Technology/Services

Quickway Morphing to Mirabito

Retailer unifying c-store, gas station brands for smoother loyalty cross-promotion
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Mirabito Energy Products' Quickway Food Stores and Convenience Express stores, as well as its gas stations, in central New York will be rebranded as Mirabito locations over the course of the next four years, CEO Joseph Mirabito told The Press & Sun Bulletin. The change, which has already begun at certain locations, is part of the company's long-term strategic plan to cross-market its customer loyalty program, operate the locations using one unified system and gain greater control over the pricing, programs and standards at the gas stations, he said.[image-nocss]

Some of the stations are under contract with Mobil, Sunoco and CITGO.

The plan also includes the opening of additional Tim Hortons franchise locations in the c-stores, the report said. Mirabito Energy has Tim Hortons and Subway franchises at its Mirabito store in Castle Creek that opened this summer.

"There's a couple others on the drawing board," Mirabito told the newspaper about more local Tim Hortons locations.

"Tim Hortons is trying to come south," Mirabito added. "Wherever there's the opportunity, Tim Hortons is going to be a close partner with us."

Rich Mirabito, chief operating officer for the c-stores, said the company will relaunch its customer loyalty program on October 4, expanding an existing program so customers can accumulate points based on energy product and c-store purchases. The points then serve as the basis for discounts on gasoline purchases.

Having all of the locations under the Mirabito umbrella will reduce any confusion consumers may have about the company's holdings and where they can participate in and redeem customer loyalty program benefits, Mirabito said.

The company closed its Bainbridge location on September 14 because it did not "meet our new Mirabito brand standards...and there's no property to make it better," he said. "It's an old store."

Seven of the company's stores have already been rebranded Mirabito, the report said. Nine additional stores will transition to the Mirabito name "before the snow flies." By next June, the company will have rebranded another 10 stores, the report added.

The gas station brands also will change over slowly. "You can't do it all at once because we have obligations to these companies," Mirabito said about the company's agreements with CITGO and others. "You have to fulfill the contract."

Binghamton, N.Y.-based Mirabito Energy offers heating oil, propane, natural gas, coal and other energy products. The company also owns and operates 56 Quickway, Convenience Express and Mirabito stores throughout central New York.

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