Core Insights - Kwik Trip is the first major convenience store company to implement a public policy regarding the use of pennies in transactions [3][4] - The Federal Reserve plans to cease penny production early next year, leading to a scarcity of pennies in circulation [3][4] - Kwik Trip's new policy involves rounding cash transactions down to the nearest 5 cents, while card transactions will charge the exact amount [6] Company Policy - The policy is designed to simplify transactions for customers and will remain in effect until a permanent legislative solution is established [4][6] - CEO Scott Zietlow emphasized the company's commitment to making transactions simple and fair, acknowledging potential confusion for customers [4] Industry Context - The announcement coincides with other strategic changes at Kwik Trip, including expansion into North Dakota, the rollout of an electric vehicle charging program, and a store remodeling project [4]

Core Insights - The article highlights how Casey's, a Midwestern convenience store chain, effectively utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its operations and drive growth, demonstrating that AI's impact extends beyond high-tech firms to everyday businesses [2][4][19] Financial Performance - Casey's reported a 19% year-over-year increase in earnings per share (EPS), reaching $5.77, with net income climbing to $215 million and EBITDA at $414 million, both up around 20% [5] - Same-store sales grew by 4.3%, driven by a 5.6% increase in prepared foods and beverages, while fuel volumes increased by 1.7% despite a regional market decline of approximately 3% [5] - Free cash flow reached $262 million, significantly higher than the previous year's $181 million, with a strong balance sheet showing $1.4 billion in liquidity and a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 1.8 times [6] AI Integration - Management did not explicitly mention "artificial intelligence" during the earnings call, but referenced efficiencies in labor hours, promotional targeting, and fuel pricing, indicating AI's role in these improvements [8] - AI-driven logistics and forecasting enhance food preparation, allowing for timely pizza delivery and reduced ingredient waste [10] - The rewards program, with nearly 9.5 million members, enables personalized promotions through machine learning models that analyze customer behavior [11] - Labor optimization through AI scheduling tools has led to a decline in same-store labor hours, even as customer traffic increased [12] - Dynamic pricing models for fuel help maintain competitive margins, contributing to customer loyalty [13] Business Model - Casey's operates as a hybrid business, combining elements of fuel retail, grocery, and quick-service restaurant (QSR), which allows it to adapt and thrive in various market conditions [14][18] - The company is positioning itself as a QSR competitor, with same-store growth in prepared foods that rivals major chains like Domino's and Pizza Hut [16][17] Broader Implications of AI - The case of Casey's illustrates the broader economic impact of AI, showing that significant advancements can occur in traditional industries through data-driven decision-making [19][20] - The article emphasizes that the next wave of AI value creation will emerge in unexpected places, often within companies that are not typically associated with technology [24]

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: Weigel’s is developing a retail media network, a company spokesperson confirmed to C-Store Dive. The Tennessee-based retailer will have advertising inventory across all media it owns, including its app and website as well as audio, video, streaming and social media, the spokesperson said. Weigel’s joins industry heavyweights like 7-Eleven, Wawa and ...

Group 1 - Kayrouz Petroleum is launching a new brand, KP Market, to enhance brand identity and reduce confusion between company-owned and dealer-operated sites [3][7] - The new branding will feature a lowercase "kp" and a green and white color scheme, with a website and loyalty program expected to launch soon [3][4] - The rebranding initiative follows the appointment of a chief retail officer and aims to expand company-operated convenience stores while allowing dealers more flexibility [5][7] Group 2 - The KP Market brand will include three types of stores: KP Market, KP Market and Liquors, and KP Travel Center and Truck Stop [7] - All company-operated stores and new builds or acquisitions will adopt the new branding, while existing dealer sites will retain their legacy branding [7] - The rebranding process has already begun and is expected to continue throughout the next year [7]

Core Insights - Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. (FMX) is recognized as a strong defensive stock amid economic challenges, primarily due to its strategic expansion and market adaptation [1][2] Group 1: U.S. Expansion - FMX is accelerating its retail presence in the U.S. with the acquisition of 249 Delek convenience stores for $385 million, which will be rebranded as Oxxo locations [2] - By September 2025, approximately 40 stores in West Texas will be converted, featuring expanded product lines including Andatti coffee [2] - This initiative aims for incremental sales growth and modernization of offerings to enhance competitiveness in the Southwest U.S. [2] Group 2: Domestic Operations - In Mexico, FMX has closed 432 underperforming pharmacy stores to enhance profitability and operational efficiency amid a challenging consumer environment [3] - Despite mixed domestic results, overall revenues increased by 6.3% last quarter, largely driven by international expansion [3] - The company continues to optimize product assortments, pricing, and overheads to strengthen its core markets ahead of year-end [3] Group 3: Leadership and Analyst Sentiment - On September 17, 2025, FMX appointed José Antonio Fernandez Garza-Laguera as the new CEO to lead its cross-border strategy [4] - Analyst sentiment has improved following positive performance of U.S. stores and ongoing international growth [4]

Core Insights - Casey's General Stores has launched its retail media network, Casey's Access, in early 2023, capitalizing on the emerging advertising channel in the convenience store industry [2] - The partnership with GSTV aims to enhance Casey's Access by providing branded video content at fuel dispensers across 2,900 locations, significantly expanding its advertising capabilities [6] Group 1: Retail Media Network Development - Casey's Access has collected over six billion data points from shopper interactions since its inception [2] - The network features various advertising formats, including display ads, sponsored products, app takeovers, and AI-enabled audio [2] - The partnership with GSTV will add branded video content to Casey's Access, enhancing customer experience and influencing purchase decisions [3][4] Group 2: Partnership with GSTV - GSTV's network includes major convenience and fuel retailers, reaching over 115 million adults monthly across approximately 29,000 locations in the U.S. [4] - The collaboration will increase Casey's digital screen count to over 30,000 across its stores once fully rolled out [6] - The addition of Casey's to GSTV's national network is expected to benefit brand advertisers looking to expand their reach in the convenience channel [5]

Core Insights - Englefield, parent company of Duchess Convenience Stores, has appointed F.W. "Will" Englefield V and Ashley Englefield DeWitt as presidents of Englefield Energy and Englefield Retail respectively, marking a leadership transition to the third generation of the Englefield family [1][2][3] Leadership Transition - The new executives represent the third generation of the Englefield family in leadership roles, with their fathers, F.W. (Bill) Englefield IV and Ben Englefield, still leading the broader company [2] - Bill and Ben Englefield expressed excitement about the new leadership roles, emphasizing the company's 60-year legacy and the importance of transitioning leadership to the next generation [3] Executive Roles and Responsibilities - Ashley Englefield DeWitt will oversee the Duchess convenience store chain, which operates in Ohio and West Virginia, along with other entities such as Royal Craft Kitchen and Taco Bell franchises [3][4] - DeWitt has over 17 years of experience with Englefield, having progressed from division manager to her current role, and expressed honor in leading the Duchess division [4] - Will Englefield will manage the company's fuel, propane, and lubricants divisions, which include five warehouses and approximately 100 trucks [4]

Core Insights - Convenience retailers prioritize growth through acquisitions, as it allows for rapid brand establishment in new areas and immediate new-store growth [1] Industry Overview - Major retailers like 7-Eleven, Alimentation Couche-Tard, and Casey's General Stores are well-known for their acquisition strategies, but smaller regional players are also actively pursuing acquisitions [2] Company Case Study: K&G Petroleum - K&G Petroleum operates approximately 70 convenience stores in Colorado and Nevada and has made four acquisitions since 2021, targeting packages of 5 to 25 stores [3][4] - The company aims for acquisitions that allow better integration and strategic definition, as stated by its CFO [5] Acquisition Process - K&G Petroleum conducts thorough due diligence when considering new acquisitions, evaluating geography, competitive landscape, and regulatory factors [6] - The team assesses current store volumes and potential performance within their network [6] - Observational tactics include monitoring customer traffic and store conditions, such as lighting and product setups, to gauge potential success [7]

Core Viewpoint - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has announced a private debt offering totaling US$1.2 billion in senior unsecured notes and Cdn.$500 million in Canadian dollar denominated senior unsecured notes, aimed at repaying existing indebtedness under its U.S. commercial paper program [1][6]. Debt Offering Details - The US$ Notes consist of two tranches: US$700 million at 4.148% due in 2028 and US$500 million at 5.077% due in 2035 [8]. - The Cdn.$ Notes amount to Cdn.$500 million at 3.864% due in 2032 [8]. - The closing of the US$ Notes is expected around September 29, 2025, while the Cdn.$ Notes are expected to close on or about September 26, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions [1]. Security and Guarantees - The Notes will be direct unsecured obligations of Couche-Tard and will rank equally with all other current and future senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness [2]. - Certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of Couche-Tard will guarantee the Notes on a senior unsecured basis [2]. Regulatory Compliance - The US$ Notes will be offered only to qualified institutional buyers in the U.S. and to non-U.S. persons outside the U.S. under specific exemptions from registration [3]. - The Cdn.$ Notes will be offered in Canada on an exempt basis from the prospectus requirements of Canadian securities laws [4].

Group 1 - Global Partners has filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) for allegedly violating the Massachusetts Public Records Law regarding a $750 million deal with Applegreen [3][4] - The lawsuit claims that state official Scott Bosworth had improper communications and undisclosed personal relationships with Applegreen's bid team, which may have influenced MassDOT's decision [4][5] - Global Partners is seeking a court order to prevent MassDOT from finalizing its deal with Applegreen, arguing that the agreement is compromised by illicit communications and conflicts of interest [5] Group 2 - Applegreen's deal with MassDOT involves the redevelopment and operation of 18 state highway service plazas, which would enhance Applegreen's presence in the U.S. market over the next 35 years [5]