YORK, Pa. -- Rutter's Farm Stores has begun to roll out a program that includes custom stir-fry and fresh-baked bread. "We've spent months developing a menu that's not typically associated with a convenience store," said Jerry Weiner, vice president of foodservice. "We've positioned ourselves to compete against restaurants as well as convenience stores. And yet we've retained the 'fast' aspect as every item on our menu can be prepared in less than four minutes from the time one of our team members starts to work on it."
The new program so far has been introduced at renovated stores in [image-nocss] York and East Berlin, Pa. The first brand-new store to feature the program is expected to open in late May in Springettsbury Township.
For the stir-fry, customers may create custom "oriental bowls" and fajitas. The bowls—Fried Rice, White Rice, Oriental Noodle and Veggie—come with a choice of beef, chicken or pork; sautéed toppings (snow peas, broccoli, onions, mushrooms, peppers); and dressings (teriyaki, sweet and sour, General Tsao's). Likewise, customers can mix and match ingredients to create custom steak, chicken and veggie fajitas.
Rutter's new fresh-baked sub and cibatta rolls come in a total of seven varieties and are available for sandwiches or for individual retail purchase. The sub rolls are available in white, wheat, Italian, garlic and "everything" (sesame and poppy seeds, garlic and onion); the cibatta bread is available in regular and multi-grain varieties.
Other improvements to Rutter's foodservice offerings:
Freshly tossed chef, garden and Caesar salads. An enhanced selection of sides and appetizers, including French fries, onion rings, hash browns, potato cakes, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, jalapeños with cheese, fried pickles, mozzarella sticks and nachos. Frozen beverages including milkshakes (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and seasonal flavors), frozen cappuccino and smoothies. Fresh-brewed iced tea and iced coffee that can be custom-flavored using Rutter's vast condiment bar. Single-serving cheesecakes available in plain, strawberry swirl and chocolate swirl; apple pie; brownie bites; and banana foster bites. The ability to toast or Panini grill any sandwich.The enhanced foodservice program complements the most ambitious growth plans in Rutter's 40-year history, the company said. It will invest more than $55 million this year to build 10 stores and 11 car washes, which will add 350 new jobs—and more than $4.5 million in annual wages and benefits—to the area economy.
Family-owned and third-generation managed, York-based Rutter's operates 51 c-stores in York, Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania.
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