Express Convenience Centers Turns Eye to Franchise Growth

APPLETON, Wisc. -- In its bid to focus on its overall strategy to grow opportunities for franchising its brand, Express Convenience Centers is selling two local convenience stores to Kwik Trip, as WisBusiness.com reported.

"Increasingly we are focusing our activities on helping independent owners expand their business base," said Jim Anholzer, general manager of Express Convenience Centers. "We will continue to serve our customers through our existing retail outlet, but long term we can bring Express-branded services to a wider range of consumers through expanding our franchising efforts."

According to the company, expanding franchise agreements is advantageous to independent retailers, with convenience store owners being able to leverage purchasing power, and the expertise and marketing power of an established brand, as the news outlet reported.

"When independent retailers come to work every day, their primary job is to serve their customers," Anholzer added. "By taking advantage of Express programs to increase sales in coffee, soft drinks and food, they can offer customers a completely different level of service."

Franchising also gives independent businesses a savings advantage on fuel and purchasing groceries as a larger buying group, WisBusiness.com reported. Future franchise agreements will also include access to Express proprietary brands like Dashboard Jo coffee and Dashboard Jo dining. Company executives is working on plans to open franchise stores throughout Wisconsin next year.