Early next year, Love’s will have increased its number of stores featuring Godfather’s Pizza from 21 to 85.
Love’s Travel Stops has announced that it will soon be adding 64 Godfather’s Pizza Express locations. The new additions will span across 16 states, and this new initiative will be completed in early 2017.
Godfather’s Pizza vice president of development Dave Gartlan said Love’s is adding the Grab N’ Go program in 46 existing Love’s locations within six states, with a majority in Oklahoma. The rest will be new travel stops across the country.
“The Love’s team understands what sells in travel stops and convenience stores – their execution is second to none,” said Gartlan. “They’re a very well-respected company and the yellow sign with the heart is iconic across the nation.”
The addition of Godfather’s Pizza Express means over 300% growth of Love’s sites serving A Pizza You Can’t Refuse – from a total of 21 to 85. Earlier this year, Love’s opened seven limited-service stores with Godfather’s Pizza Express in Arkansas, Colorado, Tennessee and Texas. Love’s stores with Godfather’s Pizza Express can already be found in Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee. The travel stops are known as a clean and safe place for travelers and professional truck drivers across the country and offers a variety of items they may need during their travels.
“Our customers have expressed interest in more dining options as we continue to add locations nationwide,” said Joe Cotton, director of restaurant services for Love’s. “We had a great relationship with Godfather’s and we knew they would give us an excellent product at a competitive price, so expanding our partnership was a natural fit.”
Love’s is no stranger to the convenience store and pizza industry – the partnership began in 1999 in Oklahoma. Prior to 2016, Love’s operated 14 locations with Godfather’s Pizza Express. The plans are ambitious, but have been met with excitement, much preparation and plenty of experience.
“Travel stops and convenience stores make their money by selling food and snacks,” said Gartlan. “Branded pizza products, like Godfather’s Pizza Express, is proven to increase profitability.”
Godfather’s Pizza has been making pizzas for over 43 years and was recognized by consumers as the top choice for pizza, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.