Here’s a rundown of what should be top of mind for convenience store operators this year. NATIONAL REPORT — Many of the consumer trends that have been going strong over the past couple of years are expected to continue through 2025, with some new ones added into the mix. Freshly made, high-quality food is important to consumers today and with many convenience store operators stepping up their foodservice offerings, c-stores are becoming more on par with quick-service restaurants (QSRs), according to Sarah Becket, director of marketing at Intouch Insight, a provider of customer experience solutions for multilocation businesses. In a third-party delivery survey that compared 300 made-to-order food orders from restaurants and 300 made-to-order food orders from c-stores, Intouch Insight found that convenience stores are very much equal to their restaurant counterparts — but there is still work to be done.  “C-stores are still playing catchup with delivery because they have…

Retailers face long-term costs when it comes to employee morale and engagement. According to a recently released report from Perceptyx, 53% of all workers who deal directly with the public have encountered customers who are verbally abusive, threatening or unruly in the past six months. The consulting firm surveyed 21,000 frontline employees about their experiences at work, including employees in healthcare, foodservice, education, retail, transportation and more. The results showed that of the customer-facing workforce, retail workers “are the most likely to encounter unruly customers, with 61% of them having dealt with a recent incident, followed by those in information and then finance and insurance. More than a third have been required to stay in a situation with a customer where they felt physically unsafe. As a result, 81% feel burned out and 40% say their manager rarely or never checks in on their stress or emotional health,” said Perceptyx. The study…

Patties Food Group has completed the acquisition of National Pies. National Pies, or Tasmanian Bakeries as it is also known, is a leading third-generation Tasmanian, chilled savoury food business that has created delicious pies and rolls that Tasmanians have loved since Alfred Gough launched the company in 1942. Tasmanian Bakeries will remain a stand-alone business within the Patties Food Group. The Tasmanian Bakeries’ management team and existing staff members will remain in their roles. There are no plans to move operations from Tasmania, with Patties Food Group signing a long-term lease agreement for the site in Hobart. The Patties Food Group look forward to investing in the National Pies brand and markets to continue the business’s incredible growth.

Asahi Beverages has announced the appointment of Nigel Parsons as Chief Commercial Officer, commencing on 1 April 2025. This is a new role at Asahi Beverages, with the chief commercial officer to have responsibility for the Group’s commercial and sales functions across Australia and New Zealand, covering alcohol and non-alcohol. Nigel will continue to report to Group CEO Amanda Sellers. Nigel has been CEO of the Asahi Lifestyle Beverages (ALB) business division since joining the business in March 2021. “I’m delighted that Nigel has accepted the new role of chief commercial officer,” said Sellers. “Nigel has achieved considerable success as CEO of ALB, increasing our market share and sales across our non-alcohol beverages portfolio. Nigel has built exceptional relationships with our customers, which has resulted in significant new partnership deals and an expanded customer base. “The consolidation of the Group’s Australian commercial and sales functions and the NZ business under…

The brand has five new restaurants set to open in the next 18 months. United States-based fast-food chain, Carl’s Jr. plans to expand its footprint in Australia by opening five new franchised restaurants over the next 12 to 18 months after the collapse of their master franchisee last year. “The headlines suggested the Carl’s Jr. brand was leaving Australia, which was incorrect,” Gaven Needham, General Manager Asia Pacific at Carl’s Jr.’s parent company, CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc., told QSR Media. “It was one franchise group who encountered difficulties, and we stepped in to maintain operations in as many restaurants as possible.” In July 2024, CJ’s QSR Group Pty Ltd. (CJQSR), Carl’s Jr.’s Australian master franchisee, went into voluntary administration, impacting 24 restaurants it directly owned. Twenty-five restaurants, operated by sub-franchisees, remained open. Carl’s Jr. engaged suppliers, landlords, and franchisees to ensure continued business operations and minimise disruptions. Some existing and a few…

The leading global trade fair for sweets and snacks – ISM – is inviting the international industry to discover the most exciting trends and innovations from 2 to 5 February. From sustainable treats, to healthy alternatives, through to spectacular taste combinations – the sweets trade fair is demonstrating what the creative and dynamic industry has to offer. With almost 200 entries the new products database is presenting the most innovative products of the participating companies. Sustainability remains a key theme and characterises the innovations of the sweets and snacks industry – and not only with regards to packaging. The demand for environmentally-friendly, plant-based and locally sourced ingredients grows constantly. At the same time, sustainable production processes and transparency are becoming increasingly more important: consumers are asking more and more often where and how their snacks are manufactured – and acknowledge brands that provide clear answers. At ISM 2025, manufacturers are…