MILFORD, Iowa --Kum & Go LC named Land Mark Products, an Iowa-based food manufacturer and distributor, its supplier of the year at the convenience-store chain’s annual meeting.
Several factors led to Land Mark receiving the award, according to Kum & Go, but it was Land Mark’s new artisan pizza program that contributed to the convenience-store retailer's official recognition of the manufacturer. Land Mark’s pizza platform offered a three-pronged approach that included menu development, customer research and employee training initiatives.
“The best convenience stores are also in the restaurant business,” said Dana Evaro, vice president of marketing for Land Mark Products, Milford, Iowa. “Kum & Go has always provided outstanding pizza but last year, they expressed that they wanted to offer their customers an artisan menu that would really establish their brand as a go-to pizza place.”
Kum & Go’s pizzas are made fresh in house. Available varieties of specialty pizza at Kum & Go include Italian Meat, Hawaiian, Bacon Cheeseburger, Taco and Chipotle Chicken Bacon Ranch. Customers are also offered the option to create their own pizza from a wide assortment of meat, cheese and vegetable toppings.
“We’re proud of our history in developing pizza programs," said Land Mark Products president Jason Farrell. "But serving great pizza is not easy. There are so many factors that have to come together to do the job right.”
According to Farrell, the strategic partnership with Kum & Go contributed to the program’s success. “Credit has to go back to Kum & Go as they’re willing to do the hard work to achieve excellence. We met their challenge,” he said.
Based in West Des Moines, Iowa, Kum & Go operates more than 400 stores in 11 states.
Pictured (left to right): Chris Jones, Kum & Go; Dana Evaro, Land Mark; Tom Caskey, Land Mark; Jason Farrell, Land Mark; Al Koep, Land Mark; Rod Simonson, Land Mark; Kyle J. Krause, Kum & Go.
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