Burke, MacDougall, Hershey's Honored
CHICAGO -- Nearly 1,000 industry retailers and suppliers gathered at the Regency Ballroom at the Hyatt McCormick to welcome the newest members of the Convenience Store Industry Hall of Fame -- Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes CEO John MacDougall (center), Hershey's Food Corp., and in the new category of individual supplier, Joe Burke (left), vice president, retail industry affairs at Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (CCE).
MacDougall founded Nice N Easy in Canastota, N.Y., in 1980 with two other partners. He is also one of three founders of the New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS), where he previously served as chairman, and a former member of the Board of Directors of NACS.
The Face of Coca-Cola
For many retailers, Joe Burke is the face of Coca-Cola. Burke has spent practically his entire adult working life under the Coke banner, starting in his hometown of Cincinnati in 1978. Since then, he has worked with the Coca-Cola Co. itself in nonfoods and supermarkets, among other positions, as well as with CCE.
Burke said of his focus on the convenience store industry: "Whether it is meeting in the offices of c-store retailers, serving with members of NACS on various committees, or managing the activities of the NACS/Coca-Cola Leadership Council, it has been a privilege to work with the convenience store industry for the past six years, just as it has been a privilege that my name has been on a Coca-Cola business card for the past 25 years."
Sweet Success
Supplier inductee Hershey Foods Corp. is well known for its best-selling candy brands such as Almond Joy, Mounds, Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme candy bar, Hershey's milk chocolate and milk chocolate with almonds bars, Hershey's Kisses and Hershey's Hugs chocolates, Kit Kat, Milk Duds, Reese's peanut butter cups and York peppermint patties.
In nominating Hershey, one retailer praised the company's level of involvement. "They have been very innovative, aggressive and very interested in the success of retailers," said Omar Rachid of Speedy Stop stores in Victoria, Texas.
"It is an honor to be recognized for our efforts in the c-store class of trade, said Tom Joyce, Hershey's director, customer & industry affairs. "Our team is dedicated and focused on driving sales in this critical class of trade."
MacDougall founded Nice N Easy in Canastota, N.Y., in 1980 with two other partners. He is also one of three founders of the New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS), where he previously served as chairman, and a former member of the Board of Directors of NACS.
The Face of Coca-Cola
For many retailers, Joe Burke is the face of Coca-Cola. Burke has spent practically his entire adult working life under the Coke banner, starting in his hometown of Cincinnati in 1978. Since then, he has worked with the Coca-Cola Co. itself in nonfoods and supermarkets, among other positions, as well as with CCE.
Burke said of his focus on the convenience store industry: "Whether it is meeting in the offices of c-store retailers, serving with members of NACS on various committees, or managing the activities of the NACS/Coca-Cola Leadership Council, it has been a privilege to work with the convenience store industry for the past six years, just as it has been a privilege that my name has been on a Coca-Cola business card for the past 25 years."
Sweet Success
Supplier inductee Hershey Foods Corp. is well known for its best-selling candy brands such as Almond Joy, Mounds, Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme candy bar, Hershey's milk chocolate and milk chocolate with almonds bars, Hershey's Kisses and Hershey's Hugs chocolates, Kit Kat, Milk Duds, Reese's peanut butter cups and York peppermint patties.
In nominating Hershey, one retailer praised the company's level of involvement. "They have been very innovative, aggressive and very interested in the success of retailers," said Omar Rachid of Speedy Stop stores in Victoria, Texas.
"It is an honor to be recognized for our efforts in the c-store class of trade, said Tom Joyce, Hershey's director, customer & industry affairs. "Our team is dedicated and focused on driving sales in this critical class of trade."