Convenience-store veteran Mendy Meriwether is joining Des Moines, Iowa-based NexChapter in the newly created position of vice president of foodservice practice.
NexChapter is a consulting firm helping retailers with loyalty, retail media and digital commerce strategy.
In the role, Meriwether will “lead the development of menu strategies, stage-gate innovation processes, category management systems and execution frameworks that help convenience and grocery retailers convert foodservice into a high-margin growth engine,” the company said in a statement.
NexChapter said it has a renewed focus on foodservice due to the following:
- In 2024, foodservice accounted for 27.7% of in-store sales at U.S. convenience stores and 38.6% in-store gross margin dollars, per National Association of Convenience Stores data.
- Prepared foods, broadly defined, comprised about 72.6% of that foodservice revenue, reflecting the importance of fresh, high-margin items, according to NACS.
- According to CSP sister research arm Technomic, c-store foodservice growth is projected to outpace quick-service restaurants in 2025, as consumers increasingly shift trips to convenience formats.
Meriwether, who brings years of operator experience and food and beverage leadership to the position, previously led foodservice strategy and execution at Wawa, Pennsylvania-based Wawa and Westborough, Massachusetts-based EG America, designing menu systems, optimizing supply chains and driving unit-level profitability, NexChapter said. She is known for translating insights into operational excellence, the company added.
“Mendy is the real deal,” said Art Sebastian, founder and CEO of NexChapter. “She’s led foodservice at scale for years, and she knows how to turn strategy into action. Bringing her onto our team shows we’re serious about helping retailers make foodservice a true growth engine.”
Meriwether said, “Over the years, I’ve led initiatives in menu innovation, supply chain integration, category planning and operational execution, all with a common goal: to make foodservice a differentiator.”
At NexChapter, she said, she will work with retailers and partners “to build the frameworks, systems and discipline needed to scale great programs across markets. My mission is to embed foodservice excellence into the DNA of their operations.”
Meriwether joins NexChapter’s core leadership, which includes Sebastian, Mike Templeton, Matt Riezman, Matt Van Gilder and Ben Wynkoop.
Founded in 2024, NexChapter is a strategic advisory firm dedicated to driving innovation at the intersection of retail and technology. The company partners with retailers in convenience, grocery and technology to accelerate digital transformation and unlock new growth opportunities in retail media, loyalty experience, e-commerce, merchandising and foodservice.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.