Tokyo-based Seven & i Holdings Co., which owns 7-Eleven, is in exclusive talks to acquire Marathon Petroleum Corp.’s Speedway stations for approximately $22 billion, anonymous sources told Bloomberg. Seven & I Holdings is Japan’s largest c-store operator, with around 70,000 stores in 18 countries and regions. The Speedway transaction could be announced as soon as…
Hy-Vee Acquires Four QuikTrip Locations
Hy-Vee has acquired four QuikTrip (QT) convenience store locations in the Des Moines, Iowa, metro area that will re-open under the Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh Express brand on March 20. In the upcoming days, all four QT locations will begin renovations. The four locations are: 11925 University Avenue, Clive, Iowa 9915 Douglas Avenue, Urbandale, Iowa…
Shell Partners With DFS to Introduce Self-Checkout Kiosks
Shell has partnered with Dover Fueling Solutions (DFS) to develop and roll out self-checkout kiosks across a number of Shell stations in the Netherlands. Customers are now able to scan for their own fuel, as well as in-store products, and make their purchases in a single, harmonised transaction. After a series of successful tests, Shell plans…
Burger King Ad Features Moldy Whopper
A new Burger King ad campaign features a photo of a moldy Whopper to highlight efforts to eliminate artificial preservatives and other additives from all U.S. menus by the end of 2020. The unconventional marketing effort includes a TV commercial showing the all-natural Whopper slowly rotting over the course of 34 days. “We believe that real food…
Oreo Partners With Supreme
Oreo has partnered with popular streetwear brand Supreme, which is known for its drop model and collaborations with popular brands. Supreme dropped the Oreo news as it revealed its spring-summer 2020 accessories and lookbook online, but the collaboration was initially leaked six months ago on Reddit. On Feb. 18, Oreo tweeted a picture of a red Double Stuf…
Buc-ee’s Named 2019 Top-Rated Gas Station Brand
GasBuddy has issued its 2019 Top Gas Station Brands in the U.S. report, revealing which gas station convenience store brands offer the best experience based on more than 94 million consumer visits and 8.3 million ratings submitted through the GasBuddy app. The report also features exclusive interviews with executives at brands that are redefining the…
Wine-Based Seltzer
Barefoot is entering the popular hard seltzer category with Barefoot Hard Seltzer, the first nationally distributed hard seltzer made with real wine. Drawing off the success of Barefoot’s popular Barefoot Spritzer, award-winning Winemaker Jen Wall has worked with her team to craft Barefoot Hard Seltzer, a premium alternative to beer and lighter-bodied alternative to wine.…
Cheesy Popcorn
PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America has introduced Cheetos Popcorn, which combines the iconic Cheetos seasoning with popcorn, swapping the butter and salt for the cheesy and spicy flavors fans know and love. The ready-to-eat bags are available in two flavors: cheddar and flamin’ hot. Cheetos Popcorn creates a new snacking experience that pairs the classic taste of popcorn…
7-Eleven Introduces New Sustainably Sourced Coffee
7‑Eleven has added another sustainably sourced coffee option to its rotating Seven Reserve portfolio: Kenya Single Estate Grown Coffee. The single-origin hot beverage, made with Rainforest Alliance-certified beans, is available in participating 7-Eleven locations while supplies last. Hailing from the award-winning Sasini Estates, this bold and complex coffee is cultivated on six independent family farms…
Stewart’s Shops Debuts Non-Dairy Ice Cream Flavor
After many requests for more non-dairy flavors, New York-based Stewart’s Shops is launching its second non-dairy dessert option: Mint Cookie Crumble Non-Dairy Dessert. The new flavor is available in all locations as of Feb. 17 in pre-packaged pints. This new flavor features the classic combination of mint and chocolate without the dairy. This coconut-based flavor…