Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc.

All too often, multi-unit operators leave too much to chance with their merchandising or simply promote items from month-to-month without a cohesive annualized plan. A well thought out category management plan enables the operator to know in advance where incremental sales and margin will come from. John Matthews Want to learn more? Click here: https://lnkd.in/ge8JTrxU

Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc. in Las Vegas Tuesday & Wednesday hosting & emceeing the Next Day Access 2025 Supplier Summit! It’s Showtime!!

GRAY CAT PROJECT OVERVIEW Gray Cat brings years of experience to your projects. With more than twenty-five years’ experience including operations, marketing, facilities and real estate, Gray Cat can run senior-level projects for your company. Not just little projects, we are talking multi-departmental projects. John Matthews See the link below for an overview of the Sylvan Learning Center, Local Store Marketing Pilot Project (37-centers participated). Here is a high-level overview: https://lnkd.in/gJ9gXkYT

Real estate site selection can be a complex web of evaluating store attributes within a potential store trade area. The process utilizes both a science and an art to the overall selection process combining a number of factors that weigh on the viability of the location. John Matthews Want to learn more? Click here: https://lnkd.in/gkkRbV2z

Who are we? What does our brand stand for? Ever ask that question and struggle to find answer? It is far more common than you think. Here is a blog that offers more details: https://lnkd.in/eZv9wg2w John Matthews

TESTIMONIAL TUESDAY As part of Gray Cat, I am often contracted to be the Interim General Manager for a division. Generally when a client has recently purchased or has an underperforming division, they ask me to step in and run the business until they determine what they want to do with it long-term. These stopgap assignments can last months and/or years depending on the need. One of my clients, Deluxe, has contracted me to be the Interim GM for seven (7) divisions at various times throughout my ongoing relationship with them. Here is a recent testimonial from one of those divisions: "John has been a great asset to the KProSource by Deluxe team as we have transitioned to being owned by Deluxe. Through his collaboration and innovative brainstorming, we have focused on vertical marketing and growing our sales in each of our vertical markets. John has provided great advice on how to increase sales and create new business." - Rachel Anderson, Deluxe, Sales and Customer Account Manager 

GRAY CAT UNLEASHED EPISODE 14: FOODSERVICE In the convenience store marketplace, margins continue to tighten on core products such as candy, snacks, and tobacco. Forward-thinking operators are attempting to stem the tide by introducing foodservice into their stores. The good thing is that most of our facilities provide plenty of customer traffic and space within the store to enable modifications for introducing a foodservice operation. If you manage this process correctly, you will enjoy the benefits of high-margin products that address a growing customer need of improved foodservice. On the flip side, if you run your foodservice operation like a typical c-store and you will be disappointed with your results. This course outlines all the components – from operations to equipment to layout to merchandising – to successfully launch a winning foodservice program. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eCazHUh5

As an entrepreneur, would it be advantageous for you to have “another set of eyes” look at your strategic plan? If so, you may want to consider forming an Advisory Board. John Matthews What exactly is that? Well, here is an overview: https://lnkd.in/gvW-fm8h

Recently, I appeared on the C-Suite Sherpa podcast with Brian Marshall where we discussed the challenges of scaling in business. John Matthews Here is the short clip: 

TESTIMONIAL TUESDAY I have worked with Kevin for the last few years on a number of initiatives for Deluxe and Safeguard. Currently. I am collaborating on aged inventory and AR projects throughout the USA. Over the past several years, we have reduced inventory on hand significantly helping to drive incremental revenue to both the Safeguard and Deluxe businesses in addition to reducing overall AR. As a management consultant, it is critical that I contribute quantifiable results to all of my clients and these initiatives have provided just that. "John Matthews and I worked closely on the transition of several business from franchise owned units to company owned units over several years. John is able to quickly analyze the business and begin to collect metrics that are key to understanding the business and to forecasting revenues into the future. John is hands on, personable and gets the job done.” - Kevin Derella, CFE, CMAA, Certified Franchise Executive, Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor, Deluxe & Safeguard Business Systems