Designed for military with input from local troops, families.
Kangaroo Express’ first military-themed store opened on May 8 at 5642 Bragg Boulevard in Fayetteville, N.C., celebrating the strong Armed Forces community in Fayetteville and Fort Bragg.
The grand opening will be celebrated on Friday, May 30 with a variety of festivities, including recognition of the local military personnel and military families that helped shape the store.
Kangaroo Express guests who visit the new store will enjoy a fast, friendly and clean environment, as well as a SUBWAY restaurant, with tributes to our troops incorporated throughout the store design.
Kangaroo Express hosted a round table at the USO of North Carolina (USO-NC) Fort Bragg Center to collect input from servicemen and women, their spouses and children, and the store design was developed as a direct result of their feedback.
Six murals on the Shaw Road side of the store depict brave military men and women serving our country. The aptly named “Wash Rack” caters to civilian and military vehicles alike with automatic wash, foam, rinse and wax options. Guests can also grab a refreshing, chilled beverage from the walk-in “Cold Canteen,” always set at 34 degrees Fahrenheit. The mural selection and military-themed names were chosen unanimously through local input.
“Considering more than one-third of our employees have a direct connection to the military, supporting our troops is supporting our family,” said Gordon Schmidt, senior vice president of operations, Kangaroo Express. “We knew that in order to provide the best possible service to our troops and their families, we needed to go to the source. Many features of the Fayetteville store, from the Wall of Honor to unique promotions, are the direct result of conversations with locals at the USO-NC center.”
A Wall of Honor in the store will recognize local community members that are making a difference in the Fayetteville area and around the world through their service. It will also display recognitions from local military service organizations, including the USO-NC and Fisher House Foundation, for Kangaroo Express’ support through its Salute Our Troops campaign and throughout the year.
Kangaroo Express’ 2013 Salute Our Troops campaign raised more than $528,000 for the Fisher House Foundation alone. This was the single largest contributor to the construction of the new Fisher House at Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, scheduled to open its doors in spring 2015.
Salute Our Troops has also raised more than $763,000 for the USO-NC over the past three years, providing funds that directly support its centers, including the one at Fort Bragg.
The Fayetteville store will feature Kangaroo Express’ great-tasting Bean Street Coffee, fresh sandwiches and an assortment of bakery options.
It will also feature a SUBWAY restaurant with a drive-thru, where guests can enjoy their favorite SUBWAY sandwiches on the go. The restaurant also accommodates seating for about 30 guests.
The new store is a prime example of the investments Kangaroo Express is making in its communities across the Southeastern U.S., including plans to open more quick-serve restaurants in stores and remodel stores. More than 40 Fayetteville Kangaroo Express locations received upgrades over the past year.
The Pantry operates 1,534 stores in 13 states under select banners, including its primary operating banner Kangaroo Express.
