Arko Opens Another Food-Forward Location

Plus, GSP remodeled two Dash In stores, and the largest owner and operator of TA Travel Center’s is working on redevelopment.

August 06, 2025

Arko Corp. recently opened its new Handy Mart location in Kinston, North Carolina, located at 2227 Highway 11N, featuring its new fas craves branding and menu offering, according to a press release.

“This site is a New-to-Industry (NTI) build and is among the first to feature ARKO’s innovative food-forward concept, fas craves,” the retailer said. “This new store is centered around a crave-worthy menu of hot and cold grab-n-go items designed for today’s busy consumer. Whether it’s a quick breakfast, a convenient lunch, or an afternoon snack, fas craves offers delicious, satisfying options throughout the day.”

This NTI build marks a continued expansion of the fas craves concept.

Arko said the fas craves menu includes hot and cold grab-n-go, roller grill, bakery and expanded dispensed beverages. To celebrate the opening, customers can get exclusive fas craves food deals, including two chicken tenders and a small side of potato wedges for $4.99, and any fountain drink, tea or lemonade for 99 cents.

Meanwhile, GSP completed a series of store remodeling projects for Maryland-based Dash In, according to a press release sent to NACS. The project kicked off with two pilot store conversions in Maryland.

“These initial conversions provided valuable insights and allowed for crucial refinement before a wider implementation. Now that the initial development is complete, GSP will complete an ambitious rollout of 24 additional stores in 2025,” GSP said.

GSP’s Retail Environments team said it has been executing Dash In’s brand evolution, providing customers with:

  • Enhanced Shopping Experience: Creating a more intuitive and enjoyable shopping environment.

  • Refined Brand Aesthetics: Implementing a contemporary design language, with meticulous attention to placement of décor, fixtures, materials, colors and other branding elements to create a cohesive and engaging brand experience.

  • Brand Consistency: GSP developed a strategy to tailor the brand to the specific needs of each store, ensuring consistent customer experiences from one store to the next.

In Alabama, Forman Capital provided a $20.11 million construction bridge loan to LV Petroleum, the largest owner and operator of TA Travel Center franchises in the United States, for the redevelopment and completion of a travel plaza located off I-10 between Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida, according to a press release sent to NACS.

The 51-acre site at 27801 County Road 64 in Robertsdale, Alabama, was formerly known as the Oasis Travel Center and has already been converted into a TA Travel Center, per the release. The property is currently open with all facilities operating except for diesel fuel sales. The loan from Forman Capital will enable the borrower to complete this final phase of construction, allowing full operations within the next four months.

The redeveloped TA Travel Center features 26,797 square feet of retail space. The location has eight gas pumps, five diesel pumps and four diesel emission fluid pumps, and parking for 100 vehicles and 220 semi-trucks.