Ice cream has come a long way from the mountains of ancient China, where it is believed to have originated using snow as a base. Today, Americans eat a whopping 15 quarts of ice cream per year. Did you know that air is probably the single most important component used in the ice cream [...]
Summer may be over, but ice cream sales aren’t going to chill out anytime soon. In fact, the entire ice cream and frozen novelty category will continue to boom, with convenience stores in position to capitalize the most, according to new research. A study from Mintel International Group predicted that frozen novelties will enjoy the [...]
» The first patent for chewing gum was issued in 1869 to Ohio dentist William F. Semple. » In the early 1900s, William Wrigley Jr. was one of the first people to promote a brand to consumers through advertising. His spearmint gum quickly became a best seller. » During World War II, U.S. military personnel [...]
Having a tough time deciding which gums and mints to carry? You’re not alone. The amazing number and diversity of new entries in this important category have most convenience store retailers second-guessing the wisdom of their choices. From energy boosts to dietary supplements, gum and mints are now available in a wide variety of formats [...]
Menu development is an essential though often overlooked element in the success of a c-store’s foodservice program. So, while operators may go about it differently, they must all see to it that they do, indeed, go about it. From consumers’ desires and local competition to convenience, equipment costs, supplier availability and more, menu development is [...]
Practice this phrase and try to have it down pat by midcentury: “Bienvenido a la bodega.” Sure, it’ll require a bit more than that (“Welcome to the little convenience store”) to gain loyalty from Spanish-speaking Hispanic consumers. But it’s probably a feel-good start in outfitting the c-store to attract one of the fastest-growing demographics in [...]
In the third and final part of Convenience Store Decisions’ recent Foodservice Webcast Series, human resources expert Mel Kleiman, president of Humetrics, talked about “tips for finding and retaining outstanding employees” and polled meeting participants as to where their best employees come from. Not surprisingly, the majority of Webcast attendees reported that employee referrals generate [...]
Ethanol, of course, is a high-octane, liquid, domestic and renewable fuel, produced by the fermentation of plant sugars typically produced from corn and other grain products. Ethanol also degrades quickly in water and, therefore, poses much less risk to the environment than an oil or gasoline spill. Not only is ethanol generally less expensive than [...]
Is it time for convenience store operators to introduce so-called green fuel pumps that can accommodate E-85, biodiesels and other emerging renewable fuels? As with so many other issues in the c-store business, the answer is “it depends.” The consensus thus far is this: the trend is very much in its infancy. Those who wish [...]
Rutter’s topped the York Sunday News’ 2008 “Best of York” rankings in six categories, beating out a number of other national brands. Rutter’s took first place in the six categories evaluated by its hometown newspaper, including breakfast, coffee, deli/sub/sandwich, fast food, lunch and milk. York, Pa.-based Rutter’s bested the likes of Cracker Barrel in the [...]
There was a time not long ago in this industry when bigger was always thought to be better. Fortunately, the folks at Rutter’s Farm Stores knew better. With 52 stores in five Pennsylvania counties, Rutter’s focus has never been on reckless expansion simply for the sake of having a larger store count. Rather, its has [...]
Perhaps serendipity has placed Nikki DePhillips in an MBA program at The University of Iowa, a school whose wrestlers are known as some of the greatest in the nation. DePhillips, recently promoted to vice president of real estate at the Iowa-based convenience chain Kum & Go, could probably drop by the Hawkeye wrestling room on [...]
Customers at convenience stores and restaurants are far less likely to return if they find restrooms that are unhygienic or poorly stocked with supplies, according to a recently completed national online survey. The survey, sponsored by SCA Tissue North America and conducted online by Harris Interactive among a sample of 2,175 adult U.S. foodservice customers, [...]
Taylor, Mich.-based Atlas Oil Co., that stalwart of efficient energy practices and environmental consciousness, has been chosen by The Detroit Free Press as one of the best places to work in Southeast Michigan. The newspaper conducted a survey several months ago and recently announced Atlas as a top winner. The company will be recognized in [...]
A bid from PetroSun Fuel of Seattle bested a slew of bids from other convenience store and petroleum operators who last month were hoping to snatch up the 600 remaining ConocoPhillips c-store and retail gas sites on the West Coast. PetroSun’s newly created affiliate, Pacific Convenience & Fuel LLC, acquired the sites and joins the [...]