03/10/2026
In a recent podcast with NRC Realty & Capital Advisors, LLC, Ray McIntosh of McIntosh Energy shares reflections from decades of operating convenience stores in the Fort Wayne market.
One key takeaway we see as a wholesale distributor is that foodservice requires real attention to succeed. As Ray noted, the evolution of convenience foodservice has been a “wild ride,” and today it plays a critical role in store performance.
McIntosh Energy opened MacFood Mart locations across the region and gradually built foodservice programs across four fuel and convenience stores. Programs like Broaster's Chicken began with frozen offerings before transitioning into fried chicken using existing ventless fryer equipment. Pizza followed a similar path—starting frozen and expanding into more preparation as customer demand grew.
Ray also discusses the growing importance of loyalty apps in convenience retail. When customers can earn rewards toward fuel or foodservice purchases, it strengthens engagement and helps drive repeat visits.
At McConnell’s, we’ve been proud to serve as the wholesale partner to McIntosh Energy over the years and appreciate the strong relationship built with the McIntosh family. We also look forward to supporting Ridis as they continue investing in the future of convenience retail in our region.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EReP1d0tOv9UdjPLBnG03?si=b7752d00c8be4f2d&nd=1&dlsi=f8c940e14b2b4722
Convenience Weekly · Episode