Convenience Matters

Food safety expert and attorney Shawn Stevens shares how his team works with companies to develop food handling protocols, interventions, and supplier partnerships to ensure convenience retailers and restaurants serve high quality and safe food for their consumers. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Shawn Stevens, Founder and Food Industry Lawyer, Food Industry Counsel LLC Shawn is the founding member of Food Industry Counsel LLC, the only law firm in the United States that represents the food industry exclusively. As a food industry consultant and lawyer, he works with food industry clients (growers, processors, restaurant chains, distributors, grocers) helping them protect their brand by complying with FDA and USDA regulations, reducing risk, managing recalls and defending high-profile foodborne illness claims. He also speaks regularly to national and international audiences on a wide variety of emerging scientific, regulatory and food safety legal trends.

NACS Chairman Don Rhoads visited more than 60 stores to meet with frontline employees and thank them for being the face of our industry. He also has great stories to share from several road trips with NACS staff. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Don Rhoads, 2022-23 NACS Chairman, President/CEO, The Convenience Group LLC As NACS chairman, Don also leads the NACS Executive Committee, which provides strategic direction and financial oversight to the association. He began his convenience career in 1989 as president of the Quick Shop Minit Mart, a retail store chain in Vancouver, Washington. He started The Convenience Group in 2000 and has led the company in strategic growth, planning and establishment of long-term goals and policies and building the company’s asset portfolio.

Gasoline prices are more than a dollar lower than this time last year, and demand has rebounded. This episode explores how geopolitics, hurricanes and shifting demand will influence the market for the remainder of 2023. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Denton Cinquegrana, Chief Oil Analyst, OPIS Denton has been with OPIS since 2001 and serves as the chief oil analyst, responsible for the day-to-day operations of OPIS’ news and analysis division. In his role, he also provides big picture views to OPIS subscribers on a variety of topics from supply and demand trends to anticipating price moves in the futures, spot and retail markets in North America.  

Most organizations will struggle with innovation. Conexxus provides convenience retailers with the tools they need to develop their own technology road map and plan for the industry's future. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Linda Toth, Managing Director, Conexxus Linda oversees all day-to-day operations of Conexxus. In addition, she advocates and collaborates on behalf of the convenience industry at various associations and organizations on payments, standards, and technology related topics. Gray Taylor, Executive Director, Conexxus Gray says he has the best job in the world because he gets paid to obsess about technology, convenience retail and policy, and work with some of the best people on the planet.

Credit card swipe fees cost the average American family over $1,000 a year. Bipartisan legislation in both the Senate and House of Representatives addresses the problem. Here's what business owners need to know—and what they can do—to fix the broken card system. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Doug Kantor, General Counsel, NACS Doug has served as legal counsel for NACS for more than 20 years, originally as a partner with the law firms Collier Shannon Scott PLLC and Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He has been NACS in-house counsel since 2021. Doug also served as special counsel and deputy chief of staff in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Cubby's is a convenience store chain that has developed an innovative approach to connecting with employees: a company-wide podcast. The episodes allow leaders to talk about the "why" behind operations in a format that can be consumed on the go. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: De Lone Wilson, President, Cubby’s Inc. De Lone joined Cubby’s ten years ago as vice president of operations. He has served as president since 2014. Prior to joining Cubby’s, De Lone was senior vice president of Payment Alliance International and president of NetBank. Mike Wilson, Chief Operating Officer, Cubby’s Inc. Mike has been in the convenience retailing industry for two decades. He has been as COO for Cubby’s since 2021. Prior to that, he was COO for Holmes Company, regional vice president for CEFCO Convenience Stores and divisional director for The Pantry.

The best solutions to solve transportation challenges are those that are customized for the customers being served. That’s a session description from the recent Transportation Energy Institute (formerly known as the Fuels Institute) conference, but more broadly describes the group’s past ten years, as well as its future. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Transportation Energy Institute John has more than 20 years of experience in the fuels industry, including more than a decade leading the Transportation Energy Institute (formerly known as the Fuels Institute). Prior to that, he served for 15 years as vice president of government relations at NACS, with a focus on fuels- and energy-related issues.

24/7 Day, held every July 24, is the industry’s chance to celebrate what it means to communities. Last year more than 30,000 stores participated. Find out how you can join them in 2023—and how it can help your business. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: Anna Felz, Director of Brand Management, TBX Stores Inc. Anna has been at TXB since 2019 and oversees all elements of brand management for the company. She previously served as marketing director for Sprint Food Stores, based in Augusta, GA, and was the senior marketing executive for Ocozzio marketing firm, also based in Augusta. Anna earned a degree in public relations and communications from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. She also serves as a group fitness and yoga instructor.

With the summer drive season officially underway, we look at survey results that show what specific consumer needs inside the store drive the most consumer engagement and purchases. With special guest: Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision Adam is one of the nation’s leading political consultants sought after for his ability to help clients achieve victory through effective research-based strategies and messaging. He designs and executes cutting-edge quantitative, qualitative, and data analytics programs for campaigns as well as non-political clients like NACS.  

What makes one fuel retailer more efficient than others? An analysis of the top brands reveals what the winning brands have in common—and where they differ. With special guests: Brian Norris, Executive Director of Retail Fuels, OPIS and Keith Reid, Editorial Director, Fuels Market News Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guests: Brian Norris, Executive Director of Retail Fuels, OPIS Brian joined OPIS in 2005, working in a variety of sales and marketing roles before joining the OPIS Retail division. Over the last 12 years, Brian focus has been ensuring the accuracy and integrity of OPIS retail pricing, margin, market share, and volume data and helping develop the suite of OPIS Retail analytics products. He graduated from Washington College with a degree in business management. Keith Reid, Editorial Director, Fuels Market News Keith has covered the fuels retailing industry for more than 20 years. In 2013, he helped found FMN Media LLC, a multifaceted digital and print media company that focuses on the needs of pe

When hurricanes strike, convenience stores are often the last to close before the storm—and the first to reopen. It's during these tough times that c-stores truly show how they support the communities they serve during and after times of crisis. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: Al Herbert, Founder, Gas Station Gourmet Al knows convenience stores. He created Gas Station Gourmet in 2007 and has been writing a column for NACS Magazine since 2011. When Al is not enjoying a great burger or fried chicken at a local convenience store, you can find him on News 15 KADN-TV in Lafayette, Louisiana.

In 2022, inflation was at a 40-year high, gasoline prices were climbing and both the supply chain and labor market were a mess. The climate has improved, but for how long? What will today's economic indicators mean for convenience store operators in 2023? Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: John Benson, Partner, AlixPartners John was a featured speaker at the 2022 and 2023 NACS State of the Industry Summit. He has successfully led organizations to increased value through strategic and operational initiatives in a broad range of industries including convenience stores, travel centers, restaurants and consumer packaged goods.

Foodservice and inside sales helped propel convenience stores to record sales in 2022. We're giving you exclusive insights on what drove the industry's strong performance and the headwinds going forward. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Chris Rapanick, Managing Director, NACS Research Chris oversees the day-to-day operations of NACS Research, manages and directs departmental financial and operational performance, and drives strategic development of NACS long-term research capabilities.

There are more than 1 million convenience stores across the globe. Here's a look at sales trends in 2022 across 5 global regions and the underlying causes. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: Jason Zelinski, Client Director, Convenience and Growth Accounts, NIQ Jason leads strategic planning, end-to-end client engagement, revenue management and, most importantly, client satisfaction of the largest convenience retailers in the United States.

From locally sourced products to EV charging, 36 Lyn Refuel Station in Minneapolis makes a positive difference in its community. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Lonnie McQuirter, Director of Operations, 36 Lyn Refuel Station Lonnie operates 36 Lyn Refuel Station, an independently owned, community-focused refueling station in Minneapolis. He is a member of the NACS Board of Directors.

South Louisiana is one of the best areas in the United States to find amazing food and people at the gas station. We'll talk about what we saw and ate during a recent road trip. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Stafford Shurden, creator and host of “Tailgate Gas Station Review" A “serial entrepreneur,” Stafford currently is a farmer (president of Stafford Shurden Farms), restauranteur (proprietor of Stafford’s on Main) and oversees a media company (founder of Shurden Media). He is the creator and host of the video series “Tailgate Gas Station Review.”

For nearly two decades, NACS has surveyed consumers to gain their insights on convenience stores, gasoline prices and the economy. This year’s results show a lot of angst, but there are opportunities for retailers to engage their customers. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision Adam is one of the nation’s leading political consultants sought after for effective research-based strategies and messaging. He designs and executes cutting-edge quantitative, qualitative and data analytics programs for campaigns as well as non-political clients like NACS.

“Good is the enemy of great” is a phrase many have heard, but can the same be said about comfort? Is it the enemy of progress and success? Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: Sterling Hawkins, Founder, Sterling Hawkins Group Sterling is an internationally recognized thought leader and is a top-rated keynote speaker on the #NoMatterWhat approach to driving growth innovation and results, regardless of what’s happening in the world.

Fuel releases from underground storage tanks (UST) don’t rank among the most common causes of UST compliance violations. Oftentimes, it's improper paperwork that can lead to fines and negative publicity. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and John Eichberger About our Guest: Clay Moore, Senior Director of Product, Leighton O'Brien Clay has more than 30 years of experience in software development, including 13 years in the downstream petroleum industry.

Martial arts legend Renzo Gracie famously said, “My ego is my enemy, and my opponent is my teacher.” We’re exploring how his words and martial arts translate to running a successful business. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Lisa Dell’Alba, President and CEO of Square One Markets Inc. Lisa is president and CEO of Square One Markets Inc., a family owned, seven-store convenience and fuel retail chain based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The company also operates a fuel distribution company, Keystone Fuels. She entered the convenience in 2004, joining her father’s company as the human resources coordinator. Lisa serves on the NACS Board of Directors and is a member of the NACS Executive Committee.