Hunt Brothers, GoMart and Così outline three partner formats

Hunt Brothers Pizza said September 15 that it had surpassed 11,000 convenience-store locations across 33 states, less than two years after reaching 10,000. Its milestone counts pizza programs inside stores, illustrating one way a retail operator can add a food brand to its business. Hunt Brothers announcement

Two other announcements this week describe different arrangements: GoMart plans franchised Wienerschnitzel/Tastee Freez restaurants with drive-thrus, while Così is licensing catering production to operators with existing commercial kitchens. The physical addition ranges from in-store foodservice to a new restaurant endcap to an additional catering menu.

Hunt Brothers: pizza inside the store#

Hunt Brothers describes its offering as a branded foodservice program and says it is not a franchise. The company charges no franchise, royalty or marketing fees.

On its partner page, the company offers pizza preparation areas and equipment options suited to different stores. It says the program is designed for a convenience-store environment using existing labor, with products that are easy to prepare.

The support extends to free in-store marketing and advice from its pizza team.

GoMart: restaurant endcaps with drive-thrus#

Wienerschnitzel's September 15 announcement identifies new franchise agreements with GoMart, a travel-plaza and convenience-store operator. The first two planned Wienerschnitzel/Tastee Freez restaurants would be in Kanawha City and Ghent, West Virginia, marking Wienerschnitzel's entry into the state.

Both are planned as new-construction endcaps with drive-thru service. GoMart is taking on restaurant development alongside its retail business.

The release says GoMart operates 123 locations across West Virginia, Ohio and Virginia and already has experience operating quick-service restaurants. Beyond the first two projects, it has identified further potential locations across its portfolio, including conversions and new construction over the next five years.

Così: catering from an operating kitchen#

Così introduced its Market Partner Program September 14 for established foodservice businesses, including independent caterers, cafés, delis and restaurants. Qualified operators prepare Così catering in their existing licensed commercial kitchens while retaining their own name and identity.

Partners follow Così recipes, approved ingredients and operating standards. Così provides onboarding, operational guidance and ongoing catering support from its U.S. team. The company said several partners were operating when it announced the program, with a New Haven, Connecticut, location expected to open soon.

The program's ordering details explain how the additional menu reaches the kitchen. Così helps select offerings suited to the operation's size and capabilities and supplies recipes and training materials. Operators buy proprietary products through Sysco.

Hosts continue to offer their own standard menu and keep control of their business operations. Così's program also includes help setting up third-party platforms and physical marketing materials. Partners use Così bags and boxes and the brand’s trademark for the licensed food they sell.

The enrollment process runs from application through a meeting with Così’s team, training and onboarding, then launch on its platforms.

Customers order through Così's website or ezCater, and orders reach the host restaurant through Così's catering management software. Delivery can use the operator's delivery providers, ezDispatch or another courier it works with.

Così lists its fee as 10% for sales through third parties such as ezCater and 20% for sales through its website or customer service center.