The Pantry's stock dropped more than 10 percent early Tuesday after the Cary convenient store chain's second quarter earnings missed Wall Street estimates.

Excluding the impact of impairment charges and the loss on extinguished debt, The Pantry's net loss for the quarter was $6.3 million, or 28 cents per share.

The consensus among Wall Street analysts who cover the company was a loss of 21 cents per share.

The Pantry saw s 4.6 percent decline in same-store traffic compared to the second quarter last year.

On a conference call with analysts Tuesday, CEO Dennis Hatchell attributed the decline to colder temperatures in its markets, particularly in March.

Hatchell also said the company was hurt by economic uncertainties and a lack of consumer confidence, as well as the higher payroll taxes that took hold at the beginning of the year.

The Pantry has 1,567 stores throughout the Southeast, primarily under the Kangaroo Express brand.

Thanks, everyone, for entering the giveaway for Kangaroo Express RooCups.

Four readers were chosen using random.org.

And the winners are:

The Pantry reported a net loss in the first quarter, but its results beat Wall Street estimates as improved sales of store merchandise helped offset a decline in fuel sales.

Excluding the impact of impairment charges, The Pantry’s net loss for the quarter was $1.7 million, or 8 cents per share, compared to a loss of 11 cents per share in the first quarter last year. The consensus among analysts who cover the Cary company was a loss of 11 cents per share.

The Pantry has 1,571 stores throughout the Southeast, primarily under the Kangaroo Express brand. Comparable store merchandise sales at the company’s stores increased 2.2 percent while gross margin was 34.3 percent, up from 33.2 percent a year ago.

The Pantry on Thursday named B. Clyde Preslar to be its chief financial officer.

Preslar joins the Cary convenience store company from RailAmerica, where he has served as chief financial officer since 2008. He also previously served as CFO for Cott Corporation, a maker of nonalcoholic beverages, and the snack food manufacturer Lance.

“Clyde is a proven leader ideally suited for The Pantry with more than 15 years of financial leadership experience as a Chief Financial Officer,” said Dennis Hatchell, The Pantry's CEO, in a statement.

“Clyde has an extensive breadth of financial experience, including financial leadership in the consumer goods arena, and an exceptional track record of financial management, planning and corporate development. We look forward to having Clyde join the executive leadership team.”

Preslar replaces Mark Bierley, who resigned in May to take a position near his home in Michigan. Berry Epley, the company's corporate controller, had been handling CFO responsibilities while The Pantry searched for a permanent replacement.

The Pantry has more than 1,500 stores throughout the Southeast, primarily under the Kangaroo Express brand.

The Pantry swung to a net loss in the fourth quarter.

Excluding the impact of impairment charges and loss on extinguished debt, the Cary company reported Tuesday a net loss of $2 million, or 9 cents per share, compared with earnings per share of 37 cents during the fourth quarter of 2011.

The consensus among Wall Street analysts who cover the company was earnings per share of 1 cent.

Comparable store merchandise sales at those stores increased 3.3 percent. Gasoline revenues fell. Fuel gross profit was $44 million in the quarter, compared with $64.4 million a year ago.

For the year, the company reported a net loss of $2.5 million, or 11 cents per share, compared to net income of $9.8 million, or 44 cents per share, in 2011.

The Pantry has more than 1,500 stores throughout the Southeast, primarily under the Kangaroo Express brand.

Three readers have won refillable coffee cups for Kangaroo Express.

The cups are good for 99-cent refills on extra-large cups of Kangaroo's Bean Street coffee.

And your coffee will be free during Kangaroo Express free refill days.

Just be sure to sign up for Kangaroo's text club by texting ROOCLUB to 843766. That way, you'll receive messages on free coffee days.

And the winners are:

I've got three refillable coffee cups from Kangaroo Express to give away to three lucky readers.

The cups entitle you to 99-cent refills on an extra-large cup of Kangaroo's Bean Street coffee.

And your coffee will be free during Kangaroo Express free refill days.

Sign up for Kangaroo's text club by texting ROOCLUB to 843766 and you'll receive messages on free coffee days.

Leave me a comment or question and you'll be entered to win one of the three cups. The giveaway ends at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 17. I'll choose the winners using random.org and announce them here on the blog.

I've got an additional two refillable mugs that I'll be giving away during my next half-day coupon workshop, which will be at the Ronald McDonald House of Durham on Saturday, Nov. 3. You can sign up for the workshop on The N&O ZONE.

Kangaroo Express convenience stores will be celebrating National Coffee day with penny coffee for customers.

Fill a 12 oz. cup for 1 cent between 8 a.m. and noon Saturday, Sept. 29, at any Kangaroo Express. One per customer.

If you're lucky you might even score a free cup.

The Pantry has added vending machines that let you buy cold, bottled drinks next to the pump to four of its Kangaroo Express stores in the Triangle.

The Cary convenience store chain is working with another Cary company, Vendgogh, on the pilot project. Customers can add the beverage to their gas order and pay for it all with one wipe at the pump.

The stores participating are at:

3301 Guess Road Durham,

3721 Tryon Road Raleigh

3289 Avent Ferry Road Raleigh

2105 Ten Ten Road Apex

“This is another option we are testing to serve our on-the-go guests,” John Fisher, senior vice president of marketing, merchandising and restaurant operations at The Pantry, said in a statement. Customers can add the beverage to their gas order and pay for it all with one wipe at the pump.

Three Wilco Hess stations – one in on U.S. 70 in Garner and two on Capital Boulevard – also have the Vendgogh machines.
 

Good news for owners of Kangaroo Express Roo Cups.

The summerlong promotion that allows folks to refill their cups with soda or slushies for 25 cents has been extended.

The deal is now good through Sept. 30.