Two awards presented to Manitowoc at the Subway chain’s annual convention. At the Subway restaurant chain’s annual convention held in San Francisco in July, Manitowoc Foodservice was the recipient of two distinguished awards that recognized excellence in customer service and innovation. John Klingenberger, vice president of global accounts for Manitowoc Foodservice, accepted the Subway chain [...]
We all know that customer service, bright lights and a clean store drive business, yet many stores are not getting the message. By Jim Callahan. Last month I took a close look at making the outside appearance of our convenience stores attractive enough to entice consumers to want to enter our stores and spend more [...]
A clean, consistent, upscale image and outstanding service isn’t enough to distinguish your brand anymore—it’s the bare minimum to stay competitive. By Jim Callahan. It’s February and I’m not quite sure about the official name for this dismal season, but this much is certain: I prefer the dog days of summer. This winter has seen [...]
One-fourth of U.S. consumers admit they’re more likely to tell others about a bad experience than a good one. Consumers have sounded a clear warning to brands in COLLOQUY’s latest research into the word-of-mouth (WOM) sharing practices of U.S. households: Bad news travels fast. Of 3,295 U.S. consumers surveyed by COLLOQUY, a provider of loyalty [...]
Collecting customer data, using anonymous surveys and flawless execution can all be effective in attracting repeat customers. By John Lofstock, Editor. Downward slanting sales, a depleted customer base, constant stress, worry and handwringing…if these symptoms are all too familiar, then it’s likely your store is suffering from “recessionitis,” a disease plaguing many good-intentioned retailers. Fortunately, [...]
Chevron has introduced the new Techron2Go iPhone app which helps commuters locate the closest Chevron station while on the go. In addition, the app lets them plan a route showing all Chevron stations along the way, find the latest meal and drink deals at ExtraMile convenience stores and get more information on how the cleaning [...]
This Friday, Nov. 19, McDonald’s plans to hide three giant McCafe coffee cups in three locations located throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties during its first-ever national McCafe Scavenger Hunt. Beginning at 7 a.m. PST, McDonald’s will distribute clues on their local Twitter account, @McDonalds_SoCal. The first person to find one [...]
According to a recent travel survey conducted by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), travel patterns indicate Thanksgiving through New Year’s is among the busiest long-distance travel periods of the year. To assist with holiday or even daily travel expenses, Shell is offering a variety of payment options, including the Shell Drive for Five Card [...]
At a Glance: Rutter’s Farm Stores Rutter’s enjoys a long, proud history tracing its roots in Central Pennsylvania all the way back to 1747. The company broke ground on its first convenience store in 1967 and today retails more than 100 million gallons of fuel annually throughout Pennsylvania’s York, Lancaster, Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin and [...]
VERC ENTERPRISES AT A GLANCE VERC Enterprises was launched 35 years ago by Paul Vercollone and his father Eugene in 1975 with a single gas station/car wash in Marshfield, Mass. Leo Vercollone, the company’s current president and CEO, joined the team after he graduated from Boston College in 1977. Paul continues to oversee the [...]
Ingredients for Success The answer to the question, “How can c-store operators develop proprietary foodservice programs?” is, according to consultant Dan Bendall, founder and president of FoodStrategy Inc. in Rockville, Md., the same as what he would tell any would-be restaurateur. “You need the following ingredients to be successful, not just serve food.” They [...]
Walgreens has introduced a new Web site for socially-conscious consumers, investors and employees to find information about its commitment to community, diversity, supplier diversity, disability inclusion and the environment. Walgreens.com/responsibility allows users to find new articles, personal stories, videos and interactive features about the company’s benefits to the communities it serves. The new site showcases [...]
In a vast departure from COLLOQUY’s 2008 report on consumer loyalty to U.S retailers, Walmart dominated the 2010 COLLOQUY Retail Loyalty Index, in results that reflect a reality of the Great Recession – low prices drove consumer loyalty. COLLOQUY, the publishing, education and research division of LoyaltyOne, previously published the COLLOQUY Retail Loyalty Index in [...]
Sheetz, which operates locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina, is constructing a new store in Fayetteville, W.Va., off U.S. 19, scheduled to open in late summer. This expansion in the southern part of West Virginia comes after the convenience chain’s success in nearby counties as well as the northern [...]
The latest technologies being used to manage c-store foodservice programs—from touchscreens and POS ordering terminals to digital signage—are allowing marketers to enhance communications and streamline operations. Touchscreens communicate the menu in a very efficient way. This is especially important as chains look to build incremental sales and make more subtle changes like expanding the number [...]