DES MOINES, IOWA—Kum & Go is continuing to stake its claim in Michigan, this time with plans for a set of Detroit area stores opening in 2024, on the heels of previously announced Grand Rapids c-stores. The family-owned convenience retailer said it plans to open over 50 total stores in the Great Lakes State during the next several years.
“We are excited to announce our entry into the Detroit market,” said Tanner Krause, chief executive officer at Kum & Go. “We’ve been warmly welcomed as we prepare to enter the Grand Rapids area, and with the addition of Detroit, believe Kum & Go will be the lead convenience operator across the state as we continue our growth and expansion.
“Michigan is full of great people and great communities, and we know Kum & Go’s fresh perspective to convenience will create many opportunities there,” Krause said.
Kum & Go is also expanding into Salt Lake City, Utah, and Boise, Idaho, over the next years. It currently has over 400 stores in 11 states.
The company says it will bring a fresh perspective centered around people, food and digital technology to Detroit and the surrounding communities. Kum & Go has made substantial investments in associate benefits in recent years, offering full-time employment opportunities with benefits such as medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, 401(k) with match, paid time off and parental leave.
Kum & Go is also launching a new foodservice menu across its store footprint. Rallied around “Real, Fresh, Fast Eats,” the made-to-order menu features stackers, bowls and grab-and-go burritos for all dayparts.
Kum & Go also gives back 10% of profits to the communities it serves each year, focusing on nonprofits and programs that support arts and culture, youth education and community betterment. (Read The Big Question column by Kum & Go CEO Krause in the September 2022 issue of NACS Magazine to find out how Kum & Go prioritizes corporate social responsibility.)
In 2010, Kum & Go became the only convenience store in the world certified under the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Volume Program with 109 buildings now holding LEED Certification. Kum & Go’s food program offers compostable silverware and straws, recyclable cups and lids and paper or post-consumer recycled food packaging.
“We’re thrilled to continue our expansion in Michigan with this move into the Detroit area,” said Niki Mason, senior vice president of store development at Kum & Go. “Detroit’s ever evolving and changing city present an exciting opportunity for growth and expansion. We’re excited to start serving and connecting with this community.”
Kum & Go was featured in the 2017 NACS Ideas to Go series. To view this video and the latest ones in the series, visit Ideas 2 Go on our website.
Meanwhile, Love’s Travel Stops is opening a new location in Madison, Ohio. The 13,000 square-foot location is open 24/7 and adds 55 jobs to Lake County.
“We are thrilled to show customers Love’s Highway Hospitality in Madison,” said Shane Wharton, president of Love’s. “Coming off the most recent milestone of our 600th location, Love’s is as dedicated and excited as ever to continue providing our customers with the best service and amenities on the highway as we embark on the road to 700.”
Amenities at the store include Arby’s (opening November 17), 90 truck parking spaces, 71 car parking spaces, seven RV hookups, nine diesel bays, seven showers, laundry facilities, CAT scale, bean-to-cup gourmet coffee, Fresh Kitchen concept, Mobile to Go Zone with the latest GPS, headsets and smartphone accessories as well as a dog park.