Latest news
National Retail Solutions (NRS) and Krasdale Foods hosted their annual Customer Appreciation Day at Citi Field in New York on July 30, with over 250 merchants and employees in attendance. The event included a pre-game tailgate party and game viewing to thank independent retailers for their long-term partnership and support.
On August 13, 2026, Octane announced the launch of an AI operating system designed for convenience store operators, aiming to help stores gradually achieve autonomous operations by automating daily operational tasks such as pricing, inventory, invoicing, fuel, cash, labor, and loss prevention. The system is currently being piloted at 12 locations, with plans to expand design partners.
Family-owned organic beef snack producer Ribbonwire Ranch announced on August 19 that it has officially launched an eight-week integrated marketing campaign called "Dashboard Diaries" to celebrate the first anniversary of its products being available at Sheetz convenience stores. The campaign runs from August 14 to October 2, aiming to strengthen brand penetration in the convenience store channel through in-store displays, social media solicitations, and charitable donations.
McLane Company has launched the McLane360 digital platform, integrating promotional ordering, delivery tracking, and business insights to help convenience store retailers make faster and smarter decisions. The platform debuted last week at the McLane Engage exhibition in Grapevine, Texas, where the company also introduced new foodservice products such as pizza, hot dog rolls, and ready-to-eat meals.
Albertsons and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. recently announced that consumers can combine fuel rewards accumulated in both companies' membership programs to enjoy higher discounts at Chevron-branded stations. This collaboration builds on their existing relationship since 2012, and the integration covers regions outside California and Hawaii, with combined discounts up to $1.50 per gallon.
Shell announced it will acquire the remaining 67% of Tri Star Energy, a Southeastern convenience store retailer, bringing its ownership to 100%. The deal includes 320 company-operated fuel and convenience sites and supply agreements with 552 dealer-owned locations, significantly boosting Shell's US company-owned retail presence. The transaction is expected to close by end of 2026.
Kwik Trip, a convenience store chain in Wisconsin, USA, announced it will remove roller grills from all of its more than 900 stores by September 21, while retaining original grill items such as hot dogs and Tornados, which will instead be sold from in-store grab-and-go hot food warmers. Paul Servais, the company's vice president of food service, said tests showed that grab-and-go warmers generate higher sales. Previously, Murphy USA had already eliminated this equipment in its new store designs. Industry data shows that roller grills were once an important factor for consumers choosing convenience stores, but they are now being replaced by more efficient space solutions.
After the peak of executive changes in July, personnel adjustments in the convenience store industry slowed in August. Texas Born (TXB) appointed Nate Brazier as its new president, aiming to drive a doubling of its store count. This article summarizes the major executive changes this month and includes a link to the July review.
7-Eleven announced it will launch a new pizza crust nationwide this week, characterized by a crispy, bubbly outer layer and a light, airy internal structure, to be used on pizzas such as cheese, Italian sausage, and extreme meat. The new product will gradually debut at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes convenience stores starting September 3, seen as the company's latest move to strengthen its food service strategy and establish itself as a culinary destination.