Convenience Matters (National Association of Convenience Stores)

Evolving cultural, local and workplace norms are impacting how organizations need to hire and retain talent. Hear ways to make your people your greatest benefit.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS
and Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS

How a convenience store food favorite inspired a song and a YouTube channel.

Related Links:

Tailgate Gas Station Review

"Gas Station Chicken" by The Nighthawks

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Stafford Shurden, Host of “Tailgate Gas Station Review”

Stafford is a farmer, restaurant owner and former justice court judge. In between farming and cooking, he tours the south giving inspirational speeches and reviewing gas station food.

Mark Stutso, Musician

Mark is the drummer for The Nighthawks, which has been called “the best bar band in the world.” Originally from West Virginia, he put in five years in the coal mines before escaping into his drum kit for the past four decades.

Convenience stores must be incredibly nimble to respond to customer demand, especially related to fresh and prepared food. In some cases, stores are evolving beyond their physical location with food trucks, like the pit beef concept that is drawing raves in the Columbia, MD, area.

On average, an American Red Cross volunteer responds to a disaster every 8 minutes in communities across the country, from major events like hurricanes and earthquakes to life-altering events like house fires. We share ideas for what NACS members can do to support relief organizations before, during and after a crisis.

Learn how to get involved directly with the American Red Cross at www.convenience.org/redcross.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Stephanie Sikorski, Vice President, Marketing, NACS

Electric Vehicle market is evolving to allow for faster charge times but is the charging infrastructure keeping up? As more consumers purchase EVs both in urban and rural areas, gas stations need to keep up with existing charging technology as well as anticipate what's to come.

Hosted by:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

As transportation trends evolve, will retailers follow government regulation or consumer demand? Hear the perspectives of two fuel retailing decision-makers and learn how market disruptions create business opportunities.

Hosted by:

Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Paige Anderson, Director of Government Relations, NACS

Keeping food safe and customers healthy goes beyond just food and includes clean kitchens, bathroom and employees. Learn some things that you might not have thought of. Don't forget - don't touch the key!

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS

The hosts discuss how beer sales have evolved at convenience stores, with more of a focus on local brands and growlers.

Convenience stores have long been a leader in beer sales. Not only do they sell more than half of the beer purchased in the United States, they are also leading the movement toward more local beers and growler programs. And there are some significant opportunities for retailers to continue to grow sales, with new concepts emerging, such as “crowlers” – growlers in cans.

The Colonial Pipeline transports more than 100 million gallons of fuel each day from Houston, Texas, to the New York Harbor. Hear how refined product moves across this 5,500-mile system, and how it comes back online after a disaster strikes.

Related Links:

Interview with Daniel Gordon, VP & Chief Commercial Officer, Colonial Pipeline Company

Consumer Energy Alliance Pipelines for America

How Refineries and Pipelines Resume Operations

NACS Fuels Resource Center

Fuels Market News

Colonial Pipeline

Hosted by:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, The Fuels Institute and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

About our Guest:

Daniel Gordon, VP & Chief Commercial Officer, Colonial Pipeline Company

Daniel Gordon is Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer. In his role, Gordon leads Colonial’s commercial affairs functions by maximizing opportunities to grow the company and position Colonial for long-term success.

Gordon brings approximately 20 years of commercial affairs experience to his new role at Colonial, all focused in the energy industry. Most recently, he was Executive Vice President, Business Development for Delek US Holdings, Inc. He began his career with RaceTrac Petroleum. There he served as Executive Director of Supply and Distribution, where he oversaw the distribution of more than two billion gallons of refined fuels and directed supply and trading, scheduling, commercial, and transportation. In this role, he also gained valuable insight into Colonial Pipeline as a shipper on the system.

Food sales continue to grow at convenience stores, especially during a few key dayparts. However, competition from QSRs could encroach on your sales.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

David Portalatin, Senior Vice President and Industry Advisor, Food and Foodservice, Circana

David is a trusted industry advisor who works closely with leading food manufacturers and retailers as well as foodservice distributors, manufacturers, and operators. He shares data and deep expertise on how U.S. consumers eat and drink, their attitudes and motivations, their personal characteristics, and their use of restaurants and other foodservice outlets. Portalatin is also the author of Circana’s Annual Report on Eating Patterns in America, a compilation of food and foodservice research.

A recent poll suggests that public confidence regarding food safety is eroding. To better connect with their customers, companies can do more to communicate their policies and procedures.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Benjamin Chapman, Professor, Food Safety Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University

Through reality-based research, Ben investigates behaviors and creates interventions aimed at amateur and professional food handlers, managers and organizational decision-makers. He co-hosts the podcasts “Food Safety Talk” and “Risky or Not” and further engages folks online through Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.

Hear how the beer and hard seltzer category is performing in convenience stores and what to maybe expect in 2021.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

A year ago, Frank Beard devised a unique experiment to eat nothing but gas station food for 30 days. The experience caught the media’s attention and now Frank still eats at gas stations – but with a job that pays him to do just that.

AAA suggests that consumers will find value – and pay extra – for Top Tier gasoline. We discuss recent findings and surveys that support these claims.

AAA is viewed by millions of Americans as their advocate with regards to solid choices concerning their driving investments. In July 2016, the organization published a report advising drivers to seek out retailers who sell “Top Tier” gasoline. Auto makers have been promoting Top Tier gasoline since the early 2000s and have recently boosted their efforts to recruit more retailers to sell certified Top Tier gasoline. What is Top Tier gasoline, why is it considered better for your engine and should retailers sign up to sell it?

Women face an uphill battle to the top levels of convenience retailing and CPG companies. The Network of Executive Women recently released a report that examines the path of female leaders in the industry and speculates why so many are leaving the channel. 

Read the full referenced report, The Female Leadership Crisis.

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS
and Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

Today’s workforce is feeling less inspired than ever before. With only 21% of employees actually engaged with their work, we're exploring why people have checked out mentally on the job.

Related Links:

ADDO

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guests:

Kevin Paul Scott, Co-Founder, ADDO Worldwide

Kevin co-founded the leadership consultancy ADDO, which is Latin for "Inspire." For multiple years, ADDO was the #1 Small Business on the Best Places to Work list in Atlanta. He and his team at ADDO have helped organizations like Chick-fil-A and Coca-Cola fuel success by leveraging the three indispensable ingredients of inspiration.

In the current labor climate, many companies are trying to hire quickly. Family Express, however, is finding that spending more time during the hiring process, from application to job offer, is working out much better.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Alex Olympidis, President of Operations, Family Express Corp.

Alex is the president of operations for the 80-plus store Family Express Corp., headquartered in Valparaiso, Indiana. The company is known for its “Living Brand” in which associates greet customers with a friendly smile that is one technique in building one of the most statistically productive labor forces in the convenience store industry.

The Rutter family has been in the convenience business for more than 50 years, in the dairy farm business for nearly 100 years and farming for more than 270 years. With that much history, it's not surprising that Rutter's has been internationally recognized for its success. President & CEO Scott Hartman shares his successes in foodservice, technology and more.

Hosted by:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute
and Stephanie Sikorski, Vice President, Marketing, NACS

NACS surveyed retail members to find out how they are responding to the coronavirus pandemic in their operations, product and foodservice offers and working with their communities.

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

Encouraging repeat customer business is an art form. Hear what works and what can really turn a consumer off.

Related Links:

Episode #249 Loyalty Matters. A Lot.
Let's Talk Loyalty Podcast

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS, and Rose Johnson, Audience Development and Production Manager, NACS

About our Guest:

Paula Thomas, Host of "Let's Talk Loyalty" Podcast

Paula Thomas is an independent loyalty marketing consultant, writer and podcast host.

Paula has experience leading consumer loyalty programs across multiple sectors including telecommunications, the energy sector, banking and airline loyalty programs and published a book entitled “Driving Loyalty in Convenience Retail.”

Her podcast, “Let’s Talk Loyalty” covers every aspect of loyalty marketing across all industries.

Stephanie Stuckey is on a mission to revive the Stuckey’s brand and experience for road trippers.

Related Links:

Stuckey's

NACS Magazine | "Roadside Revival"

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Stephanie Stuckey, CEO, Stuckey’s Corp

Stuckey's is a roadside chain and family-owned business headquartered in Eastman, Georgia, that has proudly sold pecan log rolls and rubber alligators to highway travelers since 1937. Prior to taking over the company a few years ago, Stephanie served 14 years in the Georgia General Assembly House of Representatives.

Convenience is generally a good thing, alleviating problems and saving time. Is a fully-automated store like Amazon Go a competitive threat to brick-and-mortar convenience stores or the way of the future?

Customers trust that the fuel they're putting in their car is flawless, keeping their vehicle running smoothly and safely. And, station owners need to take proper steps to maintain the integrity and cleanliness of their storage tanks to eliminate corrosion and particles. Find out why proper maintenance for both is important.

Hosted by:

Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

Visa has used fees and strong-arm tactics to bend the U.S. payments system to its liking, leading to higher fees and less innovation than many other countries.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Doug Kantor, General Counsel, NACS

Doug has served as legal counsel for NACS for more than 20 years, originally as a partner with the law firms Collier Shannon Scott PLLC and Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He has been NACS in-house counsel since 2021. Doug also served as special counsel and deputy chief of staff in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to an unprecedented drop in oil demand around the world. What does this mean for fuel retailers – both in the short term and long term? And what do you need to think about today as markets continue to wildly swing in trading?

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

What makes one fuel retailer more efficient than others? An analysis of the top brands reveals what the winning brands have in common—and where they differ.

With special guests:

Brian Norris, Executive Director of Retail Fuels, OPIS and Keith Reid, Editorial Director, Fuels Market News

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard 

About our Guests:

Brian Norris, Executive Director of Retail Fuels, OPIS

Brian joined OPIS in 2005, working in a variety of sales and marketing roles before joining the OPIS Retail division. Over the last 12 years, Brian focus has been ensuring the accuracy and integrity of OPIS retail pricing, margin, market share, and volume data and helping develop the suite of OPIS Retail analytics products. He graduated from Washington College with a degree in business management.

Keith Reid, Editorial Director, Fuels Market News

Keith has covered the fuels retailing industry for more than 20 years. In 2013, he helped found FMN Media LLC, a multifaceted digital and print media company that focuses on the needs of petroleum marketers, retailers and commercial fuel buyers. The company was acquired by NACS in 2020.

We're sharing some of the insights and takeaways from the latest Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on credit card swipe fees, and talk about what it means to retailers.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Doug Kantor, NACS General Counsel

Doug has served as legal counsel for NACS for more than 20 years, originally as a partner with the law firms Collier Shannon Scott PLLC and Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He has been NACS in-house counsel since 2021. Doug also served as special counsel and deputy chief of staff in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

California sees electric vehicles as an important component to improving air quality. Utility companies also play an important role in supporting the transportation sector's need to improve air pollution.

Hosted by:

Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

Serving up a foodservice program that is fast, safe and delicious is important for convenience retailers. Having the technology to support it is critical.

Related Links:

Supplyit
NACS Research

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

About our Guests:

Jayme Gough, Research Manager, NACS

Jayme Gough is an experienced researcher and PMP at NACS with a Biochemistry degree from Bates College and a Project Management Certificate from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies.

Greg Watson, Regional Food Service Manager, Tri Star Energy, LLC

Greg Watson is responsible for the foodservice program and implementation throughout Twice Daily's convenience stores. He has a rich history in the restaurant industry, as well.

Thomasin LaMachia, Partner, Supplyit

Thomasin LaMachia is a Partner at Supplyit/Jera Concepts. The team helps businesses manage their operations from start to finish. It's not just about the food, it’s about empowering customers to tackle the challenges that come with a complex supply chain, perishable products, and hungry customers.

Convenience stores sell 80% of the gas purchased in the country, but what will those vehicles look like in the coming years? You’ll hear about new vehicles and technologies that will shape the future automotive landscape with a report from the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Co-hosts:
Jeff Lenard, VP of Strategic Industry Initiatives for the National Association of Convenience Stores;
John Eichberger, Executive Director of the Fuels Institute

Guest:
Donovan Woods, Director of Operations for the Fuels Institute

People have been wary of technology that causes change for hundreds of years. What can retail expect to see that will help or hinder on the horizon?

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS
and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

Today's mobility system is centered around privately-owned, individually-driven, gas-powered personal vehicles that sit unused 95% of the day accounting for 15% of U.S. emissions that increase pollution, traffic congestion and infrastructure pressure. What emerging technologies and societal trends could create opportunities for a re-envisioned mobility future?

A new Transportation Energy Institute research report highlights how several surprises affected the retail fuels market over the past 10 years, and what industry stakeholders should be prepared for in the next decade.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Transportation Energy Institute

John has more than 20 years of experience in the fuels industry, including more than a decade leading the Transportation Energy Institute (formerly the Fuels Institute). Prior to that, he served for 15 years as vice president of government relations at NACS, with a focus on fuels- and energy-related issues.

With the summer drive season officially underway, we look at survey results that show what specific consumer needs inside the store drive the most consumer engagement and purchases.

With special guest:

Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision

Adam is one of the nation’s leading political consultants sought after for his ability to help clients achieve victory through effective research-based strategies and messaging. He designs and executes cutting-edge quantitative, qualitative, and data analytics programs for campaigns as well as non-political clients like NACS.

24/7 Day spotlights the convenience retail industry's important role in supporting the communities served and where convenience stores can show these frontline workers they care in small, tangible ways. Find out how to get involved on July 24th at 247Day.org.

Related Links:

24/7 Day
NACS Foundation Homepage

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

About our Guests:

Stephanie Sikorski, Executive Director, NACS Foundation

Stephanie Sikorski is VP of Marketing and Director of the NACS Foundation for NACS. In this role, she leads the development of integrated marketing strategies and executes campaigns to effectively grow the organization’s brand. In marketing NACS programs, products, and events, her focus is centered on educating, engaging stakeholders and activating supporters—and those that strive to influence social behaviors—to benefit target audiences and general society/industry.

Lindsay Buchanan-Puig, Marketing Coordinator, NACS

Lindsay Buchanan-Puig is the Marketing Coordinator for NACS and is responsible for executing NACS Foundation campaigns, including the scholarship and internship programs, and the national 24/7 Day campaign. Additionally in her marketing role, Lindsay implements integrated print and digital campaigns to promote NACS events and offerings including the Convenience Matters podcast. Lindsay graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism.

Retail competition for share of customer dollars has never been so great as the lines between channels continue to blur. Seamless digital experiences earn a customer's loyalty - no matter how, where and when they shop.

Related Links:

Stuzo Website
NACS Daily "Rewards Programs Boost Store Transactions"

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

About our Guest:

Aaron McLean, Chief Marketing Officer, Stuzo

As Stuzo’s Chief Marketing Officer, Aaron leads the company’s marketing department, supports go-to-market efforts, and leads media relations, analyst relations, and product marketing. Aaron is also a serial technology entrepreneur, a lifelong musician / composer, and co-founder and former Board Member of Philly Startup Leaders.

Are aluminum containers the next big thing for beverages? Infinitely recyclable, lighter, and easier for labeling, aluminum cans and bottles are finding their way into beverage coolers and craft breweries. Can consumers and retailers embrace this new trend? Yes they can!

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

Gas station visits have evolved from a "have to" to "want to" trip. Gone are the days when dad filled up the tank while the family waited in the car. Now, people WANT to go in the store and retailers must embrace that inside experience to keep up. Hear 2020 consumer survey results on gas-buying habits.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

We talked with Pete Davis, Founder and CEO of GreenPrint about consumer brand preference for sustainability and corporate social responsibility and how that affects fuel retailers.

Mike Rowe - American television host and narrator, actor and former opera singer, best known for his work on the series Dirty Jobs - talked with us about the skills gap and the opportunities that exist for workers in the convenience retailing industry.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS

German retailers are redefining and adapting to new consumer behaviors and their expectations of Berlin's convenience retail market.

Related Links:

NACS Convenience Summit Europe
NACS Magazine | Berlin: The Future of Convenience

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky

About our Guests:

Christian Warning, Managing Director of The Retail Marketeers

Warning is the founder and managing director of The Retail Marketeers, a Hamburg, Germany-based sales and marketing retail think tank. He focuses on developing and delivering award-winning convenience retail formats and marketing strategies. Warning worked with Royal Dutch Shell for 13 years in different retail management roles and has a robust list of global retail industry clients that includes Total, Orlen, Valora, Ahold, Lekkerland, Verifone, Costa, and PepsiCo. He is an advisor to the NACS International Board of Directors and is a NACS relationship partner based in Germany.

Mark Wohltmann, Director of NACS Global

Wohltmann is responsible for the strategic development of NACS Global, a network that supports convenience retailers and their businesses. He has more than 20 years of experience in research and consulting, with a focus on FMCG/CPG and retail. Wohltmann began his career in the advertising industry, focusing on trade marketing and sales advertising at Dorland in Berlin and at Grey and BBDO in Dusseldorf.

Food safety expert and attorney Shawn Stevens shares how his team works with companies to develop food handling protocols, interventions, and supplier partnerships to ensure convenience retailers and restaurants serve high quality and safe food for their consumers.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Shawn Stevens, Founder and Food Industry Lawyer, Food Industry Counsel LLC

Shawn is the founding member of Food Industry Counsel LLC, the only law firm in the United States that represents the food industry exclusively. As a food industry consultant and lawyer, he works with food industry clients (growers, processors, restaurant chains, distributors, grocers) helping them protect their brand by complying with FDA and USDA regulations, reducing risk, managing recalls and defending high-profile foodborne illness claims. He also speaks regularly to national and international audiences on a wide variety of emerging scientific, regulatory and food safety legal trends.

Have you ever wondered which gas station serves the best cow tongue in Arkansas or has vegan food in Virginia? Hear from the Gas Station Gourmet guru, Al Hebert, as he shares tales of the best food finds and unique local fare and flare he’s discovered on his travels.

According to NACS research, 2021 is shaping up to be a good year for c-store sales. But, it depends whether you compare sales to 2019 or 2020, what category you're looking at, where you live and whether trends stay or go.

Related Links:

NACS Research
NACS State of the Industry Report
NACS | CSX

Hosted by:

Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS

About our Guest:

Chris Rapanick, Director, Business Development, NACS | CSX, LLC

Christopher Rapanick is the Director of Business Development for NACS | CSX, LLC. With more than 18 years of experience in the wholesale, B2B and retail sales environment, Chris is an expert in analyzing retail sales and has been an integral part of data collection for CSX and NACS State of the Industry for many years.

The friendly rivalry between U.S. convenience store giants Sheetz and Wawa has seeped deep into the culture of Pennsylvania. Team Sheetz or Team Wawa? But if you ask the people in the area, you can’t have it both ways. Filmmaker Matthew Fridg sets out to settle the debate once and for all and in the process learn why the fierce love of a convenience store in Pennsylvania matters to people everywhere.

To learn more about the film check out www.sheetzvswawa.com/cm.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS
and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

When it comes to food safety in convenience stores, retailers agree that it is not a competitive advantage. The host of the popular Risky or Not podcast series joins us today to talk about safe food handling practices for retailers.

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

Human trafficking happens every day and affects every community in the United States. More than 30,000 convenience stores have taken on this issue in their stores. Here's how you can join them and make a difference in your community.

Related Links:

Convenience Stores Against Trafficking

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Cheryl Csiky, Executive Director, IN OUR BACKYARD

Cheryl has been a leader in the fight against human trafficking since 2011. She is the executive director of IN OUR BACKYARD, a national anti-trafficking nonprofit that links arms across America in the fight against human trafficking. The group’s initiative, Convenience Stores Against Trafficking, has expanded to 30,000 convenience stores and partnerships with 17 state-based convenience store associations and 184 convenience store companies.

Lou Perrine's Gas and Grocery in Kenosha, Wisconsin has made a name in its community through unique promotions with free tattoos, a lifetime supply of to-die-for Ho-Ho cakes, loyalty programs and deliveries in sub-zero winter. Hear from the genius who inspires it all.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS
and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

If it powers a vehicle, the Fuels Institute researches it, reports on it and gives the facts to industry stakeholders, including legislators. Hear how the Fuels Institute has changed the transportation fuels narrative during the past decade.

Related Links:

Fuels Institute

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard 

About our Guest:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

John leads the Fuels Institute, a nonprofit, independent think tank founded in 2013 and managed by NACS. Prior to the Fuels Institute, he served more than 14 years at NACS as vice president of government relations and as the director of motor fuels. He oversaw advocacy operations and represented the convenience and fuel retailing industry before the media and federal government. With decades of experience, Eichberger is a recognized and go-to expert on fuels and fuel retailing.

Since 1970, NACS has been publishing industry data, helping convenience retailers and their suppliers improve their businesses through benchmarking. Retailers evolved from counting cars to find the right corner for a store to today’s highly-detailed analysis of products, expenses and more. Hear from leading retailers and researchers as we journey from past to present and on to what the future may hold.

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS 

Consumers will embrace a brand that stands for something, cares about the community, and shares their values. Kum & Go is one convenience retail company that goes beyond leading with purpose and models its entire operation around it.

Related Links:

NACS Managing Food Waste Guide 
Kum & Go/Krause Group 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Report 
Episode #298 Resolving Food Waste as a Business Solution 

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

About our Guests:

Emily Bahnsen, Philanthropy Manager, Kum & Go

Emily Bahnsen oversees Kum & Go’s philanthropic giving programs, including the company’s annual United Way and Habitat for Humanity campaigns, grants and in-kind donations.

In addition to her work at Kum & Go, Bahnsen is a member of the Mid-Iowa Planned Giving Council, Association of Fundraising Professionals and Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Funders Forum. She also volunteers her time with the Young Women’s Resource Center Young Empowerment Partnership board, Business Volunteer Council, and as a reading mentor for Everybody Wins Iowa.

Meg Kayko, Waste Reduction Specialist, Kum & Go

Meg Kayko oversees Kum & Go's sustainability programs for waste reduction including food donations, recycling and trash management, and more. Meg is actively involved with the NACS Sustainability Strategy Group as a valued contributor and frequent presenter.

From electric charging to ethanol to compressed natural gas and hydrogen, new fueling options continue to gain traction in the marketplace. As these and other new fueling options emerge as viable alternatives to traditional gasoline and diesel fuel, it is critical that policymakers and industry leaders have access to the latest research related to consumer vehicles and the fuels that power them.

Jay talks about his role in leading the Fuels Institute, which incorporates the perspective of interested stakeholders affected by this market, as well as his lengthy career in the convenience and fuels retailing industry, from his early days opening a store to his outreach during the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

We look at some of the preliminary numbers related to industry performance—and what it means to you.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Chris Rapanick, Managing Director, NACS Research

Chris oversees the day-to-day operations of NACS Research, manages and directs departmental financial and operational performance, and drives strategic development of NACS long-term research capabilities and offerings for the convenience industry.

Every July 24, roughly 1 in 5 convenience stores—and a growing list of supplier partners—celebrate the heroes in their communities. The event, 24/7 Day, draws enormous media coverage and brand awareness for participating companies.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Stephanie Sikorski, NACS VP Marketing, and Executive Director, NACS Foundation

Stephanie leads the development of integrated marketing campaigns and executes strategies to effectively grow NACS global brand and advance convenience and fuel retailing. She also oversees the NACS Foundation, which created 24/7 Day.

A known brand creates awareness that attracts customers to your forecourt, entices them to shop your store and establishes it as a community gathering spot—especially in small towns.

Related Links:

Cenex
Cenex LIFT Initiative
NACS Magazine: "Face LIFT"

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Akhtar Hussain, Director of Refined Fuels Marketing, CENEX

Akhtar Hussain is the director of refined fuels marketing at CHS, where he is responsible for Cenex brand marketing, retail development and retail imaging and equipment for Cenex, which has more than 1,500 convenience store locations across 19 states. In his more than 10 years at CHS, Hussain has held a number of roles including manager of petroleum equipment and manager of refined fuels marketing. A Minnesota native, he received his degree in marketing from Metropolitan State University.

This timely episode discusses what convenience retailers could expect as the nation's highest court prepares to rule on OSHA’s vaccine mandate.

Related Links:

Subscribe to NACS Daily

NACS Webinar: OSHA's Vaccine Mandate

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Doug Kantor, NACS General Counsel

Kantor joined NACS in May 2021 after serving as a partner at Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he worked with the NACS government relations team to define effective policy-based solutions on issues ranging from fuels to financial services. He has established and administered coalitions of companies and trade associations that share common legislative and regulatory objectives, including the Merchants Payments Coalition and its work to reform credit and debit card swipe fees.

Jon Taets, NACS Government Relations Director

Taets joined NACS in March 2014 and advocates before Congress on behalf of the U.S. convenience and fuel retailing industry on policy and regulatory issues relating to labor, health care, taxes, foodservice and food safety and online gaming. Early in his career he was legislative director for U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance and was also a legislative assistant and director of communications for U.S. Rep. Vito Fossella.

Convenience store marketers and merchandisers have to be on their toes, especially this year. We talked with the legendary Derek Gaskins on his experiences in the industry, with the pandemic and what he thinks makes the c-store industry awesome.

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Britt Brewer, Marketing Manager, NACS

Investing in new store equipment and lights can save thousands of dollars per year. How does your store measure up?

Related Links:

NACS Convenience Store Energy Use Survey
NACS/Energy Star Tools
NACS Energy Star Survey

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Paige Anderson, Director of Government Relations, NACS

About our Guest:

Patrick Loftus, Survey Research and Data Visualization Manager, NACS

Patrick Loftus manages a robust portfolio of quantitative and qualitative research solutions designed to meet the unique needs of the convenience and fuel retail industry, including the NACS State of the Industry Report and NACS State of the Industry Compensation Report, as well as the NACS CSX benchmarking database and annual NACS State of the Industry Summit.

Loftus worked at Gartner and its former subsidiary CEB for more than a decade in a series of increasingly responsible positions, most recently as senior principal of data science and benchmarking. In this role, he directed more than 20 diagnostic survey and benchmarking initiatives with participation from approximately 1,000 clients across sectors annually.

Relying only on demographics to stereotype customers might not be the best way to truly personalize their experience. Do you know what they really like, how they feel and what they value?

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

Working with the Partnership for a Healthier America, more than 1,000 convenience store locations across the country have committed to offering an expanded selection of fresher, healthier choices, helping jumpstart the industry’s efforts as they begin to focus on increasing access to more nutrition options.

The U.S Census Bureau has incredible research tools to grow your business collected through the decennial survey and dozens of other annual businesses surveys.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

How do retail fuel providers meet the needs of customers and their vehicles? In this episode, experts discuss the intricacies of fuel quality, octane, engines, and fuel efficiency.

Check out more detail on these topics and guests at www.fuelsinstitute.org/fuels2018.

Hosted by:

Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Britt Brewer, Marketing Manager, NACS

The coronavirus is having a massive effect on retail. It’s dramatically curtailed how people move about, retail sales and economic productivity, but even after things return to business as normal, how drastically will the effects of the virus define this new normal?

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

Although ESG reporting is voluntary, that is poised to shift. And it’s not just for the publicly traded retailers—privately held retailers also could be affected by proposed ESG policies.

Hosted by:

John Eichberger and Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Mike Roman, Senior Fellow, Public Policy/ESG, American Council for Capital Formation

Mike has more than 40 years of global energy industry experience. In addition to his current work at the American Council for Capital Formation, he is the founder of the consultancy CertainPoint Strategies LLC and serves as a member of the Fuels Institute Board of Advisors.

When cars needed gas, they went to gas stations. When customers needed snacks, they went to convenience stores. Now, delivery companies can bring those necessities to wherever they are needed - homes, workplaces, parking lots and street corners. Are convenience stores becoming irrelevant?

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS
and Kevin Coupe, author and content guy for MorningNewsBeat.com

Approximately one-third of all Americans are considered obese, and the percentages are increasing. As more consumers look toward diets and other solutions to gain control of their weight, there is another problem, known as “infobesity.” Simply put, there is too much information about nutrition and it’s becoming more difficult to make the right nutrition choices, especially when there is conflicting information. Like any food product, too much information is unhealthy. We’ll talk about what retailers and consumers can do to find the best food information quickly.

The 2024 NACS State of the Industry Summit delivered insights on c-store industry performance metrics. Hear how this year is shaping up and the tools you need to make data-driven decisions.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Chris Rapanick, Managing Director, NACS Research

Chris oversees the day-to-day operations of NACS Research, manages and directs departmental financial and operational performance, and drives strategic development of NACS long-term research capabilities and offerings for the convenience industry.

According to the Fuels Institute, the vehicles and fuels market will evolve slowly without the influence of a strong external factor, such as policy or regulations. What does this mean for gas stations?

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

Regulations affecting vehicles in the United States and Canada have the potential to dramatically reshape the transporta­tion industry by 2025. The manufactured vehicles and required fuels could influence the landscape of the fuel supply and distribution industry in the coming decade.

Disasters – large or small – can strike anytime and anywhere devastating homes, families and communities and American Red Cross volunteers are always ready to help. In search of donations of money, goods and gratitude, hear how you can make a difference and get involved with the Red Cross.

NACS has committed to the Partnership for a Healthier America to help guide convenience stores to serve healthier options to customers. As the first retail association to join PHA, NACS has a plan to revolutionize the industry to help curb the American obesity epidemic.

Beer accounts for about 7% of all dollars spent inside convenience stores. What are some of the trends that could affect sales in 2025?

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Benj Steinman, President, Beer Marketer’s INSIGHTS

Benj is the president of Beer Marketer’s INSIGHTS Inc., the leading trade publisher for the United States brewing industry since 1970. He is publisher and editor of the flagship newsletter as well as several other online and print media publications.

Customers expect seamless, convenient shopping experiences in stores and on their mobile devices. Are you ready to give that to them? Digital Transformation is the use of technology to solve problems often using cloud computing and the Internet of Things.

Gunter Pfau, Founder and CEO of Stuzo explains how necessary and easy it can be to mesh your brick-and-mortar store front with your digital one. To learn more, visit https://www.stuzo.com.

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

Most convenience retailers have food safety processes and training in place, many also find that that a lack of consistency and agreement among employees is driving an increased focus on food safety culture.

Related Links:

Cultivate Food Safety website
NACS Magazine, October 2020 "Growing a Culture of Food Safety"
NACS Magazine, July 2017 "Protecting Your Food Brand"
NACS Food Safety Resources

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

About our Guest:

Lone Jespersen, Founder, Cultivate

Lone Jespersen is an entrepreneur, high-level strategist, food safety expert & visionary dedicated to helping food manufacturers deliver safe and quality food through culture-driven intervention. She has dedicated the last 15 years of her life to bettering food manufacturing operations and studying how culture affects food safety performance. Lone holds a Master in Mechanical Engineering from Syd Dansk University in Denmark, a Master of Food Science from the University of Guelph in Canada, and a Ph.D. on Culture Enabled Food Safety. She also serves as chair of Food Safety Culture for the GFSI technical working group dedicated to characterizing and quantifying food safety culture across the global food industry from farm to fork.

When hurricanes strike, convenience stores are often the last to close before the storm—and the first to reopen. It's during these tough times that c-stores truly show how they support the communities they serve during and after times of crisis.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard 

About our Guest:

Al Hebert, Founder, Gas Station Gourmet

Al knows convenience stores. He created Gas Station Gourmet in 2007 and has been writing a column for NACS Magazine since 2011. When Al is not enjoying a great burger or fried chicken at a local convenience store, you can find him on News 15 KADN-TV in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Frank Beard and Al Hebert drove 2,500 miles in 6 days and only ate at gas stations for the entire trip. Hear about what they ate, what they discovered and how to road trip like an expert.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS

Pick a big moment in the convenience store industry’s history and John Roscoe was there. He popularized many of the huge advances we see today in our industry and shares what he thinks is the path forward.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

John Roscoe, Convenience Industry Icon

John Roscoe was named one of the 50 most influential people in the convenience store industry by Convenience Store News for good reason: He was in the room during many of the industry’s critical junctures, and led conversations that greatly affected the ultimate direction of the industry.

“Clerks” is the most famous example of a movie about convenience stores but they are the setting in a plenty of other movies. Why? Because convenience stores are where people gather and that moves along the narrative. An acclaimed article about the topic was in NACS Magazine, featuring an interview with 2016 Oscars host Chris Rock.

Working with trusted partners and tying metrics to project outcomes is imperative to success.

Related Links:

Stuzo webpage

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare and Donovan Woods

About our Guest:

As Stuzo’s Chief Marketing Officer, Aaron leads the company’s marketing department, supports go-to-market efforts, and leads media relations, analyst relations, and product marketing. Aaron is also a serial technology entrepreneur, a lifelong musician / composer, and co-founder and former Board Member of Philly Startup Leaders.

Green Zebra Grocery in Portland, Oregon is reinventing the convenience store by combining healthy and convenience. Featured in NACS Ideas 2 Go 2017, CEO Lisa Sedlar talks about her motivation to create three unique stores specializing in local food, beer and of course, coffee.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS
and Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS

Two-store operator Anthony Perrine shares ideas he's implemented at his family's company, Lou Perrine’s Gas & Groceries, that go well beyond traditional c-store retail: part bakery, coffee shop, apparel store, neighborhood hangout and a lot of fun.

Hosted by:

Britt Brewer and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Anthony Perrine, Owner, Lou Perrine’s Gas & Groceries

Lou Perrine's Gas & Groceries is a family-run company with two convenience stores located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Started by Grandpa Lou in 1954, it has been a family affair for nearly 70 years. Anthony is active with NACS and serves on the NACSPAC Committee, speaks at local schools including the UW-Milwaukee Business School, and is an active member of the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association.

The only thing certain in the current fuels market is uncertainty. From issues related to oil supply and demand to the status of fuels-related regulations, here's what you need to know for what could be a bumpy 2018 summer-drive season. Check out resources to help make sense of it all at www.convenience.org/fuels.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

Take a trip with us to Sweden to hear about Reitan Group convenience stores and their super fresh food, self checkout technology and cashierless stores.

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS

Convenience stores sell a lot of food, but finding a destination for unused food is important. Donating leftover food is easy with Feeding America for both small and large c-store operators.

Related Links:

Feeding America Corporate Donations
MealConnect
NACS Information on Donations

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

About our Guest:

Danielle Lawson, Account Manager, Feeding America

Danielle Lawson is an account manager for Feeding America’s Retail Partnerships team, managing a portfolio of national donors that collectively helped provide over 119 million meals to people in need, in 2020. Danielle has been doing work to eliminate food insecurity for 9 years, first at Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, and now at the national level, on behalf of 200 (Feeding America) member food banks. Prior to this work, she immersed herself in the clothing and toy industries, as a buyer for companies like Lands’ End, American Girl, and Target. She also spent time as a cooking class instructor, and a personal chef. Danielle lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband of 32 years, and their 9-year-old rescue mutt, Murray.

As the global convenience retail industry gets ready for the 2023 NACS Show, a James Beard Award finalist takes us on a tour of some of the unique c-store and restaurant fare around Atlanta.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Mike Jordan, Food and Culture Writer

Mike Jordan is an Atlanta-based multimedia journalist covering culture through food, business, entertainment, travel and technology. He had written for NACS Magazine and the top general media publications in the country.

We all could use more laughter and good news, and that's what Tank Sinatra delivers to his 11 million social media followers.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Tank Sinatra, renowned content creator

Tank Sinatra is the largest and most prolific meme creator on the internet and has been called “The Michael Jordan of memes.” In addition, “Tank’s Good News” is featured on GSTV.

24/7 Day, held every July 24, is the industry’s chance to celebrate what it means to communities. Last year more than 30,000 stores participated. Find out how you can join them in 2023—and how it can help your business.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard 

About our Guest:

Anna Felz, Director of Brand Management, TXB Stores Inc.

Anna has been at TXB since 2019 and oversees all elements of brand management for the company. She previously served as marketing director for Sprint Food Stores, based in Augusta, GA, and was the senior marketing executive for Ocozzio marketing firm, also based in Augusta. Anna earned a degree in public relations and communications from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. She also serves as a group fitness and yoga instructor.

New regulations by the International Maritime Organization requires changes in diesel fuel production which will ultimately have an effect on retail diesel prices.

Hosted by:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute
and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

How do you communicate to customers filling up or driving by? Bright, crisp signage that clearly articulates what's happening in the store can attract new and time-starved customers inside.

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

Avery Ash of INRIX provides insight into how people move, why the deployment of autonomous vehicles won’t solve all transportation problems and how retailers can use mobility analytics when choosing where to open new stores.

Hosted by:

Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Britt Brewer, Marketing Manager, NACS

Testing, learning, analyzing and ruffling some feathers are some of the keys to success for launching new ideas.

Related Links:

Andy Ellwood's website

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS and Britt Brewer, Marketing Manager, NACS

About our Guest:

Andy Ellwood, Founder, Basket

Andy Ellwood is an Executive Coach based in NYC and serves coaching partners worldwide. Andy partners with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and corporate executives to tackle the challenges of leadership, fundraising, and growth. Andy spent over a decade as a startup operator. First leading partnerships and sales for companies acquired by Google (Waze) and Facebook (Gowalla) before then going on to found three companies of his own.

Whether you are a first-time attendee or a regular, there is always something new to see and do at the NACS Show. So are there any tips for getting the most out of your experience? Our panelists certainly would know because cumulatively they have attended 50 NACS Shows. What’s their advice–beyond to wear comfortable shoes? It’s really about having a plan for success because all it takes is one great idea that can change your business.

The convenience industry's foodservice future is bright thanks to its commitment to innovate. Hear how a regional distributor is working with a celebrity chef to elevate its offer.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Andrew Zimmern, Celebrity Chef

Chef Andrew Zimmern is an Emmy-winning and four-time James Beard Award-winning chef, TV personality, writer and social justice advocate. A star of cooking shows on Travel Channel, The Food Network and currently host two shows on the Magnolia Network: “Family Dinner with Andrew Zimmern” and “Family Restaurant with Andrew Zimmern, he has devoted his life to exploring and promoting cultural acceptance, tolerance and understanding through food.

Michael Ray, President, Team Modern

Michael is the third-generation president of Team Modern, a family of companies headquartered in Somerset, KY. He has served on the board of the Convenience Distribution Association as well as being an active member of NACS, the Kentucky Petroleum Marketers Association and the Tennessee Fuel & Convenience Association.

Oil prices heavily influence the price of gasoline and diesel fuel at gas stations. How can you anticipate this to better serve your customers? 

The U.S. charging infrastructure is ramping up to keep up with EV owner demand. This innovative solution put charging in the hands of car owners...conveniently, of course.

Related Links:

Spark Charge
Fuels Institute EV Market Regulatory Report
Carpool Chats Episode #23: Charging on the Run

Hosted by:

Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

About our Guest:

Joshua Aviv, Founder/CEO, SparkCharge

Joshua is a certified Data Scientist and the Founder & CEO of SparkCharge. His experience in entrepreneurship and startups spans over 6 years and he is a dynamic figure in the cleantech community. Joshua is also the most recent winner of the world’s largest pitch competition, 43North. Joshua holds a B.A. in Economics and a Masters Degree in Information Management and Data Science from Syracuse University.

Food safety is very important for those who serve food and those who eat it. Join us as we test out some myths about common things we all do with food - from leftovers to gas station nachos.

Learn more about food safety best practices at www.fightbac.org

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS

Create a customer experience that differentiates your store and delivers sustainable results. How can you become the “business of choice” that rocks?

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

Innovation is important but it must be done with purpose and intention and with leadership to lead it and a culture to accept it. How do you take innovation from the C-suite to the C-store?

Related Links:

Leapfrogging

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS

About our Guest:

Soren Kaplan, Managing Principal, InnovationPoint

Soren Kaplan is the bestselling and award winning author of Leapfrogging and The Invisible Advantage, an Affiliate at the Center for Effective Organizations at USC’s Marshall School of Business, a writer for Fast Company and Inc. Magazine, a globally recognized keynote speaker, the Founder of InnovationPoint and Co-founder of Praxie. He holds Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Organizational Psychology, resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, and possesses dual US-French citizenship.

How can you develop a holistic brand strategy and identify points of differentiation for your brand? Hear insights from two presenters of a special advanced category management certification course offered in conjunction with the NACS Show.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Lucia Romanello Crater, EVP Sales and Business Development, Impact 21

Lucia has 25-plus years in the convenience store industry, with a track record and proficiency in driving growth and market share gains. She is a founding member and current officer of the Network of Executive Women in the Consumer Products Industry (NEW) and is a past chairman of the NACS Supplier Board.

Liza Salaria, Senior Principal Consultant, Impact 21

Liza taps into her expertise in small-format merchandising, marketing, branding and business strategy to help companies realize their business objectives. Prior to joining Impact 21, she served as senior director of brand concept development at Sunoco, with past experience as SVP of marketing & merchandising at Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores and various senior merchandising roles at Giant Eagle.