ST. PAUL, Minn. -- CHS Inc., which operates Cenex gas stations, said that it has formed a joint venture with Mountain Mudd LLC, which operates drive-thru specialty coffee kiosks in 22 states.
Under the agreement, CHS will partner with the present owners, Brenda and Dennis Burkhartsmeier, who will continue to manage and operate the business in Billings, Mont. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
Mountain Mudd Espresso was formed 13 years ago and has more than 70 branded specialty coffee kiosks.
"We believe this is an excellent opportunity to enter this growing niche market," said Leon Westbrock, executive vice president of energy for CHS. "Our involvement with Mountain Mudd kiosks provides a unique way for both convenience stores and other businesses to expand their retail offerings."
Brenda Burkhartsmeier, president of Mountain Mudd, said, "The specialty coffee market is one of the fastest growing foodservice segments and is projected to expand by 7% annually. This joint venture with CHS will help us reach the rapidly growing drive-thru portion of the specialty coffee market."
CHS is a diversified energy, grains and foods company owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Northwest and from the Canadian border to Texas, along with thousands of preferred stockholders. It provides products and services ranging from grain marketing to food processing. It also operates petroleum refineries and pipelines and, through a broad range of working partnerships, markets and distributes Cenex brand energy products and renewable fuels, along with agronomic inputs and livestock feed to rural America.
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