Dive Brief:
- C-store advisory firm NexChapter has hired Mendy Meriwether as vice president of its foodservice practice, the company said in an emailed announcement on Tuesday.
- Meriwether brings decades of convenience store experience to the advisory firm, including from her most recent role as VP of food, dispensed beverage and QSR for EG America.
- Meriwether’s departure from EG America comes as the retailer is focusing on improving and expanding its fresh food and grab-and-go foodservice programs.
Dive Insight:
Before spending the past year with EG America, Meriwether worked for more than 20 years at East Coast retailer Wawa in a variety of roles, including two years as director of fresh food and beverage.
With NexChapter, Meriwether will “lead the development of menu strategies, stage-gate innovation processes, category management systems, and execution frameworks” for c-store foodservice programs, according to the announcement.
“Mendy is the real deal,” said Art Sebastian, founder and CEO of NexChapter. “She’s led foodservice at scale for years, and she knows how to turn strategy into action.”
Meriwether will be part of NexChapter’s core leadership, along with Sebastian; Mike Templeton, VP of digital technology; Matt Riezman, VP of brand and retail media; Matt Van Gilder, VP of omnichannel; and Ben Wynkoop, VP of supply chain and merchandising.
For EG America, the loss of Meriwether comes amid a growing focus on its foodservice programs. This year alone, the retailer has introduced and expanded a grab-and-go program, launched online ordering and delivery, and added Krispy Krunchy Chicken to select Cumberland Farms locations.
