From The Pizza Marketplace: C-stores have long had a leg up on quick-service restaurants in the beverage category with their extensive selection of bottled and canned drinks as well as discount-priced jumbo fountain beverages.

Now, the segment is branching into better hot food offerings in an attempt to boost traffic -- and pizza is among the new lineup.

In October, No. 1 c-store chain 7-Eleven announced the beginning of its national rollout of a new hot food menu. While the store has offered self-service hot food heated in microwaves for years, the new menu features quick heat-to-order offerings prepared by staff.

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From the Las Vegas Business Press: While other retailers are scrapping growth plans, the $624bn convenience-store industry is getting even more aggressive in pursuit of new markets.

7-Eleven recently announced plans to add 200 stores nationwide by the end of the year. Drugstore chain Walgreens is refurbishing its stores to sell liquor and wine. Las Vegas chains are adding properties as the weak commercial real estate market opens new areas and technology makes it easier to tailor inventory to each store.

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From The Dallas Business Journal: Convenience store franchise 7-Eleven Inc. is offering discounted franchise fees to retired or separated veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The chain plans to open 200 new stores this year, said store spokesman Margaret Chabris. All new stores will be franchised, she said. Nationally, there are 1,300 stores available for franchising. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, 70 existing stores also are available for franchisees.

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