Dive Brief:
- Wally’s and Jump Start Stores are among the latest convenience retailers to install on-tap beverages, according to a statement from Jeff Pupillo, founder of Quality Draft Solutions, which led both projects.
- Both retailers are using QDS’ eight-faucet Infusion Pro Series draft beverage system, Pupillo said. Wally’s installed the system at its newest travel center in Indianapolis, which opened earlier this summer, while Jump Start added it at a store in Wichita, Kansas that opened last month.
- Beverages are becoming increasingly important to convenience retailers as operators look to differentiate in a competitive category.
Dive Insight:
The Indianapolis installation marks the second time Wally’s has added on-tap beverages, after installing QDS’ system at the travel center chain’s location in Fenton, Missouri, Pupillo said. For Jump Start, which has nearly 50 stores in the Wichita area, it’s the first such installation.
Both systems feature four faucets for nitro-infused beverages and four for still drinks, Pupillo said.
The two stores have several of the same offerings, including nitro and still cold brew, nitro salted caramel cold brew, nitro mocha cold brew and a still black cherry refresher. Wally’s also offers nitro iced tea and still lemonade, while Jump Start has nitro and still peach mango refreshers and a pink lotus energy drink on tap.
“QDS customizes each tower and draft system around the customer’s beverage menu, faucet configuration, available space, and operational requirements,” Pupillo said of the tap system.
The installations underscore the growing emphasis on beverage variety and customization in convenience retail. By offering multiple drink types — including coffee, energy drinks and tea — through a single draft setup, retailers can give customers more choices while tailoring their beverage programs to their needs and customer preferences.
