Convenience Store Decisions 2018 Leaders in Convenience

SPECIAL ISSUE 2018 Business Solutions for Retail Decision Makers

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DRIVING CATEGORY GROWTH

Join the conversation:

Trusted iconic brands and expert category management delivering sustainable growth.

@HersheyCompany The-Hershey-Company thehersheycompany.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Masthead

.........................................4 Editor’s Memo ...................................6

ADD Systems .............................................8

Liggett Vector Brands .............................. 31

Belanger, Inc. .............................................9

Little Caesars ..........................................19

blu ............................................................10

Loomis U.S. ............................................20

Cash Depot ..............................................11

Mars Wrigley Confectionery ........................ 5

Cheyenne International, LLC ....................12

McLane Company, Inc. ...........................22

Del Monte ..................................................7

NicoGen Pharma Solutions .....................23

E-Alternative Solutions, LLC ....................13

PDI ...........................................................24

Hershey ..................................................... 2

Pierce Chicken .........................................25

Home Market Foods ................................14

Sunny Sky Products ..................................26

Hoshizaki America, Inc. .............................15

Swisher International ......................27, 32

Hunt Brothers Pizza ................................16

Texas Pete ................................................28

Inline Plastics Corp. .................................17

Tyson Convenience ..................................29

Krispy Krunchy Foods ..............................18

White Castle ............................................30

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THE CSD GROUP Convenience Store Decisions • Leading Through Innovation A H A R B O R C O M M U N I C AT I O N S L L C C O .

Convenience Store Decisions

EDITORIAL

Vice President, Editor-in-Chief John Lofstock jlofstock@csdecisions.com Senior Editor David Bennett dbennett@csdecisions.com Senior Editor/News & Online Erin Del Conte edelconte@csdecisions.com

Creative Director Erin Canetta ecanetta@csdecisions.com Production Manager Barbra Martin bmartin@csdecisions.com Webmaster Dave Miyares dmiyares@csdecisions.com

VIRTUALMART ADVERTISING

Group Publisher Tom McIntyre tmcintyre@csdecisions.com 440-250-1583 Publisher John Petersen jpetersen@csdecisions.com 440-250-1583 Vice President, Sales Tony Bolla tbolla@csdecisions.com 773-267-1897

Associate Editor Howard Riell hriell@csdecisions.com Associate Editor Marilyn Odesser-Torpey mot@csdecisions.com

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Robert Buhler, President and CEO Open Pantry Food Marts Pleasant Prairie, Wis. Jim Callahan, Director of Marketing (Retired) Geo. H. Green Oil Inc. • Fairburn, Ga. Brad Call, President Colour Du Jour • Salt Lake City Greg Lorance, Dispensed Category Manager Cumberland Farms • Framingham, Mass.

Kyle McKeen, President and CEO Alon Brands • Dallas Billy Milam, President RaceTrac Petroleum Inc. • Atlanta Patrick J. Lewis, Managing Partner Oasis Stop 'N Go • Twin Falls, Idaho Scott Zaremba, President and CEO Zarco 66 • Lawrence, Kan.

OFFICE LOCATIONS

Headquarters 19111 Detroit Rd., Ste 201 Rocky River, OH 44116 P: 440-250-1583 • F: 440-333-1892 Editorial and NAG 1420 Queen Anne Rd., Suite 4 Teaneck, NJ 07666 (201) 837-2177

NATIONAL ADVISORY GROUP BOARD

Peter Tamburro, Board Chairman Clifford Fuel Co. • Utica, N.Y. Mary Banmiller, Director of Retail Operations Warrenton Oil Inc. • Truesdale, Mo. Greg Ehrlich, Chief Operating Officer Beck Suppliers Inc. • Freemont, Ohio Doug Galli, Vice President, General Manager Reid Stores Inc./Crosby’s • Brockport, N.Y. Joe Hamza, Chief Operating Officer Nouria Energy Corp • Worcester, Mass.

Brent Mouton, President and CEO Hit-n-Run Food Stores • Lafayette, La. Robert O’Connor, President and CEO O’Connor Petroleum Co. • Hales Corners, Wis. Vernon Young, President and CEO Young Oil Co. • Piedmont, Ala.

SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES

To enter, change or cancel a subscription: Web (fastest service): www.ezsub.com/csd Phone: (844) 862-9286 (U.S. only, toll-free) Fax: (440) 333-1892 Mail: Convenience Store Decisions P.O. Box 986, Levittown, PA 19058 Copyright 2018, Harbor Communications, LLC

http://twitter.com/CStoreDecisions www.facebook.com/CStoreDecisions www.linkedin.com/CStoreDecisions

YEO BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jared Sturtevant, Board Chairman CST Brands, Director of Marketing

Alex Olympidis, Board Vice Chairman Family Express Corp., Director of Operations Alli Bixler, Director of Special Projects The Kent Cos. Sharif Jamal, Corporate Training Manager Chestnut Petroleum Distributors Lindsay Lyden, Vice President, Development Truenorth Energy Dana Moloney, Strategic Workforce Partner Warrenton Oil Co. Jeremie Myhren, Vice President, IT Road Ranger Bart Stransky, Executive Director, Merchandising RaceTrac Petroleum Inc.

Convenience Store Decisions is a three-time winner of the Neal Award, the American Business Press’s highest recognition of editorial excellence.

Convenience Store Decisions (ISSN 1054-7797) is published monthly by Harbor Communications, LLC., 19111 Detroit Rd., Suite 201, Rocky River, OH 44116, for petroleum company and convenience store operators, owners, managers. Qualified U.S. subscribers receive Convenience Store Decisions at no charge. For others, the cost is $80 a year in the U.S. and Possessions, $95 in Canada, and $150 in all other countries. Single copies are available at $9 each in the U.S. and Possessions, $10 each in Canada and $13 in all other countries. The annual Sales Trend Handbook can be purchased for $75. Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Convenience Store Decisions, P.O. Box 986, Levittown, PA 19058. GST #R126431964, Canadian Publication Sales Agreement No: #40026880.

Materials in this publication must not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. Direct requests to: Editorial Department, 1420 Queen Ann Rd., Teaneck, Suite 4, NJ 07666. Phone: (917) 601-9623. Copyright 2016, Harbor Communications LLC. All rights reserved. Circulation audited

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Leaders in Convenience

Creating Partnerships to Boost Customer Service

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here are many common characteristics that comprise a great convenience store chain. They are retail leaders, innovative marketers, committed to employees and completely driven by a service-first mantra to satisfy their customers. But equally important to all of this is a great relationship with their supplier partners.

Vendors and supplies provide a critical service for any business. This service allows your business to focus on building products or services that add value to your customers. Vendor and supplier relationships are a delicate balancing act between your business’s best interests and the sometimes competing interests of your suppliers.

One thing is clear: all parties need to receive mutual benefits from the relationship.

Before you begin evaluating these partnerships, you must first be clear on what your objective is, and that is to provide your customers with a wonderful shopping experience. Customers have shown—with their wallets and in focus groups—that price is relatively low on the list of reasons why they shop a convenience store. For this reason, choosing suppliers with the cheapest prices isn’t always the best answer. It’s often the easiest answer, but not necessarily the best option for your chain.

Convenience store customers have enormous buying power these days and they are not afraid to use it against you. They want a friendly smile when they walk in the door, a clean store and a genuine sense that you appreciate their business. In other words, they want to feel respected.

After all, would you continue to shop at a store that didn’t show you the respect you deserve? Regardless of a great price or a convenient location, you know deep down you wouldn’t. Why would you expect your customers to act any differently?

For these reasons, when picking a supplier or vendor partner, look for one that shares your values. The foundation for these relationships often includes the following: • Respect: Relationships are built on mutual respect. If you don’t respect a vendor or supplier than the relationship will be doomed to fail.

• Trust: Building trust provides the cornerstone of your vendor or supplier relationship. Trust is a two way street that must be cultivated at all times.

• Mutual Benefit: Without a mutually beneficial partnership there is little incentive for either side to stick around when times get tough. The best partners are always there when you need them the most.

• Fairness and Honesty: Fair and honest partners will always win If you have any out in the long run. Any short term questions or gain realized by lying, cheating or have suggestaking advantage of a partner will tions for future tarnish the long-term relationship issues, please and destroy trust. don’t hesitate to Without these components, a contact me vendor or supplier relationship will at jlofstock@ be challenging to maintain and will csdecisions.com. certainly descend into a bad situation over time.

Building a strong partnership should be your goal when selecting vendors and suppliers. These partnerships will only strengthen your business and allow you to focus on your core competencies. Good vendors and suppliers also want to build strong partnerships because that builds a strong business for them. The selection, cultivation and building of your vendor and supplier relationships should be a continuous process that strives to balance your business needs with the needs for your partners. When those needs align, your partnership will be successful. When they don’t, you will need to either work hard at aligning them or choose a new partner.

On the pages ahead are some of the industry’s key supplier companies that are going the extra mile to connect with c-store operators. When considering a trusted partner in the future, please take a moment to read about their services and how they can help your business. They have taken the first step toward earning your business and, hopefully, some connections will be made that can lead to years of increased sales for everyone.

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At Del Monte, we’ve kept the produce industry convenient for 125 years. How we do it is also why we do it. We’re fresh-fruit fanatics, which is why we’re also healthy-lifestyle fanatics. On-the-go fanatics.

Individual-portion fanatics. Innovation fanatics.

And supply-chain fanatics. So you could even say we’re fanatically reliable.

FRESHDELMONTE.COM 1-800-950-3683

@DelMonteFresh

FRUITS.COM

@DelMonteFresh

©2018 Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc.

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@DelMonteFreshProduce

DelMonteFresh

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Leaders in Convenience

ADD Systems

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DD Systems® software helps you spend less time on administrative tasks and more time providing great customer service and improving your financial position.

Designed in concert with our trusted customer advisors from top industry chains, ADD Systems software exemplifies a modern convenience store application, with unprecedented efficiency and visibility into your operation, tighter management of merchandise and fuel, and efficient data access, when and where you need it.

Business Intelligence (BI) Save time and money by getting customizable, timely reports with actionable information. Reports can be driven by exception and pushed out automatically.

you meet customer demand and manage vendor purchases. With this information, you can implement highly effective promotions, like mix-and-match and combos, which drive larger basket sizes.

Scan Data Benefits Automatically submit cigarette scan data to take advantage of financial incentives.

Wholesale Efficiency Automatically send scheduled wholesale price quotes based on cost-plus, percentage or customer contracts. Deliver profitable wholesale loads with accurate margins that incorporate “best buy” logic for vendors, terminals and freight. Expedite dealer network processing by importing fuel sales from your gas station dealer network and credit card receipts from your major oil company processors for quick reconciliation and settlement.

User Friendly Interface Inventory Management Minimize shrink by scanning at the POS, scanning store invoices, and taking full advantage of a centralized price book. Reduce out-of-stocks by implementing strong inventory controls and using picture-based shelf tags for effective planogram management.

Labor Utilization Reduce labor expense through better staffing decisions. Understand your traffic and transaction trends with simple graphical reports.

Category Management Maximize sales using store traffic to understand customer shopping. Our BI-driven, analytical reports provide a precise view of sales velocity, which helps

Incredibly intuitive and easy to learn, our software yields faster “turnup” times at a reduced cost, aiding employee retention and ultimately improving customer satisfaction.

About ADD Systems Since 1973, Advanced Digital Data® has worked hand-in-hand with clients throughout the U.S. and Canada to understand the needs of the convenience store, wholesale petroleum, propane, home heating oil, HVAC, and lubricant industries. Our goal has always been to develop the best software solutions that exceed the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow.

Tech Edge Using the latest Microsoft database design and development tools, ADD Systems delivers progressive, flexible and scalable software that streamlines your business processes. Our software complies with the latest Conexxus International standards and advancements, making it easy to see how you stack up against industry trends.

Built with over 45 years of experience in the c-store industry, ADD Systems helps retailers save time and improve profitability. Compete with the advantage of ADD Systems.

ADD Systems 6 Laurel Drive Flanders, NJ 07836 P: (800) 922-0972 F: (973) 252-3803 E: sales@addsys.com W: www.addsys.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Belanger, Inc.

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hy settle for just convenience and fuel sales when you can also capitalize on the profitable CAR WASH market?

In the United States alone, over 8 million cars are washed each day.* You already have the captive customer traffic—now MAXIMIZE YOUR PROFITS and turn your business into a complete destination, offering the latest in advanced car washing.

systems come with LED-illuminated components that actively market your wash.

These color-changing systems command attention and increase your wash’s volume capability by drawing customers in from the street and from your pumps.

About Belanger, Inc.

Maximize Your Profits Belanger, Inc. can help you maximize your profits while minimizing maintenance with its complete line of industry-leading car wash systems.

From their full line of in-bay automatics to their game-changing SpinLite® tunnel wash system, Belanger manufactures appealing equipment that attracts customers and puts them at ease, so they come back again and again.

• Kondor ® 1 or 2-arm (touchless automatic) • Saber ® 1 or 2-arm (touchless automatic) • FreeStyler ® 5-wheel (soft-touch automatics) • SpinLite® illuminated tunnel system

Belanger’s car wash equipment is designed by the industry’s most forwardthinking engineers to deliver powerful cleaning performance while minimizing downtime and expensive maintenance for c-store owners. It’s a win-win for both you and your customers.

Attract Customers Like a Beacon Many of Belanger’s innovative wash

Support Need a repair? You can depend on Belanger’s nationwide network of over 120 certified distributors to respond quickly and keep your revenue flowing.

From The Front Lines “Our Belanger FreeStyler ‘hit the ground running’ when the site opened.

We were washing 100-plus cars a day, right away. But only a quality wash can sustain that volume … and the FreeStyler delivers. Nearly three years later, we’re washing 4,000-plus cars per month, or nearly 50,000 per year.” - Terry Thomas, Eastern Petroleum

Founded in 1969, Belanger, Inc. has long been respected as the industry leader in quality car wash manufacturing. Pioneering the first equipment designed specifically for cloth car washes, today Belanger offers an extensive line of unmatched vehicle wash systems, products, and components that deliver unparalleled value, performance, and investment opportunity.

Belanger, Inc. Let Us Help You Belanger, Inc. has consistently helped the car wash industry evolve with patented equipment innovations that provide noticeably superior car washing results.

1001 Doheny Court Northville, MI 48167 Brandon’s Cell: (248) 640-0478 E: Bfrick@belangerinc.com W: www.Belangerinc.com

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Leaders in Convenience

blu

®

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lu, a leader in the electronic cigarette industry and trusted consumer choice, recently unveiled the newest addition to its esteemed product lineup: my blu™. The introduction of this e-vapor device has revolutionized today’s vaping experience, providing adult consumers with the most satisfying e-vapor product available on the market today.

Addressing the void that adult smokers and vapers have long been seeking to fill, my blu deliv- with the launch of my blu, marking the ers strong performance, brand’s first lifetime device warranty in a sleek and compact available to their consumers. closed pod based system – With the most expansive flavor with no hassle. range to come from blu, my blu offers In maintaining key attri- options that appeal to every palate butes of the blu brand that featuring eleven total e-liquids in three consumers have come to nicotine levels varying 2.4 percent, 1.2 know and love, including percent, and 0 percent. These flaits notoriously simplistic vors include Classic Tobacco, Carolina and convenient usability, Bold, Gold Leaf, Magnificent Menthol, my blu merges innovation, Polar Mint, Cherry Crush, Vivid Vanilla, power, and performance Blueberry, Blue Ice, Mango Apricot, to bring new, cutting- and Green Apple. The full assortedge features to life in a first of its kind ment of flavors will be available for form factor for blu. my blu’s big-impact purchase exclusively on blu’s website. advantages include an ergonomic The best-selling flavors such as Gold design that fits comfortably in the Leaf, Magnificent Menthol, Polar Mint, palm of your hand and new pod tech- Cherry Crush, and Vivid Vanilla will nology that feature pre-filled liquid also be offered for retail sale in a 2.4 pods with easier-than-ever “click-and- nicotine percentage. go” usability. For extended use, my my blu Starter Kits, which include the blu also boasts a long-lasting and fast my blu device, one USB charging cable, 20 minute USB recharge so users can and one liquid pod in the Gold Leaf enjoy from any location, at any time. flavor, will be available for a purchase blu has even gone the extra mile to price of $19.99, with my blu Liquid Pods introduce the myCARE™ guarantee including two pods for $8.99.

About blu blu a leader of electronic cigarettes. Launched in 2009 with consumer satisfaction at the heart of everything they do and the ambition to be the best, blu does more than offer high quality vapor products. The brand works carefully to truly satisfy its customers, designing products for the adult consumer in a variety of disposable and rechargeable form factors and flavors. blu is available online and in stores in the four largest vapor markets worldwide: USA, UK, France, Italy.

blu 1100 South Tryon Street, Suite 300 Charlotte, NC 28203 P: (888) 207-4588 W: www.blu.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Cash Depot

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ash Depot is a privatelyowned, independent full ATM and Air/Vac service provider. No need to deal with more than one company for your ATM, Air, or Vac needs. We are one of the few companies in our industry that is your All-in-One solution for full service including selling, leasing, renting, shipping, and servicing new and used ATMs and Air/Vac machines.

We also maintain in-house transaction processing, resulting in the fastest possible transactions to our customers, not to mention eliminating payments to third-party processors. Our ATM network is nationwide - in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico. We currently have over 20,000 ATMs processing transactions on our network. We process over 135 million transactions and dispense more than $8.5 billion dollars in cash annually.

With Cash Depot, ATMs are constantly monitored for any issues and our nationwide factory-trained technicians keep ATMs up and running.

These steps are crucial in minimizing downtime, resulting in maximum revenue-earning opportunities. Our cash management services monitor cash levels to ensure the ATM is

fi lled with enough funds to process transactions.

Cash Depot is a lot like you - we understand that incremental sales and transactional revenue are valuable to any business, and strive to work as efficiently as possible to maximize your profitability and customer satisfaction.

As a measure of our organizational success, we have been recognized as building trust and confidence in our service delivery processes and controls by AICPA Service Organization Controls.

At Cash Depot, we love what we do and have a strong team to support our customers. Our team’s goal is to create long-term relationships with our customers by keeping their customers satisfied with our services every day. We work around the clock to ensure the quality of our products and services, and look ahead into new technologies that will change the future of your investment and allow continued effi ciency in servicing your needs.

About Cash Depot Cash Depot, a full service ATM and Air/Vac provider since the 1990s, is committed to quality, dedication, and excellence in the ATM industry. This core value has led many of the largest, forward-thinking companies to us for profitable solutions. We promise to make our customers more money and continue improving and innovating to maintain the highest service and profitability levels for all of our customers.

Cash Depot 1740 Cofrin Drive Suite 2 Green Bay, WI 54302 P: (800) 776-8834 W: www.cdlatm.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Cheyenne International, LLC

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ver the past 15 years, chandised effectively. On top of that, Cheyenne International has retailers will have comfort knowing that grown and evolved from a Cheyenne International is always at the small tobacco start-up, to forefront of regulatory compliance. what is now known as The Biggest Small Tobacco Manufacturer in Brands That Make Sense America. As part of its ongoing evoluFor a retailer, there are many chaltion as a successful tobacco company, lenges to tackle on a daily basis. At Cheyenne recently refreshed its brand Cheyenne International, the company identity to be full of the entrepreneur- believes in making business simple. ial spirit that has driven Cheyenne The sentiment applies to their brands to where it is today. The new com- as well. Cheyenne designs brands that pany logo, launched in January 2018, stand apart from the competition and encompasses Cheyenne’s continued create real profits for retailers. Backed commitment to wholesale and retail by great merchandising tools and effeccustomers and reflects the four pillars tive adult consumer marketing, the fact of excellence from which the company that Cheyenne is a small business makes was founded: partnership, quality, them just that much easier to work with. compliance and success.

One of the biggest growths the company has seen recently is in their Aura Cigarette brand. The tobacco blend is made with two ingredients, tobacco and water. While the concept is simple, the results are anything but.

Aura Cigarettes are currently the bestkept secret in the specialty cigarette What to Expect in 2018 A new year brings not just a new category and provide retailers with a logo, but also a new perspective on rich alternative to high-priced brands, products. Convenience consumers without sacrificing penny profit. To are consistently looking for both qual- learn more about Cheyenne Cigars, ity and variety in the tobacco category Aura Cigarettes or the other excitand Cheyenne International intends to ing growth happening at Cheyenne deliver. As a leader in the filtered cigar International, visit www.cheyenneintl. category, Cheyenne has rolled out sev- com and sign up for their newsletter. eral new SKUs over the past several years. Without any intention of slowing down in 2018, Cheyenne plans to release something new to perk up the shelves of retail stores this year.

As always, the company will deliver a profitable cigar product, made to the highest quality standard, that is mer-

About Cheyenne International, LLC Cheyenne International, LLC is a full-line tobacco product manufacturer with a focus on creating valuable customer partnerships and producing high-quality products at a fair price. Located in North Carolina, the heart of American tobacco country, Cheyenne International prides itself on delivering profitable, market-leading brands that meet the demands of adult consumers. Learn more at www.cheyenneintl.com.

Cheyenne International, LLC Toll Free: (866) 254-6975 E: sales@cheyenneintl.com

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Leaders in Convenience

E-Alternative Solutions, LLC

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-Alternative Solutions, LLC (EAS) is an independent company; part of the same international group that also owns Swisher International, Inc., the world’s largest cigar company. EAS was created for the purpose of developing, marketing and distributing superior electronic vaping solutions and is the exclusive distributor of the Cue™ Vapor System in the United States.

The Cue Vapor System is a revolutionary patented technology that delivers full-flavor, all day vaping with just the push of a button. You just click-in the desired pre-filled, spillproof cartridge and press the button.

It has no coils to change or tanks to fill.

Cue is unique because it combines the satisfaction of sub-ohm vaping technology with the ease of use and simplicity of an e-cigarette. Whether you’re a cigarette smoker looking for an alternative or a diehard vaper, Cue will provide you satisfying vapor with just one click.

While other companies have been solely focusing on introducing new products, EAS has built first class Sales, Marketing, and FDA Compliance teams to support its brands.

Recognizing the need for leadership in these areas, EAS is positioned to meet the expectations of customers and regulators in these key areas:

Exceptional Sales Support EAS has a national field sales team with decades of tobacco and e-vapor

experience to support traditional and vape-store retail customers. Its highlytrained sales team brings certified category management experience and a high level of customer support.

Breakthrough 360 Degree Marketing Investment In 2017, EAS launched an unprecedented multi-million-dollar TV, print, and radio campaign in support of the Cue Vapor System - a campaign to bring awareness to the brand and drive consumers to retailers’ doors. In addition to the media campaign, EAS developed full in-store custom tailored point-of-sale and merchandising support to meet each customers’ specific needs to maximize the brand in their stores.

About E-Alternative Solutions, LLC E-Alternative Solutions (EAS) is a sister company of Swisher International, Inc. EAS develops, markets and distributes vaping products that are manufactured with the highest level of quality control, innovation and commitment to its consumers. We are committed to the highest levels of excellence in sales and marketing support and FDA compliance.

Positioned to Meet FDA Standards FDA compliance is of the utmost priority for EAS, which has a full-time in-house staff dedicated to meeting all FDA regulations, including filing Pre-Market Tobacco Applications for its products.

EAS is positioned to take a leadership role in the new post-FDA e-vapor category, working hand-in-hand with its customers and deploying its unique 360-degree support in sales, marketing, and regulatory compliance.

E-Alternative Solutions 20 Thorndal Circle Darien, CT 06820 P: (800) 843-3731 W: www.ealternativesolutions.com www.cuevapor.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Home Market Foods

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ROW YOUR FOODSERVICE business with quality products from Home Market Foods.

RollerBites®

Bold! Different! Better! Bursting with flavor and packed with protein, RollerBites offer the perfect on-the-go meal or snack.

Flame-broiled Cheeseburgers lock in juicy, savory, home-grilled flavor. Try our newest on-trend flavors, Spicy Tex-Mex Chili Cheeseburger and the Triple Chile Premium Burger Joint Cheeseburger.

Seasoned all-white Chicken, offered in a variety of bold flavors, have more protein than any other chicken product on the grill. Try the popular new Greek Chicken Gyro and the best-selling, crowd pleasing Cheesy Buffalo Ranch Chicken!

Savory Breakfast varieties combine hearty eggs, sausage and cheese for a delicious breakfast on the run.

Eisenberg®

Beef Frankfurters have a long tradition of quality since 1929. Eisenberg franks are an experience your customers won’t soon forget. Great tasting, minimally processed products with an authentic, natural taste—that’s the Eisenberg way.

Cooked Perfect®

Elevate your MTO foodservice program with premium Cooked Perfect® meats. The #1 brand of Meatballs in the country, Shaved Steak, Pulled Pork, and Pulled Chicken are all seasoned just right and cooked to perfection.

Bring quality to your customers with ingredients from Cooked Perfect—the possibilities are endless!

About Home Market Foods Home Market Foods has been creating delicious food products since 1957 using authentic recipes and the finest quality ingredients. Our innovative, forward-thinking culinary team leads the industry with a commitment to providing craveable products for today’s discerning consumers. With safety as our mantra and quality at our core, we are your go-to provider for all things “delicious.”

Bahama Mama®

Bahama Mama® premium sausages provide all-day snacking solutions in a variety of delicious flavors to satisfy hearty appetites. Made from high quality cuts of beef and pork, no fillers, and 100% cheddar cheese.

Home Market Foods 140 Morgan Drive Norwood, MA 02062 P: (800) 367-8325 (781) 948-1500, Ext 529 E: sales@homemarketfoods.com W: www.homemarketfoods.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Hoshizaki America, Inc.

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oshizaki foodservice equip- ( f o r c u b e ment excels in performance, let ice). Both produce ice durability and reliability.

For example, our ice consistently machines produce more ice using less and dependenergy—an operation savings. Our ably to keep refrigerators and prep tables have fea- c u s t o m tures to maximize temperature control e r s ’ d r i n k s and keep food safe—saving on food d e l i c i o u s l y and labor costs. Dispensed drinks and c h i l l e d . freshly prepared foods have a higher These moduprofit margin than their prepackaged lar models are counterparts have, and are therefore a easily mounted on most major beverage dispensers. The undercounter smart choice for c-store owners.

There is continued growth in c-store F-330BAJ-C Ice Maker is great for beverage choices for the consumer. smoothie stations. It produces up to This includes additional coffee flavors, 288 lbs. of ice daily.

For sandwich or salad prep, the and a broader variety of fountain drink options with the introduction of “fla- CRMR48-12 two-section refrigvor shots,” teas, juices and sparkling e r a t e d p re p t a b l e f e a t u re s a waters. There is also a trend toward stainless steel interior and exterior. offering multiple ice types. This It’s backed by a three-year warincludes the traditional crescent cube ranty on the entire machine and ice, with more stores incorporating a five-year warranty on the compressor. Where space is tight, call the cubelet “chewable” ice as well.

The “old standard” prepackaged on the CRMR27-LP undercounter sandwiches provided by a third party refrigerator to keep things cool. are still available; however, they are Its low-profile design features a quickly being replaced by fresh sand- net storage capacity of 6.22 cubic wiches made on location and, in many ft. and is perfect for storing drinks, cases, “made to order.” The menu salads or sandwiches. Keep an eye is not limited to sandwiches either— out for Hoshizaki’s new line of glass many other options have been added door merchandisers, in 7, 10, 26, 45 to the c-store menu such as pizza, and 49 cubic ft. capacities. wraps and salads. Hoshizaki Sandwich Prep Tables, Mega Top Tables and Pizza Prep Tables allow for quick food prep and service while keeping food products at ideal, foodsafe temperatures.

C-Store Favorites from Hoshizaki include the KMD530M_H, Modular Crescent Cuber (for crescent ice) and the FD-1002MAJ-C

About Hoshizaki HOSHIZAKI is the world leader in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of a wide range of products for the foodservice industry including ice machines, refrigerators, freezers, prep tables, display cases and dispensers. Our attention to detail, continuous innovation, smart application of technology and commitment to the highest standards—ensures that our customers have exceptional quality products. Hoshizaki has earned ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year multiple years in a row for superior energy efficiency achievements.

Hoshizaki America, Inc. 618 Highway 74 South Peachtree City, GA 30269 P: (800) 438-6087 W: www.hoshizakiamerica.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Hunt Brothers Pizza ®

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oodservice Success is Simple with Hunt Brothers® Pizza The Hunt Brothers Pizza program was created specifically for convenience stores. With over 25 years of experience serving the c-store industry, our program is designed to make foodservice success simple and profitable.

The program offers high quality, high margin products that are simple to prepare. Most stores are able to handle a new program with existing employees.

And the program can be operated in as little as 59 square feet with flexible pizza shoppe and equipment options.

Hunt Brothers® offers a 12” original crust pizza, thin crust pizza, breakfast pizza, bone-in chicken wings, and boneless WingBites®. Our grab-andgo pizza option, a Hunk A Pizza®, is a ¼ of a whole pizza that makes for a quick breakfast or lunch on the go. In the evening, made-to-order whole pizzas are a hit with families looking for a quick dinner option.

A Nationally Branded Program for a Reasonable Investment With over 7,500 locations in 28 states, Hunt Brothers is a nationally

recognized brand and the #1 brand in the c-store industry. Unlike many other branded foodservice programs, Hunt Brothers does not charge franchise, royalty, or marketing fees.

As a NASCAR sponsor, Hunt Brothers provides its locations with free national branding to 75 million racing fans. In-store marketing is also provided at no cost and is installed and refreshed by an Account Manager.

Our Direct Store Delivery ensures pizza products are delivered on Hunt Brothers trucks. A dedicated Account Manager will rotate and restock inventory and refresh marketing each week.

They will even prepare your order for you and confirm quantities before restocking.

To keep consumer interest high, Hunt Brothers offers several Limited Time Only pizzas through the year.

Fan favorites like Buffalo Chicken Pizza and Chicken Bacon Ranch, keep customers coming back to your store.

About Hunt Brothers Pizza With more than 7,500 locations in 28 states, Hunt Brothers® Pizza is the nation’s largest brand of made-to-order pizza in the convenience store industry. Hunt Brothers Pizza offers pizza available as a grab-andgo Hunk, or as a customizable whole pizza that is an exceptional value with All Toppings No Extra Charge®.

Hunt Brothers Pizza 4020 Jordonia Station Road, Nashville, TN 37218 P: (800) 453-3675 E: info@hbpizza.com W: huntbrotherspizza.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Inline Plastics Corp.

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nline Plastics (Shelton, CT) meets the growing demand in the Grab & Go market with two innovative product solutions— SnackWare ™ & PagodaWare ™ PET containers.

Consumers are living increasingly active lifestyles and are looking for not only convenience when food shopping but also the assurance that the products they are buying are properly packaged. More and more, consumers want ready to go meals and snacks that they can eat at work, in the car or at school. The well-established, patented Safe-T-Fresh® product line provides both that confidence as well as convenience.

These single piece clamshells will eliminate the need for multiple SKUs, maximize warehouse space and eliminate the need for shrink bands or wrap-around labels—reducing the material & labor costs associated with the application. Processors will see increased efficiency, output and productivity throughout the packing process.

You can go anywhere with the new SnackWare ™. The versatility these containers provide allows for fun snacking mixtures. It includes 3 different configurations ranging from 1, 2 and 4 compartments, with more

options to come. The types of food combinations are without limit. No worries about food migrating from one cell to another; that was addressed with engineered raised barriers.

The new PagodaWare™ containers are unique. The sleek shape provides a 360° view of the contents and is available in 10 popular configurations (8–64 oz), with more underway. The SureGrip™ grab tab provides a positive, easy to open, user friendly experience.

And as with all Safe-T-Fresh® products, the patented Safe-T-Gard® tamper evident, security tear strip hinge keeps food safe and secure.

Supermarkets, convenience stores and commissaries will appreciate how much better their food presents itself given the exceptional product clarity which encourages impulse sales.

All Safe-T-Fresh ® containers are manufactured with a patented DPET material, which is 100% recyclable, benefiting retailer and processors alike with environmentally responsible crystal clear packaging.

To learn more about SnackWare™ & PagodaWare™ and Inline Plastics’ in-house packaging Automation capabilities and Engineering support, please visit our website at www.inlineplastics.com.

About Inline Plastics Corp.

Inline Plastics Corp. (Shelton, CT), founded in 1968, is a leading manufacturer of high quality, crystal clear food containers made of easy to recycle PET packaging designed to most effectively merchandise fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, salads, a variety of grab-and-go foods, baked goods, and deli items.

Inline Plastics Corp. also of fers the most complete line of automated equipment to load, close, and label our containers.

For more information on the industry leader in tamper evident, tamper resistant containers, please visit our website http://www.inlineplastics.com.

Inline Plastics Corp.

42 Canal Street Shelton, CT 06484 P: (203) 924-5933 E: sales@inlineplastics.com W: www.inlineplastics.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Krispy Krunchy Foods

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rispy Krunchy Foods LLC announces another recordb re a k i n g y e a r a s t h e y added 509 stores to their already growing number of branded c-stores. Established in 1989, Krispy Krunchy Chicken (KKC) is one of the fastest growing c-store based quickservice restaurant (QSR) concepts in the country. Krispy Krunchy has a secret signature recipe developed by our founder, Neal Onebane. Along

chicken you have never heard of” via Thrillist. In 2018, KKC has some very exciting announcements that will further expand our brand nationally and within the foodservice industry.

Now, let’s take a more in-depth look at the HOTTEST chicken concept in America: The Krispy Krunchy Foods signature menu has a distinctive Cajun with Krispy Krunchy’s unique flavor flavor to it that is seasoned but not profile, the brand brings an excep- spicy. Their proprietary menu includes tional amount of expertise in the bone-in chicken, chicken tenders, c-store/ foodservice industry including chicken sandwich, buffalo wings, fish training and marketing that culminated and shrimp with a new selection of flainto approximately 2,300 retail loca- vorful sauces. All of Krispy’s signature tions in 46 U.S. states. We have also meals are served with Krispy’s famous added Malaysia and American Samoa honey butter biscuit and choice of to our growing locations. In 2017, side, included Red Beans and Rice, Krispy Krunchy sold a record-breaking Jambalaya, and Boudin Bites (Cajun 52 million pounds of their fresh, never rice balls). In 2016, they announced frozen, pre-marinated famous Krispy the addition of 2 new sides- Mashed Krunchy Chicken. Krispy Krunchy was P o t a t o e s & C a j u n G r a v y a n d recently named “America’s best fried Mac-N-Cheese.

About Krispy Krunchy Foods Krispy Krunchy Foods offers a premium c-store based quick-service restaurant (QSR) concept with approximately 2,300 retail locations in 46 states. In addition, we have locations in Malaysia and American Samoa. Established in 1989, Krispy Krunchy Chicken was developed out of the founder’s small convenience store chain and brings an exceptional amount of expertise in the c-store/ foodservice industry.

Krispy Krunchy features, of course, its Cajun-style chicken (bone-in, tenders and sandwich), which is always fresh, never frozen, pre marinated in Krispy Krunchy’s proprietary marination and fried in zero trans fat oil.

The menu also includes signature dishes of Original, Krispy and Cajun Sweet & Sour Wings; Krispy Shrimp and Fish; Red Beans and Rice; Jambalaya; Mashed Potatoes & Cajun Gravy; Mac-N-Cheese; Boudin Bites (Cajun rice balls) and Honey Butter Biscuits.

Your NEW Address for Chicken!

Krispy Krunchy Foods P: (318) 483-4343 E: info@krispykrunchy.com W: www.KrispyKrunchy.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Little Caesars

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hen you’re the fastestgrowing carryout pizza chain in America,* you’re obviously doing something right. Or, in the case of Little Caesars, you’re doing many things right. The company isn’t even thinking of resting on its laurels, however. Starting in June 2016, Little Caesars Express locations, which are smaller versions of regular stores with limited menus, began to open and operate, providing guests with excellent customer service and quality products, but in a grab- A Brand You Can Believe In and-go format.

Little Caesars Pizza has been named “Best Value in America”** for ten straight years, and the brand appeals to consumers on several levels. The brand equity built throughout the past six decades, along with the proven Little Caesars Pizza business model and ongoing franchisee support, are driving the company’s growth.

“As we implement our strategic plan focused on bringing in experienced restaurant operators to add new franchise units into previously untapped markets, we are looking to reach new customers in new ways,” said Ed Ader, director of franchise development for Little Caesars.

In addition to in-line shopping center and strip mall Express locations, the expansion plan also includes opportunities for franchise locations to open in non-traditional franchise venues—unique settings like convenience stores, college campuses and militarybases, just to name a few.

Little Caesars Pizza will work closely with its franchisees to develop Express locations with customized architectural and build-out plans. That design flexibility makes it an attractive fit for all kinds of venues.

Building on Franchisee Success Little Caesars provides qualified multi-unit franchisees with the tools they need to follow the brand’s proven system, including ongoing training, architectural services to help with design and construction, preferred lenders to assist with financing, research and development of new products, and continual marketing promotions.

For more information about Little Caesars franchise opportunities, visit www.Franchise.LittleCaesars.com or call 1-800-553-5776.

About Little Caesars Headquartered in Detroit, Mich., Little Caesars® is the fastest growing pizza chain in America*.

Founded in 1959 as a single, family-owned restaurant, Little Caesars has become the third largest pizza chain in the world** and today has stores in all 50 U.S. states, as well as 18 countries and territories.

* “Fastest growing carryout pizza chain in America” based on the net number of stores added 2008-2015 ** “Highest-Rated Chain—Value for the Money” based on a nationwide survey of quick-service restaurant consumers conducted by Sandelman & Associates, 2007-2015

Little Caesars P: (800) 553-5776 W: www.LittleCaesars.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Loomis U.S.

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ven with the availability of alternative forms of payment, convenience stores are still predominately cash-run businesses, with cash accounting for 60% of purchases. But having large amounts of cash on hand leaves businesses vulnerable to risks such as internal and external loss or theft.

Additionally, outdated and manual cash-handling processes are time-consuming and financially draining.

Fortunately, there’s SafePoint by Loomis—a complete cash management ecosystem that helps convenience stores streamline cash processes, increase security, and save money.

SafePoint combines cutting-edge smart safe technology, dedicated IT support, system monitoring, armored transport, and customer service to address every facet of cash management in one comprehensive solution.

The SafePoint Titan family of smart safes (the flagship Titan model, Titan C, and Titan X expansion peripherals) are the most advanced and secure on the market and are built to accommodate the needs of any size business.

Flexible system design and remote support capabilities help expedite cash handling, improve accuracy, and minimize downtime or the need for on-site support. Features include a user-friendly interface; built-in tutorials; individual user PINs for total traceability and auditability of safe activities; and keyless entry.

In addition to complete cash security, SafePoint customers have total access to their cash data with Loomis D i re c t . T h i s

online customer portal features equipment management capabilities and provides complete visibility of and near real-time access to account information, cash reporting, and tracking information for liabilities, from pickup to delivery.

SafePoint customers also benefit from comprehensive system monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, which help anticipate and solve issues before they happen. This is made possible with integration into SafeSync. This revolutionary platform is capable of supporting up to 100,000 safes with no downtime and 100% issue resolution, and gives Loomis’ dedicated SafePoint IT team a comprehensive, centralized view of the entire SafePoint system to ensure better service.

“Because of real-time connectivity, we can be proactive about service,” says McKay Barnes, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Loomis. “We can see that there is something wrong with a safe, and our technical support team can fix it, push out updates, or make changes to ensure the system works.”

Finally, when customers choose SafePoint, they gain access to Loomis’ industry expertise and cash management services portfolio, which includes secure armored transport, hundreds of provisional banking partnerships, and dedicated national customer support team.

“SafePoint is a technology-driven one-stop shop for our customers, and we strive to provide service that’s second to none,” says Moises Gonzalez, vice president of product development for SafePoint by Loomis. “It’s about becoming a partner for our customers and letting them know that we will always go above and beyond.”

About Loomis U.S. Loomis is the industry’s leading provider of cash management and cash optimization systems.

Using cutting-edge technology and unmatched service and expertise, we offer convenience stores and other retail businesses the most comprehensive suite of solutions available.

Our approach streamlines and automates cash handling at every step of the process, and our products and services are specially designed to cut costs, improve efficiency, boost profitability, and ensure that customers and their cash are always protected.

Loomis U.S. 2500 Citywest Blvd. #2300 Houston, TX 77042 P: (713) 435-6700, option 2 W: www.loomis.us

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2018

SAVE THE DATE

Line up for NAG 2018 at the beautiful Ponte Vedra Inn & Club September 9th thru 12th II Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Committed to building relationships and profits!

The National Advisory Group (NAG) is an association of small to mid-size and familyowned chains and the executives that run them.

This group convenes at an annual conference to exchange ideas with the motivation to improve their business performance and ultimately their bottom line. The setting of this conference encourages an extremely educational, yet highly social environment. The schedule consists of top notch speakers, retail information exchanges, opportunities to address burning issues within your business, a chance to get to know your peers in similar size operations and much more!

2018_NAG_STD_HouseAd.indd 1

For more information: RETAILERS should contact John Lofstock at 201.837.2177 jlofstock@csdecisions.com SUPPLIERS should contact John Petersen at 440.250.1583 info@nagconvenience.com

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Leaders in Convenience

McLane Company, Inc.

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cLane is your Supply Chain Advantage in Action. As an industry leader, McLane has invested heavily in its endto-end grocery supply chain services.

Our one-of-a-kind solution combines unparalleled procurement resources and relationships, state-of-the-art logistics, data and analytics based merchandising services and cost-saving technology applications that empower our customers to buy better, sell smarter and profit more.

Nationwide buying power To effectively service nearly 110,000 retail locations, we work closely with thousands of manufacturers to offer the widest range of products to our customers. In fact, we are one of the largest worldwide purchasers of products in such key retail categories as tobacco, candy and salty snacks. This kind of buying power means that we can assist you in getting the best manufacturer buying brackets possible.

Category management professionals & proven process With our highly experienced category management professionals, we’re ready to help you in all merchandising and sales areas from inventory and pricing management to category analysis and product promotion. Whether it’s tapping into the latest trends or leveraging lucrative new opportunities, we can provide the valuable insights and tools your business needs to optimize your product mix.

In-depth data, market insights A key advantage of working with McLane is the depth of our information resources and market insights. Our merchandising strategies are all based on proven results, not marketing budgets. With one of the industry’s most robust data warehouses, we are able to use an aggregated class of trade-specific data and compare and contrast these findings with multiple syndicated data sources. With this powerful analytic approach, you can compare your sales and product movement with that of other trends on a national, regional and local level, as well as by individual stores and specific items to determine your best-mix product scenarios and identify key selling opportunities.

Technology solutions Technology solutions are designed to help you buy better, sell smarter and profit more. As a grocery retailer, dealing with thousands of SKUs, dozens of technology applications and various front- and back-office accounting systems can be a never-ending challenge. Fortunately, our dedicated team of IT professionals is ready to help. Not only do we provide a broad range of custom applications, but we also help ensure that they work with the enterprise applications—such as SAP, PDI, Radiant and many others.

About McLane Company Inc. McLane Company, Inc. is one of

the largest supply chain services leaders, providing grocery and foodservice supply chain solutions for convenience stores, mass merchants, drug stores and chain restaurants throughout the United States. McLane, through McLane Grocery and McLane Foodservice operates 80 distribution centers across the U.S. and one of the nation’s largest private fleets.

The company buys, sells and delivers more than 50,000 different consumer products to nearly 110,000 locations across the U.S. In addition, McLane provides alcoholic beverage distribution through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Empire Distributors, Inc. McLane is a wholly-owned unit of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK) and employs more than 20,000 teammates.

McLane Company, Inc. 4747 McLane Pkwy Temple, TX 76504-4854 P: (254) 771-7500 (800) 299-1401 W: www.mclaneco.com

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Leaders in Convenience

NicoGen Pharma Solutions

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ogue: Nicotine On Demand.

With traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vape now all under siege, what is a retailer to do? Enter Rogue — the first and only tobacco leaf-free nicotine line of gum, lozenges and tablets specifically developed for tobacco consumers with a focus on enjoyment. Don’t confuse Rogue with smoking cessation gums and lozenges. That’s not who they are. Rogue is about nicotine satisfaction and living by your own rules.

Have a two-hour meeting? No problem. Catching a flight? No problem.

Grabbing a drink at the bar? No problem. Rogue gives smokers and vapers something no other nicotine has before — the freedom to enjoy pure nicotine when and where they want.

Made by NicoGen Pharma Solutions, Rogue is expanding throughout the U.S. by teaming up with select retail partners who appreciate the need for a nicotine product that complements their existing tobacco set, while simultaneously generating superior margins.

All Rogue products are tobacco leaffree, made only from pure nicotine extracted from tobacco and foodgrade ingredients. Rogue is available in 2 mg and 4 mg gum, lozenges and quick-dissolving tablets in a variety of bold, interesting flavors.

Convenient Store Decisions recently spoke with Darren Quinn, President of

NicoGen Pharma Solutions. “We look forward to expanding Rogue’s retail footprint while providing both smokers and vapers with an entirely new nicotine option, one that’s free from tobacco leaf and all the restrictions tobacco consumers have become accustomed to. The reality is NRTs are often used by tobacco consumers to avoid smoking restrictions. Rogue breaks through the misconception that nicotine gum and lozenges are available only as quitting aids. Tobacco consumers now have access to alternative nicotine products that meet their specific lifestyle choices, and Rogue is proud to lead the way.”

The Rogue Product Line Rogue utilizes nicotine sourced from the finest tobacco around the world and is manufactured in the U.S.A. in FDA-registered facilities. All products are free from tar, tobacco leaf and any known carcinogens.

Rogue Tablets (2mg and 4mg) Available in Peppermint, Wintergreen and Berry.

NicoGen Pharma Solutions, LLC, focuses on responsibly developing, manufacturing and marketing alternative nicotine products intended for adult smokers, vapers and dippers. NicoGen believes that consumers with a preference for nicotine, delivered through traditional products such as cigarettes and moist snuff, should have access to affordable products, all of which are free from tobacco leaf, tar and known carcinogens.

Our nicotine is sourced from the finest tobacco around the world and then manufactured in the U.S.A. in our state-of-theart, FDA-registered facilities.

NicoGen Pharma Solutions

Rogue Lozenges (2mg and 4mg) Available in Peppermint, Wintergreen and Citrus.

Rogue Gum (2mg and 4mg) Available in Peppermint, Wintergreen and Fruit Flavor.

About NicoGen: Makers of Rogue nicotine

For sales: E: info@nicogenpharma.com P: (305) 779-4120 W: www.nicogenpharma.com www.roguenicotine.com

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Leaders in Convenience

PDI

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nterprise Software Reimagined. PDI, the leader in enterprise management software for the convenience retail, petroleum wholesale and logistics markets, delivers software solutions to connect to intelligent business. Our people-first approach, combined with our 35-year heritage and best-in-class technology, help you thrive in today’s digital economy.

We’re passionate about your success and delivering exceptional customer experiences. It’s time to reimagine enterprise management and transform your business.

P e t ro l e u m m a r k e t e r s , j o b b e r s , commercial and industrial distributors, and bulk lubricant suppliers all have a common goal: drive costs down and produce bottom line growth. We can help you get there. Backed by decades of industry experience and expertise, our petroleum wholesale solutions help you effectively manage and maximize profits for your business by ensuring efficiency, transparency and accuracy at every step in the supply chain.

Convenience Retail – Increasing Customer Loyalty and Revenue

In an industry of shrinking margins, changing regulations and competition for resources, you can still win. Our comprehensive logistics management solution helps carriers in more than 38 countries safely and profitably deliver over 360 million liters of fuel and petroleum products to their destinations every day. Maximize productivity and profits, while increasing visibility and control from the rack to the pump.

Whether you’re a single site or multi-site operator, one thing is certain: your convenience retail business is complex. In the daily battle for customer loyalty and razor thin margins, you must use every tool you have to gain a competitive advantage. From the home office to the back office, our retail management solutions introduce time-saving automation that improves productivity, optimizes inventory and helps you deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Petroleum Wholesale – Turning Your Freight into Profit The petroleum wholesale industry is constantly changing. It’s something that makes this industry both exciting and challenging.

Logistics – Increasing Driver Productivity and Profits

About PDI PDI helps convenience retailers and petroleum wholesale marketers worldwide thrive in a digital economy with enterprise management software.

Over 1,200 customers operating more than 100,000 locations trust PDI to optimize their operations, whether they are a single-site, multi-site, dealer or franchise operator. PDI’s enterprise software, wholesale and logistics management software solutions and retail back office systems have been designed around the evolving needs of customers for 35 years. We reimagine enterprise management to help our customers transform their business and deliver exceptional experiences.

The PDI Difference When you choose PDI, you get more than software. We go beyond business and tirelessly dedicate ourselves to your success. Our reputation for first-rate customer service and long-lasting relationships reaffirm one thing: we’re a people-first company.

Yes, we build great software, but we also deliver exceptional service like you’ve never seen. That’s the PDI difference.

PDI 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Building 200 Temple, TX 76504 P: (254) 410-7600 E: info@pdisoftware.com W: www.pdisoftware.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Pierce Chicken

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our Full Service, Full Line, Value-Added Chicken Partner.

Pierce Chicken offers a full-line product portfolio to meet all of your customers’ chicken cravings.

From our best-selling Super Chik’n™ (fully-cooked, breaded 8pc chicken … easy and delicious straight out of the oven) to our tasty chicken tenders, shareable popcorn chicken and even Gourmet Chicken Salad, Pierce Chicken has you covered.

About Pierce Chicken

Pierce Chicken is the industry leader in chicken wings and breakfast sausage flavor customers the demand for them continues to demand. This chicken sausage patsurge. 45% of the U.S. population is tie comes fully cooked and heats in ordering chicken wings served at res- seconds. It makes serving a delicious taurants and servings are on the rise breakfast sandwich quick and easy.

(1). Whether bone-in or boneless, Just add a buttered biscuit, egg and our Original and Industry Leading cheese and you’re in business. You Wing-Dings™ and Wing-Zings™ have can also crumble it or dice it for other satisfied consumer demand all across healthy and flavorful applications. the country for more than 50 years.

NEW True Portions™ provide the Pierce Chicken is also committed to helping you grow your chicken consistency of portion and cost conbusiness with targeted trend data, trol that helps you sleep at night while demographic data, gap analysis, mer- giving your consumers a quality prodchandising support and promotional uct that they’ll come back for time and ideas. Your success is our success. time again. Choose from breast fillets, chicken tenders, slider fillets or boneNEW Pierce Chicken Sausage less wings to give your customers the Patties provide a healthier alterna- variety they’re looking for.

1 tive to pork sausage that delivers the NPD Group, The Chicken Wing Dilemma report

Since the 1950s, Pierce Chicken has been driven by its passion to offer absolutely the besttasting, highest-quality chicken available in foodservice.

Customers—then and now— know Pierce Chicken for its superior flavor and product consistency. But the Company isn’t resting on its laurels; innovation is in its blood. Pierce Chicken is always working to be first to market with the next great taste in chicken. Pierce Chicken wants to earn your business with great chicken, great value and a great fit for your menu. If you’re ready for a roll-up-the-sleeves partner that’s as essential to your business as chicken is to your menu, Pierce Chicken welcomes your call.

Pierce Chicken Contact: Jonathan Harnish 1770 Promontory Circle Greeley, CO 80634 P: (412) 398-5125 E: poultryinfo@pilgrims.com W: www.poultry.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Sunny Sky Products

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or over 16 years, companies have relied on Sunny Sky Products to meet their dispensed beverage needs. Our commitment and dedication to provide innovative products, expert technical assistance, and professional service has resulted in a long list of repeat customers and valued business partners.

Sunny Sky Products answers the call for a “one-stop shop” approach to developing and sourcing premium dispensed beverages and beverage enhancers at an unbeatable value.

Product Portfolio: • Craft Beverage Fountain Drinks • Fountain Energy Drinks • Fountain Flavor & Nutraceutical Shots • Frozen Beverages (FCB & FUB) • Teas and Tea Sweeteners • Lemonades and Juice Drinks • Aguas Frescas • Gourmet Coffee and Tea Syrups and Toppers • Cappuccinos • Premium Smoothies and Cocktail Purees Whether you need liquid or powder beverage solutions, Sunny Sky Products is your total dispensed beverage solution.

Brands You Know & Love Sunny Sky Products is a proud partner of brands like Jolly Rancher Slush, Hershey Freeze, & Faygo but also has an extensive line of our own family brands such as Pure® Craft Beverages, El Nino Aguas Frescas ® , The Original Slushie Co ® and our newest brand UPOURIA ™ a comprehensive line of coffee

About Sunny Sky Products and tea products. Between our extensive brand portfolio and state of the art facilities, Sunny Sky Products truly is your one stop shop for dispensed beverages.

Innovation at its Best Our research and development team has a passion for excellence and is renowned for their focus on increasing our customers’ sales. Our success is measured by our customers’ success. Whether we are creating the next hot new beverage for one of our brands or helping you elevate your inhouse beverage program, our highly qualified team of beverage scientists monitor consumer and flavor trends to ensure we are developing the most innovative and on-trend products. If you don’t see a product you are looking for, contact us. Our only limit to what we can develop is your imagination and ours!

Sunny Sky Products manufactures and markets dispensed beverages to a variety of distributors and customers including convenience, food service, on-premise, healthcare, education, concessions, and supermarkets both domestically and internationally. We pride ourselves on our commitment and dedication to creating, manufacturing and delivering top quality products and customer service for our valued customers all around the world.

Hershey’s Freeze and Jolly Rancher Slush trademark and trade dress are used under license

Sunny Sky Products 11747 Windfern Rd. Suite 100 Houston, TX 77064 Toll Free: (877) 235-6466 E: info@sunnyskyproducts.com W: www.sunnyskyproducts.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Swisher International

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wisher International, a leader in the tobacco products industry, has a dedicated focus on innovation, analytics, space planning and the execution of winning strategies concentrated on the success of the entire Other Tobacco Products (OTP) category.

Swisher’s objective is to be the partner that provides customers with the best possible product and sales experience, while also providing the needed expertise to navigate the ever-changing regulatory environment and market dynamics.

Swisher provides partners with revenue-generating products and promotions in all of their OTP lines, with the goal to grow, not only Swisher sales, but the full OTP category in every store.

“Swisher has continued to evolve year over year to become a partner that is focused on total category growth,” said Ruth Ann Lilly, senior category manager for tobacco at GPM investments. “They provide excellent insight into the market trends that quickly help identify potential distribution gaps.”

Account managers at Swisher are highly trained and certified to develop proven category recommendations that are actionable for their customers. Swisher has incorporated both a detailed and high-level approach to assist retailers in analyzing adult consumer preferences and purchase patterns, and tailored analytics for each retail partner.

About Swisher International

“Swisher International, Inc. is the first tobacco company to provide certification for their key account teams,” said Blaine Ross, EVP of global sales and marketing for the Category Management Association’s certification board. “Swisher’s investment in certification is a commitment to excellence and demonstrates their leadership position within the convenience store channel, and their ability to better understand consumer needs.”

In 2017, Swisher expanded their account team to provide more focus and time to each customer. Swisher believes one of the key ways to grow and develop the OTP category is to invest in and support best in class category management practices.

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Swisher International has manufactured quality tobacco products since 1861 and continues to be a leader in the tobacco industry.

The company ships over two billion cigars a year to more than 70 countries, including Swisher Sweets, Drew Estate, ACID, Optimo, Kayak and King Edward. Swisher International is a leader in the tobacco business, accounting for onethird of the nation’s cigar sales.

Swisher International, Inc. 459 E 16th St, Jacksonville, FL 32206 P: (800) 874-9720 W: www.swishersweets.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Texas Pete

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lip-Top Lids Make Texas Pete ® Sauces Easier Than Ever to Use As a leading brand in hot sauce, Texas Pete® recently made it a priority to update our bottle designs, ensuring that they are as easy as possible for operators to use and for customers to enjoy. In addition to giving our products a more consistent look, the new designs feature flip-top • Texas Pete ® Sautéed Garlic caps on our Flavor Hot Sauce: A hint of gar6 o z . , 1 2 lic in our hot sauce intensifies dishes oz., and 24 with an ethnic flair, like Italian, Greek, oz. bottles. Mediterranean, or Asian. Available in These caps 6 oz. bottles. are easy to • CHA! by Texas Pete ® Sriracha remove for Sauce: A fiery blend of heat and sweet. pouring and Available in 18 oz. and 28 oz. squeeze replace for bottles, 7-gram packets, and half-galdashing. lon jugs.

Additional features of the rede• Texas Pete ® Buffalo Style signed bottles include: Chicken Wing Sauces: A staple with • All bottles have a bigger opening, many of the world’s most renowned 28mm, for easier pouring (except for “Wing Specialists.” Available in mild, our 3 oz. bottles, which have an 18mm hot, and restaurant-blend varieties in opening). one-gallon jugs.

• The iconic Texas Pete® cowboy is • Texas Pete® Fiery Sweet Sauce: embossed on two sides of the bottle neck. Amplifies the flavor of ribs, pork, • The Four Garner logo featuring chicken, and beef, and is great in “since 1929” is embossed on the bot- glazes and marinades, as well as maytom of each bottle. onnaise, ketchup and mustard blends.

• Measurements are in fluid ounces Mildly spicy with a sweet hint of honey instead of weighted ounces for consis- and molasses, Texas Pete® Fiery tency with the trade.

Sweet Sauce is available in 1-gallon plastic jugs.

• Texas Pete® Low Sodium Salsa: Our tried-and-true formula Chunky, ripe tomatoes, onions, pasilla comes in several flavors: • Texas Pete® Hot Sauce: A secret peppers, jalapeños, cilantro, apple blend of specially selected peppers, cider vinegar, parsley, garlic, sea salt, fermented to perfection. The result is and other proprietary ingredients. a bold, spicy flavor with less sodium Available in one-gallon jugs.

• ¡Sabor! by Texas Pete® Mexicanthan competitors. ® • Texas Pete Hotter Hot Sauce: Style Hot Sauce: A spicy, garlicky Turn up the spice with the same great base is enhanced with just the right flavor of our original hot sauce, but amount of seasoning for a Mexicanwith three times the heat. Available in style hot sauce with the perfect flavor for any kitchen.

6 oz. bottles.

About Garner Foods Garner Foods, a family-owned business, is the manufacturer of Texas Pete®. Business Week recently named Texas Pete® Hot Sauce one of America’s Top 25 selling condiments.

Other products include chicken wing sauce, honey mustard, green pepper sauce and seafood sauce. Garner Foods also manufactures Green Mountain Gringo® Salsa, named best overall by Epicurious.com in 2010, and Tortilla Strips.

Garner Foods 614 W. 4th Street Winston Salem, NC 27101 P: 336-661-1550 W: www.texaspetefoodservice.com

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Leaders in Convenience

Tyson Convenience

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yson Convenience is dedicated to innovating for the benefit of retailers of all sizes by providing a broad and continually expanding portfolio of products and leading brands as well as unparalleled support.

We recognize finding new opportunities for retailers requires understanding what is at the center of consumers’ needs. We provide product solutions, consumer insights and in-store equipment and merchandising support to help retailers meet their specific needs and grow in today’s changing convenience channel.

Tyson Convenience brands are leaders in their respective categories, helping motivate the purchase of chicken, sausages, burgers, handhelds and snacks, which spurs continued innovation to meet the needs of core consumers that includes the following new and expanded product lines:

Ty s o n ® Single-Serve C h i c k e n Nuggets feature special microwaveable packages, which help crisp the product for fast, easy heating in-store or at home.

Tyson® Red Label™ Chicken with No Antibiotics Ever offers retailers a better combination of quality and performance, and the most popular chicken forms and flavor profiles in tiered options, enabling retailers to manage food costs and menu quality better than ever, while meeting consumers’ rising desire for foods freefrom antibiotics and other additives.

Hillshire ® Snacking Small Plates offer unique flavor pairings with premium meats and natural cheeses in a portable, easy-to-eat form. Bold flavors include Wine-Infused Salame with White Cheddar Cheese and Genoa Salame with White Cheddar, and each variety offers 15 grams of protein or more per serving.

Hillshire Farm ® Sausage Rolls provide consumers with their favorite sausages wrapped in a variety o f f l a v o r f u l b rea d s , includ ing : CheddarWurst ® Smoked Sausage Wrapped in a Bagel, Hot & Spicy Italian Style Smoked Sausage with Pepperjack Cheese Wrapped in Italian Bread, and Polish Smoked Sausage Wrapped in Cheese Bread.

Fresh-Cut ® Sandwiches include the finest ingredients, like homestyle breads, natural cheeses and premium meats, and are protected in FlavorGuard™ clear packaging with a recessed rigid lid, creating a secure seal ensuring fresh taste, up to 24 days.

About Tyson Convenience Tyson Convenience is a division of Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE TSN). Tyson Convenience has the expertise, insights and production capabilities giving convenience store retailers more quality, more price points and more menu options — all from one trusted place. Its product portfolio covers all dayparts, menu parts and price points across brands: Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, BIG AZ®, Fresh-Cut®, Hot ‘n’ Ready®, State Fair® Mexican Original®, Bosco Sticks®, BONICI®, Chef Pierre®, and Sara Lee®.

Visit www.TysonConvenience. com for information.

Tyson Convenience W: www.TysonConvenience.com For more information, please visit us at tysonconvenience.com.

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Leaders in Convenience

White Castle

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HITE CASTLE SLIDERS. Three simple words that conjure a singular aroma and flavor that’s been passionately celebrated—and craved— for the last 96 years. Steam-grilled on a bed of caramelized onions, White Castle’s 100% USDA-inspected beef hamburgers are cradled in the original bun. This process—used in both their restaurants and frozen sandwich facilities—has garnered White Castle its reputation of the most iconic burger of all time.

A true king of convenience, White Castle Food Products, LLC offers a variety of sandwiches, all cooked to perfection and ready to be microwaved and enjoyed in mere seconds.

Har nessing the flavor-trapping combination of steam-grilling and flash-freezing, every bun is packed with that famous White Castle restaurant taste. Once the sandwiches are reheated, this absorbed steam is

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released, yielding soft, mouthwatering buns that taste as though they were just ordered at a White Castle restaurant.

The Crave is a phenomenon that knows no limits: White Castle frozen sliders are available from coast to coast in grocery stores, club stores, convenience stores, sports arenas, movie theaters, drug stores, and vending machines. It’s a legendary brand that your customers know and trust! White Castle is committed to producing the finest products and constantly working to exceed both your and your customers’ expectations.

About White Castle White Castle is a family-owned business based in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1921, they’re America’s first fast-food burger chain and also considered the most iconic. White Castle owns and operates approximately 400 restaurants in 11 states.

Their hamburger and cheeseburger sliders are made with 100% beef, and their chicken sliders are made with 100% white-meat chicken.

They’ve been bringing these legendary sandwiches right to customers since 1986.

White Castle 555 West Goodale St. Columbus, OH 43215 P: (614) 559-2473 W: www.whitecastle.com

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