This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Monfort Companies, a Denver-based investment management firm that got into convenience retailing in 2013, has sold the last of its c-stores and its petroleum marketing business, according to an announcement from advisory firm Matrix Capital Markets, which coordinated the divestitures. Monfort, which at its peak operated 80 c-stores, has quietly been di ...

This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Jesus Delgado-Jenkins, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for 7-Eleven, will step down from the convenience retailer by the end of this month, according to an internal memo seen by C-Store Dive. Delgado-Jenkins, who is retiring, will remain with the company through late February to support “a smooth transition for the next generat ...

The company behind 7-Eleven is betting Australia can be a proving ground for global growth, seeking to recreate the Japan-style convenience-store model that made the brand a powerhouse at home https://t.co/WjGUN0aEIK ...

Core Insights - 90% of chain brands are trapped in a "homogenization red sea," relying on price wars for profitability, while only 10% can break through to thousands of stores by seizing "asymmetric opportunities" that are small yet create long-term barriers with low investment and high returns [2] - Successful examples of asymmetric opportunities include the supply chain of Mixue Ice City in lower-tier markets, the convenience ecosystem of 7-Eleven, and the digital platform of Luckin Coffee, which focus on finding overlooked value areas rather than direct competition [2] Asymmetric Opportunities Characteristics - The essence of asymmetric opportunities is to "attack the opponent's weaknesses using one's own strengths," characterized by low competition, high barriers, and high leverage [3] - Many founders fall into the trap of competing in symmetric fields like product taste and marketing, leading to a cycle of increasing investment and decreasing profits [3] Supply Chain as a Competitive Advantage - The core of chain operations is "supply chain competition," yet many founders overlook this opportunity [5] - Mixue Ice City focuses on supply chain reconstruction by building a central factory with over 90% self-sufficiency in core ingredients, achieving the lowest raw material costs in the industry [5] - The goal is to maintain supply chain costs 15%-20% lower than the industry average, thus becoming a price setter [5] User Trust as a Long-term Asset - With the decline of traffic dividends, "user trust" has become a scarce asymmetric opportunity [7] - Brands that focus on building trust, like Baiguoyuan with its fruit grading standards and return policies, achieve high repurchase rates and stable profitability [8] Organizational Empowerment - Many founders mistakenly believe that scaling relies solely on the number of stores, neglecting the importance of organizational empowerment [10] - 7-Eleven emphasizes an organizational empowerment system that includes a regional supervisor and a digital platform to support franchisees, ensuring high retention rates and effective training [11] Investment and Timeframe - Asymmetric opportunities require a solid single-store profitability model before scaling [13] - Companies should focus on one asymmetric opportunity at a time, such as supply chain or user trust, to avoid spreading resources too thin [14] - The returns from asymmetric opportunities typically manifest in 3-5 years, necessitating a long-term perspective [16] Conclusion - Transitioning from single-store to thousands of stores is not merely about increasing store count but about betting on asymmetric opportunities that create barriers difficult for competitors to overcome [19]

Core Insights - VenHub Global, Inc. is enhancing its technology innovation efforts in autonomous retail solutions with the appointment of Tarang Sethia as Executive Vice President of Product & Technology [1][2] Group 1: Management Changes - Tarang Sethia has been appointed to lead VenHub's product vision and technology platform, focusing on scalable systems to accelerate Smart Store growth and improve unit economics [2] - Sethia reports directly to the CEO, Shahan Ohanessian, and is expected to drive continuous innovation in the company's technology development [2][3] Group 2: Leadership Background - Sethia brings over 20 years of experience in product and technology leadership, having previously worked at bp and 7-Eleven, where he led significant retail technology transformations [3] - His expertise includes developing customer-centric digital products and scalable commercial solutions, which will be instrumental in VenHub's growth strategy [3][4] Group 3: Product and Technology Focus - VenHub's Smart Stores utilize robotics, automation, and mobile technology to provide a seamless, unattended shopping experience, operating 24/7 [4][5] - The stores are designed for secure operations and efficient transactions, catering to a wide range of consumer needs at any time of day [4]

Core Insights - VenHub Global, Inc. has appointed Tarang Sethia as Executive Vice President of Product & Technology to enhance its autonomous retail technology innovation efforts [2][3] - The company aims to scale its Smart Store business by developing customer-centric, scalable product and technology systems [2][3] Management Changes - Tarang Sethia will oversee VenHub's product vision and operating model, reporting directly to the CEO [2] - Sethia brings over 20 years of experience in product development and technology leadership from companies like bp and 7-Eleven [3] Technology and Innovation - VenHub's Smart Stores utilize robotics, automation, and mobile technology to provide a seamless, unattended shopping experience [4][5] - The stores operate 24/7, offering a wide range of products with secure and efficient transactions [4][5] Company Background - VenHub designs autonomous Smart Stores that function without on-site staff, integrating real-time inventory tracking and mobile-based checkout [5]

Company Leadership - CEC Entertainment has appointed Scott Drake as president and CEO, effective February 13, succeeding David McKillips who held the position since January 2020 [1] - Drake joined CEC in 2024 as CFO and has prior leadership experience at companies such as Farmer Brothers Coffee Co., GameStop, 7-Eleven, La Madeleine, and Coca-Cola [2] Financial Performance and Strategy - Under Drake's financial leadership, CEC has strengthened its balance sheet, refinanced its capital structure, and achieved growth through strategic initiatives, positioning the company favorably among competitors [3] - CEC has committed a $350 million investment for a systemwide remodel and brand refresh, which includes the launch of new concepts like Chuck E. Cheese Adventure World and Chuck's Arcade [3] Expansion Plans - CEC plans to accelerate domestic and international expansion, focusing on brand extensions and diversified revenue streams [4] - The company aims to open new Chuck E. Cheese Adventure World locations, expand Mega-Superhero Playgrounds, and introduce Chuck's Arcades in resort areas, including its first location in the United Kingdom [4] Operational Footprint - As of September 29, 2025, CEC and its franchisees operate a total of 657 venues, with 501 being company-operated across 44 states and Canada [5]

Core Insights - The search for a new CEO at 7-Eleven is critical as the company prepares for an IPO of its North American business in the second half of the year, necessitating strong leadership to drive growth and recovery after recent financial challenges [5][6]. Leadership Overview - Stan Reynolds, the current president of 7-Eleven since 2023, oversees multiple areas including finance, strategy, and the integration of Speedway, but lacks direct involvement in store-level experience [1][2]. - Doug Rosencrans, the COO and interim co-CEO, is focused on strategic plans to enhance growth and profitability for 7-Eleven's 13,000 convenience stores in the U.S. and Canada [3]. Potential Internal Candidates - Ken Wakabayashi, currently leading 7-Eleven's international operations, has extensive experience with the company and could be a strong internal candidate for the CEO position [9][10]. - Raghu Mahadevan, the EVP and chief digital and demand chain officer, has a significant role in overseeing digital operations and could enhance 7-Eleven's digital strategy and store upgrades [12][14]. External Candidates - Ena Williams, currently COO of Casey's General Stores, has a decade of experience at 7-Eleven and has held leadership roles in various capacities, making her a viable candidate [19]. - Greg Franks, associated with BP, has extensive experience in convenience retailing and previously worked at 7-Eleven, which could position him as a strong candidate for the CEO role [22]. - Donna Sanker, a former COO at BP and president at Parkland, is currently a free agent and has a robust background in retail, making her a potential candidate [24]. Board Considerations - Christine Edman, a board member of Seven & i, has retail executive experience and could be considered for the CEO role, although her recent appointment to the board raises some concerns [15][16][17].

Core Insights - Loyalty programs are becoming essential for convenience retailers to enhance customer attraction, but merely having a program is insufficient as competition increases [1] - Retailers should focus on amplifying their identity through loyalty programs to make them more engaging for customers [2] Group 1: Unique Approaches to Loyalty Programs - Retailers can derive unique ideas for loyalty programs from various sources, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and openness to new concepts [3] - Effective loyalty managers can find meaningful ways to connect with their customer base, even if the exact methods differ from other industries [4] - Innovative ideas for loyalty programs can sometimes be unconventional, suggesting that creativity is key [5] Group 2: Case Studies - Weigel's implemented a "Streaks" check-in challenge to encourage daily app engagement, rewarding users for consecutive check-ins [6] - Following the launch of Weigel's Arcade, which achieved over one million plays in three months, the company reported a 66% year-over-year increase in Gen Z engagement with the app [7] - The use of app technology in loyalty programs can enhance customer experience and support overall loyalty objectives [8] Group 3: Customization in Loyalty Programs - 7-Eleven has allowed loyalty members to choose between different perks each month, enabling faster accumulation of rewards points [9]

Investment Strategy - The primary financial goal is to generate sufficient passive income to cover basic living expenses, with a focus on investments that alleviate concerns about the impact of AI on income [1] - Investing in high-quality dividend stocks is the foundation of the investment strategy, with NNN REIT recently added to the portfolio to help achieve financial freedom through passive income [2] Company Overview - NNN REIT is a straightforward investment focused on single-tenant properties secured by long-term triple-net leases, primarily in retail and service sectors [4] - The properties owned by NNN REIT produce a reliable income stream with low volatility, as tenants cover operating expenses, taxes, and routine capital expenditures [5] Portfolio Diversification - NNN REIT maintains a well-diversified portfolio, owning nearly 3,700 properties across 50 states, leased to over 400 national and regional tenants in more than 35 lines of trade [6] - Major tenants include 7-Eleven (4.3% of rent), Mister Car Wash (3.9%), and Dave & Buster's (3.7%), with properties located in main street areas to ensure a strong market for replacement tenants [6] Dividend Performance - NNN REIT currently offers a dividend yield of over 5.5%, surpassing the REIT sector average of around 4.4% and the S&P 500's yield of approximately 1.1% [7] - The dividend payout ratio is around 70% of adjusted funds from operations (FFO), which is lower than many other net lease REITs, indicating a solid foundation for the high-yielding payout [8]