Convenience Matters

We're talking about pressing issues that convenience retailing industry executives are facing, and how NACS is addressing them. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Henry Armour, NACS President and CEO Henry is third president and CEO to lead NACS in its 61-year history. His tenure began in July 2005, following a long history with the association. He served two one-year te...

From just 8 veteran volunteers to 150,000-plus today, Team Rubicon is rebuilding global communities before, during and after disasters and crises. Related Link: Team Rubicon Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Jake Wood, Founder and Executive Chairman, Team Rubicon Since 2010, Team Rubicon, the fastest growing and most innovative disaster response organization in the worl...

By building trust and connection, customers will make your business the logical choice when the market needs your product or services. Related Link: Unmarketing Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Scott Stratten, Founder, Partner, Speaker Scott is best-known for the concept that is also the name of the company he founded in 2002: UnMarketing. Together, Scott and his wife Alison have taught the...

With billions of dollars being invested in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, what will the demand for EV chargers look like during the next 10 years? Related Link: 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 F...

From rural Mississippi to Key West and New Orleans, Stafford Shurden knows where to find delicious and authentic food at local gas stations in c-stores. Related Link: Stafford Shurden Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Stafford Shurden, host of "Gas Station Tailgate Review" Stafford is a farmer, restaurant owner and former justice court judge. In between farming and cooking, he tours the sout...

As the fall months approach, here's what consumers and retailers can expect from the gas, diesel and oil markets. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Denton Cinquegrana, Chief Oil Analyst, OPIS For more than a decade, Denton has covered nearly all markets where OPIS has price discovery. Prior to becoming the chief oil analyst at OPIS, he was executive editor for U.S. refined products, overseei...

Small operators like The Hub's Jared Scheeler are always on the lookout for big ideas that will transform their convenience stores. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Jared Scheeler, CEO, The Hub Convenience Stores Jared is the 2021-22 NACS Chairman. He began his career in the convenience industry in 1998 while attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where he wo...

We're breaking down what convenience retailers need to know as they prepare for an amazing experience at this year's NACS Show in Las Vegas. Related Links: NACS Show NACS Food Safety Conference Category Management Certification Pre-Conference Workshop Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Jeff McQuilkin, Director, Exhibit Sales and Services, NACS Jeff has been with NACS since 2017 and is the...

At the halfway point of 2022, NACS data is revealing operational opportunities and lingering challenges that will last throughout the year. Related Links: NACS State of the Industry Report of 2021 Data NACS Research NACS CSX Database NACS State of the Industry Compensation Report of 2021 Data Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Chris Rapanick, Director of Business Development for NACS Chri...

How retailers can define their value amid uncertainty around elevated gas prices and record-high inflation. 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 Cenex, where he is responsible for brand marketing, retail dev...

There are many optimistic projections about EVs becoming a significant part of our transportation future, but very few account for current roadblocks. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Jay Smith, Partner at Capital Results Jay oversees the communications division at Capital Results and helps clients from all sectors of the economy achieve their policy and strategic goals. Doug Kantor, NACS...

Hear how the global convenience retailer quickly moved to support its teams and operations in Eastern and Central Europe related to the war in Ukraine. Related Link: Circle K Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Mark Wohltmann About our Guest: Niall Anderton, Senior Vice President Operations, Central Eastern Europe and Ireland (SVP CEE & Ireland), Circle K Niall's overall responsibility is for the Circle K...

Effective marketing and communications can help convenience retailers drive customers inside the store. Related Links: Abierto Networks Rutter's Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Rick Sales, President, Abierto Networks Rick is founder and president of Abierto Networks, a leading digital engagement solutions provider focused on the convenience store and convenience foodservice retail industr...

The convenience retail community unites to celebrate first responders, medical and emergency professionals and Red Cross volunteers on July 24, also known as 24/7 Day. Related Links: 24/7 Day Yesway NACS Foundation Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Stephanie Sikorski About our Guest: Derek Gaskins, Chief Marketing Officer, Yesway Derek has an impressive career in the convenience and fuel retailing indust...

Industry experts break down how environment, social and governance (ESG) issues are growing and facing regulatory requirements that could have enormous implications for the fuels industry. Related Links: Fuels Institute "The Case for Developing an ESG Plan" American Council for Capital Formation SEC Proposes to Enhance Disclosures by Certain Investment Advisers and Investment Companies About ESG I...

From salty to sweet, indulgent or healthy, here's how convenience stores satisfy their customers' cravings for snacks. Related Links: NACS State of the Industry Report of 2021 Data Convenience Voices NACS Magazine Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Tim Young Tim is an experienced category manager within the convenience retail channel who also uses social media to share sto...

Charlie McIlvaine of Coen Markets takes us on a deep dive into the convenience retail industry's financial and operational performance data. Related Links: Coen NACS Research Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Charlie McIlvaine, Chairman and CEO, Coen Markets Inc. Charlie and his brother, Andy, manage the Coen Markets, Coen Energy, Coen Tire, and Coen Transport in the Pitt...

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...

Convenience stores are getting ready to be road trip destinations for 34.9 million travelers this summer. Related Links: AAA Newsroom AAA Gas Prices Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Andrew Gross, National Public Relations Manager, AAA Andrew manages media relations for AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety and Public Affairs, including communications and PR campaigns. He j...

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 t...

Scissors? Pool noodles? Find out more tips of the trade from someone who knows all about road trips. Related Links: Gas Station Gourmet NACS Magazine Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky and 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 to bring the story of A...

NACS research unlocks "moment of truth" insights on convenience store shopper behaviors and their purchasing decisions. Related Links: Convenience Voices Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Leroy Kelsey, Director of Research, NACS Leroy works with NACS retailer and supplier members to cultivate and share industry performance benchmarks as well as operational and category metrics that suppo...

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...

McKinsey experts share why employees leave their jobs, what employers think are the reasons and what it would take to keep employees from quitting. Related Links: McKinsey & Company NACS Leadership Forum | NACS Magazine How To Attract Employees Marshfield Hills General Store Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Annie Valkova, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company Annie Valkova is an associate...

The bones were good at the location Pitmaster Carey Bringle chose for his latest BBQ restaurant, Bringle's Smoking Oasis. Related Links: Peg Leg Porker Bringle's Smoking Oasis Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Carey Bringle, Pitmaster and Founder of Peg Leg Porker Bringle founded his first restaurant, Peg Leg Porker, in 2013. Peg Leg Porker is named after Bringle and his...