844-828-0365 W: www.omahasteaks.com/ meatsnacks

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PFSbrands At PFSbrands, we are here to help make foodservice simple and profitable for you. With 20+ years of experience, we’ve tailored our program offerings to increase your profitability. We do this through our 10 fanatical levels of upfront and ongoing support, dedicated business advisors, marketing funds and volume incentive rebates, a national pricing guarantee and our brand promise 90-day money back guarantee. Plus, we’re 100% employee owned so everyone you interact with thinks and acts like an owner!

Our motto is “Our Support. Your Success.” Everything we do is about supporting your business, regardless of what program you may choose:

PROVEN FLAGSHIP CHICKEN FRANCHISE

An Entrepreneur Magazine top-rated fried chicken franchise, Champs Chicken is a turn-key program designed specifically to fit into c-stores. With 375+ locations across forty states, Champs Chicken is the ultimate package of products, processes, technology and the highest levels of support to give you the BIGGEST profits.

SIMPLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT

A more flexible way to do chicken, Cooper’s Express features a kickedup Cajun flavor profile, a simplified menu and lower price points. With minimal investment required, Cooper’s Express provides medium reward levels and a simple monthto-month agreement, perfect for convenience stores with slightly lower traffic volumes.

PFSbrands® is the parent company of the foodservice brands Champs Chicken®, Cooper’s Express® and BluTaco®. These turn-key hot food programs, along with several other recognizable private label brands, can be found in the delis of 1,500+ convenience stores and supermarkets in over forty states. PFSbrands also sells commercial kitchen equipment (ShopPFSbrands. com), distributes custom breading from its blending facility (PFSblends.com), and provides hot grab & go food for grocery delis with Red Letter Foods (redletterfoods. com). PFSbrands is 100% employee owned.

PFSbrands 120 Commerce Drive Holts Summit, MO 65043 P: 855-632-3373 W: www.pfsbrands.com

BUILD-TO-ORDER MEXICAN BAR

A build-to-order Mexican bar to satisfy the consumer looking to spice up their meal options, BluTaco is a franchise program that offers burritos, bowls, tacos, nachos, quesadillas and salads. Featuring the same levels of support as Champs Chicken, BluTaco is an easy-to-run program with fewer proprietary products and simple cooking procedures. cstoredecisions.com

CUSTOM OFFERING WITH YOUR OWN BRAND

The most flexible option, our Private Label program offers the processes, products and support of a branded program but with the look and name of your own brand. Only 5 products are required with medium reward levels to give you the custom offering you’re looking for.

January 2020 • CSTORE DECISIONS

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Pierce Chicken

Your Full Service, Full Line, ValueAdded Chicken Partner. Pierce Chicken offers a full-line product portfolio to meet all of your customers’ chicken cravings. From our best-selling Super Chik’n™ (fully cooked, breaded 8pc chicken … easy and delicious straight out of the oven) to our tasty chicken tenders, shareable popcorn chicken and even Gourmet Chicken Salad, Pierce Chicken has you covered.

Pierce Chicken is the industry leader in chicken wings and the demand for them continues to surge. 45% of the US population is ordering chicken wings served at restaurants and servings are on the rise (1). Whether bone-in or boneless, our Original and Industry Leading Wing-Dings™ and Wing-Zings™ have satisfied consumer demand all across the country for more than 50 years.

Pierce Chicken is also committed to helping you grow your chicken

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business with targeted trend data, demographic data, gap analysis, merchandising support and promotional ideas. Your success is our success.

For example, DID YOU KNOW …

• C-Stores are the 4th largest purchaser of Pre-Cooked Chicken Wings and have grown purchases 11.9% year over year!! (2) • Pre-Cooked wing growth in broadline distribution is outpacing fresh wing growth by a factor of 3.5x (2) • The majority of consumers say Chicken is their favorite protein (3) • Your Customers LOVE boneless handheld chicken!

- Menu mentions of boneless wings have increased 35% since 2014 (4)

January 2020

Since the 1950s, Pierce Chicken has been driven by its passion to offer absolutely the best tasting, highest-quality chicken available in foodservice. Customers—then and now— know Pierce Chicken for its superior flavor and product consistency. But the Company isn’t resting on its laurels; innovation is in its blood. Pierce Chicken is always working to be first to market with the next great taste in chicken. Pierce Chicken wants to earn your business with great chicken, great value and a great fit for your menu. If you’re ready for a roll-up-the-sleeves partner that’s as essential to your business as chicken is to your menu, Pierce Chicken welcomes your call.

Pierce Chicken Contact: Brad Fisher, P: 937-776-2698 1770 Promontory Circle Greeley, CO 80634 P: 412-398-5125 E: poultryinfo@pilgrims.com W: www.poultry.com

(1) NPD Group, The Chicken Wing Dilemma report (2) NPD Supply Track (3) Datassential, Meat & Poultry Keynote Report (4) Dataessantial MenuTrends

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2020 Leaders

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The Pinnacle Corporation Pinnacle knows convenience retail, it’s what we do. Whether you are looking for a completely integrated solution, or want to leverage your existing platforms with new technologies, we can help. Our open design concepts and partner platforms were intentionally built to give you choices in how you run your business.

POINT OF SALE

Since 1995, Pinnacle’s Palm Point of Sale (POS) has been designed as more than just a cash register. It is a complete suite of point of sale centric solutions that enables more point of purchase and consumer facing benefits than any other point of sale on the market. Remote management tools enable fast, remote configuration changes from a web browser, plus instant access to transaction and event data for sales and operations teams.

And introduced in 2019, Pinnacle’s Affiniti Cloud POS – a true-cloud point of sale solution.

Today’s consumers are looking for offers and rewards targeted just for them. They want to feel special, like you know who they are and how they shop. The loyalty programs of old have been replaced by opportunities to connect with your customers like never before. And if you don’t, someone else will!

When your customers use your branded loyalty program, you can engage with them and understand their individual buying habits to incent them with rewards that are unique to them. In today’s marketplace, it’s all about shopper engagement.

Pinnacle’s Shopper Engagement Solutions are a complete suite of consumer focused tools to make average customers good and good customers better. Not just an afterthe-fact discount program, Pinnacle’s Shopper Engagement Solutions enable features that will appeal to the majority of your customers, taking your marketing to a new level.

QSR AND FOODSERVICE SOLUTIONS

Affiniti Cloud POS joins our other Affiniti Cloud Platform Solutions for Mobile Ordering and Payment, Mobile Loyalty, Offers and Coupons, and browser-based Kiosk Ordering and Kitchen Video Displays. Applications that are fully integrated, with a shared product catalog and underlying microservices architecture, ready to scale and extend to help you meet your consumers’ needs today…and tomorrow. cstoredecisions.com

The Pinnacle Corporation provides leading-edge point of sale, shopper engagement, and foodservice technology solutions to the convenience store industry.

Nationwide, Pinnacle’s POS, Loyalty Rewards, In-store Kiosk and Kitchen Display System, Retailer Branded Mobile App, and Mobile Ordering solutions are used daily in convenience outlets to improve their store operations and extend their brand. As we celebrate 30 years serving the convenience store industry in 2020, we’d like to thank our clients and partners for their support.

Here’s to another 30!

LOYALTY REWARDS AND SHOPPER ENGAGEMENT

The Pinnacle Corporation 201A E. Abram St. Arlington, TX 76010 P: 817-795-5555 W: www.pinncorp.com

With the Affiniti QSR Foodservice Technology Suite, your customers will engage deeper with YOUR BRAND as they construct their favorite food creations!

When your customers order from their phone using your branded mobile app, or from your branded in-store Kiosk, you’ll see a proven lift in your foodservice operation.

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Premier Manufacturing, Inc. Premier Manufacturing, Inc. distributes national brands such as Manitou®, Wildhorse®, 1839®, Shield®, 1st Class®, Ultra Buy® and Traffic®. 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 new 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 have a favorite brand and for those

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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, filtered cigars, premium cigars, and cigarette tubes. Premier Manufacturing offers other brands such as Wildhorse®, 1839®, 1st Class®, Shield®, Traffic ®and Ultra Buy®.

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

January 2020

Premier Manufacturing, Inc. 629 Cepi Drive Chesterfield, MO 63005 P: 800-272-8656 W: www.gopremier.com

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Procter & Gamble Company FEBREZE CAR VENT PLATINUM ICE

Leave all those yeti-sized odors in the dust, and drive on with the cashmere-smooth, patchouli scent of a Febreze Platinum Ice CAR Vent Clip. Odor-eliminating and cool as ice, once you clip this plug in, you’ll give any passenger chills.

• Doesn’t just mask, cleans away odors with OdorClear Technology.

• Febreze CAR cleans away odors and slowly releases a light, fresh scent for up to 30 days* *On low and under ambient conditions • Attaches easily to car vent and allows you to select the level of intensity to control how much freshness is released.

• Fruity & floral car air fresheners not your thing? Eliminate odors with Platinum Ice scented Febreze Car vent clip for a cravable, masculine scent.

• We do not use phthalates, formaldehyde or flammable propellants as ingredients when we make Febreze.

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. cstoredecisions.com

• COOLING RELIEF with a powerful rush of Vicks Vapors to soothe your sore throat.

• MAXIMUMSTRENGTH 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.

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 deep-rooted 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 W: https://us.pg.com

FEBREZE CAR VENT OLD SPICE

Car odors can make any passenger want to jump ship. But with the odoreliminating citrus and mint scent of a Febreze Old Spice CAR Vent Clip, you can steer straight onto freshness.

So sniff on, Captain, because this time… it’s odors walking the plank.

• Doesn’t just mask, cleans away odors with OdorClear Technology.

• Febreze CAR cleans away odors and slowly releases a light, fresh scent for up to 30 days* *On low and under ambient conditions.

• Attaches easily to car vent and allows you to select the level of intensity to control how much freshness is released.

• The scent of woods and spices will make your car smell mannificent.

• We do not use phthalates, formaldehyde or flammable propellants as ingredients when we make Febreze.

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Raybern’s Raybern’s is a leading provider of the heat-andserve deli-style sandwich.

Raybern’s authentic handheld platform includes the #1 Selling Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich in the U.S. and more than a dozen other sandwiches in both frozen and refrigerated offerings. The brand’s handheld sandwiches are known for high-quality, richly seasoned meats & cheeses, savory seasonings, proprietary cheese sauces, all in bakery-soft bread and wrapped in an artisan microwavable butcher paper.

More than thirty years ago, founders Ray and Bernie envisioned sharing their love of New York-style deli sandwiches with the world. It took years to fully develop the Raybern’s bread recipe that cooks up “Bakery Soft” right from the microwave – as well as their signature Philly Cheesesteak and Pastrami

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recipes. Today, Raybern’s is proud to say that they make millions of sandwiches each year and have enjoyed 50% growth year over year in the convenience space while continuing to appeal to consumers seeking satiating, on-the-go, handheld eats.

Studies continue to demonstrate that consumers are frequently faced with a lack of time. This forces us all to choose convenience over quality. No more. Raybern’s offers the solution and currently has ten handheld varieties in an 8-Pack format that are protein rich and deliver a “Just Baked Taste”.

Each handheld variety is crafted with “Bakery Soft Bread”, superior cheeses and well-seasoned proteins.

Raybern’s sandwiches are easy to prepare, convenient for onthe-go living and require no cleanup. The brand’s offerings are frozen and deli friendly, and once unfrozen, can be refrigerated for 14 days as well as be heated and served for customers seeking a quick graband-go meal.

When it comes to sandwiches, Raybern’s has proven it is a brand that knows how to bring amazing flavor from the freezer to the microwave.

With flexibility front of mind, Raybern’s knows that every customer is different and continues to innovate with increased demand.

January 2020

Raybern’s believes that the New York-style deli sandwich reigns supreme. Since 1978, Raybern’s has been crafting incredibly delicious sandwiches with handcrafted, bakery-soft bread, slow-roasted meats and chefcreated sauces. Now, consumers can enjoy authentic deli goodness at home or while on-the-go. It is Raybern’s mission to share its love of great sandwiches with as many people as possible and has succeeded in being the brand that remains the top-selling Philly Cheesesteak in America, according to Nielsen Scan Data.

Raybern’s 3170 Crow Canyon Place Suite 200 San Ramon, CA 94583 P: 888-44-ENJOY (888-443-6569) 925-302-7800 W: http://rayberns.com/

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Red River Software Red River Software will help optimize your c-store. Since 1978, Red River has been the leading provider of software for convenience stores, coops, jobbers, and fuel marketers. Whether for a single c-store or a multistore chain, our solutions give you the freedom to manage your business from anywhere improving profitability and beating your competition.

COMPLETE C-STORE SUITE

Looking for a way to enhance the profitability of your business? You will find it in Red River Software’s complete management system. From pump to register to back office, CS Minder is the leading convenience store accounting software solution.

Easily manage inventory, track shrinkage, and manage gross margins for multiple locations. CS Minder’s intuitive interface will help you streamline your processes, saving time and money.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR PACKAGE

Keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of the C-store industry is no small task. Red River Software offers options to address your specific needs. From tracking Deli Inventory and Spoilage, to Interstore Transfers and Rebates, customize your package any way you want and pay only for what you use.

SEAMLESS INTEGRATION

A key advantage of Red River’s solutions is the way our software integrates with multiple POS systems, supplier interfaces, and other software options. We partner with several industry leaders to provide better functionality and accessibility to our customers. Your trusted partners are our trusted partners.

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

In 2019, Red River Software acquired Triple E Technologies, a noted provider of point of sale systems, card processing hardware, and software. This merger expanded our ability to address customers’ challenges surrounding house account management, payment processing, and PCI compliance.

Red River Software now offers the Triple E One Touch Suite, a modern, comprehensive pointof-sale system made to the highest level of industry security standards.

Red River Software is a nationally recognized provider of back-office accounting solutions for c-stores and fuel marketers. In 2019, they acquired Triple E Technologies, expanding to include point of sale, proprietary card systems, and secure payment processing.

With 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

Red River Software and the Triple E product line work together to provide our customers with the tools they need to run their business efficiently. cstoredecisions.com

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

Reynolds American Inc. Reynolds American Inc. and its subsidiaries (RAI Group) form the second-largest tobacco group in the U.S. The RAI Group markets a robust array of products across the tobacco and nicotine category, including Vuse digital vapor cigarettes, VELO modern oral products, Grizzly moist snuff, and many of the nation’s bestselling cigarette brands, including Newport, Camel, Pall Mall and Natural American Spirit.

The RAI Group continues to lead transformation by building strong brands and providing adult tobacco consumers with high-quality nicotine products to meet the changing needs of the consumer. Our vision is to achieve market leadership by transforming the tobacco industry, and we’re leading this change by driving innovation throughout our businesses.

We operate responsibly to best balance the desires of our many stakeholders. In particular, the RAI Group is committed to openly and objectively addressing the issues regarding the use of and harm associated with tobacco products.

We lead in convenience with a customer-engagement strategy built on developing a collaborative business approach to meet mutually beneficial objectives. Our National

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Field Trade team is equipped to support our evolving adult consumer needs in the changing nicotine landscape.

RAI Group employees are also leaders in the communities where they live and work. Our companies, foundations and employees donated approximately $13.6 million to a wide range of nonprofit organizations in 2018. During the United Way Days of Caring campaign that year, more than 900 employees volunteered over 5,000 hours.

Our employees are the backbone of the RAI Group, and their ideas and talents are the foundation of our success.

We take pride in providing employees with resources to develop their careers and focus on the things that matter most, including a best-in-class parental leave policy, life-long learning, global opportunities and more.

As a result, in 2019, we were certified as a Great Place To Work for the third year in a row, and as one of Fortune’s Top Workplaces in Manufacturing and Production.

We take great pride in the principled and responsible way we conduct ourselves and our businesses. We are proud of the fact that we effectively compete for the business of adult tobacco consumers, while continuing to hold ourselves to high standards.

January 2020

Reynolds American Inc. 401 N. Main St. P.O. Box 2990 Winston-Salem, NC 27101-2990 P: 336-741-2000 W: www.reynoldsamerican.com

cstoredecisions.com

2020 Leaders

in Convenience

SMART Software

SMART Software has grown rapidly since its inception over 20 years ago.

In case you are unfamiliar, SMART is a premium service/compliance/ employee/asset management system for all types of companies. No matter what industry, SMART is an integral solution for your company.

Throughout the years the company works with titans of the industry as well as the “little” guy just starting off.

The software has grown throughout the years to accommodate the needs of companies with thousands of assets and hundreds of employees to companies with 50 assets and one employee.

One key factor that sets SMART Software apart from the competition is the inclusion of complete field service management, customer relationship management, sales, parts inventory, contract/compliance/license tracking, asset management and tracking the minute details that companies need to see all in one platform.

SMART continues to exhibit and speak at national and regional events for Convenience Stores and Petroleum companies scattered throughout the country including the NACS, MPACT, GACS, PACE, SE Petro Show, and WPMCA. On the cstoredecisions.com

Troubles keeping up with the everchanging regulations and compliance? Struggling to track your assets, c-store staff, and service department?

You need a SMART solution. www.SMART.software For over 20 years, SMART has been a premium service management system for all types of companies. Additionally, we developed industry leading components, highly specialized for Amusement, Gaming, and ATM Companies. SMART provides accountability to staff, better service to your customers and saves your team time.

Amusement and ATM side some of SMART’s events include: IAAPA, Amusement Expo International, the ATMIA US Conference, ATMIA Canadian Conference, and the National ATM Council where they have been Bronze Sponsors of the event for the past two years. On top of that, SMART also exhibits at national petroleum and c-store events including NACS, MPACT, PACE, WPMCA, and the SE Petro Show.

Some of our features include: Asset Management, Portal for Each Individual C-Store/Location Designed for Maintenance/Compliance/ Knowledgebase, Contract/License Management and Alerts, Inventory & Equipment Tracking, Schedule/ Dispatch Service Tickets, Easily Scalable, Field Service Management, Scheduled/Recurring Maintenance, Auto Generate Service Tickets, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Advanced Reporting, Cell Phone Signatures, Attach Photos to Tickets/Parts/Contacts/Locations, Route Optimization, Critical Incident Alerts for Active Shooters & Other Emergencies, and much more.

Contact our sales team now to schedule your free, personalized online demo of SMART Software.

SMART Software 1300 Raney Street Suite 3 Effingham, IL 62401 P: 844-762-7802 W: www.smart.software

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2020 Leaders

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Solari Hemp

Solari Hemp products are grown and manufactured in Colorado and formulated with our premium hempderived CBD. Solari Hemp is a vertically integrated, farm-to-shelf hemp company with on-premise growing, farming, and extracting, as well as genetic scientists focused on formulating trustworthy, high-quality and affordable wellness products.

Solari’s CBD Isolate line-up has been created with Conveniencefocused packaging, pricing and promotional materials providing convenience store shoppers with an accessible selection of premium CBD products.

Solari Hemp products…a terrific addition to support consumers’ daily health regimen.

SOLARI OILS: Our Iso Drops are available in multiple CBD serving sizes and are made with a limited amount of select ingredients to ensure a clean, great taste. With hemp-derived CBD Isolate, MCT oil and natural mint and lemon flavors, each drop will leave you with the fresh taste of living well.

SOLARI CAPSULES: Uniquely formulated with our premium Hempderived CBD isolate, our softgel capsules are available in multiple CBD serving sizes and are a simple way to add CBD to a consumer’s daily health regimen.

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SOLARI GUMMIES: With 10mg of CBD per Iso Gummy, our greattasting gummies are packed with fresh fruit flavor. Solari’s gummies are a great alternative to other methods of taking CBD products and are even available in a portable pack format.

SOLARI TOPICAL CREAM: Our Iso Cream contains 300mg of CBD and is perfect for those areas impacted by exercise or daily muscle and joint issues. We infused our Iso Cream with aloe vera, olive oil, cocoa butter, English lavender, peppermint and other helpful healing ingredients.

SOLARI TOPICAL BALMS: Pamper your tired joints with our Iso Balms containing 150mg of CBD and available in twist-up and portable tin packaging. Our Cooling, Warming and Arnica CBD Iso Balms are all infused with peppermint oil, menthol, rosemary oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, and other healing ingredients…. the consumer will feel the tingle as soon as it hits their skin.

Solari Hemp, founded in 2018 in Longmont, Colorado, is a farmto-shelf hemp company with on-premise growing, harvesting, extraction, distillation, testing and product development.

Solari Hemp utilizes cuttingedge technology and advanced methods in farming extraction, materials testing, and product formulations. Solari Hemp maintains full control over the production and development process from start to finish working with stable genetics yielding high-quality hempderived content and are committed to sustainable growth, smart scaling and quality in all aspects of their work. Solari Hemp features a full line-up of CBD products each being third-party tested ensuring the highest quality, consistency and effectiveness. With a generational history in Colorado along with farmers who are deeply rooted in the hemp farming sector, Solari Hemp is driven to be a positive voice for the hemp industry focusing on awareness and advocacy, while working to ensure its long-term success.

Solari Hemp W: www.solarihemp.com

SOLARI ROLL-ON GELS: Our warming and cooling CBD Iso Roll-on Gel contain 200mg of CBD and glide on smooth to your tired joints. Our roll-on gels are infused with grapeseed oil, peppermint oil, menthol, rosemary oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, and other healing ingredients and allows the consumer to apply to their affected areas with no mess.

January 2020

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2020 Leaders

Subway

in Convenience

®

The Subway® restaurant chain has more locations at convenience stores and gas stations than any other QSR. Currently, there are more than 4,400 restaurants located at convenience stores and gas stations, with an additional 800+ restaurants located at truck stops and highway rest areas.

Subway® restaurants can help to increase traffic at convenience stores and our recognizable and well-respected brand name gives customers another reason to stop.

Subway® sandwiches are highly portable (perfect for “on the go” c-store customers) and the menu includes sandwiches for all dayparts. Opening a Subway® restaurant at a convenience store requires a

eliminates the need for grease traps and hood vents. This also creates a much safer, and cleaner, work environment for convenience store employees and for customers as well.

The Subway® chain provides a comprehensive training program and ongoing support is also provided by our local Business Development Agents and their staffs. Convenience store operators can become franchisees and operate Subway® restaurants at their c-store locations themselves, or they can lease space to experienced, local franchisees.

Creating and executing a proprietary foodservice program requires a substantial capital investment and an extremely dedicated and committed staff.

Why reinvent the wheel? A Subway® restaurant is very easy to operate, and the name, Subway®, is one of the strongest and most recognizable brand names in the QSR industry.

When customers see the name Subway®, they know exactly what they will get; a fresh and tasty sandwich, made exactly the way they want it.

The Subway® restaurant chain is an internationally recognized and trusted brand name and wellrespected and desired business partner to convenience store/gas station operators throughout the world. The Subway® brand has a reputation for offering better for you alternatives to traditional fast food as well as offering extraordinary variety. All Subway® restaurants are individually designed.

Subway® is a registered trademark of Subway IP LLC ©2019 Subway IP LLC

Subway® 325 Sub Way Milford, CT 06461-3059 USA Guest Care: 833-778-2929 Toll Free: 800-888-4848 www.subway.com

relatively low investment when compared to other QSRs. Subway® restaurants can also fit into smaller spaces than most other QSR brands which allows convenience store operators to maximize profit potential without sacrificing a large amount of valuable floor space.

Subway® restaurants are easy to operate. There isn’t any cooking, grilling, or frying involved, which cstoredecisions.com

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Swisher International, Inc. Convenience store retailers have no shortage of business partners and vendors to work with. But having the right business partners for other tobacco products, or OTPs, is critical in helping grow the business. Swisher knows that in order to maintain a supportive relationship, there are some key things that partners can (and should) be doing for your store or chain.

Look for vendors and partners that offer a category support vs. a sales-only approach. Rather than the retailer working with a company to buy the product from, and another company to get marketing materials or promotional help and yet another for data and other information, retailers should aim to work with an OTP one stop shop. A good business partner will also research what a retailer is already selling and compare it to current market trends,

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in order to make recommendations based on what consumers are buying.

Another way to keep profits growing is through offering unique products and extended product lines, along with support to help keep the retailer organized. That could mean products exclusive to the brand, limited edition product lines, updated blends or eye-catching packaging. A good business partner will again have the knowledge and data to back up all of their products and planograms to set your store up for sales success.

Retailers who are successful with selling a product should be rewarded by the vendor. Partner incentive programs can include pricing support, rewards (monetary or otherwise) for growth and loyalty, and custom-tailored promotions geared toward a specific store or chain.

Swisher Sweets delivers the #1 and #2 selling cigar in the country, while also paying attention to growing trends, like Optimo Natural leaf cigarillos and Swisher Sweets Leaf rough-cut cigars to bring their partners thoughtful and profitable items. Swisher is also on the forefront of the Hemp-based category with their best-selling Hempire rolling papers and brings innovative products to their customers like nicotine-on-demand, Rogue, in lozenges, tablets, gum and pouches. Having a partner like Swisher Sweets gives you access to the best products, service and innovation in the OTP category.

January 2020

For more than a century, Swisher has manufactured a variety of indemand tobacco products. Their portfolio includes crowd favorite brands like Swisher Sweets, King Edward, Optimo, BlackStone, Pom Pom and Santa Fe cigars, to name a few. Today, they ship more than 2 billion cigars per year to over 70 countries. Swisher is a leader in the tobacco business, accounting for more than onethird of the nation’s cigar sales.

Swisher International, Inc. 459 E 16th St, Jacksonville, FL 32206 P: 800-874-9720 W: www.swisher.com

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

TransAct Technologies

TransAct Technologies is a global leader in market-specific technology solutions. We have helped thousands of convenience stores improve food safety, increase operational efficiencies, and gain critical insights into their daily processes with our suite of apps and hardware sold under the BOHA! name. BOHA! represents a suite of apps that automate time-consuming, error-prone tasks that used to be done manually.

Our mission is to transform your back-of-house. Save on labor.

Increase revenue. Welcome to BOHA!

Embrace Efficiency with BOHA! Automation in the food service, retail, and hospitality sectors is nothing new. But while other tech trends focus on the front of house, BOHA! is designed to help reduce labor costs, increase revenue, and improve efficiencies where they count most – in the hands of the people who serve your customers.

After all, it’s not about replacing people, it’s about enhancing service.

The Benefits of Automating With BOHA! you get accurate inventory management so that you are fully aware of what you have on hand. Reduce count times drastically and automate your receiving and transfer process. Most importantly, your teams can see active inventory in real-time so that you’re not the only one keeping a close eye on product counts.

Relying exclusively on paper checklists to track equipment and temperature logs leaves too much room for error.

Temperatures often go unchecked or undocumented.

With BOHA!, temp logs are digitally monitored and tracked, along with any issues and corrective actions.

Same goes for refrigerator, freezer, and dry storage temperatures – staff will be alerted in real-time if a temperature has gone out of range so they can resolve it before food spoils or equipment breaks down.

TransAct Technologies 2319 Whitney Avenue, Suite 3B Hamden, CT 06518 P: 877-748-4222 W: www.bohasolutions.com

Imagine knowing how much food to have available at the right time, every time? BOHA! Food Production takes the guesswork out of prep work, giving you accurate, on-hand and delivery information, as well as waste tracking, allowing you to make better predictions on how much food to prepare at a given location. Better yet, because you’ll know what you’ve got and where, you can even redistribute product on the fly between stores.

In 2020, the FDA is rolling out new labeling rules for “grab and go” food products. This means retailers will have to make sure they know what’s expected or risk facing hefty fines. Fortunately, BOHA! is perfect for ensuring your food labels are FDA compliant. cstoredecisions.com

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2020 LeaderS

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Trion For Over 50 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 utilizes your full shelf depth and eliminates space-wasting gravity feed shelves.

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

®

More products in the same space! 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!

January 2020

Phone: (800) 444-4665 info@triononline.com www.triononline.com

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2020 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 snack sticks, Wenzel’s offers 10 varieties, including the new Jalapeno 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 is launching a line of Jerky products that not only taste cstoredecisions.com

great, but also provide “Real Meat for Real Life”. Wenzel’s Beef Jerky is gluten free, uses no artificial colors, no MSG and no nitrates have been added. This jerky checks all of the boxes if you’re looking for a high quality, great tasting meat snack.

In addition to all of the great Wenzel’s Farm products that are available, the company acquired the Nicks’ Sticks brand in 2017, significantly broadening their customer base. Nick’s Sticks also offers snack sticks but utilizes 100% grass-fed beef and free range turkey.

Nicks’ Sticks 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 also introduced free range chicken sticks in May of 2019 providing another healthy option for consumers.

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 7,000 locations across the country and can be found in all 50 states.

Wenzel’s Farm, located in Marshfield, Wisconsin is an award winning, 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 awards from the likes of the American Association of Meat Processors and the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors, Wenzel’s takes great pride in crafting some of the finest, protein packed and naturally hardwood smoked meat products available.

Wenzel’s Farm 500 E 29th Streeet Marshfield, WI 54449 P: 800-336-6328 W: www.wenzelsfarm.com

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

WinCup WinCup is a pioneering force in the creation of revolutionary, biodegradable* to-go ware.

According to “Technomic’s Take: 7 Hot Trends to Watch for 2020,” sustainability is emerging as a prominent practice in the foodservice industry. As consumer expectations for companies to take environmental responsibility continue to rise, employing eco-friendly solutions in the convenience store sector isn’t just a perk, it’s an essential.

Well ahead of this movement is WinCup, who, in 2015, introduced Vio®, the industry’s first biodegradable* line of foam cups and containers with coordinating lids and straws. Recognizing the growing need to provide additional sustainable options for convenience store operators, the company has continued development over several years, first by expanding its offering of Vio® foam to its line of stock-print foam cups, then by introducing Phade™ — the first straw made from marine biodegradable PHA. Using new, patent-pending technology, Phade™ straws start from canola oil and offer unique ocean-friendly benefits to please customers.

WinCup isn’t just leading the industry in creating a better endof-life story for disposable to-go ware, it’s also responding to convenience store operators’ needs

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Phade™ marine biodegradable straws for more sustainable products that cost less than other ecofriendly, single-use alternatives and perform as expected. Whether it’s biodegradable* foam cups keeping coffee hot and dispensed fountain drinks and smoothies cold, or marine biodegradable straws that hold up as well as traditional plastic and better than paper — operators won’t have to sacrifice performance while promoting the benefits of ecofriendly products from WinCup. Available now and loved by customers and operators alike are Vio® biodegradable* foam cups, lids, and straws. Vio® cups biodegrade* 92% in four years, with all the qualities of traditional foam that make them an ideal choice.

Available in early 2020, Phade™ straws are not only marine and soil biodegradable; they’re also home and industrial compostable. They’re the first of their kind in the world, and already making waves for their ocean-friendliness.

WinCup is a leading manufacturer of disposable to-go ware, based in Stone Mountain, GA. Through a network of national manufacturing facilities, WinCup is a trusted supplier of cost-effective foam cups, foam containers, lids, and straws to the foodservice industry. Through ongoing research, and development of groundbreaking products such as Vio® and Phade™, WinCup drives innovation efforts throughout the organization.

WinCup 4640 Lewis Road Stone Mountain, GA 30083 P: 770-771-5861 W: www.wincup.com

* Vio® cups biodegrade 92% over 4 years, Vio® lids biodegrade 86.8% over 7.9 years, Vio® straws biodegrade 88.5% over 7 years. Tested under conditions that simulate both wetter and biologically active landfills using the ASTM D5511 test.

Wetter or biologically active landfills may not exist in your area. The stated rate and extent of degradation do not mean that the product will continue to decompose.

January 2020

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2020 Leaders

in Convenience

ZuRI ZuRI, A CBD Supply Co. Enters Convenience Segment with Innovative Product Solutions.

The addition of CBD to convenience store assortments is proving to be a valuable and reliable source of incremental sales for owners and distributors. For decision-makers looking to simplify their vendor portfolio, ZuRI, A CBD Supply Co. currently manufactures over 90 THC-Free and Full Spectrum CBD products to make finding the right source for your store’s CBD needs an easy task.

Early on, ZuRI realized the need for trusted CBD vendor partners and structured its business based on integrity and transparency to best serve customers. As a result, ZuRI is proud to manufacture all of its 90+ products in an ISO-certified cleanroom with the highest quality, domestically sourced hemp CBD. All of ZuRI’s proprietary formulations are independently lab tested to ensure potency and purity and certificates of analysis for both raw ingredients and finished products are available on the zuricbd.com website.

ZuRI’s product portfolio spans a full range of categories that are specific to the convenience market including gummies, CBD energy shots, topicals, oil tinctures and more.

cstoredecisions.com

TM

ZuRI recently launched a CBDinfused energy shot made with 25mg of THC -free CBD, caffeine, B vitamins and amino acids. Shots are available in a 12-pack counter display made to fit in existing retail fixtures. The single-serve shots are competitively priced and a perfect add-on sale targeted at the millennial market.

One of ZuRI’s most popular items, 5-packs of THC-free CBD gummies, are also offered in a convenient 12pack counter display. With total CBD content of 75mg, these gummies are the best tasting you will find in the market! They are impulse-priced to move quickly and increase average transaction value.

With a portfolio of over 90 CBD products, ZuRI can help create an ideal assortment for the convenience segment that includes a variety of impulse price points and merchandising solutions. We are excited to work with new customers and provide the necessary tools to help stores hit their sales targets with our industry expertise and commitment to manufacturing the highest quality products in the CBD market today!

ZuRI, A CBD Supply Co. has one of the largest and most comprehensive CBD product assortments in the industry, offering both THC Free and Full Spectrum options. Unlike 70% of CBD companies selling in the marketplace, ZuRI manufactures its own products using the highest quality ingredients in a state-ofthe-art, ISO-certified production facility. We strive to be the brand of choice for consumers focused on naturally enhancing their wellness regimens, as well as their pets’, with domestically sourced, hemp-derived CBD.

ZuRI, A CBD Supply Co. 36718 Detroit Road Avon, OH 44011 P: (833) 987-4223 E: hello@zuricbd.com W: www.zuricbd.com

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PRODUCTShowcase

Disposable Vape Pod Device Legal Lean’s new Disposable Vape Pod Device is stylish and portable, attaching to a keychain lanyard for an on-the-go lifestyle. The vape pod contains a sleep blend with melatonin to aid with sleep and relaxation. The blend contains no nicotine and is legal in all 50 states.

The pod holds approximately 300 breaths, which could amount to a 30-day supply of the sleep aid. It also comes with Legal Lean’s signature keychain lanyard as an added value to customers.

Legal Lean Co.

(408) 883-5326 • legalleanstore@gmail.com

www.legalleanstore.com • www.Legallean.com

Classic Cigarillo Swisher Sweets Sliver is everything customers love about Swisher Sweets, but without the sweet. These classic cigarillos offer a smooth, rich taste created by master tobacco blenders. This special, unsweet blend will surely entice customers for another taste and is available in a resealable two-count pouch with the “Sealed Fresh” guarantee. Swisher Sweets Silver is ready for shipment to stores nationwide and is offered in ‘2 for 99 cents,’ ‘save on 2,’ ‘2 for $1.29’ and ‘two for $1.49’ options.

Swisher International

(800) 874-9720

www.swisher.com/product/swisher-sweets-classics

Salty Snack Flavors Kellogg’s Pringles come in two new flavors, Rotisserie Chicken and Parmesan & Roasted Garlic, which tap into top culinary trends and open up a whole new world of flavor possibilities through stacking. The company is dedicated to providing its convenience partners with solutions that meet consumers’ needs throughout all snacking occasions.

Kellogg Co.

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HOSPECO announced that the notouch restroom is complete with its no-touch personal care assortment.

Included are Evogen EV3 NoTouch Menstrual Care Dual Vendor (EVNT3), Evogen EV4 Mini NoTouch Menstrual Care Dual Vendor (EVNT4), Evogen No-Touch Combination Receptacle (EVNT-CWR) and Evogen No-Touch Toilet Seat Cover Dispenser (EVNT1-W). Hands-free sinks, soap dispensers and hand dryers are already standard in many public restrooms. These handsfree products close the circle in reducing the spread of germs and illnesses and create a more upscale atmosphere that enhances overall comfort.

HOSPECO

www.kelloggcompany.com

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www.hospeco.com

January 2020

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PRODUCTShowcase

Outdoor Merchandiser The U-Link Merchandiser is the top outdoor fixture to display the most-needed and bestselling seasonal products such as windshield fluid and wood logs. The unique profile of the U-Link showcases products for maximum visibility and ease of access to customers as they enter your store. Each U-Link single unit is 12”W x 24”D x 24”H and is designed to link as many pieces as needed to create the desired and most efficient merchandising space. The U-Link is made of strong plastic material to resist impact, extreme weather conditions and performs outstandingly in any environment, particularly at your store’s front door.

Forte Products

(816) 813-3337 • www.forteproducts.com

Free-Range Eggs Nellie’s Free Range Eggs is introducing two-count Hard Boiled Eggs. Nellie’s believes that all hens should be raised in a way that allows them to engage in their natural, instinctual behaviors, like foraging in the grass, scratching in the dirt and running about in the fresh air and sunshine. In fact, Nellie’s was the first egg producer to receive the Certified Humane seal for the kind, ethical treatment of animals. In return, its happy, healthy hens provide families with nutritious, wholesome eggs with rich golden yolks that simply taste better.

Bold-Flavored Snacks General Mills Convenience is helping convenience stores meet consumers’ cravings for salty snacks that pack a flavor punch.

Chex Mix MAX’D includes the Chex Mix components consumers know and love — Chex pieces, rye chips, pretzels and breadsticks — with a blast of bold and spicy flavor. Chex Mix MAX’D comes in two varieties: Spicy Dill and Buffalo Ranch.

The suggested retail price (SRP) is $2.89.

General Mills Convenience & Foodservice (800) 243-5687

www.generalmillscf.com

Nellie’s Free Range Eggs

www.nelliesfreerange.com

Elixir Beverage Last Call is the convenient way to feel better faster. Recover from a hangover, a workout, no sleep, jet lag. Last Call is powered by a high-quality proprietary blend of vitamins and antioxidants and is mixed using a push cap to ensure maximum potency and freshness at that moment of consumption. Available in four refreshing flavors: Acai, Blood Orange, Cran-Raspberry and Prickly Pear. With no added sugar and 10-15 calories per bottle, Last Call delivers B vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, CoQ10, natural flavor and natural color. Last of the night — the perfect end to every epic evening. First of the morning — get ready to seize the day.

Last Call Beverage

www.lastcallbeverage.com cstoredecisions.com

January 2020 • CSTORE DECISIONS

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PRODUCTShowcase

Plant-Based Creamer Coffee mate VanillaFlavored Almond Milk Creamer Concentrate’s space-saving pumpbottle format doesn’t require refrigeration; has a six-month shelf life unopened, 30-day shelf life once opened; features a tamper-proof, nonremovable pump for food safety; and delivers 300 servings per bottle.

This vegan creamer is made from almond milk and natural flavors, without artificial colors, and delivers rich vanilla flavor that is suitable for gluten-free, lactose-free and Kosher diets. Foodservice operators can trial the new Vanilla Almond Milk creamer through the Coffee mate “Open for Business” Promotions portal at www.CMFeelTheLove.com/almond-milk.

For more information about the full line of Coffee mate solutions for foodservice and business, plus recipes, promotions and more, visit www.CMFeelTheLove.com.

Nestle Professional Beverages

www.nestleprofessional.com

Chicken Apple Sausage Made with all-natural ingredients that combine savory chicken sausage, dried apple and a special blend of spices, Jones new Chicken Apple Sausage links are fully cooked, certified gluten free and free from preservatives, MSG and the “big eight” most common allergens. Each Jones Chicken Apple Sausage link contains 4.5 grams of fat, 40 calories, 240 milligrams of sodium and only one gram of sugar, making them a delicious alternative to traditional pork sausage. Jones fully cooked Chicken Apple Sausage is currently available in 1.4-ounce skinless links.

Jones Dairy Farm

(800) 635-6637 • www.jonesdairyfarmfoodservice.com

Dual-Layer Chocolate Bar With dual layers of chocolate — white caramel and 38% milk cocoa — melted over wafer crispies, the new Duality Chocolate Bar is two-sided for a new taste experience. The offering mixes the flavor profiles of chocolate, hazelnut and caramel with Loacker’s wafers, presented in the new format of small and delectable crispies. The Duality Chocolate Bar embraces Loacker’s long-standing commitment to wholesome and natural goodness for consumers with no preservatives and no added colorings or flavors.

Loacker

www.loackerusa.com

Zero-Sugar Smoothies Odwalla Zero Sugar is a flavorful and satisfying blend of flavor and function, perfect for those on the go.

One of the first zero-sugar smoothies to be sold in stores, Odwalla Zero Sugar is vegan and gluten free, comprised of keto-friendly ingredients, five grams of plant protein, three grams of net carbs and two grams of MCT oil. Available in three distinct flavors — Dark Choco-Berry, Strawberries & Cream and Vanilla Matcha — and only 110 calories or less per bottle. Odwalla Zero Sugar retails for $3.49 per 12-ounce bottle.

Odwalla Inc.

www.odwalla.com 114

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January 2020

cstoredecisions.com

PRODUCTShowcase

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 utilizes your full shelf depth and eliminates space-wasting gravity feed shelves.

Trion Industries Inc.

(800) 444-4665 • www.triononline.com

Low-Calorie Popcorn

Fruit and Granola Parfait

Air popped and full of flavor, Smart50 is available in White Cheddar and Sea Salt, bringing consumers two satisfying flavors at 50 calories per cup or less.

Featuring a sleek new packaging design that looks as good as it tastes, Smart50 is made from 100% whole-grain popcorn and promises an enjoyable snacking moment that is free of artificial flavors and preservatives. Smart50 comes in five- and sixounce bags at $3.99.

With a full serving of fruit plus creamy and crunchy granola layers, Fruit Crunch Parfaits are a crave-worthy, guilt-free breakfast or anytime snack. Fruit Crunch Parfait is a non-dairy mindful snack option that is on-trend with wellness-conscious consumers who value taste, simple ingredients and dairy alternatives. The product comes in four flavors: Mango, Strawberry, Blueberry and Pineapple Coconut. Packed with two billion probiotics for digestive health and no artificial flavors or sweeteners, Fruit Crunch Parfait is a non-dairy option comprised of silky coconut crème, providing the flavor, texture and richness of yogurt.

Del Monte Foods Inc.

www.delmontefoods.com

Smartfoods Inc.

Decadent Dessert Bars

www.smartfood.com

Prairie City Bakery’s new Down Home Delights, Delectable Dessert Bar line of treats pack the flavor of the homemade desserts you grew up with into a convenient, individually wrapped package for today’s onthe-go consumer. Down Home Delights are available in three flavors — Oatmeal Carmelita, Chocolate Almond Coconut and Apple Cinnamon Crumble — and feature the highest-quality wholesome ingredients.

With upscale packaging, 10-pack merchandisers and a 30-day ambient shelf life, these bars are the perfect addition to your indulgent snack set.

Prairie City Bakery

(800) 338-5122 • customerservice@pcbakery.com

www.pcbakery.com

cstoredecisions.com

January 2020 • CSTORE DECISIONS

115

Classifieds/Ad Index Blu

29

Philip Morris USA

CB Distributors

5,7

Premier Manufacturing

33

E-Alternative Solutions

43

Republic Tobacco

39

Solari Hemp

15

888.207.4588 / www.blu.com 888.824.3256 / www.cbprices.com 877.373.0069 / www.EAlternativesolutions.com

FIJI Water

11

888.426.3454 / www.figiwater.com

5-hour Energy

866.960.1700 / www.5hourenergy.com/trade100

18-19

Gulfcoast

3

727.449.2296 / www.gulfcoast.com

Home Market Foods

800.367.8325 / www.HomeMarketFoods.com

13, 23

Liggett Vector Brands

25

877.415.4100

Mondelez

27

www.mondelezgrowthprogram.com

North American Bancard

866.481.4604 / www.nynab.com

116

2

800.272.8656 / www.manitou.us.com 800.288.8888

888.384.7333 / www.solarihemp.com

Swedish Match

800.367.3677 www.zyn.com www.gamecigars.com www.whiteowlcigar.com

9 17 47

Swisher

120

Trion Industries, Inc.

119

2020 USA CBD Expo

49

800.874.9720 / www.swisher.com 800.444.4665 / www.TrionOnline.com/ZipTrack www.usacbdexpo.com

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January 2020 • CSTORE DECISIONS

117

IndustryPerspective

Considering Unleaded 88 C-store operators should do their due diligence before adopting this new fuel.

Mark Radosevich • Contributing Editor

There’s a big push throughout various parts of the country to introduce higher ethanol blends beyond the traditional E10 level.

Adding 5% more ethanol results in a slight one-point increase in octane, from 87 for E10 to 88 octane for E15.

In addition to a higher octane claim, the product can currently be offered at a price below regular E10, primarily due to the current governmentmandated renewable fuel standard.

Store operators who adopt the new fuel may gain a competitive advantage, and their customers may enjoy higher octane at a lower price.

At face value, this seems like a slam dunk that should virtually assure success and move this new product into the top volume category, if not replace E10 entirely, as the renewable fuels industry craves.

On the flip side, E15 promoters fail to mention that gas mileage suffers with higher ethanol blends.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Consumer research done by E15 advocates revealed that calling the product what it is, namely ‘Unleaded with 15% Ethanol’ or E15, was not good for sales. To overcome this challenge, the ethanol industry folks introduced the name “Unleaded 88” to place on the price sign and dispenser, thus promoting the higher octane at a lower price than Regular 87.

The only indication that Unleaded

88 is really an E15 product is on the little orange sticker on the dispenser next to the nozzle. Recent presentations by one ethanol industry group have touted the use of the name Unleaded 88 on a price sign as a “best industry practice,” which has prompted some industry leaders to question how consumer deception could be considered a best practice.

They pointed out that the only factor determining whether a consumer can legally as well as prudently use E15 is ethanol content. They questioned how leaving out the ethanol percentage in the new naming convention can be termed a best practice.

The widespread adoption of Unleaded 88 is fraught with other challenges. Current retail infrastructure tops the list for limiting factors.

During a recent presentation by one of the ethanol industry groups, they claimed “they have sites selling E15 that are 30 years old.”

But have they made all of the upgrades necessary to be doing it legally?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), thread sealants certified for ethanol blends beyond E10 weren’t available in the marketplace before 2007, and EPA doesn’t believe all sites have used the +E10 thread sealant since that date due to its higher cost.

This is just one of the many items in an underground storage tank (UST) system that needs to be approved for

use with blends of ethanol over 10%.

Others include flex piping systems, gaskets, seals; the list is extensive.

Every site is different, and retailers must do the extensive due diligence necessary to responsibly adopt this new product.

Many insurance policies (whether a state fund or private insurance) require compliance with all federal and state laws, including UST system compatibility with higher blends. Dispensing E15 with non-certified UST components could invalidate a cleanup claim and push financial responsibility back to the marketer or store owner.

In addition, E15 is not approved for all cars or other types of motorized machinery. Consumers that unknowingly use an E15 product could have their warranty coverages voided.

Responsible ethanol industry messaging to retail operators must begin with the true financial commitment necessary to responsibly and legally sell E10+ fuels.

It’s up to each E15 retailer to decide what is ethical when it comes to using product names that many consider to be at best less than transparent, if not outright deceptive.

Mark Radosevich is an industry advocate, 40-year petroleum professional and president of PetroActive Real Estate Services LLC, offering confidential mergers & acquisition advisory, representation and financing services exclusively to petroleum wholesalers. Contact him at mark@ petroactive.net, (423) 442-1327 or learn more at www.petroactive.net.

Do you agree or disagree with this perspective? Send your response to edelconte@wtwhmedia.com.

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CSTORE DECISIONS •

January 2020

cstoredecisions.com

Zip up beverage profits

With The Most Versatile System for Grab-and-Go Beverage Sales.

ZIP Track® is a cost-effective, modern merchandising system that forwards and faces its product offerings at all times. Add new facings with this easy to install and adjust system. Custom spring tensions and lane depths are available to fit any and all shelf and product needs.

Zip it

Use actual product to set lane width from 2.00” to 3.75”. Slide product front-to-back to ‘ZIP’ tracks together in final position.

Fill it

ZIP Track® maintains its width accurately for the entire depth of facing without the need for a rear anchor system.

Cross sell it

It’s not just for coolers or beverages.

Use ZIP Track® in multiple categories to showcase many different types of product.

Trion Industries, Inc. | TrionOnline.com/ZipTrack | info@triononline.com | 800-444-4665 |

©2019 Trion Industries, Inc.

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