MESA, Ariz. --The staff of CSPedia, Winsight's online encyclopedia of convenience-store chains, gathers news and insights and updates the listings for the nearly 500 retailers in its database on a daily basis. CSPedia delivers a monthly summary of these reports, often news not yet announced publicly, to its subscribers.
Here is a collection of some of the news and people updates from September 2015.
People on the Move
- Cenex Zip Trip. General Manager Ian Johnstone died August 19 of a heart attack at the age of 54.
- FKG Oil/MotoMart. Jeff Wilson has moved into a new role as director of foodservice for the Illinois company’s c-stores. He joined FKG Oil in 2008 as a store manager, then held a merchandising position before taking over foodservice for the stores. Scott Kaiser, former foodservice director, has shifted his focus to the chain’s quick-service-restaurant partnerships.
- The Kroger Co. Mike Schlotman has been named executive vice president and CFO of The Kroger Co., Cincinnati. He previously was senior vice president and CFO. In this expanded role, he takes on additional responsibilities for convenience stores. Schlotman has been with the company since 1985.
- Nice N Easy/CST Brands. Titles have changed and several executives have left the company this year since it was acquired by CST Brands. Former vice presidents Peter Tamburro and Ron Rowland have resigned. Jack Cushman is director of foodservice, Andrew Franco is corporate chef and Matt Paduano is zone merchandiser. Jared Sturtevant oversees all digital marketing for the Nice N Easy stores and does not have product-buying responsibilities.
- Northwest Petroleum. Jim Angott has joined Northwest Petroleum, based in Houston, as foodservice manager. He formerly worked for Speedy Stop and C.L. Thomas. Northwest Petroleum operates 14 stores in and around Houston and Austin branded Q Mart.
- Petr-All Petroleum Corp./Express Mart. Mike Askwith and Dan Twomby have been named co-presidents of the Syracuse, N.Y., company. The new leadership positions follow the death late last year of founder and CEO Frank Borer.
- Sunoco Inc. Hillary Higgins has joined Sunoco, where she is a development specialist managing the services category for the APlus, Tigermarket and MACS (Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores) sites. She was with Hess from 2011 to 2015, and with Speedway after it acquired Hess. A separate division, Sunoco LP, manages the Stripes stores.
In the News
- 7-Eleven Inc. is testing on-demand delivery in five markets, working with DoorDash of Palo Alto, Calif. More than 200 stores are participating, starting this month in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Customers in Washington, D.C., and Boston will participate in the coming months.
- Alaska Commercial Co. has said it may add fuel at a fourth site this year. The chain operates 33 stores in Alaska, most in rural north Alaska communities.
- Alimentation Couche-Tard has announced that all Kangaroo Express stores will be rebranded Circle K in 2016. The Canadian retailer acquired The Pantry and is operating the 1,500 Kangaroo stores from its geographic U.S. business units.
- Big River Food & Fuel is adding one new store in Springfield, La., this year, bringing its count to 13 sites. The chain is based in Norco, La.
- Oklahoma-based Carey Johnson Oil Co. is razing and rebuilding a travel center near Walters, Okla. The chain operates about two dozen sites in Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska under the brand EZ GO, most situated along turnpikes.
- Eskimo Hut, a Houston chain known for its drive-thrus with frozen daiquiris and margaritas to-go, has signed development agreements for 27 new sites in Texas, with the first due to open in Lubbock in October.
- FKG Oil of Belleville, Ill., has added five stores, bringing its total to 78 MotoMart sites. President Todd Badgley says the company’s goal is to grow and aggressively search for potential acquisitions. Expansion is focused in existing markets, but Badgley says new markets are also an option “if the right opportunity becomes available.” Illinois-based FKG operates in six Midwest states: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.
- Monterey, Mexico's OXXO has taken its second step into Texas, opening a store in Laredo in September. The first Texas store opened in Eagle Pass last year as a proof of concept. The North American retailer has said it plans to open 900 stores in Texas.
- Petr-All Petroleum Corp., operator of 70 Express Mart stores in upstate New York, has a new corporate address, 7401 Round Pond Road, Syracuse, N.Y., 13212.
- Traxx Cos. has sold all 30 of its Shell Food Marts and one Shell truck stop in Kentucky to TravelCenters of America. With the sale, Traxx and its parent, Thoroughbred Energy, are exiting the convenience retail business.
- U-PAK-IT Corp. has grown by two sites this year and plans two more in 2016. Three stores added self-checkouts and a sit-down dining area with a new fried chicken offering. The Louisiana chain has 39 stores, all operated independently by franchisees.
- U.S. Oil Holdings LLC, a conglomerate operated out of Scottsdale, Ariz., has sold all 18 formerly company-operated stores to independent operators, according to Mark Murgash. Affiliated companies are Arizona Oil Holdings LLC and Georgia Oil Holdings LLC.
- Wawa has moved up the opening of its 5,000-square-foot Center City site in downtown Philadelphia to coincide with Pope Francis’ visit this month. The retailer originally planned to open the store in November. Pennsylvania-based Wawa operates about 700 stores in six states.
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