A ‘Wok’ On The Wild Side

Rutter’s Farm Stores is rolling out a program offering custom stir-fry and fresh-baked bread, all in a move to set the company’s foodservice apart from competitors.

“We’ve spent months developing a menu that’s not typically associated with a convenience store,” said Jerry Weiner, vice president of foodservice at Rutter’s. “We’ve positioned ourselves to compete against restaurants as well as convenience stores. And yet we’ve retained the ‘fast’ aspect as every item on our menu can be prepared in less than four minutes from the time one of our team members starts to work on it.”

To date, the new program has been introduced at renovated stores at 509 Greenbriar Road in York and 113 Abbotstown St. in East Berlin, the company said. The first new store to feature the program is expected to open in late May on North Hills Road in Springettsbury Township.

For the stir-fry, customers can create custom “oriental bowls” and fajitas. The bowls – Fried Rice, White Rice, Oriental Noodle and Veggie – come with a choice of beef, chicken or pork, sautéed toppings (snow peas, broccoli, onions, mushrooms, peppers) and dressings (teriyaki, sweet and sour, General Tsao’s).

Customers can also mix and match ingredients to create custom steak, chicken and veggie fajitas.

Rutter’s new fresh-baked sub and ciabatta rolls come in a total of seven varieties and are available for sandwiches or individual retail purchase. The sub rolls are available in white, wheat, Italian, garlic and “everything” (sesame and poppy seeds, garlic and onion), while the ciabatta bread is available in regular and multi-grain varieties.

Other improvements Rutter’s made to its foodservice program:

Freshly tossed chef, garden and Caesar salads.

An enhanced selection of sides and appetizers, including french fries, onion rings, hash browns, potato cakes, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, jalapeños with cheese, fried pickles, mozzarella sticks and nachos.

Frozen beverages including milkshakes (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and seasonal flavors), frozen cappuccino and smoothies.

Fresh-brewed iced tea and iced coffee that can be custom-flavored using Rutter’s vast condiment bar.

Single-serving cheesecakes (plain, strawberry swirl and chocolate swirl), apple pie, brownie bites and banana foster bites.

The ability to toast or Panini grill any sandwich.

The enhanced foodservice program complements the most ambitious growth plans in Rutter’s 40-year history. The company will invest more than $55 million this year to build 10 stores and 11 car washes, which will add 350 new jobs and more than $4.5 million in annual wages and benefits to the area’s economy.

A family-owned and third generation-managed chain based in Manchester Township, Pa., Rutter’s operates 51 c-stores in York, Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and Lancaster counties.