Vice-president of food service leaves Couche-Tard

Alimentation Couche-Tard’s vice president of food service confirmed he has left his post.

Joseph Chiovera departure, first reported by The Globe and Mail, comes amid a years-long push by the convenience store chain to boost fresh food sales.

Chiovera, who was hired away from 7-Eleven just two years ago, was in charge of bolstering that category.

Fresh food accounted for 18 per cent of gross margins last year, and chief executive Alain Bouchard says he aims to raise that to 25 per cent.

Chiovera declined to provide specific reasons for leaving Couche-Tard, according to The Globe and Mail. But he added: “The separation was amicable.”

Couche-Tard’s spokespeople did not immediately respond to Canadian Grocer's requests for interviews.

The company employs about 60,000 employees, and operative over 6,000 stores across North America.