Retail cooperative launches new c-store concept

Dive Brief:

The Greater Houston Retailers Cooperative Association (GHRA) has launched Kudos, a new convenience-store brand that will roll out in the greater Houston market, according to a Tuesday announcement.
Kudos was created to improve local communities through social and environmental programs, strengthen connections with customers and offer a “high-quality” food and beverage program.
The GHRA spent more than two years developing the Kudos c-store concept, the association said.

Dive Insight:

Kudos’ focus areas of social impact, customer experience and foodservice will be a means for the brand to “differentiate itself” from competitors, the GHRA said in the announcement.

Kudos’ food and beverage program — called Kudos Foodservice, set to launch in 2023 — will position Kudos c-stores as a “restaurant destination,” the association said. The program will feature breakfast items such as fresh biscuits and tacos, hand-breaded chicken sandwiches and tenders, a full-service Espresso bar and a line of fresh- squeezed lemonades. As part of the “community” aspect of the program, Kudos will offer samples for its foodservice items.

Kudos will also offer a line of both artisanal and private-label sweets and snacks.

Its social causes will focus on caring for the community and the environment, demonstrated by clean water and renewable energy initiatives, local sponsorships, and recognizing and serving “local heroes,” also known community members, the association said.

The GHRA worked alongside an assortment of companies to put Kudos together, including Impact 21, Bona Design Labs, CBX agency, Katz Coffee, Synergy Restaurants Consultants and WT group.

"This has been an extraordinary team effort involving some of the brightest minds in the c-store industry," said Brian Trout, CEO of the GHRA.

Established in 1999, the GHRA supports independently owned and operated c-stores in the greater Houston area through professional and commercial support, educational programs and more. It has more than 1,100 members and represents over 2,000 c-stores.