NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Hunt Brothers Pizza, the distributor of a branded pizza program for the convenience store industry, said that it has opened pizza shoppes in and around Cedar Rapids, Iowa, marking the company's latest expansion into a new territory.
According to Frank Hunt, one of the team members responsible for business development in this area, the company now has seven locations in the state, further expanding its total c-store locations to more than 6,000 locations for the company.
The locations include Eldon Kwik Shop, Eldon; Gas & Go, Lovilia; J & J Pit Stop, Columbus [image-nocss] Junction; Kramer's, Salem; Sigourney Fast Stop, Sigourney; Steamboat Landing, Muscatine; and Welcher's 66, Mount Pleasant.
The expansion to Iowa takes Hunt Brothers Pizza's coverage to 28 states and reflects the ongoing growth of the brand.
Hunt said demand from the Iowa area made this move a natural one. "We have recognized a demand from Iowa businesses for our product and see this state as a major growth area for the company. We have a solid team of trained Hunt Brothers Pizza professionals working to bring our product and program to eastern Iowa."
Hunt Brothers focuses on the c-store market and has targeted this geographic area for continued expansion, it said.
Hunt Brothers Pizza offers a comprehensive pizza program to c-store owners. The product line, which encompasses all dayparts, includes the company's 12-inch pizza, its Thin Crust pizza and its 12-inch breakfast pizza. All pizzas are delivered using the Hunt Brothers direct store distribution and are sold in either whole pizzas or the company's Hunk 'a Pizza, which is one-quarter of a whole pizza. All come with Hunt Brothers Pizza's signature promise of "All Toppings No Extra Charge."
Hunt Brothers Pizza was established by four brothers—Charlie, Lonnie, Jim and Don Hunt—who have been in the retail and wholesale pizza business since 1962. In 1990, the Hunt Brothers began distributing their original fresh dough pizza under the Buffet Style Pizza name before changing the name to Hunt Brothers Pizza in 2004.
In addition to the pizza and toppings, the company also sells and distributes all the equipment necessary to make the pizza, from the conveyor-style oven to a compact pizza shoppe with everything a c-store owner needs to get started in the pizza business.
Under the Hunt Brothers Pizza business model, c-stores purchase the company's equipment and pizza makings. Store employees are then trained to prepare and cook pizza the Hunt Brothers way. Team members visit the stores each week to work with the store owners on a range of services to build the store's sales. They work with the store owners to assess inventory status and then replenish and rotate product, which they keep in their company-owned, refrigerated trucks. They also provide training for employees, display marketing materials and support the business development effort of the store. The stores do not pay franchise fees or royalties.Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.