ST. PAUL, Minn. — The St. Paul, Minn., City Council voted Nov. 1, 2017, to follow sister city Minneapolis in restricting the sale of menthol, mint and wintergreen tobacco products to tobacco shops and liquor stores, according to the Star Tribune. The new rule would take those products off convenience-store shelves when it goes into effect in a year on Nov. 1, 2018.

St. Paul council members delayed their initial vote for a month to hear additional public comment, which led to the final 6-1 vote in favor of the restrictions. Both sides of the debate were in full force, the newspaper reported, with comments ranging from residents who lost family members to cancer to c-store owners saying the restriction will cost them their businesses.

The goal of the restrictions is to further limit access to tobacco products, with a particular concern for young people who advocates say have an attraction to flavored tobacco products. According to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, Council President Russ Stark acknowledged that the restrictions are “not a silver bullet” but an attempt “to make sure the next generation of kids growing up in St. Paul are less likely to get hooked on tobacco products.”

This past summer, the Minneapolis City Council voted on similar restrictions, allowing only tobacco shops and liquor stores to sell menthol products beginning Aug. 1, 2018. San Francisco banned the sale of menthol products earlier this year, though a signature campaign that followed will bring the ordinance to a citizen vote. 

Brought to you by Cardtronics.

The number of ATMs in the U.S. is on the rise: According to an August 2017 press release from the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA), there are between 475,000 to 500,000 ATMs operating in the United States. Plenty of ATMs are located at bank branches and inside restaurants and bars, but one of the most common places to find an ATM today is inside a local convenience store.

C-stores are designed to offer consumers what they need, when they need it, and one thing that many consumers need is convenient access to cash on the go without having to drive across town to their nearest bank branch ATM. As a result, c-store ATMs are a natural alternative and have proven to be a true sales booster for the c-store channel.

While simply having an ATM in the store itself is half of the battle, c-store operators can significantly influence their program’s effectiveness by focusing in on five key areas involving the ATM.

Visibility

C-stores offer hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of products for sale to their customers. So in order to maximize the valuable real estate footprint the ATM occupies, it is imperative that customers have a clear line of sight to the ATM whenever possible. For the greatest visibility and usage of the cash machine, install the ATM near the store’s main/front entrance whenever possible. If the main entrance position isn’t an option, consider placing it directly across from the store’s main entrance, and if that won’t work either, choose a spot near the front store window. This location can also work out well, especially if a 4-sided ATM topper is used to help drive awareness. With a topper mounted on the terminal, the “ATM” sign on the topper will be in direct view of the store’s parking lot and any potential ATM users. If none of these three options work, the last resort would be to deploy the ATM in the rear of the store, typically meaning near the public restrooms.

Accessibility

The ATM should be placed in a clear, unencumbered location within the store, offering easy access to any and all potential customers—including those with disabilities that require the assistance of wheelchairs or walkers. Effective March 15, 2012, in order for an ATM to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ATM must have:

• Clean area of at least 30” x 48” in front of the ATM with a stable, firm and slip-resistant surface with an accessible route to get to the machine.
• Operable parts for people with disabilities.
• The same degree of privacy for all ATM users.
• Speech-enabled accessibility.
• A readily available and usable headphone jack.
• Audio receipts with adequate information conveyed.
• Input controls discernible by touch/raised, and keypads must be arranged like a telephone keypad with middle button discernible by touch. Keys’ characters must contrast with their backgrounds.
• Display screen visible from 40” above ground in front of the machine.
• Braille instructions for starting the speech mode on machine.
• If there is more than one ATM, at least one of them must be accessible to people with disabilities.

For complete details on the ADA requirements for ATMs, please visit the ADA website at: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/2010ADAstandards.htm

Location Awareness

Don’t keep the ATM a secret from consumers. Market the ATM program where you can. Many c-store retailers have a store locator on their website or mobile app. If possible, incorporate an ATM locator feature that allows customers to search for a store with an ATM, or consider adding a standalone ATM locator to your site and/or app. If the ATM is bank branded, be sure that the bank’s ATM locator is up to date with the location’s current address.

Signage

Promoting the ATM with signage both inside and outside the store is key. External signage can include pump toppers, pump topper extenders, monument signs, pump decals and of course, external store signage. Within the store, the ATM can have an ATM topper to alert customers of its existence, and there can also be window signs, ceiling danglers, floor decals, directional signage and blade signs. Alerting customers that the ATM is there and ready to be used is important—if customers don’t know it’s there, they won’t know to use it.

Security

Ensuring an ATM is safe and secure is paramount to its success in a c-store. The ATM should be deployed near, or in clear sight of, store clerks to deter criminals from installing card-skimming devices. The ATM should also have a robust bolting system to ensure it is secured to the building’s concrete flooring whenever possible. In high-risk areas, retailers may want to go a step further by installing anti-pry devices, steel boots or layer-enhanced boots to deter criminal activity. Don’t take the physical security of your ATM for granted. Make it a point to discuss all available options with your ATM provider. If the site the ATM is located in is not secure or is tampered with, the usage rates may go down, or customers may avoid it altogether.

Ensuring your ATM program is optimally effective simply requires a bit of planning and attention. Focus on visibility, accessibility, location awareness, signage and security, and your customers will thank you.

Brought to you by Cardtronics.

The number of ATMs in the U.S. is on the rise: According to an August 2017 press release from the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA), there are between 475,000 to 500,000 ATMs operating in the United States. Plenty of ATMs are located at bank branches and inside restaurants and bars, but one of the most common places to find an ATM today is inside a local convenience store.

C-stores are designed to offer consumers what they need, when they need it, and one thing that many consumers need is convenient access to cash on the go without having to drive across town to their nearest bank branch ATM. As a result, c-store ATMs are a natural alternative and have proven to be a true sales booster for the c-store channel.

While simply having an ATM in the store itself is half of the battle, c-store operators can significantly influence their program’s effectiveness by focusing in on five key areas involving the ATM.

Visibility

C-stores offer hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of products for sale to their customers. So in order to maximize the valuable real estate footprint the ATM occupies, it is imperative that customers have a clear line of sight to the ATM whenever possible. For the greatest visibility and usage of the cash machine, install the ATM near the store’s main/front entrance whenever possible. If the main entrance position isn’t an option, consider placing it directly across from the store’s main entrance, and if that won’t work either, choose a spot near the front store window. This location can also work out well, especially if a 4-sided ATM topper is used to help drive awareness. With a topper mounted on the terminal, the “ATM” sign on the topper will be in direct view of the store’s parking lot and any potential ATM users. If none of these three options work, the last resort would be to deploy the ATM in the rear of the store, typically meaning near the public restrooms.

Accessibility

The ATM should be placed in a clear, unencumbered location within the store, offering easy access to any and all potential customers—including those with disabilities that require the assistance of wheelchairs or walkers. Effective March 15, 2012, in order for an ATM to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ATM must have:

• Clean area of at least 30” x 48” in front of the ATM with a stable, firm and slip-resistant surface with an accessible route to get to the machine.
• Operable parts for people with disabilities.
• The same degree of privacy for all ATM users.
• Speech-enabled accessibility.
• A readily available and usable headphone jack.
• Audio receipts with adequate information conveyed.
• Input controls discernible by touch/raised, and keypads must be arranged like a telephone keypad with middle button discernible by touch. Keys’ characters must contrast with their backgrounds.
• Display screen visible from 40” above ground in front of the machine.
• Braille instructions for starting the speech mode on machine.
• If there is more than one ATM, at least one of them must be accessible to people with disabilities.

For complete details on the ADA requirements for ATMs, please visit the ADA website at: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/2010ADAstandards.htm

Location Awareness

Don’t keep the ATM a secret from consumers. Market the ATM program where you can. Many c-store retailers have a store locator on their website or mobile app. If possible, incorporate an ATM locator feature that allows customers to search for a store with an ATM, or consider adding a standalone ATM locator to your site and/or app. If the ATM is bank branded, be sure that the bank’s ATM locator is up to date with the location’s current address.

Signage

Promoting the ATM with signage both inside and outside the store is key. External signage can include pump toppers, pump topper extenders, monument signs, pump decals and of course, external store signage. Within the store, the ATM can have an ATM topper to alert customers of its existence, and there can also be window signs, ceiling danglers, floor decals, directional signage and blade signs. Alerting customers that the ATM is there and ready to be used is important—if customers don’t know it’s there, they won’t know to use it.

Security

Ensuring an ATM is safe and secure is paramount to its success in a c-store. The ATM should be deployed near, or in clear sight of, store clerks to deter criminals from installing card-skimming devices. The ATM should also have a robust bolting system to ensure it is secured to the building’s concrete flooring whenever possible. In high-risk areas, retailers may want to go a step further by installing anti-pry devices, steel boots or layer-enhanced boots to deter criminal activity. Don’t take the physical security of your ATM for granted. Make it a point to discuss all available options with your ATM provider. If the site the ATM is located in is not secure or is tampered with, the usage rates may go down, or customers may avoid it altogether.

Ensuring your ATM program is optimally effective simply requires a bit of planning and attention. Focus on visibility, accessibility, location awareness, signage and security, and your customers will thank you.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — Nayax, a global “internet of things” platform for unattended payments and other tools, has released the PayMarket Kiosk, a stand-alone kiosk for indoor or outdoor use for cashless payments.

PayMarket is suitable for numerous applications, giving businesses a flexible solution using customization and enabling consumer engagement, according to the company. Applications for PayMarket include ticketing, donations, payments, check-in functions, self-ordering and self-checkout, functions that could be used to streamline convenience-store foodservice, lottery and more.

Nayax has included several features that will allow operators to quickly incorporate PayMarket into their business, including an integrated cashless payment solution; embedded, customizable touchscreen; optional printer; and optional barcode scanner. With the establishment of a marketplace of applications, built by internal developers and external integrators, Nayax ensures that customers can customize PayMarket for their specific needs, the company said.

Nayax’s cashless solution enables cashless payment from all leading payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Android Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay, Nayax’s own Monyx Wallet payment app and more. PayMarket can be integrated with any of Nayax’s readers.

Hunt Valley, Md.-based Nayax, a global internet of things platform for unattended payments, telemetry and management tools developed for the retail market, was established in 2005. More than 250,000 devices are using Nayax solutions worldwide, in more than 55 countries.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — Nayax, a global “internet of things” platform for unattended payments and other tools, has released the PayMarket Kiosk, a stand-alone kiosk for indoor or outdoor use for cashless payments.

PayMarket is suitable for numerous applications, giving businesses a flexible solution using customization and enabling consumer engagement, according to the company. Applications for PayMarket include ticketing, donations, payments, check-in functions, self-ordering and self-checkout, functions that could be used to streamline convenience-store foodservice, lottery and more.

Nayax has included several features that will allow operators to quickly incorporate PayMarket into their business, including an integrated cashless payment solution; embedded, customizable touchscreen; optional printer; and optional barcode scanner. With the establishment of a marketplace of applications, built by internal developers and external integrators, Nayax ensures that customers can customize PayMarket for their specific needs, the company said.

Nayax’s cashless solution enables cashless payment from all leading payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Android Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay, Nayax’s own Monyx Wallet payment app and more. PayMarket can be integrated with any of Nayax’s readers.

Hunt Valley, Md.-based Nayax, a global internet of things platform for unattended payments, telemetry and management tools developed for the retail market, was established in 2005. More than 250,000 devices are using Nayax solutions worldwide, in more than 55 countries.

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. — Atlantis Management Group (AMG) has acquired Food Bag, a convenience-store chain and CITGO-branded petroleum marketer. The transaction includes the purchase of more than 50 fee-simple sites and a transportation company.

Kensington, Conn.-based General Equities Inc. operates the Food Bag stores, which have provided convenience-store products and motor fuel to customers in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida for more than 57 years. 

“We are thrilled to be able to purchase such a well-respected business with a proven management team and strong long-term customer relationships. Over the last year, we have worked closely with the Food Bag team to ensure the most successful and value-driven transition for our companies,” said Tumay Basaranlar, CEO of Mount Vernon, N.Y.-based AMG.

“We share Food Bag’s commitment to exceptional customer service and look forward to integrating the Food Bag team to allow us to pursue additional growth, both organically and through prospective acquisitions,” said Jose Montero, president of AMG.

“When we started to consider a sale, our focus was on finding a partner that shared the same values toward our people and customers,” said John Sabol, CEO of General Equities Inc. “Providing opportunity for employees and creating value for our customers was important to us. Seeing the energy, innovation and value that AMG will bring to the market is exciting. I want to thank all of our employees for their years of dedication and service.”

AMG, established in 2006, markets branded and unbranded motor fuel and convenience-store products in the northeastern United States. It is an authorized distributor or broker supplier for the Exxon, Mobil, BP, CITGO and Gulf brands.

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. — Atlantis Management Group (AMG) has acquired Food Bag, a convenience-store chain and CITGO-branded petroleum marketer. The transaction includes the purchase of more than 50 fee-simple sites and a transportation company.

Kensington, Conn.-based General Equities Inc. operates the Food Bag stores, which have provided convenience-store products and motor fuel to customers in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida for more than 57 years. 

“We are thrilled to be able to purchase such a well-respected business with a proven management team and strong long-term customer relationships. Over the last year, we have worked closely with the Food Bag team to ensure the most successful and value-driven transition for our companies,” said Tumay Basaranlar, CEO of Mount Vernon, N.Y.-based AMG.

“We share Food Bag’s commitment to exceptional customer service and look forward to integrating the Food Bag team to allow us to pursue additional growth, both organically and through prospective acquisitions,” said Jose Montero, president of AMG.

“When we started to consider a sale, our focus was on finding a partner that shared the same values toward our people and customers,” said John Sabol, CEO of General Equities Inc. “Providing opportunity for employees and creating value for our customers was important to us. Seeing the energy, innovation and value that AMG will bring to the market is exciting. I want to thank all of our employees for their years of dedication and service.”

AMG, established in 2006, markets branded and unbranded motor fuel and convenience-store products in the northeastern United States. It is an authorized distributor or broker supplier for the Exxon, Mobil, BP, CITGO and Gulf brands.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — After extensive in-market customer-driven taste testing, convenience-store chain Yesway has launched a new line of Signature Blends Coffee in three varieties: House Blend, Breakfast Blend and Dark Roast. The Customer’s Choice blends were selected by Yesway customers, and they are made with 100% Arabica coffee beans.

In celebration of a coffee-themed monthlong promotion it is calling “Joe-vember,” Yesway is inviting customers to visit its stores each Friday throughout the month for a free cup of any Signature Blend coffee of any size. Also, Yesway Rewards members will receive a free Maple Breakfast Scrambler Roller Bite on Free Coffee Fridays.

“Now there are even more reasons to visit Yesway stores with our new Yesway Signature Blends Coffee,” said Brian Trout, senior vice president of operations for Yesway. “Our customers asked us for great-tasting coffee, and we are proud to be serving the best-tasting coffee around. We encourage everyone to visit us on Free Coffee Fridays during the month of November.”

To support the launch of its new line of Signature Blends Coffee, Yesway will also donate free Signature Blends Coffee to Iowa-based veterans’ organizations and first-responder units throughout November.

Yesway’s development of a new signature hot dispensed product comes on the heels of its creation of a new chef-led culinary innovation position to spearhead a higher-quality fresh prepared foodservice program for the chain.

Now with nearly 70 c-stores, West Des Moines, Iowa-based Yesway ranked No. 197 on CSP’s 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains in the United States.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — After extensive in-market customer-driven taste testing, convenience-store chain Yesway has launched a new line of Signature Blends Coffee in three varieties: House Blend, Breakfast Blend and Dark Roast. The Customer’s Choice blends were selected by Yesway customers, and they are made with 100% Arabica coffee beans.

In celebration of a coffee-themed monthlong promotion it is calling “Joe-vember,” Yesway is inviting customers to visit its stores each Friday throughout the month for a free cup of any Signature Blend coffee of any size. Also, Yesway Rewards members will receive a free Maple Breakfast Scrambler Roller Bite on Free Coffee Fridays.

“Now there are even more reasons to visit Yesway stores with our new Yesway Signature Blends Coffee,” said Brian Trout, senior vice president of operations for Yesway. “Our customers asked us for great-tasting coffee, and we are proud to be serving the best-tasting coffee around. We encourage everyone to visit us on Free Coffee Fridays during the month of November.”

To support the launch of its new line of Signature Blends Coffee, Yesway will also donate free Signature Blends Coffee to Iowa-based veterans’ organizations and first-responder units throughout November.

Yesway’s development of a new signature hot dispensed product comes on the heels of its creation of a new chef-led culinary innovation position to spearhead a higher-quality fresh prepared foodservice program for the chain.

Now with nearly 70 c-stores, West Des Moines, Iowa-based Yesway ranked No. 197 on CSP’s 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains in the United States.

ATLANTA — Convenience-store retailer RaceTrac has expanded its partnership with dessert chain Cinnabon with the addition of limited-time Cinnabon-branded baked goods and a new warm dessert offering, Gooey Swirls, at RaceTrac’s Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas locations.

The new product rollouts mark Cinnabon’s one-year anniversary of its Crafted by Cinnabon line of fresh bakery treats designed for single-serve sales in convenience stores, grocery stores and noncommercial foodservice locations. RaceTrac’s new bakery items include:

• Crafted by Cinnabon Frosting Filled Pumpkin Muffin Tops—pumpkin-flavored muffin tops filled with cream-cheese frosting, topped with cinnamon crumb streusel and icing drizzle, priced at $1.99 and available in Florida and Texas.
• Crafted by Cinnabon Gooey Swirls—warm cinnamon swirl dough topped with cream-cheese frosting and smothered in a creamy cinnamon schmear, priced at $2.49 and available at participating locations throughout Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.
• Crafted by Cinnabon Frosting Filled Long John Doughnuts—cinnamon doughnuts filled with cream-cheese frosting topped with cinnamon frosting glaze and icing drizzle, $1.99 and available in Florida and Texas.

Participating RaceTrac locations will continue to offer the Frosting Filled Long John Doughnut and Gooey Swirls as year-round offerings and will rotate in limited-time-offer products as the seasons change. These products will be exclusive to RaceTrac in the convenience channel across the four states where stores are located.

“We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with RaceTrac to offer our premium, fresh-baked treats to more guests in a variety of new and exciting formats,” said Julie Thomas, director of foodservice sales, convenience and petroleum and entertainment, global channels, for Focus Brands, the parent company of Cinnabon.

Crafted by Cinnabon, which launched in November 2016, is the brand’s first line of fresh bakery treats designed for single-serve or multi-serve channels, such as grocery, convenience stores, university campuses and other foodservice outlets. The line delivers the same fresh-baked quality and signature ingredients that guests have come to love and expect from Cinnabon bakeries, including legendary Cinnabon Makara cinnamon and signature cream-cheese frosting.

“Bringing Cinnabon treats to RaceTrac’s bakery case continues to exceed our expectations, and we are excited to now offer Gooey Swirls, a warm Cinnabon product,” said Steve Turner, RaceTrac’s executive director of foodservice. “Adding the well-known Cinnabon brand to our already-premium bakery menu provides our guests with extra indulgent treats from which to choose.”

Based in Atlanta, RaceTrac owns and operates about 430 c-stores in 12 states. It ranked No. 20 on CSP’s 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains in the United States.