The Smokestack Bar.B.Q brand has brought flavorful new options to Break Time customers looking for food on-the-go. Break Time’s latest food concept is now available at four locations and a new express program has been developed to broaden the barbecue’s availability.
“With the success we’ve seen with our full-service Smokestack Bar.B.Q operations, we wanted to find a way to expand the program to accommodate additional Break Time locations,” says Stephanie Mahoney, Break Time food service development manager. “The Smokestack Bar.B.Q Express program allows for us to serve ready-to-eat sandwiches and sides for customers that are in a hurry.”
Initially, the express program will carry pulled pork sandwiches and baked beans in heated grab-and-go merchandisers. Additional Smokestack Bar.B.Q menu items and limited time offerings could be added to the express line-up if the program proves successful. Cold versions of the pulled pork sandwiches are also being produced by the Dashboard Diner commissary for distribution in cold cases at some stores.
“So far it has been very easy to train store employees to make the express sandwiches,” says Silva Break Time store manager Kati Copeland. “Customers that have tried the sandwiches have said that it’s really good barbecue, especially for a convenience store.”
Smokestack Bar.B.Q Express is already up and running in five locations, including: Maryville, Owensville, Piedmont, Silva, Savannah and the store on Vawter School Road in Columbia. Mahoney says there are plans to add the express service at stores in Jefferson City, Springfield and Taos later this year.
“Many of our customers just want a quick, affordable and delicious lunch to-go,” says Mahoney. “We’re looking at customer counts, counter space availability and other factors to determine other stores where Smokestack Bar.B.Q Express would be a good fit.”