Quiznos announced a partnership with Vermont-based convenience and gasoline retailer, Champlain Farms, to open Quiznos restaurants inside Champlain Farms’ 40 locations. The partnership is a significant milestone in the company’s convenience store growth strategy and demonstrates a continued commitment to partner with strong, regional convenience store operators for success in the convenience store channel.
“As a locally-owned company, Champlain Farms brings unparalleled insight into the region and the local convenience customer,” says Shultz Hartgrove, senior vice president of convenience and non-traditional development for Quiznos. “This local expertise, combined with exceptional operations, made Champlain Farms the ideal partner to extend our convenience store offering and best meet regional needs in the northeast. The partnership with Champlain Farms marks the continued success of our convenience store growth strategy.”
The new Quiznos restaurants will be in Champlain Farms locations throughout Vermont, situated in highly frequented locations such as colleges and universities, interstate exits, and tourism destinations. The initial launch will include 10 locations, the first of which is set to open next month. Plans call for further expansion to all 40 Champlain Farms convenience store locations in the future.
“The Quiznos brand and distinctive, flavorful menu was a perfect fit for our foodservice needs,” says Dave Simendinger, president of Champlain Farms. “We are proud of our commitment to quality and sought a strong quick-service partner to complement our strong convenience stores. We know Champlain Farms customers will be attracted by Quiznos’ brand recognition and appetizing menu.”
The Quiznos/Champlain Farms convenience locations will feature a menu tailored for the convenience store customer and retailer, including Quiznos’ signature toasty favorites and hot breakfast items prepared and packaged to eat on the go. Quiznos’ convenience menu was developed based on consumer and partner feedback, allowing Quiznos and its convenience partners to be relevant to customers throughout all dayparts, which is critical in the 24/7 convenience store space.
The partnership between Quiznos and Champlain Farms is the most recent in a series of successful partnerships and store openings in Quiznos’ convenience store development strategy. Through its convenience development initiative, Quiznos has opened more than 200 convenience store locations in 2011 and established partnerships with convenience industry leaders, including HESS, Mapco, Champlain Farms, and others, with continued growth planned.