The Latest

• 

  Tracker

  Tracking c-store acquisitions across the industry

  Sunoco picked up over 100 stores across two deals and 7-Eleven bought 15 Vegas locations. Meanwhile, Monfort sold its last 20 sites.

  Updated March 13, 2026

  M&A

• 

  Circle K now accepting Giant Eagle’s loyalty program in Ohio

  Effective March 24, customers in the Buckeye State can choose between Couche-Tard’s Inner Circle rewards or myPerks while filling up on gas.

  Operations

• 

  Couche-Tard hires Family Dollar exec to lead US food merchandising

  Dan Larmondra said he’s “immediately looking to fill several director and category management roles” to support Circle K’s “aggressive growth plans” as part of his new role.

  Foodservice

• 

  Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos to step down, again

  This time, Ahold Delhaize USA executive JJ Fleeman will succeed him as CEO, with Vasos exiting the position in 2027.

  Operations

• 

  Chestnut Market taps Ben Lucky as first foodservice director

  The former 7-Eleven leader will focus on menu development, kitchen design, training and vendor partnerships across Chestnut’s roughly 80 East Coast convenience stores.

  Foodservice

• 

  InStore.ai names chief customer officer

  Kevin Farley brings over two decades of leadership experience with c-store consultancies W. Capra and GSP Retail.

  Operations

• 

  How c-stores are capitalizing on Americans’ caffeine obsession

  Convenience stores are uniquely set up to meet consumers’ increasing appetite for the stimulant, from deeper beverage selections to snacks and energy shots, experts say.

  Category Trends

• 

  Town Pump to place standalone coffee kiosks in its parking lots

  The 400-square-foot sites will be branded as Stonehouse Coffee Shots, after the retailer’s proprietary coffee program, and will feature pickup and drive-thru windows.

  Operations

• 

  An ‘everyday choice’: Celsius surges as energy drinks become ‘mainstream’

  CEO John Fieldly said more consumers are turning to the beverages as a companion to meals, an alcohol alternative and even when taking GLP-1s.

  Category Trends

• 

  Sinclair Oil likely to part ways with CEO, CFO

  The fuel retailer said it expects to negotiate a separation arrangement with both leaders about a month after they requested leave of absences for undisclosed reasons.

  Operations

• 

  Couche-Tard posts strongest US same-store merchandise gains in 2 years

  Foodservice, including Circle K’s meal deals, drove the company’s growth, President and CEO Alex Miller told investors and analysts on Wednesday.

  Operations

• 

  Column

  3 Big Numbers: How Couche-Tard is extending its reach

  While its same-store merchandise sales growth was a highlight in Q3, the retailer is expanding in other ways to keep the growth coming.

  Operations

• 

  Family Dollar to pilot extra small store format in urban markets

  Fresh off its separation from Dollar Tree, the discount chain is pursuing a turnaround that includes 70 initiatives across various departments.

  Operations

• 

  7 c-store retailers entering new states

  Wawa continued its multistate moves while Rutter’s, Kwik Trip and RaceTrac opened long-planned stores and a major Asian competitor planted its flag.

  Operations

• 

  Legacy Markets taps former Fresh Stop operations chief as COO

  Scott Burchfield officially joined the retailer, which operates Triangle Stop Food Stores in North Carolina, on March 9.

  Operations

• 

  GSTV expands C-suite

  The forecourt-focused media company added new finance and strategy leaders, and promoted marketing and technology leads into expanded roles.

  Operations

• 

  Hershey combines salty, sweets units to accelerate growth

  The Reese’s maker also announced several leadership changes, including expanding the oversight of sweets head Andrew Archambault to include the full U.S. portfolio.

  Operations

• 

  Costco’s first standalone gas station to open by late June

  The wholesaler’s 17,000 square-foot site in Mission Viejo, California, could become a serious threat to nearby c-store retailers once it opens.

  Fuels

• 

  Column

  Fueling Up: The fastest growing small and midsize US c-store chains in 2026

  Here’s a close look at some surging players that are taking advantage of other retailers’ exits in an evolving consumer landscape.

  M&A

• 

  Wetzel’s Pretzels plans to double c-store presence

  After opening a company record 20 QSRs in nontraditional locations in 2025, the chain set its sights on convenience retail growth over the next two years.

  Foodservice

• 

  Maverik continues exec overhaul with new CFO, VP of store development

  The retailer has made numerous leadership changes over the past year as it continues its integration of Kum & Go’s nearly 400 convenience stores and hundreds of employees.

  Operations

• 

  Shell sold or closed 800 branded retail sites last year

  Despite the eye-catching number, a company spokesperson emphasized that U.S. retail remains a growth priority.

  M&A

• 

  Goodbye, EG Group. Hello, Cumberland Farms.

  In a shift that highlights its U.S. focus, the global retailer has adopted the name and branding of the chain it bought in 2019.

  Operations

• 

  Column

  3 Big Numbers: Casey’s multi-pronged growth plan

  The Iowa-based retailer continues to build new stores, expand its footprint and grow its rewards program alongside its foodservice focus.

  Operations

• 

  NATSO names new chairman of the board

  The trade organization confirmed Matt Mildenberger, president and CEO of Mittens Travel Center, to the top role after he succeeded Joe Zietlow of Kwik Trip last year.

  Operations

More stories