What’s In Store: Little General, Rutter's & Wawa
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.
Here are the latest company spotlights:
Kum & Go LC
Kum & Go opened a new 5,000-square-foot convenience store in Springfield, Mo., at 777 E. Battlefield Road to replace its store at 3030 S. Jefferson Ave. The new store offers made-to-order pizzas, baked goods, and breakfast and deli sandwiches prepared daily.
Kum & Go now has 38 stores in Springfield and 73 throughout Missouri. The new store is built with sustainability in mind and is certified as a LEED structure. Fuel choices include diesel and E85.
During opening week, the new Kum & Go location offered $1 fresh pizza.
Little General Store Inc.
Little General Store opened a new location, complete with Exxon gasoline, diesel fuel and a Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant, behind its former location in Hurricane, W.Va. This marks Little General’s second Exxon/Dunkin' Donuts restaurant combo location.
The Hurricane store was demolished and rebuilt as it originally operated as Cooper’s Exxon, then a One Stop Exxon, and then a Prima Marketing/7-Eleven Exxon in years past.
Headquartered in Beckley, W.Va., Little General Store is a 105-unit convenience store chain with 103 stores in West Virginia, one store in Virginia and one store in Ohio.
Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J opened three new travel centers -- one in Morris, Ill.; one in Chillicothe, Ohio; and one in Childress, Texas -- all featuring full amenities for professional drivers.
These amenities include diesel and gasoline with high-speed pumps; a driver’s lounge and showers; fast food including Arby’s, Subway, Moe’s and Cinnabon; PJ Fresh fast-casual food offerings including roasted chicken, meatloaf, pizza, soup, salads, sandwiches and hot dogs; and premium coffee and cappuccino selections.
All Pilot Flying J locations honor the MyRewards loyalty card, through which members can earn in-store retail and restaurant discounts.
Rutter’s Farm Stores
Rutter’s completed major renovations at its store in Dover, Pa., bringing the community even more selection and variety. The new site is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Outside, there are six fueling spaces with diesel. A new LED canopy provides efficient bright lighting and protection from the weather for customers pumping fuel.
Inside, touchscreen food ordering kiosks have been added to make choosing from the store’s expanded menu simple and convenient. The store's updated menu includes an array of items from Rutter’s award-winning menu, including subs; fresh salads; gourmet, jumbo chicken wings; mahi-mahi fish tenders; Ultimate Burgers; and all-beef short ribs.
Breads, muffins, cookies and biscuits are baked fresh in the new store daily. The coolers have also been expanded to increase selection and variety.
Like all other Rutter’s locations, the upgraded Dover store provides convenient access to Rutter’s iced teas and wholesome local dairy products, including its renowned chocolate milk.
Customers still have access to the Rutter’s Rewards loyalty program, which provides an instant 3-cents-per-gallon fuel discount. There also are more than 1,800 Rutter’s Rewards qualifying products throughout the store, including virtually all beverages, snacks, candy, electronic cigarettes and fresh-made menu items.
Wawa Inc.
On Oct. 24, Wawa opened a new store at 471 Kempsville Road in Chesapeake, Va., and offered 10 days of free coffee to celebrate. This is the third Wawa to open in Virginia this year.
"In 2014, we made a vow to expand the Wawa experience to more customers than ever before, and we could not be more excited to be fulfilling that commitment here at our Chesapeake store,” Wawa President and CEO Chris Gheysens said in a news release.