Melissa Kress

NATIONAL REPORT — Giving back through community service efforts and charitable donations is a positive force that keeps many retailers and suppliers of this industry moving ahead. On a regular basis, Convenience Store News highlights these philanthropic efforts in this special section.

ANKENY, Iowa — As Casey's prepares to unveil its next roadmap, President and CEO Darren Rebelez highlighted the retailer's accomplishments over the past three years. His look back comes as Casey's closes out its most recent three-year strategic plan, which the retailer kicked off in June 2023. The plan was comprised of three pillars: accelerate the food business, grow the number of units and enhance operational efficiency.

CHICAGO — Convenience Store News is honoring four convenience retailers as winners in its 2026 Technology Leader of the Year awards program. Now in its 11th year, the program recognizes convenience store retailers (a company or an individual) that demonstrate exceptional vision and innovation in the development and utilization of technology solutions for the good of their own organization, and contribute to advancement of the c-store industry as a whole.