MONTREAL -- Third-quarter net earnings at Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. more than doubled from year-ago levels as Canada’s largest convenience store operator got a boost from its expansion into the U.S., CEO Alain Bouchard (pictured) told Reuters.

The company said it earned $10.2 million Canadian ($6.5 million U.S.), or 25 Canadian cents a share, in the quarter ended February 3, up from $4.2 million Canadian ($2.65 million U.S.), or 11 Canadian cents a share, in the year-earlier period. Sales rose nearly 50 percent to $727.9 million Canadian ($460.7 million U.S.) from $487.8 million Canadian ($ 308.7 million U.S.).

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Look for major overhaul this summer from most of the brands in the Snapple Beverage Group. "We've been quiet recently," admits Michael Sands, chief marketing and operations officer. That is about to change.

The company has been gearing up to restage its portfolio of brands and put the once much-ballyhooed Snapple back in the spotlight. "You have to keep it fresh and familiar," Sands says of the goal in reestablishing Snapple with both Baby Boomers and younger generations. Snapple is the only product in the Snapple Beverage Group to garner TV support. Look for a slew of new, quirky ads to run from April to July. The company's new campaign pushes the notion of individuality.