Convenience Matters

From our most downloaded podcast of 2024, we're revisiting conversations around finding great food at the local gas station. Hear more on these hidden gems.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Stafford Shurden, Creator, Gas Station Tailgate Review

Stafford is a restaurant owner and farmer from Drew, MS. Over the past four years between managing his farm and restaurant, he has traveled the southern United States in search of the best gas station food and filming it from the tailgate of his pickup truck. His popular show "Gas Station Tailgate Review" has amassed millions of views on social media.

Technology is vital for adapting to rapid changes. We're breaking down what it means and what you need to do.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Gray Taylor, Executive Director, Conexxus

Gray has been involved with a variety of projects, including heading global product management for three of the world's largest retail petroleum equipment and systems suppliers, and as vice president of research and technology at NACS. Gray managed product portfolios that included payment platforms for EMV migration markets from Malaysia to Canada, as well as mobile/RFID payments initiatives.

Tobacco theft is the new face of organized crime. Flavor bans, higher taxes, and raising the legal purchase age to 21 have all contributed to a thriving black market for tobacco and vape products. Hear how you can protect your staff and business against tobacco and vape theft.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Rich Marianos, Assistant Director (Retired), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Professor, Georgetown University

Rich is a senior law enforcement consultant, having served more than 27 years at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives fighting violent crime. He most recently served as Assistant Director in the Office of Public and Governmental Affairs, and as Special Agent in Charge ATF's Washington Field Division.

He began his career with ATF in September 1987 in the Chicago Field Division where he worked on complex-gang investigations. and was recognized as a national expert using the continuing criminal enterprise and RICO statues to dismantle some of the most dangerous street gangs and organized crimes groups in America.

We're sharing some of the insights and takeaways from the latest Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on credit card swipe fees, and talk about what it means to retailers.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Doug Kantor, NACS General Counsel

Doug has served as legal counsel for NACS for more than 20 years, originally as a partner with the law firms Collier Shannon Scott PLLC and Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He has been NACS in-house counsel since 2021. Doug also served as special counsel and deputy chief of staff in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In November, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the need for competition in the credit card market. Hear what NACS General Counsel Doug Kantor told committee members on behalf of the c-store industry.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Doug Kantor, NACS General Counsel

Doug has served as legal counsel for NACS for more than 20 years, originally as a partner with the law firms Collier Shannon Scott PLLC and Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He has been NACS in-house counsel since 2021. Doug also served as special counsel and deputy chief of staff in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

EVs aren't the only option to reduce carbon emissions. E-fuels could close potential emission reduction gaps in the U.S. or accelerate emission reduction efforts for road transportation.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Transportation Energy Institute

John has more than 20 years of experience in the fuels industry, including more than a decade leading the Transportation Energy Institute. Prior to that, he served for 15 years as vice president of government relations at NACS, with a focus on fuels- and energy-related issues.

Before the AMBER Alert system, there was the Milk Carton Kids campaign in the 1980s. Today, technology is further enhancing the search for missing children—and retailers can help.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Gavin Portnoy, Vice President, Communications & Brand, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Gavin builds strategies to elevate NCMEC's brand, which include creating new partnerships, bolstering existing relationships and working positively and efficiently with NCMEC's departments and stakeholders to support programs and goals. He joined NCMEC in 2014 after more than 15 years helping organizations build brand awareness and effectively tell their story using the latest business, digital, social and media channels.

A recent poll suggests that public confidence regarding food safety is eroding. To better connect with their customers, companies can do more to communicate their policies and procedures.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Benjamin Chapman, Professor, Food Safety Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University

Through reality-based research, Ben investigates behaviors and creates interventions aimed at amateur and professional food handlers, managers and organizational decision-makers. He co-hosts the podcasts "Food Safety Talk" and "Risky or Not" and further engages folks online through Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.

Chefs Andrew Zimmern and David Chang are big fans of convenience stores and their food offers. At the NACS Show, they shared their passion for food and how c-stores can continue to elevate their foodservice to stand out among the competition. And they loved visiting the Expo!

Hosted by:

Andrew Kintigh, Corporate Chef, Casey's

About our Guests:

Chef Andrew Zimmern

Andrew is an Emmy-winning and four-time James Beard Award-winning chef, TV personality, writer and social justice advocate. A star of cooking shows on Travel Channel and The Food Network and currently the host of two shows on the Magnolia Network, Zimmern has devoted his life to exploring and promoting cultural acceptance, tolerance and understanding through food.

Chef David Chang

David is founder of the Momofuku restaurant group and Majordomo Media. Since opening his first restaurant, Momofuku Noodle Bar, in 2004, he has been recognized as GQ's Man of the Year and a Time 100 honoree. David also is the host of The Dave Chang Show podcast and three documentary series: "Ugly Delicious," "Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner," and "The Next Thing You Eat." His cookbooks and memoir are New York Times bestsellers. In 2019, he opened a convenience store called Peach Mart in New York City.

Visa has used fees and strong-arm tactics to bend the U.S. payments system to its liking, leading to higher fees and less innovation than many other countries.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Doug Kantor, General Counsel, NACS

Doug has served as legal counsel for NACS for more than 20 years, originally as a partner with the law firms Collier Shannon Scott PLLC and Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He has been NACS in-house counsel since 2021. Doug also served as special counsel and deputy chief of staff in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.