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FDA Clarifies Menu-Labeling Guidelines

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WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration has issued a new draft of the menu-labeling regulations that are scheduled to take effect on chain restaurants starting Dec. 1, 2016, according to a Restaurant Business report.

The rules provide answers to some of what restaurant operators have cited as the more vexing questions about compliance with the labeling mandate, an industry-supported component of the Affordable Care Act. For instance, some chains have expressed confusion about how to label the calorie contents of platter-style catering orders, where consumers can choose from a variety of sandwiches and sides.

The new proposed rules specify that the calorie counts for each selection would have to be provided. If there are four types of sandwiches offered, calorie counts need to be disclosed for each.

Among the other puzzlers for restaurants has been the question of how to handle customization of an order. How would they be expected to meet the labeling mandate if patrons could choose from a variety of, say, pizza toppings, on various sized pies?

The drafted rules indicate that the operator would be required to provide the calorie content of each base item—each size of pie, in this instance—and how much each topping would add–“Pepperoni: Add 50 calories,” etc.

The FDA noted that operators could use a grid-like chart on the menu so that customers could cross-reference the size of a serving against the number of calories various toppings would add.

Click here to see the new 53-page guideline to the regulations in its entirety.

Because of uncertainties about the requirements and confusion on the part of operators about how to comply, the FDA announced in July that it was delaying enactment for a year, to December 2016.

What Is Lubel’s Toughest Nut to Crack?

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SAN ANTONIO — When a customer walks into a Corner Store convenience store, CST Brands Inc. CEO Kim Lubel is hoping for three things:

  1. They find exactly what they need in less than five minutes.
  2. The customer isn’t reminded of Valero.
  3. They are happy enough with the experience to keep coming back.

Those three goals are playing a critical role in CST’s growth in the aftermath of its spinoff with Valero Energy Corp. in 2013, reported The San Antonio Business Journal.

The company will focus on store development and cultivating its brand identity in order to continue its upward trajectory.

Lubel—who was just named one of Fortune magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business—told the Business Journal that there will be at least as many new stores in 2016 as there will be by the end of this year. So far, CST is scheduled to open between 40 to 50 new locations across the United States and Canada.

But beyond a brick-and-mortar presence, Lubel said the biggest difficulty for the brand in the years following its spinoff with Valero has been establishing its own identity rather than piggybacking off the fuel corporation.

“By pursuing growth along new store construction, acquisition, and new food offerings and merchandise, we’ve been able to consolidate the brand presence,” Lubel told the newspaper concerning putting CST’s Corner Store c-store brand in front of Valero’s more established reputation. “By implementing and updating our private-label program, it will be more fine-tuned. We’ve really had to emphasize Corner Store and the brand, rather than the fuel brand.”

So how does a company do that? By focusing on the experience, the report said.

“I needed people to know who Corner Store is, and continue to elevate the brand through a customer’s experience in the store,” Lubel said of the company’s high customer retention rate. “That’s the magic, and customer engagement is a much harder nut to crack.”

San Antonio-based CST Brands has approximately 1,900 gas stations and convenience stores throughout the United States and eastern Canada. In the United States, CST Corner Stores sell fuel and signature products such as Fresh Choices baked and packaged goods, UForce energy and sport drinks, Cibolo Mountain coffee, FC bottled sodas and Flavors2Go fountain drinks. In Canada, CST is the exclusive provider of Ultramar fuel and its Dépanneur du Coin and Corner Stores sell signature Transit Café coffee and pastries. CST also owns the general partner of CrossAmerica Partners LP, a wholesale distributor of fuels that serves more than 1,100 locations across 23 states.

Click here to view the full San Antonio Business Journal report.

Thorntons Opens Kitchen-Focused C-Store

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Convenience-store retailer Thorntons Inc. has announced that the kitchen is now open at the chain’s newly remodeled store in its hometown of Louisville, Ky. This c-store concept focuses on bringing fresh food and beverages to customers on the go and providing a variety of options throughout the day.

In addition to traditional roller grill items, this store will feature hot breakfast, lunch and snack items that are prepared fresh on site. For breakfast, customers can choose from a variety of sandwiches or burritos. Lunch options include pizza, sandwiches, fresh fruit and a variety of salads. For in between meals, customers can enjoy snacks such as fresh soft pretzels or fresh baked cookies.

Other features of this c-store include a full bakery case and an ice cream bar. The bakery case is re-stocked daily with fresh items including doughnuts, pastries, cookies and more. The ice cream bar offers vanilla soft serve and a variety of toppings including Butterfinger crumbles, M&Ms and Oreos.

This store is the next to open in the series of stores that are focused on making Thorntons a food and beverage destination. Customers can currently find these stores across the Louisville and Southern Indiana area.

Thorntons is one of the leading independent gasoline and convenience chains in the United States. Operating throughout the Midwest, it has 182 gas stations, convenience stores, car washes and travel plazas in six states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida. Thorntons distributes its petroleum products through its wholly owned Thornton Transportation Co. and operates a river bulk storage terminal in Louisville.

Thorntons Opens Kitchen-Focused C-Store

jota

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Convenience-store retailer Thorntons Inc. has announced that the kitchen is now open at the chain’s newly remodeled store in its hometown of Louisville, Ky. This c-store concept focuses on bringing fresh food and beverages to customers on the go and providing a variety of options throughout the day.

In addition to traditional roller grill items, this store will feature hot breakfast, lunch and snack items that are prepared fresh on site. For breakfast, customers can choose from a variety of sandwiches or burritos. Lunch options include pizza, sandwiches, fresh fruit and a variety of salads. For in between meals, customers can enjoy snacks such as fresh soft pretzels or fresh baked cookies.

Other features of this c-store include a full bakery case and an ice cream bar. The bakery case is re-stocked daily with fresh items including doughnuts, pastries, cookies and more. The ice cream bar offers vanilla soft serve and a variety of toppings including Butterfinger crumbles, M&Ms and Oreos.

This store is the next to open in the series of stores that are focused on making Thorntons a food and beverage destination. Customers can currently find these stores across the Louisville and Southern Indiana area.

Thorntons is one of the leading independent gasoline and convenience chains in the United States. Operating throughout the Midwest, it has 182 gas stations, convenience stores, car washes and travel plazas in six states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida. Thorntons distributes its petroleum products through its wholly owned Thornton Transportation Co. and operates a river bulk storage terminal in Louisville.

Wawa Introduces K-Cups in Two Flavors

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WAWA, Pa. – Regional convenience-store retailer Wawa Inc. has introduced single-serve K-cups for Keurig coffee makers.

So far, the K-cup flavors include only the regular and hazelnut varieties.

Wawa describes its regular coffee as “smooth and mellow; our classic blend is mild and mellow with a touch of sweetness.” It describes its hazelnut as “a nutty and aromatic blend flavored to perfection.”

Other varieties of its mild coffees include decaf, French vanilla and pumpkin spice. Its medium roast includes 100% Colombian. And its Signature Blend is made with 100% Arabica beans.

The retailer did not indicate whether it would offer any of these other varieties in K-cup form.

Wawa, Pa.-based Wawa, a privately held company, is a chain of more than 700 convenience stores (more than 435 offering gasoline) located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida.

The convenience stores offer a large fresh foodservice selection, including Wawa brands such as built-to-order hoagies, freshly brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, built-to-order specialty beverages and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks.

SC Fuels Adds New Chief Operating Officer

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ORANGE, Calif. — SC Fuels, a leader in the petroleum marketing industry, has announced that David Larimer will join its executive team as chief operating officer.

“Our success is attributed to several core strengths, one being our senior management team,” said Steve P. Greinke, the company’s chief executive officer. “David garnered valuable experience with Fortune 5, middle market and startup companies. His sense of loyalty, integrity and team building skills will be invaluable as we take the company to its next level of development.”

David spent 17 years with ExxonMobil (with Mobil) holding a variety of positions in the downstream portion of the business. David also consulted for Chevron to assist them in developing a global franchise program in convenience-store retailing, leveraging similar experience from his days at Mobil. Most recently, he led two companies in the distribution and business services space, one, Filterfresh Coffee Service, focused on coffee, and the other, Poma Holding Co. Inc., focused on petroleum products.

Poma was a fuels and lubricants distributor and marketer in California that also operated cardlocks and provided environmental services. It was sold to Flyers Energy LLC in early 2015.

Established in 1930, SC Fuels is one of the oldest and largest petroleum distributors on the West Coast. It delivers commercial bulk fuels, wholesale branded fuels, lubricants and alternative fuels. SC Fuels also is a leading provider of commercial cardlocks and fleet card services and provides mobile onsite fueling.

Fikes Selects Verifone for EMV Migration, More

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TEMPLE, Texas — The Fikes Cos. has selected Verifone’s Commander Site Controller and Ruby2 POS solutions for deployment across its entire chain of CEFCO Convenience Stores.

CEFCO operates 227 c-stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas.

Verifone’s solutions will provide CEFCO an Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV)-ready platform that enables the chain to support EMV in its stores in time for the October 2015 EMV liability shift. In addition to reducing complexity by separating payment, fuel and point-of-sale (POS) software for easier management and remote upgrades, the solutions will also enable CEFCO to support EMV at the pump in time for the October 2017 EMV liability shift that applies to the petroleum forecourt.

“Our goal is to standardize and consolidate our payment systems with a solution that gives our entire chain of CEFCO stores the most efficient path to EMV acceptance,” said H. Lorne Brockway, vice president of information technology for The Fikes Cos. “Verifone’s partnership will enable us to not only support EMV in time for the liability shift deadlines, but also improve our store management capabilities and expand our use of the solution in the future.”

Verifone’s authorized service contractor network is managing the rollout, which is currently underway, and the company said it expects it to be completed by the end of 2015.

Commander Site Controller from Verifone is a single-site management software platform that supports all petroleum and card brands, providing increased speed in at-the-pump and in-store payment acceptance, fueling operations and back office control.

Benefits of Commander Site Controller include increased speed of payment, fueling and store control through 100% IP data transfer; expandable architecture for added functionality; and remote access for real-time updates and operations management from any web-enabled device, including tablets and smartphones.

Commander Site Controller features Commander Console, a cloud-based software management system for payment, in-store and forecourt operations. It includes an iOS and Android mobile app through which store managers can access a graphical set of operational matrixes.

Commander Site Controller supports Ruby2, Verifone’s latest POS solution built to endure harsh convenience-store environments. Its touch-screen console provides order taking and payment processing, and its multi-core processor allows for streamlined store and customer management through a centralized device that increases space at the counter with its small footprint for each work station.

“Merchants in all verticals are challenged by the migration to EMV as well as the rapidly changing payment technology landscape,” said Dan Yienger, senior vice president of Petroleum for Verifone. “Fikes’ forward-thinking approach to payments will simplify and expedite its move to EMV, while at the same time putting in place a flexible, standardized payment system that is easy to use and can grow with future business needs.”

San Jose, Calif.-based Verifone connects 27 million payment devices to the cloud—merging the online and in-store shopping experience and creating the next generation of digital engagement between merchants and consumers. The company has clients and partners in more than 150 countries, including well-known retail brands, financial institutions and payment providers.

The Fikes Cos. is a group of six family owned business units. Fikes Wholesale Inc. is a petroleum products marketing business that distributes fuel to commercial and retail accounts throughout the United States through strategic relationships with Shell, ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco, CITGO, Valero and numerous independent fuel suppliers. Its convenience retailing business markets through a network of approximately 227 CEFCO and Food Fast convenience stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. CORD Financial Services specializes in ATM sales, placements and credit-card processing services to more than 8,000 locations throughout the United States. The Group Petroleum Services transportation business consists of 28 fuel delivery trucks, and its JF Air Traffic charter airline service operates through a partnership with Landmark Aviation.

Doritos Introduces ‘Doritos Rainbows’ to Support LGBT Community

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PLANO, Texas — The Doritos brand, in partnership with the It Gets Better Project, has announced a new, limited-edition product to celebrate and support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. PepsiCo and Frito-Lay have introduced Doritos Rainbows chips, made up of multiple, rainbow-colored Doritos chips inspired by the pride flag.

The new product is available exclusively to consumers who donate to the It Gets Better Project. Consumers who donate $10 or more in support to the It Gets Better Project through www.ItGetsBetter.org/DoritosRainbows will be mailed a bag of Doritos Rainbows chips, while supplies last.

The goal is to raise funds for the It Gets Better Project and the work it does in support of LGBT youth. Upon making their donations, consumers are encouraged to share messages of hope and inspiration using #BoldandBetter.

“Time and again, our consumers have shown us, there really is nothing bolder than being true to yourself and living life to the fullest,” said Ram Krishnan, chief marketing officer for Frito-Lay. “With Doritos Rainbows chips, we’re bringing an entirely new product experience to our consumers to show our commitment toward equal rights for the LGBT community and celebrate humanity without exception.”

Brett Peters, communications director for It Gets Better Project, said, “We’re honored to partner with the Doritos brand to celebrate the momentous progress that has been made toward equal rights for the LGBT community in this country. By utilizing the incredible reach that the Doritos brand has throughout the world, we can give hope to the LGBT young people who need it the most.”

Doritos Rainbows chips will take center stage at this year’s Dallas Pride as part of the Doritos brand’s first-ever sponsorship of the annual event, set to take place on Sept. 20, 2015. While visiting the Doritos-branded booth at Dallas Pride, attendees can pledge their support to the It Gets Better Project and receive a bag of Doritos Rainbows chips, while supplies last.

In partnership with PepsiCo’s EQUAL employee resource group, the Doritos brand also will participate in this year’s Dallas Pride parade with a float ridden by PepsiCo/Frito-Lay associates and their families.

Doritos is one of the flagship brands from PepsiCo’s Plano, Texas-based Frito-Lay division, the convenient foods business unit of PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y. Its portfolio includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana.

QuickChek Raises $134,000 for Military Families

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WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. –QuickChek Corp. has raised $134,000 in six weeks to help support post-9/11 service members and their families through a recent in-store donation program and a charity golf outing.

The convenience-store chain invited customers to purchase dog tag-shaped magnets for $1 to benefit Hope for the Warriors, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.

And in June, more than 100 golfers participated in an outing at the Hillsborough Golf & Country Club in Hillsborough, N.J., to benefit the nonprofit.

All of the funds raised will stay in local areas to help support local veterans.

“We’re pleased to honor and support our service members and their families who give so much of themselves,” said QuickChek CEO Dean Durling.

QuickChek ran a similar in-store dog-tag promotion last September, raising $75,000 in four weeks.

QuickChek store leaders, customers in two states and the service organization have embraced the program, the company said. Each dog tag that was purchased was signed and posted on the walls of the company’s convenience stores throughout New Jersey, New York’s Hudson Valley and Long Island.

In addition to Hope for the Warriors, QuickChek supports community food banks as well as nearly 150 youth sports groups throughout the metropolitan area. QuickChek also teamed with Muscle Milk to raise additional funds for Hope for the Warriors through an in-store promotional sale of specialty protein nutrition bottles.

QuickChek Corp., based in Whitehouse Station, N.J., operates 140 convenience stores in New York and New Jersey.

Guest Column: What Really Happened to Gasoline Prices This August

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GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Summer gasoline and refinery issues have been a major thorn in the side of motorists this summer, most notably on the West Coast and in the Midwest regions. With summer beginning to fade, motorists across the country will be seeing lower gas prices while motorists in these regions see less pump drama thanks to the eventual switch back to cheaper winter blends and the simplicity it brings.

The root of the volatility and summer price spikes starts with EPA’s Clear Air Act Amendments: they act to keep things complicated every spring and summer at the expensive of motorists yet at refiners delight. Refiners throughout the country are faced with the task of producing various fuels for various locales all to meet varying requirements set forth by varying forms of government from June through September, and even that varies by state.

It’s enough to make one’s head spin.

Areas most susceptible to massive prolonged summer time gas price spikes are areas that are somewhat isolated from help in one way or another.

Take the West Coast: it is nearly cut off from direct access to the nation’s refined product pipeline grid and a long boat ride separates it from easy access to the Gulf Coast, home to the bulk of the nation’s refining capacity. Throw California’s strict California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements in the mix and you’re left with a unique blend of summer gasoline and barely any ability to be quickly resupplied in the event of a major outage. That’s exactly what contributed to some crazy swings in West Coast gas prices this summer, as supply that had been flowing to California temporarily vanished.

The Midwest, though better connected to the grid of pipelines, also suffered from shock this August when BP’s Whiting, Ind., refinery went down unexpectedly.

This refinery—the largest in the region and seventh largest in the country—provides reformulated gasoline for third largest city in the country as well as non-reformulated gasoline for areas outside the Chicago area. Price shocks were felt throughout the region and even into neighboring regions as concerns spread that gasoline would be diverted to areas with the widest margins.

Both situations, though thousands of miles apart, led politicians and consumer advocates to point fingers very quickly at oil companies. What they missed or forgot are the hodgepodge of regulations and agencies that govern the nation’s summer fuel requirements—certainly a major factor in the price spikes.

Politicians in several Great Lakes states hounded BP, calling for investigations from both sides of the political spectrum, and while many politicians will seek to gain from the situation, few have done anything to prevent the situation from happening again.

The good news is that both situations are now mostly in the rearview. ExxonMobil will soon meet with authorities to discuss replacement of parts at the unit affected with refurbished parts, and it seems that some resolve will come of it and that ExxonMobil could increase output in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile BP’s Whiting refinery got back online over a short time after it went down, thanks to emergency repairs, I’m told.

While oil companies fix their facilities, motorists will also be getting some help from fundamentals: gasoline demand will begin to taper off and EPA rules are relaxed after September 15, ushering in a cheaper winter gasoline across a wider area of the country. Oil markets remain well supplied and the future doesn’t bode well for oil bulls as oil inventories remain high and refiners begin their seasonal turnarounds.

The future does look bright for anyone filling their tanks: gas prices will likely continue to trend lower, likely dropping under $2 per gallon nationally by Christmas.

Patrick DeHaan is senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy, Gaithersburg, Md. Reach him at pdehaan@gasbuddy.com.

Author(s): 
Patrick DeHaan

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