BOSTON -- Consumer-driven gas-price tracker GasBuddy has named Frank Beard to the new position of analyst and “evangelist” of convenience-store and retail trends.
Beard came to the attention of the c-store industry when he documented himself eating every meal at a gas station for 30 consecutive days. Not only did he avoid gaining weight, but he also lost 6 pounds.
His success helps to “dispel the myth” that all c-store food is unhealthy, he said, and helps prove that the c-store industry has evolved and expanded its offerings to include healthier food options, said GasBuddy.
“Frank has visited more than 1,000 gas stations in 24 states and brings the passion and knowledge that will help further advance GasBuddy’s efforts in working with our retail partners along with educating the public as to just how much the industry has evolved,” said Mike DiLorenzo, vice president of marketing at Boston-based GasBuddy.
“Convenience stores are about more than fueling our cars and trucks,” said Beard in his introductory blog post. “Whether it’s healthful snacks, coffee and breakfast, or even high-quality foodservice, convenience stores fuel our bodies, too. They’ve become a go-to destination and a vital part of our communities—evolving, changing and expanding to add the services and features that we demand.”
“I traveled across the country four to five days every week as a busy professional, and many of my meals were consumed on-the-go. … I spent one month eating exclusively at gas stations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks—everything. I tracked each calorie on MyFitnessPal and documented the entire experience,” he said.
“Whether it was breakfast at Sheetz, dinner at Ricker’s, locally produced snacks from independent stores like 36 Lyn in Minneapolis or raw almonds and fruit from Love’s Travel Stops, I became intimately familiar with the choices that are available at convenience stores. … Rather than being an obstacle to my health, I frequently found quality food. I also discovered that the industry is actively working to make healthful options available to its customers,” Beard said. “That’s when I became passionate about convenience stores.”
- Click here to watch Beard’s first Facebook Live event.
Beard will do more than evangelize about healthy c-store food. He will follow the whole industry closely and analyze GasBuddy’s rating and reviews data.
Along with its station-level retail price data, GasBuddy recently named the c-store chains that its members rated the highest in each state. It also released consumers’ ratings for the cleanest restrooms, best coffee, best customer service and overall experience.
“The new role provides a platform to expand my focus and discuss all of the great things happening at conveniences stores—not just the healthful options,” said Beard. “Craft beer on tap, online ordering, small-business success stories, high-quality coffee and beverages—there’s just so much to talk about. And thanks to the ratings and reviews that you submit using the GasBuddy app, I have access to a tremendous amount of information from which new stories and trends will emerge.”
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