Allison DeanCStore Decisions Thought Leaders See More >
Allison Dean
Today on CStore Decisions
CITGO Celebrates 10 Years, $7 Million Invested in Coastal and Inland Habitats
CITGO Petroleum Corp. is celebrating its 10th anniversary of the CITGO Caring For Our Coast program, through which the company has planted nearly 1 million trees; collected more than 520,000 pounds of trash; restored 12,000 acres of land; and raised $7 million. The program has evolved into the company’s banner corporate citizenship program to protect…
Foxtrot, Dom’s Suddenly Shutter All Stores, Cease Operations
In November 2023, Chicago-based retailers Dom’s Kitchen & Market and Foxtrot merged to create a new entity called Outfox Hospitality. The merged brands served customers at 2 Dom’s locations and 33 Foxtrots throughout Chicago, Austin and Dallas, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Now, after nearly six months in operation, Outfox Hospitality has made the decision to…
Pilot Names New President of Energy Division
Pilot has announced the appointment of Gary Hoogeveen as its new president of Pilot Energy. Hoogeveen brings more than 20 years of industry and business experience to Pilot. “We’re excited to welcome Gary to our team. I’ve known Gary for a long time, and he is an experienced and talented leader who will bring a…
Craig Neuhoff Memorial Scholarship Accepting Applications
The National Advisory Group’s (NAG) Craig Neuhoff Memorial Scholarship is accepting applications through May 3. Any employee from a retail member company of NAG, who is seeking higher education for themselves or their child, is invited to apply for one of five $1,000 awards that will be given ahead of the 2024 fall semester. As…
The Art of Becoming an Effective Leader
Effective leadership involves a myriad of skillsets that when properly combined and executed creates a dynamic leader that can take their teams to levels never thought possible. It involves accountability; communication; mentorship; coaching skills; time management prowess; and the ability to adapt and change course when thrown a curve ball. Such challenges will amplify the…
Nominate Your C-Store for CSD’s Chains to Watch
CStore Decisions will be recognizing Chains to Watch in its July issue. A Chain to Watch is a convenience store chain that is focused on growth both currently and in the year ahead. Examples of growth might include rolling out a new foodservice program, introducing a new mobile app and loyalty program, building, acquiring or…
Buc-ee’s Opens the Largest C-Store in Texas
Buc-ee’s has officially opened its latest Texas c-store in Hillsboro, which takes the title of the largest convenience store in the state. The new site boasts 74,000 square feet and 120 gas pumps on 13 acres of land, according to KWTX. The location also brings 250 full-time jobs to the Hillsboro community. Buc-ee’s fans from…
Core-Mark Golf Tournament Raises $490,000 for Educational Scholarships
The Core-Mark Families Foundation recently held its annual “Driving our Future Achievers” charity golf tournament at the Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine, Texas. The event raised $490,000 for future educational scholarships. “We are so proud of our efforts for the Core-Mark Families Foundation,” said Chris Hobson, president and CEO of Core-Mark. “Since its inception, the…
Wawa Celebrates 10 Years of The Wawa Foundation
Ten years ago, Wawa launched The Wawa Foundation in an effort to support “Health, Hunger and Everyday Heroes.” To date, the foundation has amassed more than $160 million in donations to support these causes. The Wawa Foundation was started in celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary in convenience retailing. Now, after a decade of the…
AMCON Acquires Richmond Master Distributors
Omaha, Neb.-based AMCON Distributing Co. has announced that it has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire Richmond Master Distributors, Inc., of South Bend, Ind. “We are honored that Patrick Carrico and Scott Carrico have chosen AMCON to continue the legacy and stewardship of this outstanding enterprise, with a long history of innovation, that was…
Beverages & Cold Vault See More >
7-Eleven Offers Exclusive Energy Drink
7-Eleven Inc. has partnered with ZOA Energy to bring a new energy drink flavor only available at 7-Eleven — Mango Splash — to participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores nationwide, in addition to ZOA Energy’s core flavors like Tropical Punch, Strawberry Watermelon, Frosted Grape and Wild Orange. Co-founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, ZOA Energy…
Sponsored Content See More >
A Customizable Pizza Program That Saves Operators Space and Increases Revenue
Sponsored by Hunt Brothers Pizza It can be challenging for smaller, locally-owned convenience stores to compete with larger national chains. Food offerings can help mom-and-pop shops remain competitive and offer more variety with greater consistency to the customers they serve, but oftentimes this can be expensive and complicated. Hunt Brothers Pizza is a pizza program…
Tobacco See More >
FDA Issues MDOs for 65 E-Cigarettes
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued marketing denial orders (MDO) for 65 disposable e-cigarettes to Shenzhen Yibo Technology Co. Ltd. The e-cigarettes, which received the MDOs on April 15, are marketed as “MNGO Disposable Stick.” The products in the denial orders include flavors such as tobacco, menthol, pink lemonade, strawberry mango, watermelon freeze, iced…
Videos See More >
More on NAG Convenience’s Info ExchangesThere’s still time to register for the NAG Convenience Conference, happening March 10-13 in Tampa Bay, Fla. Watch the video…
NAG Convenience to Feature Labor Management SessionThe upcoming NAG Convenience Conference, set for March 10-13 in Tampa Bay, Fla., is set to feature six burning issue…
Sweet and Spicy Snack SamplingCStore Decisions Senior Editor Emmy Boes samples a few different snacks this month, including her namesake: Emmy’s Organics Thin &…
Young Executive Opportunities at NAGErin Del Conte, editor-in-chief of CStore Decisions, interviews Allison Dean, executive director of NAG, to learn more about the opportunities…
Soft, Chewy and Shareable: A Candy RoundupSenior Editor of CStore Decisions Emmy Boes taste tests three different candy items: SKITTLES Gummy Sour, HI-SOFT Salted Caramel Chews…
Learn More About the NAG Artificial Intelligence SessionMike Maxwell, senior vice president, Technology — Dining & C-Store for Bounteous, is set to lead the upcoming NAG Convenience…
Insights on the Foodservice Marketing Session at NAGKay Segal, moderator of the Foodservice Marketing session at the upcoming NAG Convenience Conference, shares some insights on what the…
Calling All C-Store Retailers to Take the HR Benchmarking SurveyCStore Decisions is calling all c-store retailers to take our annual HR Benchmarking Survey to help us track how labor…
Joy Almekies Shares Her Thoughts on the NAG ConferenceErin Del Conte, editor-in-chief, CStore Decisions, speaks with Joy Almekies, senior director food services, Global Partners LP, who shares her…
Savory, Spicy SnacksThree new snacks are on the menu for Emmy Boes, senior editor of CStore Decisions. The snacks are Pringles Scorchin’…
Announcing a New Year’s Discount for the NAG ConferenceSign up now for the NAG Convenience Conference, set for March 10-13 in Tampa Bay Fla., and take advantage of…
NAG Conference Early Bird Pricing Expires Dec. 31Early bird pricing for the NAG Convenience Conference is expiring on Dec. 31, 2023. C-store retailers should register now to…
C-Store Resources See More >
The 16th Annual HR Benchmarking ReportIn 2024, staffing issues and inflation both remain top challenges at convenience stores. As retailers look to better recruitment, hiring…
The 2024 Category Management Handbook As your c-store chain navigates the year ahead, CStore Decisions’ 2024 Category Management Handbook is here as a reference…
The 2024 Social Media AwardsCStore Decisions, for the 12th consecutive year, is recognizing the convenience store chains performing best on social media platforms. This…
CStore Decisions’ 2023 40 Under 40 Leaders to WatchThroughout 2023, the c-store industry has faced countless setbacks and challenges, from ongoing tobacco legislation, the lingering effects of COVID,…
Overcoming Challenges in Hiring and RetentionThe COVID-19 pandemic may no longer be a primary concern in 2023, but its impact on the economy and the…
The 2023 Social Media AwardsFor the 11th consecutive year, CStore Decisions is celebrating convenience store chains standing out on social media for their creativity…
CStore Decisions’ 2022 40 Under 40 Leaders to WatchC-store retailers have faced several challenges in 2022, from labor shortages, continued supply chain issues, a lingering pandemic, mounting inflation,…
Navigating Staffing Challenges in Today’s Labor MarketAfter two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply challenges and labor shortages, c-store retailers are evaluating labor management practices in…
The 2022 Social Media AwardsCStore Decisions, for the 10th consecutive year, is recognizing convenience store chains standing out on social media. For the second…
CStore Decisions’ 2021 40 Under 40 Leaders to WatchThroughout 2021, c-store retailers have grappled with ongoing challenges due to the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, including supply chain issues, labor…
Labor Management in the Age of COVID-19CStore Decisions and Humetrics, for the 13th consecutive year, have collaborated on the annual Human Resources (HR) Benchmarking Survey, which…
The 2021 Social Media AwardsCStore Decisions, for the ninth consecutive year, is recognizing convenience store chains standing out on social media. If there was…
New Products! See More >
Caramel Ice Cream BarBreyers CarbSmart Caramel Bars are the latest addition to the fast-growing CarbSmart line, with rich flavor and a heavenly caramel swirl, yet only four grams…
Crunchy Toaster Pastry SnackPop-Tarts has unveiled its all-new lineup of Pop-Tarts Crunchy Poppers. As the first crunchy offering from the brand, Crunchy Poppers are…
Limited-Edition Mini MuffinsLittle Bites Snacks has launched its all-new, limited-edition flavor: Little Bites Girl Scout Toast-Yay! Muffins. Available now through July, these muffins are full of…
Spring Mini CupcakesCafé Valley is celebrating the start of spring with its seasonal mini cupcakes. These spring treats are available in vanilla…
Protein-Packed Granola ClustersKIND Snacks has expanded its granola line with the addition of Healthy Grains Banana Peanut Butter Clusters with Dark Chocolate…
Minions-Themed Mini BackpacksCandyRific, in partnership with Universal Products and Experiences, has launched its new Minions Despicable Me 4 Mini backpacks. The new…
Better-for-You Energy DrinkMonster Energy Ultra has launched Fantasy Ruby Red, the latest zero-sugar flavor joining the Monster Energy Ultra lineup. Fantasy Ruby…
Hilco has expanded its line of candy items with two iconic brands, KOOL-AID and WARHEADS. Hilco has joined Kraft Heinz…
LTO Potato Chip FlavorsLay’s has unveiled its newest Lay’s Flavor That Hits Home. Inspired by different regions across America known for their signature…
Ready-to-Drink Iced LattesCosta Iced Coffee Lattes brings a unique consumer offering to the ready-to-drink coffee market, as it’s not an over-indulgent coffee…
Thin Mint-Flavored SnackGeneral Mills has introduced its new Girl Scout Thin Mint Muddy Buddies. Inspired by the No. 1 Girl Scout Cookie,…
Compostable Food Packaging ProductsEco-Products has added a variety of paper bags, sandwich wraps, and other items to its GreenStripe compostable products line. The products…
Independent Operators See More >
Ferrellgas Partners Acquires Eastern Sierra PropaneFerrellgas Partners recently acquired California-based Eastern Sierra Propane. The company is one of the premier propane retailers in the eastern…
How Can I Create a Loyalty Program?Independent convenience store operators who aren’t yet taking full advantage of customer loyalty programs are missing multiple opportunities that could…
PDI Technologies Launches New Solutions and ProgramsPDI Technologies recently announced the launch of brand-new solutions and programs to connect operations and address industry challenges. “The convenience…
Neon CEO Talks Forward ProgressNeon Marketplace, which operates seven locations in New England, recently announced new leadership. Adi Dhandhania has taken the helm as…
How To Launch an Independent C-Store BusinessStarting an independent convenience store or grocery business can be both exciting and challenging. Aspiring entrepreneurs in the retail industry…
Road Ranger Commits to Everyday ConsumersRoad Ranger has partnered with retail technology company Upside to attract more customers to its stations and provide them with…
How to Expand into Mult-Unit OperationsEvery retail operator starts with that first single store. The management hones their operational skills; develops a “how-to-go-to-market” strategy; and…
Neighborhood C-Stores Deemed Important to ConsumersSurgePays recently conducted a survey focusing on the underbanked and underserved communities looking at consumers’ perspectives and attitudes toward independent…
How Can C-Stores Cope With Supply Chain Issues?How can convenience stores cope with lingering supply chain issues? The answer is to take several commonsense steps that can…
Restaurants Add Thanksgiving Items to MenuRestaurants have been welcoming customers this holiday season by adding Thanksgiving items to their menus. SpotOn, a restaurant software and…
Restroom Sanitation Rises in SignificanceWINNER: High’s of Baltimore High’s continues to upgrade its restroom features and value the importance of sanitation as an influence…
Fast Break Promotes Outdoor RecreationIn a distinctive twist on the typical convenience store, Fast Break Bait & Tackle houses a fisherman’s paradise, ideally situated…