QUINCY, Mass. -- The Patriot-Ledger profiled Dennis Lane, who was recently elected chairman of the National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees.
Just out of college at the age 23, Lane spent a few thousand dollars for a 7-Eleven franchise in Quincy, Mass.; 34 years later, he has increased sales every single year and has become a fixture in the neighborhood he has worked in all his life.
"We are, hands down, the neighborhood convenience store," he told the newspaper. "Kids that used to catch the bus in front of my store now bring their kids in."
And keeping up [image-nocss] with a changing consumer is the challenge Lane deals with as a franchise owner and as coalition chairman, where his main goals are to protect franchise rights and to work with suppliers, said the report.
When Lane started, 7-Eleven didn't even have decaf. Now it has eight different flavors of coffee. Health food? Couldn't find it at his store in the 1970s, but it's on half the shelves now. "They have changed the way we do business," Lane told the paper. "Spring water and energy drinks are huge. 'Good for you' products that we never even offered 10 years ago are now becoming part of the mix."
Lane began his two-year term as chairman in January. In his new role, Lane meets with the coalition four times a year across the country, including a May meeting in Boston. He also helps set up the group's conventions and trade shows, keeping franchisees informed on new products and consumer trends. His work with the organization led him to a co-chair position with CSP's Charitable Alliance of Retail & Restaurant Executives (CARRE) Foundation. The foundation recently raised $25,000 for Children's Hospital Boston, said the Patriot-Ledger.To read the Patriot-Ledger's profile of Lane, including video, click here.Click hereto learn about CARRE. Contact Erin Luttermoser: eluttermoser@cspnet.com.
Click hereto read more about Dennis Lane in CSP Daily News.
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