COLUMBIA, Mo. – Break Time, a fast-growing chain of convenience stores operated by MFA Oil Company, has unveiled a customer-focused layout, an enhanced food concept and refreshed branding at its 74th store in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

The 5,000-square-foot Kansas City suburb location is the first store to incorporate Break Time’s new logo and accompanying graphics. In addition to a fresh look, designers developed a store layout with an open, customer-centric floor plan that prominently features a new carryout food concept with an established area barbecue restaurant.

“Our goal is to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere from the moment a customer steps foot inside,” said Curtis Chaney, MFA Oil’s senior vice president of retail operations in charge of the Break Time convenience store chain. “Aesthetically we’ve designed a clean and easy-to-navigate store experience that matches the excitement of launching a new Break Time logo and style.”

Break Time created the desired shopping experience with a series of simple but effective changes, such as raising the ceilings, repositioning the checkout and decorating with wood embellishments and a calming color palette.

Break Time’s new carryout food concept, Smokestack BAR.B.Q., has a history in the greater Kansas City area dating back to 1957.

“The meats served at Break Time’s Smokestack will be hickory smoked and we’ll also feature several of their savory sides and sauces,” Chaney said. “Most importantly, it’s great-tasting barbecue that our customers know and love, and for the Break Time brand, it’s a big win to partner with such a high-quality restaurant brand.”

Break Time will extend the new design package and Smokestack food concept to several new stores and stores slated for renovation in 2017.

In another respect, the suburban Lee’s Summit location is a change up from Break Time’s successful rural strategy. The chain has strong coverage in rural Missouri with more than 70 stores.

“To grow the brand and expand our business, we’re introducing Break Time to new markets such as Lee’s Summit,” Chaney said. “Our team will closely monitor this store’s performance and apply the lessons learned to future expansions.” 

The 1.5-acre convenience store lot also features a car wash, though not the first Break Time to have a car wash, it is the first in recent years to be built with one included.