Convenience Matters

At the 2026 NACS Show, NACS Chairman Lonnie McQuirter shared compelling stories about how convenience stores matter, and how they take care of their people and communities. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Lonnie McQuirter, 2026-27 NACS Chairman; Director of Operations, 36 Lyn Refuel Station Lonnie leads 36 Lyn Refuel Station, an independently owned, community-focused convenience retailing...

Whether it's your first NACS Show or you're a seasoned veteran, we're sharing some tips and tricks to make sure all attendees have a fantastic experience this year in Las Vegas. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

For most customers, it only takes two negative experiences before they stop visiting a specific c-store or QSR. While that doesn't mean they are leaving the brand, it does change the overall brand loyalty equation. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard   About our Guest: Matt Pereira, Co-founder and CEO, Seurat Analytics Matt is a co-founder and CEO of both Seurat Analytics and ChargeWonder. He published the res...

A look at how employment trends are impacting c-store operators and other channels that directly compete with them, and how retailers can capitalize on these trends to improve their operations. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Chris Wise, NACS Research Analyst Chris Wise manages the NACS Talent Insights Dashboard, which provides the latest available convenience industry benchmark data in ke...

How can independent operators take advantage digital platforms or AI? We'll break down the questions to ask for finding a cost-effective solution that works for you. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard   About our Guest: Babir Sultan, CEO, FavTrip Babir is the CEO of FavTrip, which has three locations around Kansas City. The company also has a highly successful online presence, with 122,000 subscribers on YouT...

How ethanol blends higher than E15 may offer benefits related to emissions reduction, octane enhancement, agricultural economic activity and energy security. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Transportation Energy Institute John has more than 25 years of experience in the fuels industry, including more than a decade leading the Transportation Energy Insti...

Findings from a NACS consumer survey point to simple ways retailers can create a vibe and make their stores places that customers choose. 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 messag...

NACS President & CEO Frank Gleeson shares insights from the road and what they reveal about the future of convenience retail. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Frank Gleeson, NACS President & CEO Frank became president and CEO of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) on January 1, 2026, succeeding Henry Armour. He is the fourth person to lead NACS in its 65-year history.

Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop officially opened for business on June 24, a celebration of how every stop on the highway can feel a little more like home.   Hosted by: Jeff Lenard

We examine what may come next for petroleum markets as hostilities in the Middle East appear to ease, as well as the longer-term implications. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Transportation Energy Institute John has 25 years of experience in the fuels industry, including more than a decade leading the Transportation Energy Institute. Prior to that, he s...

Convenience stores are one of the fastest-growing channels for high-quality and fresh food. Hear insights on how to build and maintain customer trust in your foodservice offers. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Amy Costello, Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance, Casey's Amy oversees all facets of food safety for Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey's, including regulatory compliance and food saf...

The convenience store industry has become known for its support of anti-human-trafficking efforts. Hear more on how you can join the cause. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard   About our Guests: Chris Elliott, Executive Director, BPAMA In 2025, Chris was appointed as the executive director of BPAMA, a not-for-profit trade association representing bp-branded marketers and BP. Previously, he spent 36 years with...

Higher gas prices make theft and inventory mismanagement even costlier. This episode shares how AI can help reduce shrink and tighten inventory control. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: James Hervey, EVP and Head of Petroleum and Convenience, Verifone James has been in the convenience retail industry for more than two decades, including the past 11 years at Verifone where he has helped lead...

The U.S. economy remains resilient, driven by consumer spending, jobs and AI. We examine what's sustaining it, and what could change. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Thomas Weinandy, Principal Research Economist, Upside Dr. Weinandy studies consumer spending patterns and the broader forces shaping today's economy and provides clear, data-driven perspectives on inflation, consumer behavior...

We look at the big industry numbers and trends discussed at the 2026 NACS State of the Industry Summit -- and how they could impact your business. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, NACS Vice President of Media & Strategic Communications Jeff leads the association's industry-wide external communications campaigns to advance the role of convenience stores as positive economic, social and philanthropic contrib...

A recent NACS consumer survey looks at broad gas purchasing trends, including when and where consumers decide to refuel. 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 a...

Hear more as we talk about what $4.00 gas means for the convenience retail and transportation industries now and in the coming months. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Transportation Energy Institute John has 25 years of experience in the fuels industry, including more than a decade leading the Transportation Energy Institute (formerly known as the Fuels...

Frank Gleeson shares his insights on the future of foodservice, technology, and advocacy at NACS and within the convenience retail industry. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Frank Gleeson, NACS President & CEO Frank became president and CEO of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) on January 1, 2026, succeeding Henry Armour. He is the fourth person to lead NACS in its 65-yea...

Industry expert Denton Cinquegrana adds context to turbulent times within the petroleum industry. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Denton Cinquegrana, Chief Oil Analyst, OPIS Denton has been with OPIS since 2001 and serves as the chief oil analyst, responsible for the day-to-day operations of OPIS' news and analysis division. In his role, he also provides big-picture views on topics from su...

In a sea of sameness, cultivating an exceptional customer experience can turn your customers into loyal superfans. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Brittany Hodak, Customer Experience Expert Brittany is an award-winning author, entrepreneur and customer experience expert who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. When her debut book, Creating Superfans, was released, Forbes declare...

Tucker Bryant shares how the creative mindset that drives poets can also unlock modern leadership. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Tucker Bryant: Poet & Innovation Keynote Speaker After years at Stanford and Google, Tucker Bryant uncovered a surprising truth: the skills that fuel world-class innovation aren't confined to the boardroom—they're also found in the mindset of a poet. Today, he...

We break down the industry specific issues President Trump addressed—and those he didn't—and what it all means for convenience 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...

The NACS Foundation launched a new campaign that reinforces the importance of convenience stores in the communities they serve. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Kevin O'Connell, Executive Director, NACS Foundation Kevin leads the NACS Foundation and collaborates with industry stakeholders to develop signature programs that align with NACS members' philanthropic priorities, which overall foc...

A look at consumer survey data and industry trends that can create opportunities for convenience retailers. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard

NACS Research shares exclusive insights behind preliminary 2025 industry data and what's in store for the convenience channel in 2026. 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 lon...