Operations
Five Key Questions for the Convenience Store Industry in the Second Half of 2026
Facing fuel supply disruptions and rising costs triggered by the Iran war, as well as the ongoing pressure tariffs and inflation place on consumers and businesses, the convenience store industry in 2026 is undergoing multiple tests. This article raises and analyzes five key issues the industry will closely monitor for the rest of the year, including the transformative impact of 7-Eleven's new CEO Mauricio Leyva, the expansion boundaries of super-regional chains, whether AI technology truly changes operations, the path forward for food programs, and whether consumer confidence can rebound.
Burger King Abandons 'Rubbery' Chicken Nuggets, Launches New Recipe
Burger King announced it will launch new chicken nuggets on September 1st, following customer feedback that the current product felt 'rubbery' and was 'disappointing.' The new recipe features comprehensive adjustments to the meat, marinade, batter, sauce, and packaging, and adds a limited-time special savory sauce. This move is seen as part of its multi-year brand revitalization plan, aimed at addressing dual competition in the fast-food industry over chicken and value.
RaceTrac Appoints Jill Pemberton as New Chief Financial Officer
RaceTrac announced on Monday that it has hired Jill Pemberton as Chief Financial Officer, who will report directly to CEO Natalie Morhous and oversee the accounting, finance, tax, and treasury teams for the company and its brands, including RaceWay, Gulf, and Potbelly.
Casey's CEO Darren Rebelez Sets Personal Compensation Record in Latest Fiscal Year
Darren Rebelez, president, chairman and CEO of Casey's General Stores, earned $14.7 million in total compensation in the latest fiscal year, surpassing his previous personal best of $11.3 million set in fiscal 2020. The pay raise coincides with the Iowa retailer's continued streak of positive inside same-store sales growth since fiscal 2021.
Buc-ee's Opens First Arkansas Travel Center as Expansion Accelerates
Buc-ee's opened its first Arkansas travel center on Monday in Benton, marking a milestone in the retailer's aggressive expansion beyond Texas. The 74,000-square-foot facility includes 120 fueling positions. The launch comes amid heightened scrutiny of Buc-ee's trademark enforcement lawsuits, which have targeted at least four companies this year.
Shell Leverages McDonald's Loyalty Program to Boost Fuel Visits and Reward Sign-Ups
Shell has partnered with McDonald's for a limited-time promotion, allowing MyMcDonald's Rewards members to redeem points for fuel discounts at participating Shell stations. The initiative targets new Shell Fuel Rewards enrollments and increased fuel sales, leveraging McDonald's extensive loyalty base.
Cumberland Farms Opens First Namesake Store in Europe
Cumberland Farms has opened its first namesake convenience store in Europe, near Berlin, Germany. The company, which is pursuing a U.S. IPO, also plans to rebrand 250 German locations over five years and pilot its Maxi Fresh Bakery program.
Yesway CEO: Q2 2026 Marks Strongest Quarter in Company History
Yesway's Q2 2026 results set company records across fuel, merchandise, and store contribution, driving adjusted EBITDA up 35% year over year. CEO Tom Trkla highlighted execution across multiple areas and reaffirmed the retailer's five-year growth plan, including 130 new stores and strategic M&A.
7-Eleven新CEO的漫长遴选之路
Seven & i Holdings于7月任命前饮料行业高管Mauricio Leyva为7-Eleven Inc.新任CEO，结束了自去年12月前CEO Joseph DePinto宣布退休后启动的搜寻。Leyva已于8月1日正式上任。他的到来标志着7-Eleven在改善美国业务、加速创新与盈利、执行North Star转型战略及筹备北美IPO方面开启新篇章。本文回顾了从DePinto退休声明到Leyva任命的完整过程，并展望新领导面临的挑战。