CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Slaton Whatley, director of operations of Whatley Oil Co., and a third-generation member of the family business. The Columbus, Ga.-based company operates Zelmo’s Zip In convenience stores. Slaton shares the chain’s growth plans in the months ahead. The company is remodeling its fleet of company-owned stores…
Convenience Store Sales a Mixed Bag So Far in 2020
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Convenience retailers say that in-store sales are steady but fuel sales continue to lag, according to the results according to a new NACS survey of U.S. convenience store owners. Most retailers responding to the survey (58%) say that in-store sales through the first nine months of 2020 are higher than the same time…
VP Racing Fuels & Keystone Team Up for Breast Cancer Awareness
VP Racing Fuels Inc., the world leader in racing fuel technology, is continuing its annual Breast Cancer Awareness charitable initiatives. “Breast cancer impacts just about all of us in one way or another,” said Alan Cerwick, President of VP Racing Fuels. “Every October for the past 10 years, we have worked to make more…
Love’s Travel Stops Opens New Arizona Location
Love’s Travel Stops is now serving customers in Cordes Junction, Ariz., thanks to a truck stop that opened Thursday. The Cordes Junction store, located off Interstate 17, adds 65 jobs and 57 truck parking spaces to Yavapai County. “We’re excited to open our 14th location in Arizona and add 65 jobs to Yavapai County,”…
Is Healthy Food Important for C-Stores?
The convenience store channel is still a relative “newbie” to foodservice, even though it has been gaining traction for the past 25 years. Most of the industry remains well acquainted with Clark Griswold’s famous quote in the 1980s film Vacation, “I’m so hungry I could eat a sandwich from a gas station,” which summed…
Casey’s Introduces ‘Cash for Classrooms’ Grant Program
Casey’s General Stores has introduced a new way to give back to its local communities. The Ankeny, Iowa-based company has launched the Cash for Classrooms grant program to support local schools. As families and kids have been returning to school and school routines, Casey’s grants will support projects and initiatives taking place at accredited K-12…
Love’s Donates $2.45 Million To Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
COVID-19 hasn’t slowed the generosity of Love’s Travel Stops employees and customers. The company and its customers raised more than $2.45 million through its annual store campaign to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Since 1999, the company has raised over $33 million for sick and injured children who live in the communities where…
Rutter’s Children’s Charities Benefits Local Kids
Since Rutter’s founding in 1747, the company has believed that giving back to its communities is vital to its role. The convenience store chain’s main charitable focus has been improving the lives of children from helping children with medical needs to funding after school and arts education programs through its Rutter’s Children’s Charities. CStore Decisions’…
Stewart’s Shops Celebrates Grand Opening And 75th Anniversary
Stewart’s Shops, based in Ballston Spa, N.Y., has much to celebrate this October. The chain is celebrating its 75th anniversary and a new convenience store opening. Over the past 75 years, what started as one small ice cream shop and dairy in Ballston Spa, N.Y. has grown into 340 shops across New York and southern…
HBIIP Grants Fund Biofuel Blend Expansion Efforts at C-Stores
Convenience store chains Casey’s, Thorntons, Royal Farms and United Dairy Farmers (UDF) were among recipients of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Growth Energy welcomes the USDA announcement of grants under HBIIP. Growth Energy’s network of both large and small retail partners secured nearly $30 million in…