Acquiring a family-owned company that has gained a national presence over the course of nearly 50 years requires a leader that can interact with team members to continue growth and encourage a positive culture in the midst of adversity.  All great leaders must learn to pivot amid today's challenges. Simon Richards has learned to do just that.

By continuing to delight their guests, Thornton's new leader has been able to take the strong culture and values that gained the company its success and "keep the magic going". Simon Richards, Thornton's new CEO, wants to evolve the culture in a positive direction as they continue to grow their business model.

As a leading member of "A new generation of convenience stores that are re-defining the gas station food experience", Thornton's is innovating its product line to cater to the person on the go. They have formulated some of their top sellers during COVID and their food team is evaluating new ways to expand their guest experience.

In this episode we explore how Simon blends innovation, team culture, and the total guest experience to be a leader in the convenience store industry. Learn how his connections with his new team has created an innovative atmosphere for an industry segment to cross barriers.