Competition among convenience store chains has heated up as retailers battle to win over consumers by redefining and expanding the concept of convenience. As customers’ expectations of a convenience store have evolved, Break Time has adjusted to meet their needs.
Break Time’s Marketing and Merchandising department is the team tasked with coordinating all the moving pieces associated with the Break Time brand such as managing promotions, developing advertising campaigns, maintaining the cost and retail of all SKUs and negotiating with vendors.
The department’s six members work together to distinguish Break Time from its competitors and support store operations.
MyTime Rewards, Break Time’s loyalty program, is an example of how the chain is incorporating new ideas to improve brand allegiance amongst its customer base. MyTime Rewards, which is administered by Break Time marketing manager Anita Bichsel, provides customers with opportunities to earn fuel discounts, free drinks, Break Time Bucks and more for repeat visits. Bichsel also oversees the production of all Break Time marketing materials, manages the brand’s social media accounts and ensures logos are used appropriately.
Food service is another area where convenience stores have ramped up their efforts to compete with rival chains and fast-food eateries. Stephanie Mahoney is Break Time’s food service development manager and she supervises the chain’s food offerings like Dashboard Diner’s grab-and-go sandwiches and the recently introduced Smokestack Bar.B.Q.
The department is also responsible for behind the scenes work such as inventory stocking and product pricing reviews to ensure Break Time stores operate successfully.
“Our programs and promotions are driving increased traffic to our stores, which in turn, helps our department contribute to the company’s profitability,” says Jennifer Bach, Break Time marketing and merchandising director.
As Break Time continues to look for new ways to attract new customers and retain its loyal patrons, the Marketing and Merchandising team keeps developing new offerings, promotions and deals to stay competitive.
Get to Know the Break Time Support Marketing and Merchandising Department
Jennifer Bach
Break Time marketing and merchandising director
Working for MFA Oil for the past 19 years, Jennifer has fulfilled a variety of roles within Break Time marketing including price book coordinator, category manager and merchandising manager before arriving at her current position as department director. Jennifer is originally from Columbia, Mo.
Where has been your favorite family vacation destination? Anywhere with a beach.
Where is the most interesting place you’ve traveled? Turks and Caicos.
What is your favorite holiday? 4th of July.
Anita Bichsel
Break Time marketing manager
Originally from Leonard, Mo., Anita graduated from Moberly Area Community College before jumpstarting her career. Prior to joining MFA Oil six years ago, Anita worked with Hunt Brothers Pizza in Nashville for six years. Anita’s entire career at MFA Oil has been associated with marketing to some extent, starting out in the marketing department on the oil side before transitioning to her current position within Break Time marketing.
What’s on your bucket list? See the Pacific Ocean.
What is your favorite movie you have ever seen? Titanic.
What is your favorite holiday? Easter.
Stephanie Mahoney
food service development manager
Originally from the Lake of the Ozarks, Stephanie graduated with a degree in Hotel/Restaurant Administration from Central Missouri State. Before starting work at MFA Oil in 2016, Stephanie held a variety of positions with numerous companies including Hilton, Hy-Vee, Boston Market, Sonic and the Kansas City Zoo. Stephanie and her husband Bryan have been married for 18 years and have two sons, Blake and Landon, and two grandsons, Briar and Cason.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? On a beach.
Where would you spend all of your time if you could? At the beach. I lived in Gulf Shores, Ala. for many years and miss the area considerably.
What is the most interesting thing you have ever done? I was a member of a Mardi Gras Krewe called Krewe du YaYas. This philanthropic group coordinated multiple charity events to raise money to provide women with early-detection mammograms. We were always easy to spot, donning bright pink wigs and colorful costumes.
Tresa Hodges
senior Break Time market and finance administrator
Originally from Hannibal, Mo., Tresa graduated from Columbia College with a degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting and finance. With experience working in the construction industry and for the state of Missouri, Tresa has been with the Break Time marketing team for over four years now.
Where is the most interesting place you have traveled? Japan.
Where would you spend all of your time if you could? With my grandchildren. Grandchildren are the best thing ever!
What’s on your bucket list? Travel to England and Scotland.
John Lee
senior Break Time pricebook administrator
Growing up in northeast Missouri, in the small space between Kirksville and the Iowa line known as Schuyler County, John graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo. John has held a wide variety of positions within MFA Oil since joining the company in 2010 including many jobs within Break Time stores, as well as several positions within the Break Time marketing department. John and his wife have been married for six years and have one four-year-old son.
Where would you spend all of your time if you could? I’ve got a lot of fond memories from some family land back home. If I was going to pick one spot, that might be it. Honestly though, I think I’d get more enjoyment out of exploring areas I’ve not visited before. I might find a new favorite spot that way.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve ever done? Depends on what you find interesting.
Who inspires you the most? I think it depends on the subject matter and my mood at the time. If I were to choose one person now, it might be a bit cliché, but I think it would be my father. He was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and so far, has outlived his expectancy by about as many years.
Hannah Martin
Break Time category coordinator
Hannah joined MFA Oil full-time this past May after graduating from Stephens College. She worked at Dillard’s for four years during college. Originally from Jefferson City, Mo., Hannah is currently planning for her upcoming wedding in October.
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why? Graduating college and being lucky enough to find a job right out of college.
What’s on your bucket list? To travel to Aruba!
Where is the most interesting place you have ever traveled? Sanibel, Fla.