Foodservice

CST Brands is celebrating the grand opening of a new distribution center that aims to fuel its ambitious expansion plan in Texas.

The new 365,000-square-foot warehouse will serve as the main distribution hub for food and merchandise for about 600 Corner Store locations across Texas.

Westlake, Ohio – Rising fuel gross margins and a non-recurring litigation settlement helped Travel Centers of America Inc. (TA) roughly triple its net income to $34.34 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, from $11.97 million in the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year. Revenues dipped 9% to $1.72 billion, from $1.9 billion.

Cary, N.C. - The Pantry Inc. has announced the expiration of the waiting period under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rondino Act for to the proposed merger between The Pantry and a U.S. subsidiary of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. Pantry stockholders approved the merger agreement at a special meeting on March 10.

Alexandria, Va. -- The ranks of the nation’s convenience stores continue to grow, increasing to 152,794 stores at year end, up nearly 1% from the year prior, according to the 2015 NACS/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count. And 2015 is expected to be another busy year: Pennsylvania-based Sheetz plans to open 30 locations in 2015. The chain, which recently opened its 500th location, has said it now sees the potential to double in size.

Cary, N.C. -- The Pantry moved one step closer to its merger with Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard as Pantry stockholders approved the merger agreement at a special meeting on March 10.

The stockholders cast 19,725,407 votes for the deal and 71,442 votes against the deal, with 34,806 abstaining, according to documents The Pantry filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).

Ankeny, Iowa – Casey’s General Stores Inc. beat Wall Street estimates with net income of $39.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, more than triple $12.65 million earned in the year-ago period. Steady decline in wholesale fuel costs and rising inside sales helped Casey’s achieve impressive profit growth.

Casey’s currently has 26 new and 11 replacement stores under construction. The retailer’s annual goal is to build or acquire 72 to 108 stores and replace 25 existing stores.

Dallas – 7-Eleven is the latest in a growing lineup of retailers that has entered the mobile loyalty space. Just launched on the 7-Eleven mobile app is 7Rewards, an expanded customer loyalty platform that rewards customers with a free beverage for every six cups purchased.

Jackson, Miss. – Fast-casual restaurant chain Newk's Eatery is expanding to Columbia, South Carolina, as part of growth plans that include nearly 30 new corporate and franchised stores in 2015. The Columbia expansion is in partnership with its newest franchisees, Chris and Pam Corn.

The Corns will open their first Newk's in City Market in the Vista in late 2015 and have plans to open two additional locations in Columbia and the surrounding area.

Houston -- Baker Katz, an X Team International partner and full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm, announced the completion of its 90,000-sq.-ft. redevelopment located in Port Arthur, Texas.

Dallas - Between now and June 30, 7-Eleven Inc. will waive the franchise fee on a select number of its U.S. stores available for franchise, a savings of up to $80,000. The more than 200 available stores are located in cities across the country.

During the last four years 7-Eleven has grown its store base by more than 1,300 units. Now that a 7-Eleven customer base has been established at these locations, the company is looking to transition these stores to franchise operations.