Family Express Corp. has unveiled a new contemporary prototype to spearhead its expansion plans, which include a “sizeable” development of more than 20 new-to-industry (NTI) sites.
For the last three decades, the company’s exterior architecture was characterized by its classical, colonial look. The new prototype has a contemporary flair, and it is esthetically more inviting to a younger demographic, the retailer said.
The company’s vertically integrated business model is crowned by what it calls its “living brand.”
“The new prototype is challenging a successful tradition,” Family Express President and CEO Gus Olympidis said. “Very much like sending one of your children to college, though you miss them, you know it will guarantee a better future. The contemporary feel of the new look is more inviting to a younger consumer, and it is transitioning our brand to the future ahead of major expansion to NTI stores.”
The new store will feature foodservice and have a separate counter for traditional sales. The typical Family Express store offers indoor and outdoor seating, a state-of-the-art car wash using mobile wallet technology and a pet wash.
- Family Express is No. 85 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by size.
Family Express is concurrently developing more than 20 new stores that will be serviced by its central distribution facility in its headquarters of Valparaiso, Indiana. “Our company has been debt-free for a number of years, even though our past CapEx has been uncharacteristically aggressive,” Olympidis said. “We feel empowered by our lack of leverage and our liquidity, as our channel is navigating through an ever-increasing interest rate environment.”
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.