Let’s Spread Some Positive News - Episode 449

Rutter’s has redefined its customer experience so its foodservice offer can best resonate with customers, whether they are refueling or shopping inside the store. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Phil Santini, Senior Director of Advertising & Food Service, The Rutter’s Companies Phil oversees the York, Pennsylvania-based convenience-store chain’s foodservice program and is also in charge of the company’s advertising department. Prior to joining Rutter’s, he played a pivotal role in launching the QSR program at the Tin Building in New York City with world-renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Phil also served as the general manager for Eataly, overseeing operations across nine locations and contributing to the development of QSR concepts. Rick Sales, President, Abierto Networks Rick is founder and president of Abierto Networks, a leading digital engagement solutions provider focused on the convenience store and convenience foodservice retail industries and used in more than 4,000 locations across the country.

We're breaking down two of the biggest questions fuel retailers have faced in decades: Will installing EV chargers be good for my business, and how do I launch a program? Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Karl Doenges, Executive Director, Charging Analytics Program Karl represents NACS on the coming disruption in mobility and how that affects convenience retailers. In this role, Karl focuses on the NACS EV charging infrastructure program, monitoring and engaging the EV industry and the Fuels Institute Electric Vehicle Council.

Convenience store design has come a long way from the standard 40x60 box. Today, design involves many new elements, including brand strategy. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Amanda Baltazar, Retail & Hospitality Journalist Amanda is a journalist with 20+ years of experience and expertise in foodservice, beverages, restaurants/bars and overall retail. She covers everything from operations to how to staff a c-suite.

How do you revitalize and reimagine a nearly 90-year-old family brand? Stephanie Stuckey shares the lessons she's learned during her 5-year journey at the helm of Stuckey's. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Stephanie Stuckey, Chair, Stuckey’s Stephanie is chair of Stuckey’s. She worked as a trial lawyer a state representative in Georgia and Atlanta’s director of sustainability before purchasing Stuckey’s in 2019 and assuming the role of CEO. When she’s not running Stuckey’s, she enjoys travelling by car to explore the back roads of America.

In rural areas, locals know the best meals come from gas stations. In this episode, Stafford Shurden shares his tips for finding great c-store and gas station food. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Stafford Shurden, Creator, Gas Station Tailgate Review Stafford is a restaurant owner and farmer from Drew, MS. Over the past four years, between managing his farm and restaurant, Stafford has traveled the southern United States in search of the best gas station food and filming it from the tailgate of his pickup truck. His popular show "Gas Station Tailgate Review” has amassed millions of views on social media.

Foodservice in c-stores accounts for nearly 40% of in-store profits. We're breaking down how you can ensure that food safety remains top of mind. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: David McIntyre, Senior Health & Safety Specialist, EG America David has more than 30 years of experience in culinary, retail and noncommercial/contract foodservice management environments. His team was instrumental in developing and rolling out a risk-based internal assessment of food and workplace safety standards at EG America. He currently works with the Fastrac and Cumberland Farms banners in New York and oversees a field team in the Midwest and Western regions.

Businesses that accepted Visa and/or Mastercard between January 1, 2004, and January 25, 2019, are eligible to claim a share of the antitrust class-action settlement, but they must file by August 30. (NOTE: After this was recorded, the deadline was extended February 4, 2025.) We’ll tell you how. 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.

Ethanol and other biofuels are already used in more than 10% of all gasoline purchased in the United States. How much more can be used and what would the impact be on food supply and other considerations? 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.

We're flipping the script and answering questions from our Convenience Matters producer on how to maximize your NACS Show experience. Hosted by: Blake Althen, Human Factor Guests: Chrissy Blasinsky, NACS and Jeff Lenard, NACS

We all could use more laughter and good news, and that's what Tank Sinatra delivers to his 11 million social media followers. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Tank Sinatra, renowned content creator Tank Sinatra is the largest and most prolific meme creator on the internet and has been called “The Michael Jordan of memes.” In addition, “Tank’s Good News” is featured on GSTV.