Convenience Stores Are Ready for Their Close-Up

JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Convenience stores are getting their 15 minutes of fame courtesy of the History International Channel.

This coming Monday, Dec. 26, at 10 p.m., the cable channel's "Modern Marvels" television show will turn its cameras to the c-store industry. The TV series tells the stories of technological breakthroughs and man-made wonders.

According to NACS, the Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing , the c-store episode summary states that "160 million Americans visit a convenience store every day. Why? Because it's fast. But what you probably didn't know is how every detail of its design has been engineered to work that way. Step inside one of the busiest 7-Elevens in America and find out what makes it tick. And go behind the scenes to see how favorite innovations -- like Slurpees, turbo ovens and beef jerky -- are made. The science of convenience will amaze you!"

NACS said it worked with the producers of the episode to provide context for the program, including statistics and industry metrics, as well as historical and current graphics.

Other "Modern Marvels" episodes have focused on the candy industry (a $25-billion-a-year industry), packaging industry (including water bottles and bubble wrap) and food trucks (from their beginnings as chuck wagons and hot dog carts to today's kitchens on wheels).