Circle K, the international convenience store chain, is donating a meal to those in need with every fuel transaction, even as the company's own sales have fallen precipitously due to coronavirus.
"We've seen local food bank demand just spike throughout this crisis," CEO Brian Hannasch told Cheddar on Monday. "Circle K is committed to being a part of the solution."
Feeding America, an umbrella organization that helps local food banks secure food, projects a $1.4 billion shortfall in supply over the next six months. The spike in demand comes as upwards of 17 million people have lost their jobs since the coronavirus outbreak hit the U.S. At the same time, federal aid is just beginning to reach people's bank accounts, leaving many Americans in a lurch.
Circle K is partnering with Feeding America to help meet that demand.
The charitable initiative comes as Circle K endures a massive drop in sales. Hannasch said customer visits are down 25 percent, and fuel purchases are down 30 to 50 percent.
"We're trying to stay open," he said. "We're taking a lot of steps to make sure that we protect our employees and our customers."
The company has installed clear barriers between clerks and customers and is aggressively cleaning the retail space each day.
Hannasch said that Circle K is hoping to retain as many employees as possible, particularly in nations without a strong social safety net. The chain has 7,000 sites in the U.S. across 48 states and can be found in more than 20 countries.
"We've really tried to keep people," he said. "In some countries, there are very strong social safety nets, so we have furloughed some people, particularly in Europe. In the U.S., we've put in an emergency $2.50 emergency wage supplement and paid sick leave."
The former chief executive of Japanese beverage giant Suntory has acknowledged he was investigated on suspicion of possessing an illegal drug but has asserted his innocence despite resigning from his position.
Kellie Romack, Chief Digital Innovation Officer at ServiceNow, reveals the company’s latest announcement and how it’s shaping the future of work and tech.
Raina Moskowitz, CEO of The Knot Worldwide, unpacks the 2025 Global Wedding Report, from Gen Z trends to how Taylor Swift's wedding could reshape the industry.
Nestlé has dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an undisclosed relationship with a direct subordinate. The company announced on Monday that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found that Freixe violated Nestlé’s code of conduct. He had been CEO for a year. Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestlé executive, will replace him. Chairman Paul Bulcke stated that the decision was necessary to uphold the company’s values and governance. Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including CEO of Nestlé's Nespresso division since 2024.
Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a massive merger that created one of the biggest food companies on the planet. One of the companies will include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. When the company formed in 2015 it wanted to capitalize on its massive scale, but shifting tastes complicated those plans, with households seeking to introduce healthier options at the table. Kraft Heinz's net revenue has fallen every year since 2020.
