Convenience Store News' 2019 Foodservice Leader of the Year Is...

DALLAS — Kwik Trip Inc.’s Foodservice Director Paul Servais will accept the 2019 Convenience Foodservice Leader of the Year award on behalf of the innovative La Crosse, Wis.-based convenience store chain at the fourth-annual Convenience Store News Convenience Foodservice Exchange. Kwik Trip, which operates more than 560 stores in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, has been a leading innovator in the c-store industry for many years. Among its recent initiatives, the vertically-integrated retailer has announced plans to more than double the size of its central commissary and add a test kitchen to develop more new foodservice products. The chain is currently rolling out fried chicken to its stores and experimenting with new side dishes like beans, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. Take-home meals are also on the agenda. “Paul deserves this recognition for leading the Kwik Trip team to new heights in serving fresh, quality food to its guests,” said Don Longo, editorial director of Convenience Store News. With an emphasis on collaboration, networking and idea exchange, the 2019 Convenience Foodservice Exchange will bring retailers and their supplier partners together to maximize opportunities, solve problems and prepare for future growth. The event is set for June 19-20 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel by the Galleria. This year’s program is designed to appeal to both middle-tier convenience retailers and best-in-class chains alike. The spotlight will be on “Today’s Foodservice Challenges; Tomorrow’s Opportunities.” Like last year, this year’s event will feature a panel of innovative retailers that are redefining the meaning of convenience. Rachel Krupa, founder of The Goods Mart, a new kind of convenience destination located in Silver Lake, Calif., will join representatives from three traditional c-store chains that are undergoing significant change: Ryan Riggs, senior vice president, retail operations for Global Partners’ Alltown Market; Ed Burcher, vice president of foodservice for FriendShip Food Stores; and Joe Hamstra, chief operating officer, retail and marketing for Nouria Energy Corp. The four executives will discuss how their companies are evolving to meet the needs of a new generation of convenience shoppers. In a keynote address, Beth Brickel, senior research director of EIQ Research Solutions, will present the latest shopper insights and actionable opportunities for convenience executives and decision-makers to consider as they plan for the future of their foodservice operations and attempt to gain a competitive edge in the battle for share of stomach. In another featured presentation, Datassential’s Erin Murray will discuss such new and important trends as “fusebiquity” and generational migration. “Fusebiquity simply means modern American fueled by safe experimentation,” according to Murray. Datassential thinks about safe experimentation as “ubiquity with a dose of inception,” or pairing commonly used ingredients with one that is new or unique to consumers to spice things up a bit. What was daring and new just 10 years ago is now not only accepted, but it’s expected. The agenda will also include guest speakers from inside and outside the convenience store industry giving short “Ted-Talk”-like presentations on key topics, as well as interactive discussions and one-on-one retailer-supplier business development meetings. CSNews’ annual Foodservice Leadership Awards reception will also be a highlight. In addition, the Convenience Foodservice Exchange will conduct its second-annual Top C-store Chef competition. Chefs from leading convenience store chains will compete for the title of Top C-store Chef by creating tasty, convenience store-appropriate menu items. For more information on the event or to request an invitation, contact Longo at dlongo@ensembleiq.com. Travel assistance is available for qualified retailers. Sponsorships are also available for this exclusive, exciting event. For more information on sponsorships, contact Brand Director Paula Lashinsky at plashinsky@ensembleiq.com or (917) 446-4117. Click here for a recap of last year’s event.

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