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NATSO Offers Buying Program to Benefit Truckstop Operators

NATSO and Royal Buying Group, Inc. have entered into an exclusive partnership to offer savings and discounts to truckstop and travel plaza operators. Royal Buying Group is a marketing association that negotiates pricing and promotions for operators.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring NATSO members this new benefit,” said NATSO President and Chief Executive Officer Lisa Mullings. “Through this exclusive partnership with Royal Buying Group, only NATSO member travel plazas will be able to harness the negotiating power of this marketing association. By joining Royal Buying Group, NATSO members will be able to save thousands of dollars each year.”

Michael Zielinski, President and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Buying Group (RBG), said, “This alliance between NATSO and RBG will create a strong marketing force within this important channel, helping NATSO members gain a competitive edge in their industry. Our expertise in convenience retailing will supplement their passion and experience in providing goods and services for travelers coast to coast. "

RBG acts as a large chain, so locations may obtain rebates on over 400 products and programs they are not eligible for otherwise. There are no upfront costs associated with this program, as fees are taken out of rebates received. Operators could save about $8,000 just by participating in the “Top Programs” offered through the partnership.

Those programs are:

1) Tobacco Program – Royal Buying Group, Inc. (RBG) offers its members a National Tobacco Program. The key elements for this program are; Profitability, Communication,
& Administration. Representation of all the major tobacco companies is what a location strides for. Updating the location contract changes, price increases, & sales trends are
important for the retailer to stay on top of this category. RBG enables the retailer to optimize their sales by tracking, collecting, and sending compliance notifications to
their location on a consist basis. RBG will be having retailer forums for 2007 – consisting of inventory control, volume growth plan, and controlling their back-bar cigarette
display. Other tobacco categories such as cigars, smokeless and roll your own are growing in margin and sales opportunity. We have a complete program you can
implement with merchandising monies, promotions and buy downs.

2) Lance Foods – Retailer can earn up to 5% quarterly rebate when they participate in Lance’s FEM program. Offer available to new Lance customers only in Eastern KS, MO;
Central & Southern IN, OH, DA; Southern VA & IL; and DE, WV, KY, TN, NC, SC, OK, AR, LA, TX, MS, AL, GA, FL.

3) Welch’s – Stores will receive a $35.00 annual payment for the 3 16 oz. skus of single serve juice. Stores will receive $60.00 annual payment for a half shelf of 16 oz. single
serve juice.

4) Campbell ’s– Earn up to $1.20 per case for carrying great selling items like V8 and Splash.

5) Coffee Program –RBG offers several different branded coffee programs to serve different geographic and demographic needs. Boyd Coffee Company, Java City and
Morrison Coffee each provide a unique and all encompassing program that feature excellent graphics, many equipment option, lots of product choices, promotional
calendars, excellent pricing and rebates. Also featured is Royal Buying Group’s Coffee Cup Program – high quality cups at a great price – “Want to serve a better cup of coffee?
Put it in a better cup.”

6) Food service programs– These programs enable retailers to enter into and expand food service offerings in order to take advantage of this top growing and top grossing
category: Krispy Krunchy Chicken- Complete program offering Cajun seasoned Chicken, Chicken Tenders, Catfish, Shrimp, Jambalaya, Boudin Bites, etc, etc… with full training,
signage, equipment and no franchise fee. Godfather’s Pizza- Features and easy freezerto- oven program, for locations with limited space and labor…Godfather’s 30 year
highly recognized brand, offers a complete menu (including breakfast), training signage and equipment. Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs- An American tradition since 1916, offers
a complete signage, equipment (if needed) and rebate program. Otis Spunkmeyer and Prairie City-serve hot cookies, muffins and pastries with a 1-6% rebate. Landshire
Sandwiches supplies a wide variety of sandwiches, burritos, breakfast items and specialty foods at a 5% rebate. Many other soup, roller grill and etc. available- call for details.

7) Rayovac - Quarterly rebates available. Exclusive program requires a 2-year agreement and will receive a 20% rebate on all net dollar purchases of Rayovac products, including
displays and prepacks. In the Non-Exclusive program retailers will receive a 10% rebate.

8) BIC– Sign up on the Bic Shipper program with RBG, and receive $0.02 per lighter.

Royal Buying Group said it prides itself on providing consistent marketing programs, category management, and customer support to increase sales and maximize profitability.

Operators must be NATSO members in order to participate. For more details on the program, please contact Royal Buying Group, Inc. at (888) 728-3724.  You can also contact Amy Carle, NATSO’s director of membership, at (703) 739-8570 or acarle@natso.com.