Birds of a Feather: Thanksgiving Day C-Store Themes

CHICAGO — Thanksgiving is approaching, and convenience stores are getting in on the act by debuting limited-time-only (LTO) subs, upping their charitable game and paying tribute to truckers.

QuickChek, Love’s in partnership with Chester’s Chicken, and 7-Eleven all have something on their plate.

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Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based convenience-store chain QuickChek is in the midst of a monthlong commitment to help feed area hungry families by donating 25 cents for every Thanksgiving Everyday sub it sells in November to the Check-Out Hunger fundraising campaign, benefiting those in need during the upcoming holidays.

The new, LTO Thanksgiving Everyday Sub features no-antibiotics-ever turkey, savory stuffing, cranberry relish and homestyle gravy.

“Thanksgiving is more than a day of thanks, it’s a season of thanks where we can help those in need during these difficult times as the holidays approach and the pandemic continues,” said QuickChek Vice President of Marketing and Operations Don Leech, whose company has received numerous awards for foodservice innovation and for giving back to its communities.

QuickChek has raised $858,000 for local food banks during the seven years it has been a Check-Out Hunger campaign partner. The company's support is year-round, and it recently raised $58,000 through a coin drive to support local community food banks and the neighborhoods it serves.

Murphy USA Inc., El Dorado, Ark., in January completed its $645 million all-cash acquisition of QuickChek Corp., adding 157 convenience stores in the Northeast, increasing its total store count to more than 1,650.

Retailer Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores and fresh fried chicken quick-service restaurant concept Chester’s Chicken have teamed up to create a holiday season celebration thanking truck drivers: Truckersgiving.

On Nov. 18, a week before Thanksgiving, Oklahoma City-based Chester’s and Birmingham, Ala.-based Love’s will celebrate these essential road warriors with a free specially designed trucker hat and, with any purchase, a free side of Chester’s new mac and cheese. Truckers must show their commercial driver’s license.

“Truck drivers are more essential than ever due to the challenges brought on by the global pandemic. We rely on them to deliver critical goods—fuel, food, medicine, vaccines, etc.—that we’ve become so accustomed to in our daily lives,” said William Culpepper, vice president of marketing for Chester’s Chicken. “When the supply chain was disrupted, truckers and the important work they perform were rightfully applauded. We established what we hope to become an annual holiday, Truckersgiving, to praise and thank truck drivers for all they do, including the acknowledgement that many are away from their families during the holiday season.”

Chester has more than 140 restaurants within Love’s more than 560 locations in 41 states.

7-Eleven, Irving, Texas, is rolling out its limited-time-offer Thanksgiving turkey sub, which is packed with shaved Butterball turkey, sharp white cheddar cheese and cranberry mayo.

The sub, which can be found in the cold case, marks the debut of 7-Eleven's signature stuffing-flavored roll, created to satisfy customers’ homemade stuffing craving, the company said.

“We know how much our customers look forward to our seasonal offerings, and we’re delighted to contribute to the fun and spirit of Thanksgiving with satisfying food that reminds our customers of those comforting holiday moments," Vareesha Shariff, 7-Eleven fresh food product director, said. “Plus, with the cost of Thanksgiving dinner predicted to be higher than ever this year, we’re thrilled to provide a delicious meal at a great value.”