What's In Store: Kum & Go, Murphy USA, Turkey Hill & Stripes
NATIONAL REPORT — The convenience store industry landscape is constantly changing as chains open and close stores each week. On a regular basis, Convenience Store News highlights these comings and goings in this special roundup.
Here are the latest company spotlights:
Kum & Go LC
Kum & Go opened a new 5,000-square-foot convenience store in Coralville, Iowa, in mid-October. The store offers a wide array of fresh made-to-order pizzas, baked goods, and breakfast and deli sandwiches, which are all prepared daily in Kum & Go's onsite kitchen.
On the forecourt, fuel options include diesel, E85 and a new alternative fuel option in E15.
All new Kum & Go stores, including the latest in Coralville, are designed, constructed and submitted for LEED certification.
Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
Love's welcomed customers at two new locations in late October.
The retailer opened a new Love's Travel Stop in Prichard, Ala., on Interstate 65. The location offers gourmet coffee, fresh fruit, gift items, name-brand electronics, and Subway and Chester's restaurants. The travel stop also features seven showers, 73 parking spaces, RFID cardless fueling, CAT scales and a Love’s Truck Tire Care center.
"We are excited to open our 12th Love's travel stop in Alabama," said Greg Love, co-CEO of Love's. "Prichard will be another great addition to our network located just north of Mobile, which our customers have been asking for."
In addition, Love's opened its 54th location in Texas with the latest location in Italy, Texas, along Interstate 35E. This store offers gourmet coffee, fresh fruit, gift items, name-brand electronics, and a Carl's Jr. restaurant. The travel stop features seven showers, 97 parking spaces, RFID cardless fueling, CAT scales and a Love's Truck Tire Care center.
"Finding new locations to serve our customers in Texas is an area of continued focus for us," Love said. "Italy fits in well with our network of locations and it will serve drivers going to and from the Dallas-Fort Worth area."
Love's also recently opened the doors at new locations in Cumberland, Md., and Menomonie, Wis. These 24/7 travel stops each feature seven showers, RFID cardless fueling and CAT scales. Drivers can purchase gourmet coffee, fresh fruit, gift items and name-brand electronics at both locations. The Cumberland location has 90 truck parking spaces and features Subway and McDonald's restaurants. Menomonie has 74 truck parking spaces and a Hardee's restaurant.
A Godfather's Pizza Express also opened for business inside the existing Love's in Williston, N.D.
Murphy USA Inc.
Murphy USA celebrated the grand opening of its 1,300th store on Nov. 19. The retailer broke ground on the store, located in Flowood, Miss., on July 10.
"We have reached another milestone with the opening of this location — our 1,300th site. This is an exciting time for our employees and our business as we currently have 53 stores in Mississippi with two more slated to begin construction in 2016," said Andrew Clyde, president and CEO of Murphy USA. "We are proud to join the Flowood community and for the opportunity to bring affordable fuel, quality products and our high standard of customer service to our neighbors here and in the surrounding communities."
The location has eight gasoline and two diesel dispensers. The store reflects Murphy USA's new larger design format, which allows for expanded space for the traditional snack, tobacco and beverage offerings and includes cold beverage dispensers, coffee and cappuccino, as well as a larger variety of snacks and non-food items.
This site is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Stripes Convenience Stores
Residents of Denver City, Texas, have a second Stripes convenience store to shop. The retailer cut the ribbon on its latest location with a grand-opening fiesta Nov. 11. The first 200 guests received a free Stripes refillable mug with a purchase.
This new Stripes store features Laredo Taco Co., and Sunoco Fuel at 20 Sunoco-branded fuel dispensers that include unleaded, super unleaded and diesel.
The 7,000-square-foot location also features a dining area that seats 30; the Beer Super Cooler; and The Wall, a space for customers to "customize their cool" with more than 1.2 billion possible fountain combinations.
Stripes also recently welcomed guests at a new location in Colorado City, Texas. A grand-opening event was held Nov. 13. This 7,000-square-foot location also features a dining area that seats 30, the Beer Super Cooler and The Wall.
The new Colorado City Stripes c-store features a Laredo Taco Co., and Sunoco Fuel at 32 Sunoco-branded fuel dispensers that include unleaded, super unleaded and diesel with truck stop.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets
Turkey Hill Minit Markets has expanded its service in Northeastern Pennsylvania with a new store opening at 140 N. Wilkes-Barre Blvd. in Wilkes-Barre.
The newly constructed, 5,200-square-foot store employs approximately 30 associates, provides 16 fueling stations, and incorporates Turkey Hill’s most up-to-date features. This includes touchscreen ordering from an expanded Real Time Café menu, which offers Built Your Way pizza, hot breakfast sandwiches, cheeseburgers, subs, salads and appetizers. The site also features in-store seating.
The merchandise mix includes expanded choices in the fountain drink and slushey areas. Also featured in the store's beverage and frozen product lines is an aromatic selection of coffee, as well as cappuccinos and a wide selection of proprietary Turkey Hill ice cream, iced teas and drinks.
"Since it introduces our latest, expanded store format to Wilkes-Barre, this opening is especially exciting for us," said Kim Hertzog, public relations manager. "Our grand-opening specials give customers in the area an opportunity to experience the wide variety of products that Turkey Hill has to offer while also taking advantage of some great deals."