The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) is firing back at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene after it recently announced preliminary sodium reduction guidelines for restaurants and food manufacturers.  CCF warns that these new guidelines could cause many of America’s favorite foods to take an unfortunate turn for the bland. “The…

Quick Chek, which operates more than 120 stores throughout New Jersey and southern New York, is starting the year off by enticing its customers with a number of new fresh food offerings. New for breakfast, the chain is offering an egg white turkey sausage omelet on a multigrain roll, targeting those looking for a healthy…

Tonawanda, N.Y. -based NOCO Express donated more than  $4,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure to save lives and end breast cancer forever during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2009. NOCO Express donated $.10 of every cup of coffee sold to the Komen Western New York Affiliate and were able to also support National Breast…

As one of the largest franchisees of the Nice N Easy convenience store brand, Clifford Fuel Co. Inc., a petroleum marketer and c-store retailer throughout central and northern New York, pairs the brand recognition and reach of a large c-store chain with the more intimate management of a small franchise. Founded in 1961, the Utica,…

Meat snack manufacturers are going after the teen demographic, solidifying them as the product’s target audience, and introducing new flavors and varieties to meet the changing needs of consumers. Many retailers agree flavored meat sticks are driving the category. “Flavors products are strong right now whether it’s the hot, teriyaki or the smoked,” said Bill…

Mission accomplished. When John MacDougall challenged his team at Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes to come up with a company mission statement, he left pretty simple instructions. “Keep it short, keep it focused and let’s be true to ourselves,” he said. The result was a concise proclamation of the chain’s commitment to the customers it…

It’s costing more than ever to build new convenience stores, according to the NACS’ 2009 State of the Industry report. This news comes at a time when the economy is dragging down sales and profits. As a result, operators face a crucial challenge as they try to grow business organically: build or renovate? The answer…

Nice guys do finish first. Nice N Grocery Shoppes Inc., the Canastota, N.Y. operator of 82 convenience stores, was named Convenience Store Decisions’ 2009 Convenience Store Chain of the Year. Nice N Easy will be honored at an invitation-only gala at the Wynn Las Vegas during the NACS Show on Oct. 21.  “The last line…

A moribund economy is not the best time to take over as a category manager in charge of identifying what customers will spend their money on, but Pat Zelechoski is up to the challenge. Zelechoski, named category manager for NOCO Energy Corp.’s 31 NOCO Express convenience stores in the Eastern New York, will take on…

Prepaid cards have been used in the U.S. for about 20 years, and forward-thinking marketers continue finding new ways to use and promote them. This is a boon for convenience retailers, many of whom have been instrumental in growing the category. Prepaid cards were invented in Europe in the mid-70s when Italians found themselves short…