Weighing a Sandwich Strategy

Weighing a Sandwich Strategy

Whether doing it themselves or finding a national partner, convenience store operators are developing food programs with fresh ingredients and quick service. By Heather Henstock, Contributing Editor. Convenience store strategies for sandwich programs are as customizable as the sandwiches themselves. Some opt to develop and prepare sandwich lines in their own commissaries or via made-to-order [...]

Climbing Gasoline Costs to Push Up U.S. Retail Average

Climbing Gasoline Costs to Push Up U.S. Retail Average

By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN Wholesale gasoline costs were mostly higher across major metropolitan markets in the United States for a second straight week, which should reverse the decline in retail prices, while fuel issues impacted drivers in Minnesota and North Dakota earlier this month. Kwik Trip said 13 of its [...]

ATMs and ADA: Are You Compliant?

ATMs and ADA: Are You Compliant?

While the new compliance standards have been on the ATM industry’s radar for many years. Fully understanding the intricacies of the new rules could be an overwhelming task for many storeowners. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. The ATM industry is currently facing the most complicated, but critical challenge it has ever encountered—managing the technical, new [...]

Kwik Trip Eyes Oshkosh Site for Acquisition

Kwik Trip Eyes Oshkosh Site for Acquisition

With the Planning Commission’s approval, Kwik Trip now seeks permission from the Oshkosh Common Council. This week Kwik Trip received approval from the Oshkosh Plan Commission to proceed with plans to demolish an existing Lang Oil gas station on West Ninth Avenue in Oshkosh, Wis., and replace it with a new Kwik Trip that would [...]

Is Big Oil Losing its Drawing Power?

Is Big Oil Losing its Drawing Power?

For many, many years the power of the Big Oil brands was indisputable. They owned the refineries, the stations and the credit card networks to boot. While my father was an Exxon dealer and jobber for more than 30 years I distinctly remember seeing Shell and Texaco credit cards lying around the house. In those [...]

Cheese Jerky Entices Customers

Cheese Jerky Entices Customers

Snack Patrol’s Cheese Jerky combines premium shredded beef jerky with award-winning farmstead string cheese, offering something new to the market that has never been done before. Often times, string cheese is made from powdered milk, resulting in a much cheaper, bland tasting cheese. Cheese Jerky is made with Grade A milk from Wisconsin cows. Available in [...]

Energy Sales Soaring

Energy Sales Soaring

While there may have been some concerns about the growth of shots and full-size cans, analysts report the category has never been stronger. By Joe Bush, Contributing Editor. Brent Howard isn’t just a retailer of energy drinks and shots. He’s a user. Division manager for Sun Pacific Energy in Kennewick, Wash., Howard has seen the [...]

Bert Jacobs Named NACS Show Opening Session Speaker

Bert Jacobs Named NACS Show Opening Session Speaker

“Bert’s inspiring message is a perfect way to open our industry’s signature event and help attendees think big picture,” says NACS Convention Chairman. “Life is good” cofounder Bert Jacobs has been named as an Opening General Session speaker for the NACS Show, which takes place Oct. 1-4 in Chicago at McCormick Place. Registration for the [...]

Equipped for the Foodservice Battle

Equipped for the Foodservice Battle

Whether operating a hot or cold food program, new equipment enhances quality, productivity and profitability. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. Over the past few years, the economic climate has discouraged many foodservice operators from investing in new equipment or product offerings. But that situation may be changing. Some convenience retailers are testing new tools and [...]

Express Convenience Centers Eyes Franchise Growth

Express Convenience Centers Eyes Franchise Growth

“Long term we can bring Express-branded services to a wider range of consumers through expanding our franchising efforts,” says Express Convenience spokesperson. Express Convenience Centers is selling two retail outlets to Kwik Trip Inc., as it eyes new opportunities in franchising. The sale of the Appleton, Wis.-based stores, located at 4735 Converters Drive and 2175 [...]

Kwik Trip Selects Radiant Systems

Kwik Trip Selects Radiant Systems

Radiant’s solution makes it quick and easy for c-store customers to complete transactions. Kwik Trip Inc., a Wisconsin-based petroleum and convenience store retailer with 425 locations, has enlisted Radiant Systems Inc. to equip its sites with the company’s Radiant Point-of-Sale (RPOS) software, Tiger Fuel Controllers and P1560 POS terminals. Radiant Systems not only develops innovative [...]

NACS Show Recap

NACS Show Recap

Nearly 22,000 representatives of the global convenience and petroleum retailing industry turned out for this year’s NACS Show, according to attendance figures released by NACS. Overall, 21,983 attendees were at the NACS Show, including 1,328 international attendees. The NACS Show took place Oct. 5-8 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. It is ranked [...]

NACS Recognizes Scholarship Winners

NACS Recognizes Scholarship Winners

NACS recognized 10 convenience store employees who earned scholarships through the NACS Scholarship Program in Memory of Jim Yates at a reception on Oct. 7 during the NACS Show in Atlanta. The annual scholarships recognize convenience store employees for their dedication to achieving excellence in retailing, strong leadership skills and persistence in the pursuit of [...]

Cutting Down  on Cooler Costs

Cutting Down on Cooler Costs

Energy reduction remains an ongoing quest for convenience store operators as they look for ways to cut costs in an effort to improve their bottom lines. Building stores to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards and seeking LEED certification is something more chains are pursuing, including Kum & Go, Kwik Trip and Quick [...]

Kwik Trip Fundraisings For HFH

Kwik Trip Fundraisings For HFH

Kwik Trip Stores are helping raise funds for Habitat for Humanity, pledging to donate 15% of in-store purchases made with a special Rewards Card to the Merrill, Wis., Habitat for Humanity, Wausau Daily Herald reported. Those who sign up for the cards will receive a $30 credit to spend at any Kwik Trip store. Sign-up forms will [...]