Culture of Convenience

Jeff and Kelly step into the CoC studio for one final podcast in 2024. Together, they wax nostalgic about all the great topics they’ve covered this year, such as AI, job perks, foodservice, coupons, and more. They also touch on what sort of convenience trends they see on the horizon in 2025.

On the latest Culture of Convenience episode, Jeff and Kelly talk with Mason Cowan, Chief Customer Officer at BandyWorks Solutions. Mason discusses how BandyWorks combines real-time data with store operations to provide feedback and recommendations to improve c-stores. Together, they discuss the who, what, why, and how of that process!

Dallas Wells, VP of Food Services and Training at High's of Baltimore, was in the studio with Jeff to talk about running a successful food service in his stores. How he rolls out LTOs, the leadership he looks for to make stores successful, and his philosophy on when you should try new things are all in this episode of the Culture of Convenience!

The NACS Show is vast - how can you properly take advantage of it? Look no further than this episode for answers, as Jeff Lenard breaks down how to make the most of the NACS Show. Who to visit, what to look out for, and how to benefit from the personnel are all covered in Episode 135! 

About Our Guest:  Jeff Lenard is the VP of Strategic Industry Initiatives for the National Association of Convenience Stores. He also hosts the Convenience Matters Podcast. Jeff is passionate about retail and all things convenience.

On this episode, PFMA President Alex Baloga brings insights on the Medical Nutrition Act, how "zero food waste" really works, and where retail's headed in the next 5 years in his interview with Jeff Kahler. PFMA is a supportive network of retailers in PA advocating together to achieve goals and make the whole industry stronger. 

About Our Guest:  Alex Baloga has been serving as President and CEO of PFMA since 2017, after serving as Vice President of External Relations. He has experience in politics, serving US Senator Bob Casey in a past campaign and in his Government Office. He currently sits on the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) Board of Directors, the Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association Board of Directors, and the NACS Legislative Committee. At PFMA, he leads government relation efforts at local, state, and federal levels.

Using aboveground tanks for fuel storage is a polarizing topic, but for guests Ethan Henderson and Cameron Hogan from Major Oil, it's what they do best. Portable convenience stores, saving communities, and bringing convenience to the outer regions of the world are just some of the topics we get into today on the Culture of Convenience. 

About Our Guest:  Headquartered in Birmingham, AL, Major Oil LLC is marked by innovation, unwavering commitment, and a forward-thinking vision for a smarter energy climate. In response to the demand for fuel, real estate limitations in growing communities, alternative energy, and the increased demand for automated and seamless shopping experiences, Major Oil LLC will deploy its Hybrid Energy Stations throughout the United States to meet these demands and challenges.

In Episode 132, Jeff Kahler sits down with Eric Bolduc from Holmes Murphy Insurance to discuss keeping your store safe and saving money in the long run.  

About Our Guest:  For over 30 years, Eric has specialized in working with business owners to help them reduce their overall exposure to risk. He's passionate about helping companies have the most comprehensive risk management program that best protects their investment.

With over 550 stores, RaceTrac is leading the charge with learning strategies and asset protection. Jeff Kahler sits down with Kelly Harrington, Director of Asset Protection, and the learning design team, Jackie Keaton and Brandon Christopher Bass, to discuss how the large chain operators overcome obstacles and maintain strong safety culture. 

About Our Guest:  Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, RaceTrac is a third-generation, family-owned company that is comprised of four operating divisions: RaceTrac, RaceWay, Energy Dispatch, and Metroplex Energy. RaceTrac owns and operates more than 550 RaceTrac convenience store locations across seven southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. RaceTrac also owns more than 200 RaceWay stores in 12 states across the Southeast.

Until 2019 coupons were made from paper. With digital coupons entering the scene things are about to change - even in convenience stores. What impact will this have on the industry? Producer Kelly sits down with the Coupon Bureau's Brett Watson to get to the info.  

About Our Guest:  At The Coupon Bureau, Brett Watson is leading the charge, with the support of an incredible team, to revolutionize the coupon industry with Universal Coupons. As CEO, she drives both strategic direction and tactical execution, ensuring our vision becomes reality. Working closely with industry stakeholders, Brett helps to shape Universal Coupons to meet the ever-evolving needs of the market. Partner communication and management are key, and she's delighted have the opportunity to develop and nurture relationships critical to our success. 

But it's not just about the product; it's about our culture. Brett fosters an environment of collaboration and empowerment. Having an empowered team is critical to the daily work it takes to make fast and effective decisions to drive the adoption of Universal Coupons. And yes, being a start-up CEO means do more than lead. From strategic planning to occasionally taking out the trash, Brett Watson is dedicated to propelling The Coupon Bureau forward in their mission to transform the coupon industry.

Bob Duprey is no stranger to creating consistent training systems. In this interview, Jeff Kahler explores how shift leaders can really elevate restaurant service, especially in quick service restaurants (QSRs)! Bob and Jeff also dive into Shift Leader Playbook, the newest course from Restaurant Playbooks.  

About Our Guest:  For the last 20 years, Bob Duprey has worked with Fortune 500 clients to develop custom eLearning solutions. As the founder of Restaurant Playbooks, he formed a team of passionate pros with proven expertise in the restaurant industry, and Learning & Development. Bob's goal is to create engaging eLearning experiences that develop behaviors and deliver results.