Convenience Store Decisions

Jacksons Food Stores has announced that it will once again serve as the exclusive retailer of Bronco football collectible trading cards. The 2026 set of cards, according to a statement from the retailer, are available in Jacksons and ExtraMile stores in the Treasure Valley now. This marks the fifth season of the partnership between Jacksons and Boise State.

With crude oil remaining relatively flat this week, the national average for a gallon of regular gas is one cent lower than last week at $4.09, according to a report from AAA. Due to continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, crude oil prices remain in the $80 per barrel range. For the first time ever, the national average in August has been above $4 per gallon every day.

There is a lot to be happy about right now in convenience store breakfast. Several strong chains have leveraged the morning daypart to win against the quick-service restaurant (QSR) giants. Together, they’ve built a growing consumer sentiment that maybe c-store food is better than they once thought.

As Dollar Tree continues to transform its footprint and shift its operational strategy, the chain recently reported that for its second quarter ending Aug. 1, it notched 7% total sales growth to $4.9 billion while opening 75 new locations. Additionally, the chain converted or added about 710 stores to the Dollar Tree multi-price format, ending the quarter with approximately 6,600 multi-price stores.

Spicewood, Texas-based TXB has announced that Nate Brazier — former Stinker Stores president and CEO — has joined TXB as its new president. Kevin Smartt will continue to serve as the chain’s CEO. “I’ve always believed you have to build for the company you’re becoming, not just the company you are today. That’s why I’m excited to welcome Nate Brazier to TXB as our new president,” Smartt wrote in a LinkedIn post.

While not every convenience retailer offers self-checkout, those who find success with the technology say the same thing: It can’t be a stand-in for employees. Traditional stores still need team members manning the counter. Gier Oil, operating over 50 Eagle Stop locations in Missouri, installed self-checkout in seven of its sites. Its initial focus has been on new builds and major remodels to create a more modern, upscale c-store experience centered on speed, convenience and customer choice.

Little Bites is introducing a brand-new Mystery Muffin. Customers are encouraged to guess the flavor and enter a name for it. The new name will be revealed on Oct. 1. Available now at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $5.69, each pack of soft-baked muffins features an indulgent mystery flavor that makes for a great lunchtime snack or quick treat. Bimbo Bakeries USA www.bimbobakeriesusa.com

Welch’s Fruit Snacks is bringing its Halloween assortment back to shelves nationwide Sept. 1 — with a festive packaging refresh and a major ingredient update: the lineup is now made without artificial dyes. Made with whole fruit as the main ingredient, the assortment is also free from the top nine allergens, safe for school and a good source of vitamins A, C and E.

Reese’s Puffs cereal is bringing another flavor combination to the cereal aisle with the launch of new, limited-edition Reese’s Puffs PB+J cereal. Inspired by Reese’s PB+J Cups, Reese’s Puffs PB+J cereal blends its signature peanut butter and chocolate flavor with the taste of strawberry jelly. Reese’s Puffs PB&J cereal follows last year’s debut of Reese’s Puffs Dark Chocolate cereal.

Cheetos is releasing a new flavor in time for Halloween: Cheetos Sweet Phantom Heat Flavored Puffs, hitting shelves this month. But this isn’t just a regular limited-edition flavor — it’s an unexpected multisensory snacking experience. This first-of-its-kind innovation for Cheetos delivers sensations of heat, tingling, numbing and even a subtle fizz that builds with every bite.