Two notable foodservice experts in the convenience retailing industry are moving on from their companies — and are set to join nearby competitors.
Jason Cooper, who was Global Partner’s vice president and head of food and beverage for nearly eight years, has been named senior director of fresh food and dispensed beverages for EG America, according to a LinkedIn announcement Cooper made earlier this month.
Cooper had a significant imprint on Global Partners’ food operations. According to his LinkedIn bio, he spearheaded the company’s Alltown Fresh foodservice offering, which has become popular around the industry for its locally sourced products and mixture of organic, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free choices.
Cooper also noted that he launched the company’s bean-to-cup coffee program and built its franchise and food safety teams.
Cooper is joining EG America, one of Global Partners’ largest competitors in the Northeast. EG America operates over 1,500 c-stores under several brands including Cumberland Farms, Minit Mart and Tom Thumb.
Cooper’s hiring comes about four months after EG America tapped Mendy Meriwether — who spent over 20 years at Wawa — as its new vice president of food, dispensed beverage and QSR.
Prior to joining Global Partners, Cooper spent over a decade in various food leadership roles with Dunkin’ Brands, according to his LinkedIn bio.
Meanwhile, Ryan Krebs, who has led Enmarket’s foodservice operations for the past half decade, will join Sprint Mart next month as its senior director of food and beverage, Krebs announced last week via LinkedIn and confirmed to C-Store Dive.
Savannah, Georgia-based Enmarket has placed fresh food at the forefront of its operations over the years, notably its proprietary Eatery and Eatery Express QSRs, which specialize in chicken, fish, hot sides and desserts. The company agreed to be acquired by Boston-area retailer, Nouria, last year.
In Ridgeland, Mississippi-based Sprint Mart — whose footprint overlaps with Enmarket’s network in Georgia — Krebs will join a company whose food offerings include a sit-down restaurant, Sadie’s Diner, which opened in 2023.
Before joining Enmarket, Krebs spent nearly seven years leading restaurants and foodservice with York, Pennsylvania-based Rutter’s.
