ARKO Corp. Unveils its First Enhanced Food and Beverage Pilot Store in Ashland, VA, Launches New Food Concept fascraves

Rhea-AI Summary

ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO), a Fortune 500 convenience store operator, has launched its first enhanced food-focused remodeled store in Ashland, Virginia, introducing its new food brand fas craves. This flagship location is part of an eight-site pilot program featuring hot and cold grab-n-go items.

The new concept offers an extensive menu including chicken biscuits, potato wedges, chicken wings, and various beverages like nitro cold brew and bean-to-cup coffee. The remodeled store features modern amenities such as digital menu boards and an updated interior design.

Opening day specials include $4.99 for two Ultimate Chicken Tenders with potato wedges and 99-cent fountain drinks. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for July 16-29, with additional promotions planned.

Positive

• Launch of new food brand 'fas craves' demonstrates strategic expansion into food service
• Modernization of stores with digital menu boards and contemporary design to attract new customers
• Implementation across eight initial locations shows commitment to scaling the concept
• Integration with existing fas REWARDS loyalty program offering up to $2 off per gallon of gas

Negative

• Initial rollout limited to only eight locations, indicating a cautious approach
• Significant investment required for store remodels and new builds
• Entering competitive prepared food market with established players

Insights

Retail Industry Analyst

ARKO's new food concept could boost margins and traffic, though real impact depends on successful wider rollout beyond initial pilot.

ARKO's launch of the fas craves food concept represents a strategic pivot toward higher-margin foodservice offerings in its convenience store network. This aligns with broader industry trends where leading c-store operators are increasingly focusing on fresh food to drive foot traffic and improve profitability beyond traditional fuel and packaged goods.

The pilot program's modest initial scope—eight locations including six remodels and two new builds—suggests a measured approach to test consumer reception before wider implementation. The menu composition indicates ARKO is targeting key dayparts (breakfast, lunch, snacks) with both grab-and-go and freshly prepared options, directly competing with quick-service restaurants rather than just offering basic convenience fare.

The modernization elements, including digital menu boards and contemporary interior design, show ARKO is investing in the customer experience, likely aiming to change consumer perceptions about convenience store food quality. From an operational perspective, the focus on roller grill items, chicken offerings, and bakery products suggests ARKO has developed a food program that balances labor efficiency with consumer appeal.

This move comes as foodservice continues to deliver 2-3x the profit margins of traditional c-store merchandise. However, execution challenges in foodservice are significant—including food safety management, consistency across locations, and higher operational complexity. The success of this initiative will ultimately depend on ARKO's ability to scale the concept efficiently across its extensive network while maintaining quality and freshness standards that meet evolving consumer expectations.

RICHMOND, Va., June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO), a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest convenience store operators in the United States, proudly announces the opening of its first food-focused remodeled store in Ashland, Virginia, located at 10030 Sliding Hill Rd. This milestone location also marks the debut of fas craves, ARKO’s innovative new food brand that will be a key feature of future store remodels across its nationwide network.

This flagship location is the first of eight initial sites—six remodels and two new-to-industry builds—launched as part of a pilot program focused on delivering a relevant and delicious menu of hot and cold grab-n-go items. The new concept debuts a crave-worthy prepared food and dispensed beverage concept designed for today’s on-the-go consumer. Whether it’s a quick breakfast, a convenient lunch, or an afternoon snack, fas craves offers flavorful, satisfying options throughout the day.

The new menu includes Hot and Cold Grab-n-Go, Roller Grill, Bakery, and Dispensed Beverages, with standout offerings like crispy chicken biscuits, zesty potato wedges, mozzarella sticks, jumbo chicken wings, the Ultimate Chicken Tender, Tyson^® chicken sandwiches and Pub burgers. Beverage selections are equally enticing, featuring nitro cold brew, bean-to-cup always fresh hot and iced coffee, iced teas, lemonades, Frazil Slush and Café Tango frozen coffee.

“This new food concept remodel and the introduction of fas craves represent a bold step forward in how we serve our customers,” said Arie Kotler, President & CEO at ARKO Corp. “We’re focused on transforming the convenience experience — not just with updated stores, but with food offerings that truly resonate with today’s on-the-go consumer.”

The remodeled store is designed to attract new customers, with a layout that’s easy to shop and a product assortment shaped directly by customer feedback. It includes modernized features such as digital menu boards and a brighter, more contemporary interior design, creating a seamless and elevated shopping experience.

To celebrate the first day of operation on June 25th, customers can enjoy special food deals including two savory crispy Ultimate Chicken Tenders and a small side of potato wedges for just $4.99, and any fountain drink, tea, or lemonade for only 99 cents.

While the store opens on June 25th, a formal grand opening celebration is planned for July 16–29, featuring additional promotions and community-focused events.

fas craves will continue to roll out alongside store remodels throughout ARKO’s network, bringing delicious and crave-worthy options to more customers nationwide.

While customers are enjoying our new delicious food and beverage menu, they can take advantage of our exciting Fueling America's Future promotion and save up to $2 off a gallon of gas by enrolling in our fas REWARDS loyalty program, purchasing participating products, and entering their phone number at the pump to watch the price get reduced and the savings add up!

About ARKO Corp.

ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) is a Fortune 500 company that owns 100% of GPM Investments, LLC and is one of the largest operators of convenience stores and wholesalers of fuel in the United States. Based in Richmond, VA, our highly recognizable Family of Community Brands offers delicious, prepared foods, beer, snacks, candy, hot and cold beverages, and multiple popular quick serve restaurant brands. We operate in four reportable segments: retail, which includes convenience stores selling merchandise and fuel products to retail customers; wholesale, which supplies fuel to independent dealers and consignment agents; fleet fueling, which includes the operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations, and issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites; and GPM Petroleum, which sells and supplies fuel to our retail and wholesale sites and charges a fixed fee, primarily to our fleet fueling sites. To learn more about GPM stores, visit: www.gpminvestments.com. To learn more about ARKO, visit: www.arkocorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, the Company’s expected financial and operational results and the related assumptions underlying its expected results. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by use of words such as “accretive,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to, among other things, changes in economic, business and market conditions; the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of its common stock and warrants on the Nasdaq Stock Market; changes in its strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans; expansion plans and opportunities; changes in the markets in which it competes; changes in applicable laws or regulations, including those relating to environmental matters; market conditions and global and economic factors beyond its control; and the outcome of any known or unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings. Detailed information about these factors and additional important factors can be found in the documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Media Contact
Jordan Mann
ARKO Corp.
investors@gpminvestments.com

Investor Contact
Sean Mansouri, CFA
Elevate IR
(720) 330-2829
ARKO@elevate-ir.com

FAQ

What is ARKO's new food concept 'fas craves' and when was it launched?

fas craves is ARKO's new food brand launched on June 25, 2025, offering hot and cold grab-n-go items, roller grill items, bakery products, and dispensed beverages at their first remodeled store in Ashland, Virginia.

How many locations will feature ARKO's new fas craves concept initially?

The initial pilot program includes eight locations - six remodels and two new-to-industry builds.

What are the opening day specials for ARKO's first fas craves location?

Opening day specials include two Ultimate Chicken Tenders and potato wedges for $4.99, and any fountain drink, tea, or lemonade for 99 cents.

When is the grand opening celebration for ARKO's first fas craves store?

The formal grand opening celebration is scheduled for July 16-29, 2025, featuring additional promotions and community-focused events.

What fuel savings are available at ARKO's new fas craves location?

Customers can save up to $2 off per gallon of gas by enrolling in the fas REWARDS loyalty program and purchasing participating products.