Cheyenne Cigars Takes Home Fifth Category Captain Win

We’ve done it again! We are thrilled to announce that Cheyenne Cigars has been named the 2024 OTP/Cigars Category Captain by Convenience Store News for the fifth consecutive year!

This competition recognizes overall excellence in innovation and creative and profit-generating category management platforms. Awards are presented in 21 different categories, such as candy and snacks, cigarettes and other tobacco products, all types of food service, and more.

What determines a Category Captain, you may ask?

A Category Captain is considered the retailer’s most important vendor, supplier, or manufacturer in a particular category. Companies awarded this honor are recognized for working alongside the retailer to provide relevant consumer data, improve performance in their category, and increase overall sales and profit growth through their collaborative partnerships. Winners in the Category Captains program stand out because they have earned retailers’ trust and this accolade serves as a strong testament to our commitment to the Cheyenne International mission. To ensure our business partners always get the best we have to offer, not only do we provide great products, we go above and beyond to identify the challenges our retail and wholesale customers face and provide effective strategies and solutions to overcome those challenges. Above all else, we want our efforts to contribute to the growth and success of our partners, not just our products and brands.

We sat down for a one-on-one with our VP of Sales & Marketing at Cheyenne International, Ernie Teague, to discuss the win and what makes us deserving of such recognition. Here’s what he had to say –

Q: Wow, 5 years in a row of being the Category Captain in OTP/Cigars. How does that make you feel?

A: We’re proud of the relationships we’ve built and couldn’t have done it without our amazing customers and employees. This type of recognition is an honor – and so is working alongside those dedicated to the convenience industry every day.

Q: Why do you think Cheyenne Cigars is the winner 5 years in a row?

A: At the end of the day, we make great products and that’s important across the board. But it’s also what happens behind the scenes that’s important too. We’re a reliable manufacturer who is easy to do business with, and we have a clear vision of success which is why we’ve been able to create and maintain so many great partnerships along the way. We want every interaction with Cheyenne to come from a place of trust and mutual understanding that the success of our customers’ business is just as important to us as it is to them.

Q: Why do you think OTP is such an important part of the tobacco category?

A: Consumers want options and profitable diversification of products is important for retailers. We convey to retailers that they can capitalize on their tobacco revenue with profit-generating categories, such as Other Tobacco Products. Building a robust OTP category gives retailers the ability to offer the right mix of products to consumers, which is especially important at a time when many are trying to find the most value for their buck. Retail shelf space is valuable – and this award is just another example of how our team can help retailers make the most of it.

For more details on our 2024 Category Captain win, along with a full list of winners, click here.