What's In Store: QuickChek, Cumberland Farms & Pilot Flying J
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.
Brookshire Brothers
Brookshire Brothers unveiled plans to open stores in four rural markets starting this fall in Grapeland, Texas. The store will be followed by new locations in Wells, Valley Mills and Hudson.
"Each store will be tailored to meet the specific needs of the communities in which they are located. As a result of an outpouring of requests from the people of Grapeland, their store will be our first Express location to include a pharmacy," said Chief Operating Officer John Alston.
All Express formats feature fresh meat and produce departments; and delis that include full breakfast, hot lunch and dinner plates. They will also include a selection of grocery, dairy, frozen, general merchandise and health and beauty products.
Other store services include check cashing, Western Union money transfers, ATMs and money orders.
Cumberland Farms Inc.
Cumberland Farms Inc. cut the ribbon on its fourth c-store in West Melbourne, Fla. in mid-August. During the grand opening, employees handed out free samples of pizza, onion rings, cheese sticks, hot pretzels, and macaroni and cheese bites. All four locations have opened their doors since August 2015.
Kwik Trip Inc.
Kwik Trip Inc. celebrated the opening of its first store in Minocqua, Wis. The convenience store is the company's 488th location overall. Kwik Trip is planning on a second Minocqua location in the coming years.
The retailer is finding success across the Northwoods region of the state. Kwik Trip opened its first location in Rhinelander, Wis. in 2014 and is currently building a second location in the town.
Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J opened its 23rd location in Missouri with its latest facility in Springfield. The travel plaza adds 70 local jobs and other economic benefits to the community.
The new Flying J Travel Plaza features 12 fueling positions and nine diesel lanes with high-speed pumps for quicker refueling. Its food offerings include a Wendy's, Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, and PJ Fresh fast casual food offerings like soup, salads, sandwiches and hot dogs.
The Springfield Flying J Travel Plaza honors the MyRewards loyalty card, through which members can earn in-store retail and restaurant discounts.
In late July, the travel center operator also opened a new Pilot Flying J Travel Center in the North Charleston-Hanahan area of South Carolina. The new site has created more than 100 jobs.
QuickChek
QuickChek opened its newest store in Butler, N.J. The 4,542-square-foot store will be open 24 hours a day.
In addition to its coffee wall, QuickChek stores feature baristas who custom make more than 60 varieties of handcrafted hot and iced cold drinks, including blended-to-order fruit smoothies and fresh-brewed espressos brewed with QuickChek's Dark Roast espresso beans in regular, decaf and extra shots.
Additional store amenities include no-fee ATMs; six gasoline pumps; and 25 parking spaces. The new store creates 40 new jobs including eight management positions.
QuikTrip Corp.
QuikTrip Corp. welcomed guests back to its renovated convenience store in Columbia, Mo. The store, which closed in May, now features two entrances, a bigger kitchen and a larger parking lot for customers. The store has been located in Columbia for 20 years.
Sheetz Inc.
Sheetz held a double-store opening on Aug. 25 in Shippensburg, Pa., and Garner, N.C. The new store in Garner will be the 18th store in the Wake County area. The new locations welcomed customers with a special offer of free self-serve coffee for a limited time. The locations will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and together will offer more than 50 new full- and part-time job opportunities.
Stewart's Shops
Oneida County, N.Y. has a new convenience store. Stewart's Shops, which is making a significant investment in the county this year, opened a new location in New Hartford. Another location in East Utica is anticipated for this fall.
TravelCenters of America LLC
TravelCenters of America LLC welcomes customers at a newly built TA Truck Service facility located in Lincoln, Ala. Trained ASE- and TIA-certified technicians are on staff at this location and throughout the TA Truck Service network. The TA Truck Service Network specializes in providing light duty repair, brakes, electrical, alignment, air conditioning, preventive maintenance, inspections and RoadSquad emergency road call services.