Dive Brief:
- Steve Marshall, chief operating officer for Cal’s Convenience, which operates over 200 Stripes convenience stores through a commission-agent agreement with Sunoco LP, has announced that he’s leaving the Texas-based company, according to multiple LinkedIn posts he’s made in recent weeks.
- Marshall took to LinkedIn in early February to say that he had begun his search for a new position. About a week after that, he posted again that he’ll “really miss” working for the convenience store retailer once he lands a new role.
- Marshall’s looming departure coincides with the forthcoming closure of 7-Eleven’s recent $1 billion acquisition of the Cal’s-operated Stripes c-stores, which are located in West Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Dive Insight:
Representatives from Cal’s and 7-Eleven did not respond by press time for more details into Marshall’s departure, or for details on their post-acquisition activity. A spokesperson from Sunoco declined to comment.
As COO of Cal’s, Marshall led the company’s information technology, maintenance and fuel services, and business support functions, according to his LinkedIn bio. He also managed all department vice presidents and acted as a “strategic partner” to CEO Jack Whitney.
Marshall joined Cal’s in 2018 as director of information technology, according to his LinkedIn bio. Just a couple months later, he was named vice president of IT, field services and business support for the company. He became COO in December 2020.
Prior to joining Cal’s, Marshall held several leadership positions with various medical equipment and technology firms.
“Whatever role I land in the future, I'll be sure to keep in mind the perceptions and stay true to my belief that no matter how high you reach in a company (from a title perspective), we should always remain servant leaders, identify talent, and promote growth for both people and the organization we serve in,” Marshall said in a February LinkedIn post.
Frisco, Texas-based Cal’s Convenience was established in 2018 when it entered into its commission-agent agreement with Sunoco to own and operate over 200 Stripes c-stores. Under that model, Sunoco owned about two-thirds of the portfolio and received rental income from Cal’s, which led all c-store and restaurant operations. Sunoco still owned, priced and sold fuel at the sites during the agreement’s duration.
