ALEXANDRIA, Va. – In October, Al Hebert, the Gas Station Gourmet and frequent NACS Magazine contributor, and Frank Beard, author of the website “30-Days of Gas Station Food”, NACS Magazine contributor and Analyst for GasBuddy, embarked on a road trip that started in New Orleans and finished in Chicago, the site of the 2017 NACS Show. While on the road, Hebert and Beard stopped at gas stations and convenience stores to eat, refresh, refuel and all while chronicling the journey on social media, in blogs, for NACS Magazine and NACS Daily.  

On Convenience Matters Episode #98 Road Trip!, hosts Donovan Woods, Fuels Institute Director of Operations and Carolyn Schnare, NACS Director of Strategic Industry Initiatives, talked with the duo about their trip and unique finds along the way.

Hebert prides himself on his love for delicious food and Beard celebrates his keen ability to find healthy options in nearly every store he visits. One funny anecdote from their trip: when visiting a store that boasted of amazing BBQ but no fresh fruit, Hebert told Beard that “barbecue is indistinguishable from fruit.” The rest of their trip had similar stories, many of which are talked about in the podcast.

“This was one of the most hilarious episode recordings I have ever hosted,” says Schnare. “Al and Frank have such a fun chemistry and they sure let that shine in our conversation—my sides hurt from laughing!”

Find out simple recommendations they have for retailers looking to attract travelers (hint: its beyond just clean bathrooms) and whether the pair will take to the road next year en route to Las Vegas for the 2018 NACS Show.

Each week a new Convenience Matters episode is released. Episodes have been downloaded by listeners in more than 90 countries more than 33,000 times.