“Long term we can bring Express-branded services to a wider range of consumers through expanding our franchising efforts,” says Express Convenience spokesperson.
Express Convenience Centers is selling two retail outlets to Kwik Trip Inc., as it eyes new opportunities in franchising.
The sale of the Appleton, Wis.-based stores, located at 4735 Converters Drive and 2175 S. Memorial Drive, is expected to be completed on March 15.
The move is part of Express Convenience Centers’ strategy to grow opportunities for franchising the Express Convenience Center brand. The chain recently announced a new franchisee in Green Bay,Wis., and is currently negotiating with additional franchisees across the state with the goal of open franchised stores throughout Wisconsin in the next year, Wisbusiness.com reported.
“Increasingly, we are focusing our activities on helping independent owners expand their business base,” Jim Anholzer, general manager of Express Convenience Centers told Wisbusiness.com. “We will continue to serve our customers through our existing retail outlets, but long term we can bring Express-branded services to a wider range of consumers through expanding our franchising efforts.”
Partnering with Express Convenience offers advantages to the independent retailer who can leverage the purchasing power, expertise and marketing power of the established brand.
“When independent retailers come to work every day, their primary job is to serve their customers,” said Anholzer. “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.”
Future franchise agreements would give retailers access to Express’ proprietary brands, including Dashboard Jo coffee and Dashboard Dining, a fresh deli offering through the chain’s partnership with Festival Foods.
Express Convenience Centers is a division of U.S. Venture and owns and operates 19 retail outlets located in Wisconsin throughout the Fox Valley, Oshkosh and Green Bay as well as three franchise outlets.
