3 Big Numbers is a weekly column that looks at a few key details from around the c-store industry.
As consumer expectations change, the look and content of convenience stores continues to shift. New branding, new structures, new partners — there are a lot of ways retailers can adjust the status quo to better attract customers.
In this week’s “3 Big Numbers,” we’re looking at three new-look stores across the convenience retail industry.
8
The likely number of burgers on the menu at Refuel’s first upcoming Whataburger.
Refuel Operating Company is no stranger to the fresh food game, having added a new grab-and-go program roughly a year ago on top of hosting QSRs like Church’s Chicken, Dairy Queen and Pollo El Rey next to around 30 of its stores. But an upcoming store in Kenedy, Texas, will be the first to have a Whataburger alongside the c-store.
While we don’t have the menu for that site yet, Colleen Barrett, vice president of development and construction for Refuel, said the site will include Whataburger’s full menu, so we can take some guesses.
Whataburger’s menu can vary from site to site, but the locations closest to Kenedy offer eight burgers, including a traditional Whataburger with one, two or three beef patties; a jalapeno and cheese-topped option; and an avocado bacon burger, which comes on Texas toast. Beyond burgers, Whataburger offers nearly a dozen chicken sandwiches, a wide variety of breakfast foods and sides like fries and onion rings.
7,600
The square footage of the first Freshies 2.0 store.
Maine-based Freshies gave its flagship store in Bangor a facelift. In partnership with design firm Paragon Solutions, the company devoted more space to its store operations, highlighting popular proprietary programs with new branding like the Sweet Treats Bakery and Frankly Fresh Hot Dogs.
To expand to 7,600 square feet of store space, the company commandeered some room from back office operations and took over another space that was previously occupied by another business. In addition to the food programs, the new design also adds a beer cave and updated the logo to craft a more modern look.
While the Bangor site is the only store using this format so far, other Freshies store updates are in the works.
2
The number of two-story c-stores Stewart’s will have if a location in Saratoga Springs gets approved
While Freshies’ new look will expand to other locations, the same can’t be said for a recent two-story design from Stewart’s Shops.
The New York-based retailer wants to update a Stewart’s Express store in Saratoga Springs from its express format to its standard design so the company can sell its entire product line. However, in order to move it forward in the approvals process, the retailer had to add a second story to the planned structure.
Stewart’s does not intend to make a habit of these two-floor locations — there is only one other such site in the company’s network, opened in Lake Placid, which has been open since the 1980s. That store’s second floor features a condo that’s generally used by people in the company. If the Saratoga Springs site comes to fruition, its second floor is expected to be used in the same way.
