Dive Brief:
- QuikTrip is rolling out a refreshed dispensed beverage program in a bid to “revolutionize self-service beverages,” a company spokesperson confirmed by email.
- The program, which QuickTrip calls “Bevolution,” features new fountain, tea and frozen drink machines that will roll out to all of its markets across 21 states. The company hopes to have the updated equipment in all stores by summer 2026.
- QuikTrip’s aim with the new program is to make beverages more consistent and to give shoppers greater customization options.
Dive Insight:
Several restaurant and c-store chains have recently been putting their stamp on the beverage space. Casey’s General Stores revamped its coffee program, EG America boosted customer creativity with a dirty soda campaign and McDonald's wrapped up a beverage update so significant it tested the program at short-lived spinoff stores.
QuikTrip’s latest update underscores the company’s intent to also plant its flag in the premium beverage space.
“We aim to be the dominant beverage destination and a recognized leader in beverage innovation,” the spokesperson said.
The fountain drink machines offer all flavors from all dispensing positions and allow for up to 40 options. This not only allows all QuikTrips to carry non-carbonated drinks like Powerade, which its smaller locations haven’t traditionally had space for, but also gives it the ability to add seasonal flavors and other limited-time offers.
The tea machine, which won the 2025 Kitchen Innovations award from the National Restaurant Association, brews different teas at different temperatures right in the store to get the best flavor and avoid staleness. It also offers adjustable sweetness levels, as well as new options like a zero-sugar sweetener and lemon and lime flavor add-ins.
As with the fountain drink machines, the frozen beverage machines allow for more flavors in less space, meaning smaller QuikTrip stores can serve the full complement of varieties. The dispenser also makes it easy to combine multiple flavors in a “Slushie Swirl.”
“There’s nothing like this on the market, and it’s only at QT,” the spokesperson said.
Branded frozen drinks, like frozen Coke or Dr. Pepper, are still available through traditional dispensers.
