McLane Co. continues to help GPM Investments to expand into new markets.
McLane Co. Inc. has now entered into an expanded service agreement with Richmond, Va.-based GPM Investments LLC.
Under the newly expanded agreement, McLane will provide its services to GPM for its 42 recently acquired Apple Market convenience stores in Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. McLane now services all GPM stores in the mid-Atlantic region, including stores in Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania—bringing the total number to 289.
In business together since 2003, GPM cites McLane’s operational excellence, established regional supply chain and ability to seamlessly add stores to GPM’s rapidly growing network as motivating factors behind the deal.
“As GPM continues to pursue growth opportunities, we know we can rely on McLane to provide the same excellent service we’ve experienced in other markets,” said GPM chief operating officer Chris Giacobone.
Another key factor behind the agreement is McLane’s foodservice solution, McLane Kitchen, which will support GPM’s plan to introduce specialty items such as pizza, sandwiches, salads and the company’s renowned fried chicken that uses high quality chicken that’s fresh and never frozen. Through McLane Kitchen, GPM also gains access to unique fresh and frozen items alongside specialized foodservice equipment, supplies and training.
McLane Kitchen will work closely with GPM as it implements planograms and product mixes tailored for each store developed earlier this year at the McLane Center for Category Innovation (CCI), formerly known as the McLane Lab Store.
Stuart Clark, vice president of trade relations and c-store trade class at McLane Co., said their ability to consistently support GPM with unique foodservice items and a custom product mix intended to attract local customers has helped GPM successfully expand into new markets.
“We are pleased to be in a position to assist GPM with their recent acquisition of the Apple Market locations,” said Clark. “Our supply chain in these new areas will not only provide GPM with traditional merchandise, but an expanded foodservice offering to ensure they deliver to the consumer the same great experience as its current locations.”
