36 minute read
Fourth Quarter NCASEF Board And Affiliate Member Meeting
Labor, Supply Chain, And Delivery Issues On Top Of Mind For Franchisees And Vendors
Advertisement
Franchisee leaders and vendors gathered on November 15-17 at the Grand Hyatt Kauai in Hawaii to participate in the last Board and Affiliate Member meeting of 2021. Attendees were welcomed by guest speaker Derek Kawakami, the Mayor of Kauai County, who thanked the NCASEF for choosing Kauai as the location for the meetings and spoke about the important role 7-Eleven franchisees and small businesses play in the communities they serve. First up was the Affiliate Member meeting, during which vendors and Board members discussed delivery and supply issues, KSRs, pre-books, blocking items from being ordered if vendors don’t have them in stock, and other issues. In the afternoon, Board members and vendors split into four workshop groups to discuss solutions to supply chain issues. The Board meeting the following day commenced with vendor presentations by Elmhurst Diary, Fit Vine, Campbell’s Snacks, Hostess, SRP Companies,Vita Coco, and Pepsi/Frito Lay. Independent Auditor Randy Walker then presented the NCASEF financial audit report for 2019 and answered Board member questions. NCASEF General Counsel Eric Karp followed with a summary of Seven & i’s Medium Term Management Plan 2021-2025, an ASI 2 update, and updates on the Massachusetts and California misclassification lawsuits. The meeting ended with a candidates forum for the positions of Chair, Executive Vice Chair, and Treasurer.
continued on next page
Join The NCASEF Affiliate Member Program!
continued from previous page
The Affiliate Member Program provides an excellent opportunity for vendor representatives to network and form new relationships with NCASEF Board members from around the country.
The program consists of two meetings per year—one in spring, and one in fall—where Affiliate Members can meet with the President and Vice President from each of the NCASEF’s 40 regional Franchise Owners Associations. Each FOA represents between 15 and 400 franchisee members, and each meeting includes presentations from the franchise community and/or industry executives, plus roundtable discussions, breakout sessions, and group social events that provide time for one-on-one networking.
All Affiliate Members also receive the NCASEF’s list of FOA Presidents and Vice Presidents and their contact information. Each Affiliate Member can have up to two representatives at the meetings. During breakout sessions and roundtable discussions Affiliate Members can ask any question and bring up any topic before the group or among individual FOA leaders.
Additionally, each Affiliate Member (and only Affiliate Members) has the opportunity to purchase presentation time at any of the four annual NCASEF Board Meetings to present their latest and greatest products to the Board.
AFFILIATE MEMBER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES/BENEFITS
1. Two informative, interactive meetings per year with the
NCASEF Board. 2. Informative presentations on issues affecting 7-Eleven franchisees and the 7-Eleven system. 3. Opportunities for interaction and one-on-one networking with franchisee leaders. 4. Access to the NCASEF’s Officers List, complete with contact information for 40 regional FOA Presidents and Vice Presidents. 5. Opportunity to sponsor and present at NCASEF Board meetings four times per year. 6.. Free listing of company contact information, 1x per year, in Avanti magazine’s Affiliate Member directory.
Annual membership is $1,200. You can register for the Affiliate Member Program online by visiting https://ncasef.com/program-pages/vendoraffiliate-members/.
Topics of discussion on the final day of the Board meeting included breaches and LONs, the level of cleanliness expected by SEI, the possibility of raising retail prices to cover payroll increases, McLane chargebacks, and allowing some stores to close overnight. The election for NCASEF officers was held in the morning and the results were announced in the afternoon. Congratulations to Sukhi Sandhu (Chairman), Joe Rossi (Executive Vice Chairman) and Romy Singh (Treasurer). Each began their twoyear terms on January 1, and the NCASEF office is in the process of transitioning to California. More information to follow in the January/ February issue of Avanti.
continued from page 17
FTC Asked To Investigate Credit Card Companies’ Role In High Gas Prices
The Merchants Payments Coalition recently called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the credit card industry, saying swipe fees charged to process transactions have contributed to increases in gasoline prices. The MPC move came as President Joe Biden asked the FTC to investigate whether oil companies are engaging in any illegal conduct that has led to higher gas prices. Swipe fees are among fuel merchants’ highest costs and drive up prices paid by consumers, adding about 75 cents to a 10-gallon fill-up, the MPC stated. Gas stations paid $10.7 billion in swipe fees in 2020 and higher gas prices have increased swipe fees paid so far this year by 19.5 percent. That puts 2021 on pace to total more than $12.5 billion, according to NACS.
BP Launching Automated Checkouts
BP recently announced it is integrating automated checkout into its Amoco and ampm stores. The company said it is working with Grabango, a provider of checkout-free technology for existing stores, to retrofit 10 convenience store locations across the BP network—seven ampm stations in northern California and three Amoco locations in western Pennsylvania. The Grabango-powered ampm and Amoco stores will be live to shoppers in mid-2022. Grabango is free and allows shoppers to skip the line altogether and save time. There are no special shelves, carts, baskets, or turnstiles required to enter or shop. To get started, shoppers download the Grabango app and shop as they normally would. The Grabango system keeps a running tally of items picked up so there’s no need to scan each one on the way out. Payment is automatic and contactless, saving additional time for the shopper.
continued on next page
continued from previous page
Great Resignation Shows Little Sign Of Easing
Job openings in the U.S. approached record levels in October while the number of people quitting eased off its record pace but remained historically high, reported USA Today. The developments provided further evidence of a labor market that has shifted decidedly in favor of workers. According to recent Labor Department data, employers posted 11 million job openings in October, up from 10.6 million the previous month and just below July’s record clip. Openings have topped 10 million for five straight months. The number of quits fell from 4.4 million to 4.2 million, meaning 2.8 percent of workers voluntarily left their positions, typically to take another job. Before the pandemic, quits hovered at about 3.5 million. Since there were 7.4 million unemployed Americans in October, that means there were 1.5 available jobs for each unemployed person, the most on record dating back two decades. The number of hires dipped to 6.5 million, highlighting that employers continue to struggle to fill an unprecedented number of vacancies.
A study released recently by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and the Buy Safe America Coalition sounds the alarm on the increasingly brazen and violent theft occurring in retail stores across the nation. Among the study’s findings: • 86.2 percent of retailers surveyed said an organized retail crime (ORC) subject has verbally threatened an associate; 75.9 percent said an ORC subject has physically assaulted an associate, 41 percent said an ORC subject has used a weapon to harm an associate. • As much as $68.9 billion worth of products were stolen from retailers in 2019 (pre-COVID). • Nearly 67 percent of asset protection managers at leading retailers surveyed report a moderate to considerable increase
continued on page 44
continued from page 43
in organized retail crime, while 80 percent believe it will only get worse in the future.
Tyson Foods To Automate Meat Plants
Tyson Foods plans to spend more than $1.3 billion to increase automation in meat plants over the next three years as a U.S. labor shortage has limited production while demand is booming, reported Reuters. Meat processors have been unable to find enough workers for the past two years due to the tight labor market and health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tyson expects to boost production and reduce labor costs by expanding automation, with cumulative savings of more than $450 million projected by fiscal year 2024. The company will increasingly use machines, instead of people, to debone chicken, one of its most labor-intensive jobs and a position with high turnover. A capital investment of $500 million in the area through fiscal year 2024 will generate labor savings equal to more than 2,000 jobs, Tyson said.
Starbucks Raises Average Pay As It Faces A Labor Shortage
Facing twin pressures of a union challenge and a labor shortage, Starbucks is hiking wages for its U.S. employees, reported USA Today. All hourly pay workers will make at least $15 an hour and average nearly $17 an hour in summer 2022. Some of the pay increases will start before the summer. Starting in late January 2022, employees with two or more years of service could receive up to a 5 percent raise and those with five or more years could receive up to a 10 percent raise. Including wage and benefit increases throughout the pandemic, the company estimates the increases total “approximately $1 billion in incremental investments in annual wages and benefits over the last two years.” Starbucks said barista hourly rates will range based on market and tenure from $15 to $23 per hour across the country in summer.
Self-Checkout Systems Markets To Grow To $2.97 Billion
The U.S. self-checkout systems market size is anticipated to reach $2.97 billion by 2028, expanding at a CAGR of 11.3 percent from 2021 to 2028, according to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s new report, “U.S. Self-checkout Systems Market 2021-2028.” The strong emphasis retailers are putting on providing
continued on next page
Get On The Avanti Mailing List!
Are you a franchisee and would like to receive your own copy of Avanti—The Voice of 7-Eleven Franchisees? You can get on our mailing list by sending a request to avantimag@ncasef.com with your name and store address, and we’ll be sure to include you in future mailings.
continued from page 39
and the return of customers to on-site dining, are choosing to scale back on delivery and to-go
orders, reported the Wall Street Journal. The move comes as restaurants try to juggle orders from dining-rooms, phone calls, websites and apps— sometimes all hitting stretched servers and kitchens during peak hours. • Amazon has stopped ac-
cepting Visa credit cards issued in the United Kingdom as of January 19, 2022 due to the
high fees charged to process transactions, reported Bloomberg. • Shell Retail and Convenience Operations LLC recently signed an agreement to acquire 248 company-owned fuel and convenience retail sites from the Landmark group of companies, whose convenience stores operate in Texas under the Timewise brand. The agreement also includes supply agreements with an additional 117 independently operated fuel and convenience sites. • Under a new the city ordinance, Los Angeles restaurants with more
than 26 employees are now restricted from freely distributing single-use plastic uten-
sils or paper napkins with take-out orders unless a customer specifically asks for them, reported the Los Angeles Times. • Dollar General
recently announced a partnership with
DoorDash to offer on-demand delivery of household essential items. On-demand delivery from DoorDash is currently available from more than 10,000 Dollar General stores. The two companies initially piloted a program in summer 2021 with approximately 600 stores in rural and metropolitan communities. • The Edison Electric Institute recently announced the formation of the Nation-
al Electric Highway Coalition, which is committed to providing electric vehicle fast
charging ports that will allow the public to drive EVs with confidence along major U.S. travel corridors by the end of 2023. • BP recently an-
nounced that it has acquired AMPLY Power, an electric vehicle charging and energy management provider for fleets that operate trucks, transit and school buses, vans
and light-duty vehicles. This investment represents the company’s first major step into electrification in the U.S. By 2030, BP plans to grow its global network of EV charging points from around
continued from previous page
self-checkout solutions as part of the efforts to improve purchase efficiency, enhance the consumer experience, and serve a larger customer base is expected to drive the growth of the market over the forecast period. The blend of cash and cashless features offered by the latest self-checkout solutions, which can potentially allow retailers to tailor their checkout experience to the changing consumer preferences, also bodes well for the growth of the market, the report states.
NACS recently announced that four of the leading manufacturers of age-restricted products have voiced their support of TruAge, the new digital solution that enhances current age-verification systems and protects user privacy. TruAge, developed by NACS and Conexxus, makes the traditional carding experience more convenient and accurate. The largest U.S. tobacco company,Altria Group Distribution Company; the two largest U.S. brewers, Anheuser-Busch and Molson Coors Beverage Company; and the country’s leading e-cigarette manufacturer, Juul Labs Inc., have all announced their support of TruAge. NACS said TruAge is also supported by more than 130 retail companies that represent 22,000-plus convenience store locations in the United States, plus four industry pointof-sale (POS) providers. The convenience retailing industry conducts 165 million transactions a day and 50 million of them involve an age-restricted product. The TruAge age-verification system makes it easier and more accurate to verify a customer’s age when purchasing age-restricted products, and at the same time makes identity theft difficult. One-time-use tokens are used to share only the most important elements to confirm the purchaser is of legal age, which also protects the user’s privacy.
Walmart Holds Supply-Chain Hiring Event
Walmart held a supply-chain national hiring event in early November, offering an average wage of $20.37 per hour, reported Yahoo Finance. The hiring event took place November 3-4 in numerous states and locations. Job openings included equipment operators, repair technicians, freight handlers and order filler/lift drivers, just to name a few. Walmart is increasing its personnel amid a supply chain crunch felt across nearly every industry, coupled with a labor shortage squeeze. In October, Walmart said it was navigating the supply chain ahead of the busy holiday season by sourcing holiday merchandise earlier than usual, chartering its own ships, and diverting shipments through less congested ports. In September the company announced it was hiring 20,000 permanent supply-chain associates to meet growth demands.
continued from page 45
Legislative Update
Senate Passes Resolution To Repeal Vaccine Mandate
The Senate recently passed a resolution to repeal President
Joe Biden’s vaccination-or-testing mandate for private-sector employers in a bipartisan rebuke of a key component of the
White House’s COVID-19 strategy, reported NBC News. The measure, which needed only a simple majority to advance, passed in a 52-48 vote. Senate Republicans “THE U.S. SENATE RECENTLY PASSED A RESOLUTION TO REPEAL argue that while they consider vaccines important, they believe the mandate is “unconstitutional.” The resolution faces an uphill battle in the Democratic-controlled House. Republicans would need a solid PRESIDENT number of Democrats to join them to BIDEN’S VACCINA- force a vote on the measure. If the House TION-OR-TESTING were to pass the resolution, it would then MANDATE FOR go to Biden’s desk. The White House has PRIVATE-SECTOR signaled that Biden would veto the meaEMPLOYERS.” sure, which did not pass with a veto-proof majority in the Senate. “NEW JERSEY LEGISLATORS HAVE INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE CONVENIENCE STORES TO SELL AT LEAST ONE SMOKING CESSATION PRODUCT.”
New Jersey Bill Requires C-Stores To Sell Smoking Cessation Product
New Jersey legislators have introduced a bill that would require convenience stores to sell at least one smoking cessation product, reported CSP Daily News. The legislation, A6020/S4114, was introduced November 15 and would require any entity other than a cigar shop that sells any tobacco product to maintain a stock of and offer for sale at least one type of nicotine replacement therapy drug, device or combination product that has been approved by the FDA for cessation of tobacco use. Any entity subject to the requirement would have the discretion to determine the number and type of nicotine replacement therapy products that it would sell, and the quantity of the products offered for sale, according to the current version of the proposed bill. The cessation product or products would need to be located behind the sales counter and retailers would need to provide printed notice within the store that nicotine replacement products are available for sale. Retailers would also need to display the logo, phone number and website of the NJ Smoking Quitline.
New Bills Target Massachusetts Flavored Tobacco Ban
Two years after Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, a bevy of new bills before the Public Health Committee target changes to the 2019 tobacco law, with supporters arguing that the policy pushed Massachusetts consumers into other states and that the market has transformed since lawmakers last acted, reported WWLP 22 News. The proposals on display at a recent committee hearing, which range from resuming sales of menthol cigarettes to authorizing some flavored products that federal regulators cleared for marketing, reignited debate about a state ban that continues to draw support from some medical organizations and criticism from both tobacco manufacturers and retail business interests. One pair of bills (H2406 and S1433) would rewrite the flavor ban to limit it to electronic nicotine systems, often known as e-cigarettes or vaping products, rather than all tobacco products. Its backers aim to undo the prohibition of menthol cigarettes. Supporters of the menthol ban pressed lawmakers to keep it in place, describing flavors and menthol in particular as a known tactic that tobacco companies deploy to bring in new, often young users who will then get hooked on the nicotine their products contain. Retail groups and tobacco manufacturers— who could benefit financially from the ability to expand their for-sale offerings—want the Legislature to reopen the market to some products that federal regulators have been reviewing.
Vaping Tax Removed From U.S. Senate Bill
Senate Democrats recently dropped a proposal that would have imposed taxes on vaping, removing a $9 billion provision backed by some public-health advocates from the party’s healthcare, education and climate-change bill, reported the Wall Street Journal. Lawmakers made the decision as they
continued from page 44
11,000 today to more than 70,000. • Traffic at
retail stores on Black Friday (November 26) dropped 28.3 percent compared with 2019
levels, as Americans shifted more of their spending online and kicked off their shopping earlier in the year, reported CNBC. However,
traffic was up 47.5 percent compared with 2020 levels, the first year of the COVID-19
pandemic. Online, retailers rang up $8.9 billion in sales on Black Friday, down from the record of about $9 billion spent in 2020. • Wawa is the
biggest private company in Pennsylvania
and the 29th largest in the nation, reported The Philadelphia Inquirer, citing Forbes’ annual list of the nation’s largest private companies. Wawa’s $11 billion in revenue and approximately 38,000 employees edged out Sheetz, its Altoona, PA-based competitor, which came in 75th place with $6.5 billion in revenue. • As many as
4.1 million people working through food delivery and ride-hailing apps could be reclassified as employees under a new European Union plan meant to improve gig
workers’ labor rights, reported Bloomberg. The draft proposal could cost the sector up to 4.5 billion euros ($5.1 billion) more a year, the EU estimates. It would likely give millions more
workers for companies like Uber and Deliveroo access to minimum-wage and legal
protections. • In a global first for a delivery network company, cannabis retailer Tokyo Smoke and Uber Canada recently announced an exclu-
sive partnership to offer cannabis online
for ordering and pickup in Ontario, Canada. Consumers can place orders from Tokyo Smoke’s flower collection and unique accessories on the Uber Eats app, and then pick up their purchase at the respective Tokyo Smoke stores. • Elton John
has teamed with Walmart to design a line of eyewear inspired by the musician’s sig-
nature accessory, with three separate collections already in Sam’s Club and Walmart stores, reported Business Insider. The Elton John Eyewear line features frames in 60 different styles, 36 of them exclusive to Sam’s Club and 24 to Walmart.
continued from previous page
Legislative Update
wrapped up the details of the $2 trillion Build Back Better package and attempted to get it through the Senate before Christmas. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D., Nevada), a Finance Committee member, pushed to remove the tax and helped force its deletion. The $9 billion tax increase was included in the bill the House passed in November, and it was much smaller than a broader tobacco-tax increase that House members had advanced earlier in the year. The smaller version would have imposed a tax on vaping products designed to parallel the existing federal cigarette tax rate of $1.01 a pack. Under the House-passed plan, e-cigarettes, vaping liquids and oral nicotine pouches would have been taxed. All of the tax increases on tobacco and nicotine drew objections from Republicans, who said the burden would fall on lower-income and middle-income households. Many of the proposals would have affected people with incomes below $400,000, the cutoff below which President Biden said Americans wouldn’t face tax increases. “SENATE DEMOCRATS RECENTLY DROPPED A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD HAVE IMPOSED TAXES ON VAPING IN ORDER TO GET THE $2 TRILLION BUILD BACK BETTER PACKAGE PASSED.”
Massachusetts Ballot Measure Would Increase Limit On Liquor Licenses
Massachusetts liquor stores say they have cleared a key hurdle to launching a ballot measure aimed at countering efforts by big chains to eliminate limits on the number of stores that can sell alcohol in in the state, reported WBUR.org. The Massachusetts Package Stores Association said it has gathered far more than the roughly 80,000 signatures needed by December 1 to put a question on next year’s ballot. The group’s proposed measure would gradually double the number of licenses a single company could own in the state to 18, instead of removing the caps altogether.Additionally, only seven of those permits would be good for hard liquor. The package store trade association said the limits are needed to protect small local stores from major grocery and pharmacy chains. The ballot measure is intended to block efforts by Cumberland Farms and other chains to eliminate the license caps entirely. The proposed ballot measure also would change how the state calculates fines for violations, such as selling to underage drinkers. Grocers and convenience stores would pay much heftier penalties if voters or lawmakers approve the measure.
New Jersey Imposes Single-Use Plastic Straw Ban
New Jersey recently imposed a new restriction on single-use plastic straws, which is part of an overall law that aims to reduce plastic pollution in the state,
continued from page 47
Legislative Update
reported Philly Voice. Under the new restriction, businesses like restaurants and convenience stores now can only give customers straws if they ask for them, instead of including them with every order. Pre-packaged drinks like juice boxes will still be allowed to come with a straw. Businesses that do not comply will get a warning for first offenses and fines up to $1,000 per day for the second offense. Subsequent violations carry penalties up to $5,000 a day. New Jerseyans voted to approve a law that banned single-use plastic bags and food containers in 2020 that will be fully in effect by 2022. The next restriction will be imposed May 4, and will hit plastic and paper single-use bags and disposable food containers and cups made out of polystyrene foam. Plastic Bag Tax In Fredericksburg, VA A new disposable plastic bag tax of 5 cents is now in effect in Fredericksburg, Virginia, reported Fredericksburg Today. The Fredericksburg City Council adopted the tax earlier
in 2021 in an effort to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags in the city and promote the use of durable multi-use bags. The tax will be collected at the point of “UNDER NEW JERSEY’S SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAW RESTRICTION, purchase, in a similar manner as sales taxes, and will be administered and enforced by the Virginia Tax Commissioner in Richmond. Larger “big box” retailers C-STORES CAN ONLY such as Walmart or Target will be subjectGIVE CUSTOMERS to the tax if they contain a grocery store, STRAWS IF THEY ASK convenience store or drugstore. FOR THEM.” No retailer will be subject to the tax solely because it offers a limited number of snacks and beverages for sale at the cash register. Furthermore, per state code, the tax will only apply to retailers that maintain regular business hours in the city, including grocery stores, drug stores and convenience stores. Retailers will be compensated for the costs of collecting and remitting the tax by retaining a portion of the tax collected. Until January 1, 2023, retailers subject to the tax will be able to retain 2 cents for every 5 cents collected. After January 1, 2023, this discount will be reduced to 1 cent per bag.
Avanti Is Your Magazine
Avanti Magazine was created in 1981 by franchisees, for franchisees. It represents your voice within the 7-Eleven universe and requires your participation to remain relevant to the ideas, information, and knowledge floating about the franchisee community. You can contribute to the success of Avanti Magazine by submitting any of the following:
> Articles on any 7-Eleven topic that may be of interest to other franchisees. > Your FOA events and Board meeting calendars. > FOA event photos with a short description (who, what, where, when, and why). > Store or community event photos with captions. > Any combination of the above.
Please send your submissions to avantimag@ncasef.com. As former National Coalition Chairman Bill Schuessler famously said,
SEI recently announced that it is piloting autonomous delivery with Nuro, a robotics company transforming local commerce with autonomous vehicles. In collaboration with Nuro, SEI is launching the first autonomous commercial delivery in the state of California, enabling its customers in the service area to order through the 7NOW delivery app to have their products delivered via bot. Nuro will begin this delivery service with its autonomous Priuses and later introduce R2 bots, the company’s autonomous robots that are custom-built to transport products and goods without any occupants in the vehicle. Nuro became the first autonomous vehicle company to receive a deployment permit from the California DMV in December 2020, enabling the launch of this inaugural commercial delivery service in the state in collaboration with 7-Eleven.
SEI has collaborated with alcohol e-commerce and on-demand delivery platform Drizly to deliver alcohol to adults of legal drinking age in under 60 minutes from over 1,200 7-Eleven stores. Following a successful pilot program with 190 stores, over 1,200 7-Eleven stores across Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Washington now offer delivery via Drizly. Customers in areas served by those stores can order via the Drizly app or Drizly.com to enjoy home delivery for a range of adult beverages from 7-Eleven. The companies plan to expand the collaboration in the coming months to bring Drizly’s alcohol delivery to over 2,000 stores nationwide.
REPLENISH + CAFFEINE SPORTS DRINK LAUNCHED
7-Eleven’s new Replenish + Caffeine sports drink has officially hit shelves nationwide. Available in two fruity flavors, Pineapple and Prickly Pear, Replenish + Caffeine drinks are the perfect option for customers looking to get their caffeine fix and recharge their energy. Building off the successful Replenish sports drink line, the caffeinated version is made to help restore electrolytes and energy lost in exercise. Both the Pineapple and Prickly Pear flavors contain 140mg per 28oz bottle of natural caffeine extracted from green coffee beans and are high in vitamins E, B3, B5 and B6. Replenish + Caffeine drinks are free from artificial flavors, synthetic colors and high fructose corn syrup. The new sports drink options join the family of 7-Eleven Replenish flavors including 7-Select Replenish Cucumber Mint, Guava Splash, Lemonade, Orange Mango and Pomegranate Acai.
A FESTIVE TAKE ON A CLASSIC BEVERAGE
This winter, SEI brings back a holiday classic with a twist—Winter Wonderland Cocoa is a hot, rich cocoa blended with a cool candy cane flavor that will have customers dusting off their snow boots and getting cozy by the fire. Customers can pair the winter classic with chocolate sauce and creamer for the quintessential wintery treat. Customers can also customize their cocoa with more toppings like marshmallows, cinnamon, caramel, and a variety of creamers. The Winter Wonderland Cocoa,
continued from page 49
available for a limited time only at participating 7-Eleven stores, costs the same as every other hot beverage.
7-ELEVEN PARTNERS WITH DANONE TO LAUNCH NEW SNACK
On the heels of fall, Danone North America Away from Home recently launched its exclusive new Apple Pie Parfait Made with Oikos Greek Nonfat Yogurt in participating 7-Eleven stores across the country. Made with Oikos Nonfat Greek Yogurt, this 6-ounce parfait boasts 12 grams of protein. The parfait combines the protein punch of Oikos with the crunch and crave-worthy flavors of apples, cinnamon, and granola with a pecan topper. The 6-ounce Apple Pie Parfait made with Oikos Greek Nonfat Yogurt, offered in a majority of 7-Eleven stores nationwide, will be available through February 2022.
THE OFFICIAL UNIFORM OF SNACKING
SEI has extended its collaboration with entertainer, DJ, talk show host, comedian and designer Kerwin Frost to create an exclusive limited-edition outfit designed with snackers in mind. Aptly called “Kerwin’s Snack Attack Uniform,” the ensemble features a jacket, pants and t-shirt complete with 18 total pockets custom-designed to hold Kerwin’s favorite 7-Select snacks and beverages. Officially available for purchase on December 13, Kerwin’s Snack Attack Uniform comes in two colors—pink and green—and features Kerwin’s Snack Attack Jacket, Snack Attack Pants and Snack Attack Glitter Tee. The uniform was sold complete with Kerwin’s favorite 7-Select snacks and beverages for $280 exclusively on www.KerwinsKingdom. com. With only 500 uniforms available to the public, it was sold on a first-come first-served basis.
KERWIN’S SNACK PARTY MIX POPCORN
SEI and trendsetter Kerwin Frost opened a pop-up 7-Eleven store at the fifth-annual ComplexCon to unveil limited-edition Kerwin’s Snack Party Mix Popcorn. Made with white chocolate popcorn, candied chocolate pieces, cinnamon toasted cereal and chocolate cake mix, the party mix snack comes in a canister with a specially designed label by the Harlem-born entertainer, DJ, talk show host, comedian, and designer Kerwin Frost himself. Fans attending ComplexCon in Long Beach, California on November 6-7 had the chance to taste the limited-run popcorn mix within his part-retail,part-museum and part-performance space “Kerwin’s Kingdom” at Booth C1 at the convention. The castle included a pop-up 7-Eleven store featuring a custom vinyl graphic of the official co-branded Kerwin’s Snack Party Mix Popcorn. Shelves were stocked with the special-edition snack along with Kerwin’s favorite 7-Eleven private label chips, candy, popcorn and drinks—including 7-Select Buffalo Chicken Dip Flavored Wavy Potato Chips,7-Select Gummi Blue Sharks and 7-Select Replenish Guava Splash, all of which were distributed for free. A limited amount of Kerwin’s Snack Party Mix Popcorn were also available for sale soon at one 7-Eleven store in West Hollywood and one 7-Eleven store in New York City while supplies lasted.
BRAND-NEW, SUSTAINABLY SOURCED 7-RESERVE GUATEMALA COFFEE
7-Eleven served up its latest variety of 7-Reserve premium coffee for a limited time last fall: 7-Reserve Guatemala. This new brew marked 7-Eleven’s third 7-Reserve coffee to come from Central America and first to come from the Huehuetenango region, home to some of the finest coffee in the world, the company said. 7-Reserve Guatemala is Rainforest Alliance Certified and made from single-origin, sustainably sourced, 100 percent Arabica beans.
Grown in the Huehuetenango region, the sought-after beans are fully cultivated and processed on small farms before being taken to the bustling hub of San Antonio Huista.Guatemalan beans grown in volcanic soil at Huehuetenango’s higher elevations are known for their bright flavor notes and juicy flavor profiles. A medium roast was selected to help best bring out these characteristics—complete with an aroma with a hint of the brew’s fruity notes and sweet aftertaste.
FIRST ROUND OF RECRUITS DRAFTED TO SUPERFAN INFLUENCER TEAM
SEI recently announced the first three members drafted to the 7-Eleven Superfan Influencer Team following its Fuel Your Fandom social media contest. The competition was fierce with entrants pulling out all the stops to prove they had what it takes to join the team with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, pro football wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, and sportscaster Erin Andrews, but only three social media-savvy customers made the final cut. First up to join the 7-Eleven Superfan Influencer Team are Chaney Belle, Hannah Curtice, and Sharon LaRose. These social savvy teammates will attend an influencer training camp, receive a monthly stipend to try the latest 7-Eleven products and co-create content with 7-Eleven throughout 2022. They’ve also secured the coveted $11,000 cash prize.
continued from previous page
SEVEN-ELEVEN JAPAN TESTS DRONE DELIVERY
Seven-Eleven Japan and ANA Holdings have teamed up to test a delivery service using drones, reported NHK.com. The two companies have been holding tests since late November in Hinode, a sparsely populated area in western Tokyo. The drone is about 2 meters long and can carry goods up to 5 kilograms. During the tests, Seven-Eleven staff receive orders online and load the items, including tea and onigiri rice balls, onto the drone. The drone takes off from a Seven-Eleven parking lot,and can deliver goods to four designated places, including
“Seven-Eleven Japan wants to start a park 2 kilometers away. Seven-Eleven aims to put the drone delivery serdrone delivery service by vice into practical use fiscal 2025, offering focusing on less-popudeliveries within lated areas. The compa30 minutes.” ny wants to start the service by fiscal 2025, offering deliveries within 30 minutes.
$11M LOTTERY TICKET SOLD AT SAN JOSE 7-ELEVEN
A 7-Eleven store in San Jose sold a California Lottery ticket for the SuperLotto Plus drawing on December 15 that is worth $11 million after matching all five numbers plus the Mega number, reported Fox 2 KTVU. The ticket was purchased at the store at 4270 Senter Road in San Jose and had winning numbers 5, 8 9, 19, 39 and Mega number 9. No information about the winner of the $11 million ticket was immediately available.
AD INDEX
Anheuser-Busch...........................6 Aon Risk Management..........42, 43 Blue Bunny/Wells......................25 Cima Confections.......................20 Coca-Cola ......................................2 Constellation Brands .......... 28, 29 Danone........................................11 Diageo...........................................4 Kellogg’s........................................9 King Palm ...................................36 Living Essentials ........................18 Lucas Oil......................................38 Mars.............................................32 McLane........................................13 Mondelez....................................55 Monster ........................................5 Swedish Match...........................22 Swisher................................... 3, 56 Tell Industries ............................26
SMIRNOFF ICE NEON LEMONADE VARIETY 12PK CAN
Introducing the Smirnoff Ice Neon Lemonade Variety 12pk can. A line of neon lemonades that are perfectly sweet and tart, ready to get the party started. By combining the vibes of Miami with the hottest flavors, Smirnoff is bringing a new take on the booming lemonade trend. FMB 12pks are growing +114 percent the last 13 weeks as consumers search for flavor. This 12pk 12oz slim can variety pack features the delicious flavors of Pink Lemonade, Pineapple Lemonade, Peach Lemonade and Blue Razz Lemonade. (UPC 082000798767)
Increase your FMB sales with Smirnoff Ice Neon Lemonade Variety 12pk.
SWISHER RELEASES HEMP-BASED BULK CONES
Swisher recently announced that its Hempire product line is expanding to include hemp-based bulk cones. Available now for retailer purchase, Hempire Cones provide another alternative, all-natural option to the market. Made from pesticide-free organic hemp, Hempire Cones deliver a clean, smooth and slow-burning smoking experience. Like other Hempire products, Hempire Cones are vegan, non-GMO and ultra-strong, maintaining their all-natural characteristics by remaining completely unbleached and unflavored and containing no synthetic colors or dyes. The launch of Hempire Cones comes shortly after Swisher released Hempire Wraps, organic hemp wraps that serve as an alternative to tobacco wraps and other traditional options. With hemp-based cones, wraps and rolling paper now making up its portfolio, Hempire is helping Swisher transform the category to meet adult consumer’s needs and expectations. Hempire Cones are available in bulk units in the three most popular bulk cone sizes of 1 1/4, 98mm and King—with any size designed to fit into most standard knock boxes. Prices range from $62 to $88 for a box and $372 to $528 USD for a case, with boxes holding up to 1,440 cones and cases containing up to 8,640 cones.
Hempire Cones deliver a clean, smooth and slow-burning smoking experience.
INDULGE YOUR CUSTOMERS WITH POP TARTS EGGO FROSTED MAPLE FLAVOR
Pop-Tarts Eggo Frosted Maple Flavor is a perfect on-thego breakfast or snack combining the flavors and brand equity of Pop-Tarts and Eggo together in a crazy good toaster pastry. Each bite delivers classic Eggo taste complete with the delicious Pop-Tarts pastry crust, irresistible frosting, and sweet filling your customers know and love. Pop-Tarts Eggo Frosted Place them in the cereal Maple Flavor combines the flavors and and wholesome snack brand equity of Pop-Tarts and Eggo. sections, near the coffee bar, or in the beverage area. Delicious toasted or right out of the pouch, there are so many ways to indulge throughout the day.
LUCAS OIL 7-ELEVEN BRANDED AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS NOW AVAILABLE
The unmatched quality of Lucas Oil products is now available to ship to 7-Eleven franchisees nationwide. With Lucas Oil’s new 7-Eleven branded line of automotive products, you can offer the finest oils, additives and utility products to suit your customers’ needs. The line includes a wide range of the most requested products for commuters and travelers—from power steering and brake fluid to fuel treatments, octane boosters, antifreeze, washer fluid
Maximize your auto section sales with the Lucas Oil 7-Eleven branded line of automotive products.
continued from previous page
and more. Stocking Lucas Oil products tells your customers you’re providing the ultimate care for their vehicles, while maximizing your auto section sales. For a full listing of products, or if you have any questions, feel free to contact Marty Feldman at MFeldman@LucasOil.com.
VEGAN & DAIRY FREE SILK OAT COFFEE CREAMERS
Say good morning with rich, oatmilk cookie creaminess blended with smooth oatmilk creamer. It’s the same cravable taste your customers love—just in cool new packaging. Danone’s Silk Oat coffee creamers are vegan and free of dairy, carrageenan, gluten and artificial flavors and colors. Oat is the fastest growing segment of Plant-Based Creamers and accounts for 7.4 percent of category dollars. This is a great way to compliment your coffee bar selection providing a dairy free alternative. To place an order or learn more, please call 888-620-9910 or visit DanoneAwayFromHome.com.
Compliment your coffee bar selection by providing a dairy free alternative with Silk Oat creamers.
Increase Your Sales With Constellations Brands
Constellation Brands has unveiled three new products that will help you grow your alcoholic beverage sales, so place your orders today.
MODELO CHELADA LIMÓN Y SAL
Modelo Chelada is the #1 Chelada in the U.S., and Modelo Chelada Limon y Sal 12oz 12pk is the brand’s first multi-pack offering that will allow the brand to drive incremental brand growth through new drinking occasions, new drinker penetration, and by unlocking channels. Limon y Sal reaches both core Chelada drinkers and General Market ABA drinkers, who prefer smaller cans and medium sized Chelada multi-packs. The RTD Chelada category continues strong dollar growth with a 14 percent 4-year CAGR, and Modelo Chelada is the top dollar sales Chelada brand family.
CORONA HARD SELTZER 24OZ SINGLE SERVE CAN
Corona Hard Seltzer is the #4 hard seltzer brand and the #1 most preferred hard seltzer among Hispanic non-category buyers. Additionally, the 24oz single serve pack size is a category growth driver. Available in two flavors— Pineapple and Limonada Strawberry.
CORONA HARD SELTZER TROPICAL MIX PACK
Introducing the Corona Hard Seltzer Tropical Mix Pack, featuring 12 12oz cans in four flavors—Citrus Lime, Pineapple Picante, Watermelon Lime, and Mandarin Starfruit. Corona entered the Hard Seltzer category in a position of strength in brand health and overall consumer perceptions. Flavor drives the category, and hard seltzer’s flavor profile (flavor/ sweetness intensity) and ingredient quality are the most important attributes for consumers. Of beer brands that have entered the hard seltzer category, consumers rate Corona by far the highest quality brand (Source: YouGov BrandIndex Brand Tracking Report, Beer Quality, July 2021).
FOA Of Greater Los Angeles/San Diego FOA Trade Show
Pechanga Resort & Casino Temecula California March 23, 2022 Phone: 619-726-9016
South Texas FOA Annual Trade Show
South Texas FOA Annual Golf Tournament
Eastern Virginia FOA Annual Charity Golf
Sleepy Hole Golf Course Suffolk, Virginia April 13, 2022 Phone: 757-506-5926
Eastern Virginia FOA Trade Show
Hampton Roads Convention Center Hampton, Virginia April 14, 2022 Phone: 757-506-5926
Suburban Washington FOA Trade Show
Baltimore/WashDC/ Suburban Washington Metro Points Hotel New Carrollton, Maryland April 21, 2022 Phone: 301-580-0305
Delaware Valley FOA Trade Show
Caesars Atlantic City Atlantic City, New Jersey June 23, 2022 Phone: 215-771-6178
Chicagoland FOA Golf Outing
Venue TBD August 25, 2022 Phone: 847-278-7415
Chicagoland FOA Holiday Trade Show
Venue TBD November 10, 2022 Phone: 847-278-7415
FOA Board Meetings
CHICAGOLAND FOA
Phone: 847-278-7415 January 27, 2022—Board Meeting February 24, 2022—Board Meeting March 24, 2022—Board Meeting April 28, 2022—Board Meeting May 12, 2022—Summer Trade Show & General Session June 30, 2022—Board Meeting & General Meeting July 28, 2022—Board Meeting September 22, 2022—Board Meeting October 27, 2022—Board Meeting December 8, 2022—Board Meeting
FOA OF GREATER LOS ANGELES
Phone: 619-726-9016 January 18, 2022—Board Meeting February 15, 2022—Board Meeting March 15, 2022—Board Meeting April 19, 2022—Board Meeting May 18, 2022—Board Meeting June 21, 2022—Board Meeting July 19, 2022—Board Meeting September 20, 2022—Board Meeting October 18, 2022—Board Meeting November 15, 2022—Board Meeting
National Coalition Board meetings are scheduled one per quarter. Vendors interested in sponsoring a Board meeting should contact John Riggio, JR Planners, at 262-394-5518 or johnr@jrplanners.com.
National Coalition Affiliate Meeting
National Coalition Board of Directors Meeting
National Coalition Board of Directors Meeting
NCASEF 46th Annual Convention & Trade Show
