McLane Company has named Jon Cox as its first-ever vice president of retail foodservice, according to a Wednesday press release. He will lead the company’s McLane Fresh division, a company spokesperson confirmed in an email.
Cox will help McLane Fresh bring new meal-based products and programs to convenience stores, with offerings like beverage programs, commissary items and meals for all dayparts, as well as equipment, training and menu resources.
These new offerings will be rolled out at the company’s reimagined trade show, McLane Engage, which will be held in August in Dallas.
Cox brings more than 25 years of leadership to the role, and joins McLane after nearly a decade with Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle. He served in a number of roles with the grocer’s convenience store arm, GetGo Cafe + Market, including senior director of fresh food and beverage, senior director of merchandising, and vice president and chief merchant, according to his LinkedIn bio.
With Cox at the helm of its food and beverage team, GetGo saw an 8.5% sales increase and boosted its gross margin by 10%, according to his LinkedIn bio. Cox also worked with the company’s vendors, handled its supply chain, handled foodservice-focused store remodels and helped lead a 56-location acquisition for GetGo.
He’s also held roles with supermarket chain Giant Food, H-E-B and Sears.
“I am proud to join McLane’s team at an exciting time and honored to lead our vision for the future,” said Cox. “Retail foodservice is growing rapidly, and McLane is elevating our programs to deliver innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of our customers, wherever they are on their journey.”
Cox’s hiring comes as convenience retailers increasingly ramp up their foodservice efforts. In just the last couple weeks, Casey’s General Stores added a thin crust option to its pizza offerings, Rutter’s named the newest options on its rotating menu and Stinker Stores has started remodeling locations to better compete with QSRs.
More foodservice innovation will come when McLane holds its annual trade show. The three-day event will feature keynotes from Daymond John, CEO of FUBU and investor on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” and Chet Garner, host of Emmy-award winning PBS show, “The Daytripper.” Attendees can also expect a new product showcase and more than 160 exhibitors.
Temple, Texas-based McLane, which was founded in 1895, serves over 110,000 c-stores, mass merchants and restaurants, with more than 50,000 items delivered. It has more than 80 distribution centers across the U.S. and employs more than 25,000 people.
