Convenience Store Decisions

HF Sinclair Corp. has announced two leadership updates as it looks to streamline its executive structure. As part of the move, Steven Ledbetter, previously executive vice president, commercial, has been appointed president and chief operating officer. Additionally, Valerie Pompa, previously executive vice president, operations, has been named president, growth technology and transformation. “These appointments are an important step forward as we position HF Sinclair for long-term success.

Jackie Halas, VP of business IT, Global Partners, is set to discuss technology innovations impacting the convenience store industry, as a panelist for the session, “Charging Ahead with Tech,” at CStore Momentum — CStore Decisions’ young retail executives conference hosted by Chestnut Market, set for Aug.

In this month’s cover story, we heard from Good Oil CEO Nikki Earp and President Wyatt Good, third-generation members of the family business who now helm the company started by their grandparents. Like many next-generation leaders, they became acquainted with their family’s c-store business at a very young age and wore numerous hats as they climbed the ranks, starting at the bottom rung. The cousins credit their parents, the second-generation of the business, for setting them up for success.

CStore Decisions has extended the submission deadline for its annual Hot New Products Contest by one week to July 17 due to demand. If you haven’t submitted your newest SKU or service yet, there’s still time to enter. Products will be evaluated by a panel of retailer judges on innovation, packaging/appearance, likelihood to carry or implement in stores and overall marketplace appeal.

Rooted in a philosophy of Love Thy Neighbor, Lassus Bros. Oil has built a culture where community impact is ingrained in daily operations, leadership priorities and store-level execution. The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based c-store chain has led several large-scale and community-driven fundraising efforts over the last year that directly support local organizations and families.

Wawa has announced the passing of Richard D. Wood Jr., former president, CEO and chairman of Wawa, on July 10. For more than 55 years, according to a statement from Wawa, Wood was the visionary and driving force behind the company’s business model, and a pillar of servant leadership, values and culture at Wawa. “His impact will forever be felt by generations of Wawa associates, family members, customers, business partners and community organizations,” the statement read.

After more than two decades operating as WTWH Media, the B2B publishing company behind a growing portfolio of trade publications and events — including CStore Decisions magazine and the CStore Connections and CStore Momentum conferences — has a new name. The company announced Monday that it has rebranded as Arrowfly.

Bear Lake, Mich.-based Blarney Castle Oil & Propane has inked an agreement to acquire all 20 of Fleming Oil Co.’s convenience stores in Michigan.

Sprite, in partnership with Genius, introduced The Living Tracklist, a new campaign that reimagines hip-hop’s most impactful songs as a living, evolving canon shaped by culture, conversation and community. At the center of this program, iconic lyrics come to life through limited-edition cans and bottles inspired by tracks from Sprite’s 50-song Living Tracklist spanning six decades of hip-hop.

Welch’s Fruit Snacks is expanding beyond traditional fruit snacks with the launch of a new functional offering: Welch’s Probiotic Yogofruits. This marks the brand’s entry into the growing yogurt snack category, combining fruit snacks with creamy yogurt and functional benefits in a premium format. Each serving contains 2 billion probiotic cultures to support digestive health. It’s available in Strawberry and Peach-Mango varieties and made without artificial dyes.