The CStore Momentum conference is underway in Tarrytown, N.Y.
The event kicked off with a welcome reception on Aug. 19 and continues through Friday, Aug. 21. On Thursday, Chestnut Director of C-Store Operations Faheem Jamal took the stage to give attendees a look behind the curtain at the chain’s operations, in addition to an overview of the retailer’s history and how it has grown to where it is today.
“We want to continue to grow, but we want to deliver a consistent customer experience,” said Jamal.
Jamal was then joined on stage by Rick Thielig, general manager of Chestnut Market, to dive further into the company’s direction moving forward, including its Retail is Detail program.
The Retail is Detail program ensures that Chestnut store managers and employees are attentive and diligent when it comes to the day-to-day operations of each store. The program includes the chain’s “walk the store” philosophy, which has grown from an everyday practice to “more of a mindset,” said Jamal.
Looking ahead, Chestnut aims to reach 100 stores while ensuring that its standards and procedures can be consistent throughout its footprint. Jamal noted that the company “wants to be at 100 stores and feel comfortable about it.”
Following Jamal and Thielig’s session, CStore Decisions Senior Editor Emmy Boes moderated an educational panel titled “Charging Ahead with Tech,” alongside industry experts Abigail Cerra, director of marketing, loyalty and communications, Chestnut; Dana Maloney, CEO of Warrenton Oil; and Jackie Halas, VP of business IT, Global Partners.
Halas noted that technology can be used in the c-store industry to emphasize one simple, core aspect of retailers’ businesses — convenience.
“We’re in the business of convenience, we’re in the business of saving time for people,” she said. “So, how are we doing that?”
At Global, the chain is in the midst of a loyalty transformation, unifying its program under one single brand: Bee’s Knees.
Warrenton Oil’s Maloney noted that 35-40% of their in-store sales are loyalty transactions. Additionally, the chain has rolled out first-party delivery at 30 locations, with plans to introduce third-party delivery in the near future.
Maloney cautioned retailers that are looking to launch their own loyalty programs to “make sure you own your data.”
Chestnut had the newest loyalty launch of the three, with its program being introduced to customers in April 2025. The chain has already seen more than 215,000 members register. Chestnut is also investing in its retail media network, Squirrel Media, which is in the “very early stages” of development, Cerra said.
Following the technology session, CStore Decisions Editor-in-Chief Erin Del Conte took the stage alongside Farris Jamal, director of merchandising, Chestnut Market; Jeffrey Russell, food service director, Crosby’s; and James Fry, food service director, Dandy Mini Marts, to discuss the evolving foodservice landscape.
All three panelists agreed that consistency across all locations is paramount, especially when it comes to foodservice.
“Consistency will drive your program forward,” said Russell.
And this has proven to be the case at Crosby’s, which has seen its pizza sales increase from 2.8 million slices per year to 5 million in just two years.
When asked about some of the most pressing foodservice challenges they are facing today, the panelists cited turnover, decreased basket sizes, training and loyalty as their top hurdles.
Then to cap off the event, Wawa’s Director of Store Operations Jason Read provided the keynote address, titled “Leadership in Motion.”
Read emphasized that today’s young executives are “leading at what is probably the most difficult point in your company’s history.”
“The American consumer has never been under more financial pressure than they are today,” he continued. “You’ve got to have one heck of an experience for that customer to pull out their money and give it to you.”
Read mentioned that young executives need to break out of their comfort zone in order to advance their careers in a meaningful way. The best way to do this, he said, is to “say yes” as often as possible.
“It’s not about the yes today — it’s about the yes tomorrow that will pay dividends,” he said.
He went on to discuss the challenges unique to women in the industry, the importance of psychological safety, acknowledging your “leadership wake” and much more.
The event will conclude with a guided tour across four unique Chestnut Market locations, including the chain’s flagship “The Hutch” store, which won CStore Decisions’ Best Store Design Award in 2025.
