DALLAS -- 7-Eleven is preparing its franchisees and suppliers for a “media blitz” over the next month that it expects will boost store traffic significantly. “Millions of new customers … will be exposed to our message and visiting our stores,” noted an e-mail to suppliers and regional marketing directors this week.

All the hubbub stems from two upcoming, high-profile television appearances scheduled for 7-Eleven CEO Joe DePinto, first on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and then on the new CBS reality series "Undercover Boss."

TEMPE, Ariz. -- It didn’t take long to realize they had a winner. In November 2009, Western Refining rolled out the Southwest Kitchen foodservice concept in 18 of its Giant convenience stores in Arizona. It did so well, they launched another seven in January.

“Our biggest thing was standardizing a really good-looking and professional menu board,” Keith Kuells, category manager at the 152-store chain based in Tempe, Ariz., told CSP Daily News.

HOUSTON -- As part of its 100th anniversary, CITGO Petroleum Corp. will meet face-to-face with more than 500 marketers at 19 roundtable meetings across the country this year.

The roundtable meetings will enable marketers to learn about the programs and offerings for 2010 that will help their businesses grow and ask questions directly to CITGO representatives and key partners.