Hop Shops Podcast

Jeff Carpenter, director, Cliff's Local Market, chats with CStore Decisions' Editor-in-Chief Erin Del Conte about the chain's history, and approach to foodservice, technology and much more. Cliff's operates in central New York and is a third-generation company focused on familiar, local, friendly relationships and interactions.

Dana Moloney, recently stepped into the CEO role at Warrenton Oil. She discusses the company’s history, her career path as a third-generation member of the family business, the chain’s foodservice program, technology initiatives, the latest new-to-industry store, reimaging the logo, her future vision for the company and much more.

Babir Sultan, founder of FavTrip, which operates three stores in Missouri, identified four pain points for his business and implemented an artificial intelligence (AI) agent to handle each one. Recently, one of those AI agents caught a $25,000 error. Sultan discusses getting started with AI as a small operator, how he determines where to implement AI, the specific workflows he suggests considering and his advice for other retailers. Plus, he shares where he wants to go in the future. LINKS Register for Chain of the Year (retailers only): https://cstoredecisions.com/2026-chain-of-the-year Nominate a retailer for the 40 Under 40: https://cstoredecisions.com/40-under-40-nominations-open-now/

The Goods Mart got its start eight years ago in California. Today, it has traded the West Coast for the East Coast as it operates its new flagship store in New York — it's fourth but only current location. This single-store chain knows a thing or two about the power of reinvention and it is doing big things with community partnerships and better-for-you products, and it even has a vintage section in the store. Listen in to get to know The Goods Mart, featuring Founder Rachel Krupa.

This month we’re doing something a little bit different at the CStoreTalks podcast. It’s our first-ever recap episode. This month I’m sharing a compilation of insights that have been shared on the CStoreTalks podcast over the last several months. We’ll hear thoughts from Nick Triantafellou, director of marketing & merchandising, Weigel’s; Damon Bail, VP of retail operations and marketing, Valor Oil & HOP Shops convenience stores; Lindsay Griffith, marketing and communications engagement manager for InConvenience Inc.; and Harman Aulakh, VP of marketing, Onvo. In this podcast we’ll be exploring three ways to improve your c-store business. Plus, insights on the changing demands of c-store customers and what it is they want today.

This episode of CStoreTalks features Damon Bail, VP of operations & marketing at Valor Oil, which operates HOP Shops. Bail discusses the chain’s disco bathrooms, upcoming pizza launch, rewards program, self-checkout rollout and so much more. Bail also talks about how he went from working the third shift to VP of operations and marketing, as well as how HOP Shops is approaching its company culture in 2026.

Nick Triantafellou, Director of Marketing & Merchandising, for Weigel’s discusses the convenience store chain’s foodservice and commissary program, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Program, loyalty program and retail media approach and so much more.

This episode of CStoreTalks features Maurice Lamarche, VP of retail operations, Tiger Fuel, which operates The Market convenience stores. Lamarche discusses the chain’s history, growth, store design, foodservice — including its Signature sandwiches — car wash, loyalty program, company culture and much more.

Amar Sidhu, business development, US Market, and second-generation member of the family business; and Saylor Goodwin, public relations and marketing director for US Market, discuss the chain’s history and current initiatives. US Market got its start in 1998 and today it has 60+ sites predominantly in Oregon and Washington, with five more under construction. With new sites on the horizon, a US Market foodservice program set to launch, a loyalty program in the works and a private-label program up and running, US Market is in growth mode. Tune in to learn more. • Calling all young executives: Join our Power Hour on Mentorship on Feb. 24 by signing up at the link below: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5222423/AA9372FFA1ED0652898069B2B985A54E?partnerref=0224CSDwebsite

Reilly Musser, VP of marketing and merchandising for Robinson Oil DBA Rotten Robbie, discusses the chains history, remodels, food and technology approach and much more.