Dive Brief:
- Southeastern convenience store retailer Parker’s plans to add 75 new locations to its network over the next four years, a company spokesperson confirmed via email.
- Parker’s will also enter new markets during this growth phase, including Jacksonville, Florida; Augusta, Georgia; and Aiken and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the spokesperson said.
- If all goes according to plan, Parker’s — which has 76 convenience stores in its network today — will double its current footprint by the end of this four-year period, surpassing 150 locations.
Dive Insight:
Each of the 75 new stores will follow one of two distinct prototypes — either Parker’s “standard” or “small” format, the spokesperson said.
While both prototypes have the same foodservice offerings — including fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and a variety of breakfast sandwiches and plates — the standard format, which is 5,175 square feet, has more coolers and a larger indoor dining area than the smaller store, which spans 3,905 square feet, they noted.
Parker’s arrival in Jacksonville will mark the company’s third state of operation after Georgia and South Carolina. Parker’s revealed plans for this expansion back in July when it bought a nearly 10-acre plot on Faye Road and Alta Drive in Jacksonville.
The spokesperson did not specify how many of each prototype will be built, nor did they clarify exactly when over the next four years Parker’s will enter the new markets.
Savannah, Georgia-based Parker’s isn’t the only popular convenience store retailer this year to outline ambitious growth plans. Alimentation Couche-Tard — parent of Circle K — and Murphy USA both revealed plans to build 500 more stores within the next several years, while Casey’s General Stores said earlier this summer it’s looking to open 350 more locations by 2026.
