HJB Convenience Corp. President Raymond Huff, in partnership with StrasGlobal’s new resource for independent convenience store operators, Resources for Retailers, shared an independent retailer’s story of persistence and the course of action he took to stay in business with the Payroll Protection Programs (PPP1, PPP2) and Employee Retention Credit (ERC) funding. Colorado-based HJB Convenience Corp.,…
Do Customers Prefer Bone-In or Boneless Chicken?
Chicken’s a super versatile and popular foodservice offer across all dayparts. In restaurants, servings of chicken wings were up 7% in 2020 vs. 2019 despite an 11% decline in trips to commercial restaurants over the same time period, according to NPD Group/CREST data. Additionally, total U.S. wing retail sales during the pandemic months totaled almost…
GPM Adds Fried Chicken Sandwich to Value Menu
GPM Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of ARKO Corp., is adding a fried chicken filet sandwich to its existing value menu at 150 stores. The value menu initially launched last summer to offer customers convenient, affordable and quality foods during difficult economic times. It began with just one menu item — two for $1 hot…
Buc-ee’s Enters Kentucky Market
Texas-based Buc-ee’s will break ground on its new travel center in Richmond, Ky., on April 13. Located at the southeast corner of Interstate 75 and Duncannon Lane, Buc-ee’s Richmond marks the first Buc-ee’s travel center in Kentucky. The outpost continues Buc-ee’s multi-state expansion across the South, joining two recently opened locations in Florida, as well…
United Dairy Farmers Updates Loyalty Program
Cincinnati-based ice cream and convenience store chain United Dairy Farmers (UDF) has relaunched U-Drive, a legacy loyalty program now built on the Paytronix rewards platform. U-Drive is available for guests to sign up immediately — customers can pick up a card in-store, or download UDF’s new mobile app for the full digital experience. Since launching…
Wawa Expands Beverage Offer With Refreshers Launch
Wawa announced the launch of Wawa Refreshers, now available in all 920 stores chainwide. This iced beverage made with high-quality ingredients including cold brewed green tea and tropical fruit juices that are high in Vitamin C. All the ingredients are made without artificial flavors, preservatives, colors from synthetic sources or high fructose corn syrup. Wawa…
Nouria Completes VERC Acquisition
Worcester, Mass.-based Nouria Energy announced that it successfully completed the acquisition of 17 VERC convenience store locations inclusive of two with adjoining carwash operations. The acquisition adds further scale to Nouria’s footprint in its rapidly growing strategic markets of Massachusetts and Southeastern New Hampshire. The transaction brings the Nouria retail network to 146 locations. “My…
Kent Kwik Expands in the Texas Market With Connel Oil Acquisition
Kent Kwik parent company The Kent Cos. has acquired Connel Oil Co., dba Mr. C’s convenience stores, in Mineral Wells and Weatherford, Texas. The acquisition included six company-operated Chevron-branded Mr. C’s convenience stores, a book of branded and unbranded dealer supply accounts and a bulk plant. The acquisition increased the Kent Kwik portfolio to 59…
Pilot Flying J Debuts Four New Breakfast Sandwiches
Pilot Flying J is introducing four new breakfast sandwiches to its breakfast menu — sausage, egg and cheese biscuit; sausage, egg and cheese croissant; bacon, egg and cheese biscuit; and bacon, egg and cheese French toast. Available now at more than 300 participating travel centers across the country, Pilot Flying J’s newest creations are chef-approved…
Love’s Triples Annual School Donations
Love’s Travel Stops is donating $300,000 to 11 school foundations in the Oklahoma City area — where its corporate offices are located — to fund classroom projects. Since 2016, Love’s has given $100,000 annually to Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation. This is the first year the company is donating to additional foundations that support other…