LAS VEGAS -- As a way to inspire a wider range of convenience-store retailers—those with immigrant and ethnic backgrounds—to greater political and community action, the incoming 2016 chairman of NACS, Jack Kofdarali, spoke to conference and trade show attendees about his family’s flight from civil war in Lebanon and their struggles to build a thriving c-store business in the United States.
The multi-year war drove Kofdarali’s family from Beirut to Chicago in 1980. They ultimately moved to California, where they started operating a small convenience and liquor store.
Today, 35 years later, he and his wife, Taline, run two-dozen stores based in Corona, Calif., and his company has grown into one of the largest ampm franchisees in the country.
“It takes courage to leave everything behind to start new life,” Kofdarali told about a 1,000 retailers in the final general session of the four-day conference and trade show. “It’s about reaching outside of your comfort zone to get better and be better.”
He praised the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) for its efforts to educate its members, provide networking opportunities and advocate on the industry’s behalf.
Looking back to when he was 20 years old and helping at the family store, Kofdarali said much is the same today. Oil was $40 a barrel and the banking industry needed oversight due to a savings-and-loan scandal. He said the biggest change today is the level of regulation that has encroached upon the industry.
Pointing out NACS’ programs designed to communicate to congressional leaders, Kofdarali said he was surprised to find lawmakers so accessible. He has participated in NACS events on Capitol Hill as well as a program that has brought local legislators to his stores to see what convenience retailing is like first hand.
Kofdarali hosted two of the 30 “NACS In Store” events held in 2015, one with U.S. Representative Mimi Walters (R-Calif.) and one with Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.)
While reaching out to lawmakers may require courage, Kofdarali said “We’ve proven we all have that in abundance.”
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