Fuel Retail Operations: Latin America Technology Conference Launch and US Travel Center Acquisitions

Fuel Retail Operations: Expansion Initiatives and Event Developments

Regional Event Expansion: forecourttech LATAM '27

SAB Events has officially announced the expansion of its forecourttech conference brand into Latin America (forecourttech). The upcoming event, named forecourttech LATAM’27, is organized in partnership with technology services firm NTT DATA and will occur from 10–11 March 2027 in Cancún, Mexico.

The convention will adopt the structure established by its European flagship event, featuring keynote addresses, executive panel sessions, and scheduled one-to-one meeting slots across two days. Organizers state that the Latin American platform is designed to address local market dynamics, including cloud adoption, data analytics, artificial intelligence, electrification, and evolving multi-service fuel stations.

According to supplier statements from Stephen Bozdan, managing director at SAB Events, regional operators are accelerating digital transformation initiatives as service stations convert into broader retail hubs. Ángel Ramón Cañizares García-Retamero, Head of Fuel & Convenience Practice at NTT DATA, noted that the location in Cancún was chosen for its international travel connectivity. Among regional industry participants, retailer Terpel currently operates 2,400 service stations and more than 500 convenience stores across five Latin American nations.

Travel Center Network Expansion: LV Petroleum

In North American retail operations, Las Vegas-based operator LV Petroleum has acquired two TravelCenters of America locations operating under the TA Express brand (C-Store Dive). Robert Lay, LV Petroleum’s senior vice president of retail operations, confirmed the added sites are situated in Rosenberg, Texas (opened August 11, 2026) and South Coffeyville, Oklahoma (acquired August 25, 2026). The purchase prices for both transactions were not disclosed.

These acquisitions form part of a broader network growth strategy led by President and CEO Kris Roach, who assumed executive leadership in April 2026 after serving as chief operating officer, succeeding founder Guy Madmon. LV Petroleum currently manages a network comprising over 90 travel centers, 30 convenience stores, and quick-service restaurant (QSR) outlets spanning more than 30 brands. The business is actively working toward an established target of operating 100 travel centers. In addition to fuel and travel site acquisitions, LV Petroleum expanded its foodservice portfolio in August 2026 by launching a Sbarro store in Hillsboro, Texas, and its 12th Bojangles restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Analysis

*Note: The analysis below reflects independent industry evaluation and proposed operational hypotheses, clearly distinguished from the sourced facts presented above.*

Retail Footprint Scaling Dynamics

LV Petroleum’s acquisition of existing TA Express sites demonstrates how multi-unit operators use established dealer or franchisee banners to scale physical networks rapidly toward target thresholds (such as 100 locations) while avoiding ground-up construction timelines. Integrating recognized QSR brands like Sbarro and Bojangles alongside travel center footprints is a common strategy to boost inside sales and diversify revenue streams away from fuel margin volatility alone.

Digital Transformation Hypotheses and Testing

Event organizers and technology consultants highlight growing interest in AI, cloud platforms, and customer-facing software across Latin America and North America. Vendor claims frequently suggest these solutions boost store profitability or reduce site labor requirements. However, within individual forecourt operations, these claims remain unmeasured hypotheses until verified under operational conditions.

• Hypothesis 1 (Digital Tech ROI): Deploying cloud-based AI analytics at the pump and point-of-sale reduces site transaction processing times and labor hours per shift.
• *Proposed Test:* Operators should conduct a 6-month trial across 10 comparable locations (5 implementation sites, 5 baseline control sites), measuring average transaction duration, labor expenditure per dollar of gross inside sales, and initial software setup costs before drawing conclusions on profitability.
• Hypothesis 2 (QSR Co-location Impact): Integrating co-located QSR options within travel centers increases total site gross margin compared to standalone convenience offerings.
• *Proposed Test:* Track total inside gross margin per square foot and customer conversion rates across acquired sites 12 months post-QSR launch versus control travel centers lacking dedicated QSR concepts.