A Day In The Life VP Marketing Services Dave Henninger

Even among a group of new executive leaders, Dave Henninger is a relative newcomer to The Pantry. Henninger joined The Pantry in May after getting a call from his former colleague at Coca-Cola, John Fisher, The Pantry's senior vice president of marketing.

"We want to become famous for on-the-go meals and snacks," Henninger told Convenience Store News from his office at The Pantry's Cary, N.C., support center. "Our challenge is to shift from being focused on merchandise sales to creating a foodservice and fresh-market-to-go environment."

That change in philosophy forced the retailer to rationalize its general merchandise SKUs in order to enhance the fresh experience in the stores. "We were overstocked. SKUs were out of control," said Henninger, pointing out that gondolas have been lowered in the stores to five feet (about a two- to three-foot reduction) and that change "forces us to make choices."

The new Pantry image is more than just fresh. It's also family friendly. Store fronts have been cleaned up to give a clear line of sight into the stores. "We took condoms out of the restrooms and seedy magazines from the front counter," said Henninger. "There's a message there: This is a friendly, fresh, clean shopping experience."

Henninger divides his daily workday into three buckets of time: working with internal partners on cross-functional matters, especially as they pertain to the Fresh Initiative; working with external partners such as ad agencies, activation agencies, vendor partners and public relations agencies; and getting out to the stores. He was set to visit Pantry stores in Chattanooga, Tenn., following the A Day in the Life visit.

In August, The Pantry began converting all 80 of its Petro Express-branded stores in Charlotte to Kangaroo Express. Those stores will also get the retailer's proprietary Bean Street Coffee program. Gainesville, Fla., is also on the docket for conversion to the new image.

"We really haven't done a lot of external marketing in the past," said Henninger. "We've been evolving from a conventional convenience store to a new image that exemplifies a fast, friendly and clean customer experience. We have to define this new experience for our customers."

The retailer planned to launch a new ad campaign around Labor Day to focus on the revamped Bean Street Coffee and was planning a major digital marketing campaign which would include social networking sites such as Facebook.

"Digital is going to be a big part of our marketing mix," said Henninger. "Overnight you can create thousands or even millions of fans for your brand."

Henninger added: "I love being at The Pantry. We've just scratched the surface. There is so much opportunity for us to define and evolve the Kangaroo Express brand."

"I love being at The Pantry. We've just scratched the surface."

Legal Notice

If you or your company purchased eggs, including shell eggs and egg products produced from caged birds in the U.S. from January 1, 2000 through July 15, 2010, your rights could be affected by a proposed class action settlement.

A proposed settlement in In re Processed Egg Products Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 08-md-02002, pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, (the "Sparboe Settlement") has been reached between Plaintiffs and Sparboe Farms, Inc. ("Sparboe") in a class action involving alleged price fixing.

Who is included in the Sparboe Settlement?

The "Class" includes all persons and entities in the United States that purchased eggs, including shell eggs and egg products, produced from caged birds in the United States directly from any producer from January 1, 2000 through July 15, 2010. For a copy of the Full Notice of Settlement contact the Claims Administrator at the address below.

What is this case about?

Plaintiffs claim that Defendants conspired from 2000 to the present to limit the supply of eggs, which raised the price of eggs and, therefore, violated the Sherman Antitrust Act, a federal statute that prohibits any agreement that which unreasonably restrains competition. Sparboe denies all of Plaintiffs’ allegations.

What does this Sparboe Settlement provide?

The Sparboe Settlement is between Plaintiffs and Defendant Sparboe only; the case is continuing against the remaining defendants. The Sparboe Settlement provides that Plaintiffs will release all claims against Sparboe. In exchange, Sparboe will provide Plaintiffs with information that Plaintiffs’ attorneys believe will aid Plaintiffs in the prosecution of their claims against the non-settling defendants. The Sparboe Settlement is based entirely on cooperation; there is no financial compensation.

What do I do now?

If you are a member of the Class your legal rights are affected, and you have a choice to make right now. Participate in the Settlement: No action is required to remain part of the Sparboe Settlement. If the Court grants final approval, the Sparboe Settlement will be binding upon you and all other members of the Class. By remaining part of the Sparboe Settlement, you will give up any claims you may have against Sparboe relating to the claims alleged in this lawsuit. Ask to be excluded: If you do not want to participate in the Sparboe Settlement and wish to retain your rights to pursue your own lawsuit against Sparboe relating to the claims alleged in this lawsuit, you must formally exclude yourself from the Class by sending a signed letter postmarked on or before November 16, 2010 to the following address: In re Processed Egg Products Antitrust Litigation EXCLUSIONS, c/o The Garden City Group, Inc., Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 9476, Dublin, OH 43017-4576. Object to the Sparboe Settlement or any of its terms: You may notify the Court that you object to the Sparboe Settlement by mailing a statement of your objection to the Court, Plaintiffs’ Counsel, and Defense Counsel postmarked by November 16, 2010. You may object in person and/or through an attorney. You are responsible for any costs incurred in objecting through an attorney. Detailed instructions on how to object are found on the website, listed below.

Who represents you?

The Court has appointed Steven Asher of Weinstein Kitchenoff & Asher LLC, 1845 Walnut Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19103; Michael Hausfeld of Hausfeld LLP, 1700 K Street NW, Ste. 650, Washington, D.C. 20006; Stanley Bernstein of Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10016; and Stephen Susman of Susman Godfrey LLP, 654 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10065 as Interim Co- Lead Class Counsel. You do not have to pay them or anyone else to participate. You may hire your own lawyer at your own expense.

When will the Court decide whether to approve the Sparboe Settlement?

At 1:30 p.m. on January 13, 2011, at the United States District Court, James A. Byrne Federal Courthouse, 601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1797, the Court will hold a hearing to determine the fairness and adequacy of the Sparboe Settlement. You may appear at the hearing, but you are not required to do so. Please note that the Court may choose to change the date and/or time of the Fairness Hearing without further notice of any kind. Settlement Class members are advised to check www.eggproductssettlement.com for any updates.

How can I learn more?

This notice is only a summary. For more information, call (866) 881-8306, or visit the settlement website, www.eggproductssettlement.com. The website contains a more detailed settlement notice, as well as more information about the case, relevant court filings, and procedures for excluding and objecting. Detailed information about the case can also be examined free of charge during regular business hours at the James A. Byrne Federal Courthouse.

1-866-881-8306 www.eggproductssettlement.com