Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based c-store chain QuickChek announced that it appointed Chris Smyly as director of foodservice and hired chef Ted Kwiecien as culinary specialist.
The family-owned company, which operates 158 locations including 78 stores with fuel throughout New Jersey, New York’s Hudson Valley and Long Island, said its staffing announcements correlate with the company’s ongoing commitment to meeting customer foodservice needs. QuickChek has been opening newly designed stores with more than half of each new store’s space dedicated to fresh foodservice.
Chris Smyly, Director of Foodservice
Smyly has been a Senior Category Manager with the company where he has managed four product and service categories the past three years during which time QuickChek has introduced its innovative new store design.
He has more than 25 years of experience in marketing, category management and merchandising within the convenience industry. He’s held key positions with increased responsibility for 1,000 stores with ExxonMobil, as director of marketing for 57 locations with Pester Marketing/Alta Convenience and with Circle K.
Kwiecien has more than 25 years of experience in restaurant management including two retail brands known for their customer focus: Nordstrom, where he held management positions in Short Hills, N.J.; the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus and Freehold; and Nieman Marcus, where he was a manager and chef in Short Hills.
Ted Kwiecien, Culinary Specialist
He holds degrees in culinary arts and foodservice management from Johnson & Wales University, one of the premier culinary schools in the world, and will bring the best of both worlds to your neighborhood QuickChek.
“Today’s consumer and tomorrow’s food trends continue to tell us our customers want fresh food to go,” said QuickChek CEO Dean Durling. “In meeting their needs, we have become a foodservice destination. Chris has done a great job managing several of our key categories and we’re pleased to have him lead our foodservice team. Ted possesses a proven background as a chef and as a restaurateur with consumer-focused brands that fit our mission of providing restaurant-quality food and beverages for busy people on-the-go.”
The company said Smyly’s team will provide more seasonality and trendy healthier options, as well will “continue to redefine ‘fresh convenience'” with the introduction of new products and services made for immediate consumption, such as QuickChek’s new fresh brewed iced coffee.
