Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2025 was $76.9 million, down from $80.1 million in Q2 2024, primarily due to lower retail merchandise contribution [18] - Net income for the quarter increased to $20.1 million from $14.1 million year-over-year, driven by a non-cash gain related to the expiration of a purchase option [22] - Same store merchandise sales excluding cigarettes decreased by 3% year-over-year, while total same store merchandise sales were down 4.2% [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail segment operating income was approximately $80.4 million, down from $87.9 million in the prior year [18] - Wholesale segment operating income increased to $23.2 million from $21.3 million year-over-year, with gallons up 3.9% driven by the channel optimization program [20] - Fleet segment operating income was $13.1 million, slightly down from $13.7 million in the previous year, with total gallons down 6.8% [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - National retail fuel volumes were down approximately 4% in Q2, reflecting a broader industry trend [16] - Same store fuel contribution decreased by approximately $800,000, with a 6.5% decline in gallons, offset by an increase in fuel margin to $0.45 per gallon [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a core transformation strategy, including advancing the dealerization program and investing in new store formats [7][9] - The dealerization program aims to convert select company-operated stores to dealer locations, with over 300 stores converted to date and an expected annualized operating income benefit of more than $20 million [8] - The introduction of new store formats aims to enhance customer experience and foodservice offerings, with the first new format store opened in June 2025 [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted ongoing challenges from geopolitical events, inflation, and mixed consumer sentiment, but expressed optimism about improving trends in July [5][6] - The company expects total adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025 to be in the range of $70 million to $80 million, with cautious expectations for same store sales performance [24][25] - Management emphasized the importance of customer engagement and loyalty programs in driving sales and improving margins [12][13] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 2.2 million shares in Q2 2025 as part of its disciplined capital allocation strategy [17] - Total capital expenditures for the quarter were $45.3 million, including the purchase of 22 fee properties [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the notable change in July's performance? - Management noted improvements in July driven by strong promotions and customer engagement initiatives, particularly the Fueling America campaign [30] Question: Are more stores being identified for dealerization compared to six months ago? - Management confirmed that the pace of dealerization is consistent with expectations, with ongoing identification of additional stores [35][36] Question: What is the expected impact of the new store format on labor and complexity? - The new store format does not significantly increase square footage but adds food service capabilities, requiring minimal additional labor [78] Question: How are wages trending this summer compared to last summer? - Wages have trended up approximately 3%, consistent with inflationary pressures, but operating expenses have decreased due to reduced hours [47] Question: What constitutes success for the store conversions? - Success is measured by increased traffic and higher inside margins, particularly from food service offerings [87]