Core Insights - Joseph DePinto, CEO of 7-Eleven, will retire at the end of this year, marking a significant leadership change as the company prepares for an IPO in 2026 [4][3] - Stan Reynolds and Douglas Rosencrans will serve as co-CEOs until a permanent replacement is found, indicating a transitional phase for the company [4][6] - The new CEO will be responsible for overseeing the rollout of larger, food-focused convenience stores and enhancing technology and food offerings [5][6] Company Strategy - 7-Eleven is focusing on expanding its North American division by opening more food-centric convenience stores [4][5] - The company aims to redefine convenience and enhance customer experience across the North American market [6] - Seven & i's board is collaborating with a global executive search firm to identify DePinto's successor, emphasizing the importance of leadership in the company's transformation efforts [6][7] Leadership Transition - DePinto has led 7-Eleven for over two decades, significantly expanding the store network and driving digital and logistics transformation [7][9] - His departure comes after nearly 20 years on Seven & i's board, highlighting a long tenure of leadership and growth for the brand [7][9] - The company expresses gratitude for DePinto's contributions, indicating a positive legacy as it moves forward [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - ARKO Corp. has filed a registration statement for the proposed initial public offering of Class A common stock of its subsidiary, ARKO Petroleum Corp., as part of its strategic plan [1] Group 1: Company Overview - ARKO Corp. is a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest convenience store operators, fuel wholesalers, and cardlock operators in the United States [1] - The company operates in four reportable segments: retail, wholesale, fleet fueling, and GPM Petroleum [5] - The retail segment includes convenience stores selling merchandise and fuel products, while the wholesale segment supplies fuel to independent dealers [5] Group 2: IPO Details - The proposed IPO will be managed by UBS Investment Bank, Raymond James, and Stifel as lead book-running managers, with Mizuho and Capital One Securities as joint book-running managers [2] - The registration statement has been filed but is not yet effective, meaning securities cannot be sold or offers accepted until it becomes effective [3] - The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus, which will be available from the managing underwriters [4]

Group 1 - 4Court Media has launched a retail media network aimed at enhancing advertising opportunities for fuel dispensers, primarily operating on Wayne Ovation screens [6] - The network will provide multimedia content to customers at over 13,000 screens across more than 1,500 locations, connecting advertisers with a diverse range of retailers, including smaller independent operators [6] - The initiative allows retailers to generate incremental revenue and integrate their loyalty programs and seasonal campaigns into the retail media network alongside national advertisements [3][4] Group 2 - The retail media space has seen increased integration among convenience stores, with notable partnerships such as BP and Jacksons Food Stores joining Axonet, and Casey's General Stores collaborating with GSTV [4] - Kendra Keller from Dover Fueling Solutions emphasized that the combination of their solutions with a growing retail media network offers advertisers a powerful means to engage consumers and drive foot traffic to stores [4]

Group 1 - RaceTrac has implemented various strategies to support its growth, including supply chain enhancements, operational streamlining through technology, and leadership updates as it enters new markets [3][4] - The company recently opened its first store in North Carolina, marking its expansion into new territories [3] - RaceTrac has expanded its partnership with Core-Mark, which now supports both its franchised RaceWay stores and company-owned RaceTrac c-stores [7] Group 2 - The company made headlines for acquiring Potbelly, a sandwich chain, for $566 million, further diversifying its offerings [4] - RaceTrac operates over 800 RaceTrac and RaceWay c-stores, more than 1,300 Gulf-branded fueling locations, and 445 Potbelly quick-service restaurants [5] - A new 40,000-square-foot distribution center was opened in Louisiana to meet the growing demand for its products in the region [7]

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: Minuteman Food Mart has hired Thomas Becker as vice president of retail operations, merchandising and marketing, a company spokesperson confirmed to C-Store Dive. Becker most recently spent five years as director of U.S. proprietary brands for Circle K, a role he held until this past April, according to his LinkedIn bio, where he noted that he joined M ...

Core Insights - Consumer loyalty to convenience store brands is significant, with 81% of shoppers typically visiting the same brand and 86% visiting the same location each time [2] - Personalization and exclusive offers can enhance brand loyalty, with 72% of customers willing to pay more for their preferred brands and 70% considering loyalty programs important [3] Company Developments - Casey's General Stores, Inc. completed the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale, the parent company of CEFCO Convenience Stores, on November 1, 2024, adding 148 stores in Texas and 50 in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, increasing its total store count to approximately 2,900 [4][5] - This acquisition is the largest in Casey's history and aligns with the strategic plan presented at the June 2023 Investor Day [5] CEFCO Background - CEFCO was established in 1952, starting as a filling station in Cameron, Texas, and opened its first official convenience store in 1979 [5][6] - The company experienced rapid growth from 1994 to 2006, averaging over 20% annual growth [5] - CEFCO expanded through acquisitions, including the purchase of Deweese Enterprises Inc. in 2007, which operated 45 stores in Mississippi and Alabama [5]

Core Insights - The U.S. stock indices showed positive performance on December 11, 2025, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new closing records following a quarter-point interest rate cut by the U.S. central bank on December 10, leading investors to favor equities sensitive to rate cuts over tech stocks [1][2]. Investment Recommendations - Investors are advised to consider low-leverage stocks as safe-haven securities amid concerns over overvalued AI-centric tech stocks. Recommended companies include Casey's General Stores (CASY), Hamilton Insurance Group (HG), Northrip Bancorp (NRIM), REV Group (REVG), and Engie (ENGIY), which exhibit low leverage and stability during market volatility [2][10]. Understanding Leverage - Leverage involves borrowing capital for operational and business expansion, typically through debt financing. While debt can facilitate growth, excessive reliance on it poses risks, especially if returns do not exceed interest costs. Therefore, selecting companies with low debt is crucial for minimizing investment risks [4][5][6]. Debt-to-Equity Ratio Analysis - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing a company's financial risk, with lower ratios indicating better solvency. As the third-quarter 2025 earnings season concludes, investors should focus on stocks with solid earnings growth and low debt-to-equity ratios to ensure steady returns [7][9]. Stock Selection Criteria - A comprehensive screening process for selecting low-leverage stocks includes criteria such as: - Debt/Equity ratio lower than the industry median - Current price of at least $10 - Average 20-day trading volume of 50,000 or more - Positive earnings growth compared to the industry median - VGM Score of A or B, combined with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [11][12][13]. Company Performance Highlights - **Casey's General Stores (CASY)**: Reported a 3.3% increase in same-store sales and a 14% rise in earnings for Q2 fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 9.6% revenue increase and an 11.8% earnings improvement for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [14][15]. - **Hamilton Insurance Group (HG)**: Achieved a 16.5% increase in net premiums and improved operating earnings to $1.20 per share from $0.16 in Q3 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate forecasts a 20.9% revenue increase and an 8.5% earnings rise for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 [16][17]. - **Northrip Bancorp (NRIM)**: Completed a $60 million private placement to support growth initiatives. The Zacks Consensus Estimate anticipates a 29.6% revenue increase and a 51.5% earnings rise for 2025, with a Zacks Rank of 1 [18][19]. - **REV Group (REVG)**: Reported a 13% increase in net sales and a 62.7% rise in adjusted EPS for Q4 fiscal 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a 7.3% revenue increase and a 30.4% earnings rise for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [20][21]. - **Engie (ENGIY)**: Announced the financial closure of its first offshore wind farm in Poland, with a total planned capacity of up to 390 MW. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 31.8% earnings improvement for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 [22][23].

This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. 3 Big Numbers is a weekly column that looks at a few key details from around the c-store industry. Tariffs, lingering inflation concerns and overall economic and geopolitical uncertainty battered retailers this year. For instance, 79% of consumers in a recent survey by Upside said they’ve changed their shopping habits this year due to tariffs. And while c-stores ...

Core Insights - Murphy USA has launched new business fuel cards aimed at smaller or newer businesses, providing easier qualification and lower fees compared to traditional fleet cards [3][7]. Group 1: Product Offering - The new Murphy USA and QuickChek Business Fuel cards feature advanced reporting, instant fraud alerts, and real-time spending controls [7]. - Users of these cards will receive a 20-cent-per-gallon fuel discount for the first year [7]. Group 2: Market Positioning - The introduction of these fleet cards is part of a broader trend among convenience retailers to enhance payment options for professional drivers, with competitors like EG America and BP also expanding their offerings [5]. - The cards are designed to be more accessible for businesses that may struggle with traditional fleet card qualifications, thus potentially giving Murphy an edge in the competitive fuel market [3][4]. Group 3: Customer Incentives - QuickChek card holders can earn 1,000 points and a 10% discount on select in-store merchandise by enrolling in QuickChek Rewards [4]. - Existing fleet card users can reapply to benefit from the new offerings, indicating a strategy to retain and attract customers [4].

Core Viewpoint - Casey's General Stores, Inc. is a significant player in the convenience store industry, with a strong market presence and growth potential despite its premium valuation [1][3][5]. Company Overview - Casey's General Stores operates over 2,000 locations across the Midwest and Southern regions of the United States, offering a variety of products including fuel, groceries, and prepared foods [1]. - The company has a market capitalization of approximately $19.82 billion, indicating its substantial size in the market [5]. Stock Performance - As of late 2025, Casey's stock price is approximately $533.18, reflecting a decrease of about 5.34% or $30.06 from previous levels [4]. - The stock has fluctuated between a low of $529.84 and a high of $569.39 during the trading day, with a yearly high of $573.76 and a low of $372.09 [4]. Analyst Insights - Goldman Sachs set a price target of $530 for Casey's stock, indicating that it is trading near its expected value, with the stock currently at $533.76, about 0.70% higher than the target [2][6]. - The stock is trading at approximately 33 times its current-year earnings, suggesting a premium valuation, but this is supported by the company's strong market presence and growth potential [3][6]. Investor Interest - The trading volume for the day is 581,942 shares, indicating active investor interest in Casey's stock [5][6].