Walgreen Co. has received the regulatory clearance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission needed to complete the acquisition of Duane Reade Holdings Inc. “We’re clear to move forward and complete the Duane Reade acquisition, which will immediately give Walgreens a leading position in the nation’s largest drugstore market,” said Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson.…
7-Eleven Expands in Central Florida
Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc.’s plans to expand in Central Florida already are underway with one new franchisee open in DeLand, Fla., and five more Florida stores in the works for 2010. The chain aims to open or convert 45 local stores by 2012, the Orlando Business Journal reported. The first of the five are opening soon.…
Casey’s Earnings Increase 23%
Casey’s General Stores Inc. reported $0.34 in basic earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 ended Jan. 31, 2010, compared to $0.28 for the same quarter a year ago. Year to date, basic earnings per share were $1.87 versus $1.38 for the same period last year. “The acquisition environment has become more…
Growth, Innovation Propel Kum & Go
It’s been an eventful five decades for Kum & Go, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Entrepreneurs W.A. Krause and T.S. Gentle founded Kum & Go in 1959 under the original name of the Hampton Oil Co., which later changed to Krause Gentle Corp. In the 1970s, the co-founders wanted a name that would…
Riding the Hess Express
The first Hess gas station was opened in 1960, and the first Hess Express opened in 1997 in Daytona Beach, Fla. Hess Express was named Chain of the Year nine years ago amidst its aggressive southern retail expansion. “When we were recognized with the Chain of the Year award in 2000, we had about 900…
NAG: Back by Popular Demand
When we purchased CONVENIENCE STORE DECISIONS nearly two years ago, we heard a constantly recurring question: “When are you going to revitalize the National Advisory Group (NAG)?” With the acquisition we had a lot on our plate, but we were always looking at NAG. We examined carefully why NAG withered, and what was the proper…
MAPCO Express Rolls On
While many chains are still feeling the crunch from the current economic recession, others are seeing opportunity. Count MAPCO Express among the companies waiting to pounce. MAPCO Express, a subsidiary of Delek US Holdings, has a long history in convenience retailing. It continues rolling out an upscale convenience store concept, branded MAPCO Mart, and is…
Casey’s Intros New Store
In keeping with a plan outlined in 2008, Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s General Stores is rolling out expanded store designs. Casey’s executives said that roughly six stores with the new design are open or nearing completion, and the company hopes to finish a total of 20 by the end of April. The new ‘O’ floor plan…