Services, Food and Fuel Directorate — a Recipe for Success
Strategies for growing Services, Food & Fuel businesses exceeded plans by $29 million in 2016.
“A compelling mix of products, services, entertainment and food options along with fuel are being offered at Exchange locations to improve quality of life and positively impact the community – providing a sense of place that elevates the customer experience and cements our relevancy in today’s increasingly competitive retail arena,” said Services, Food & Fuel Directorate Senior Vice President Trini Saucedo.
Services and food sales were $2 billion YTD December 2016, $40 million ahead of last year, and $51 million above plan. Net earnings for services, food, and fuel were $362 million YTD December 2016, an increase of $15M above plan.
“This is the Exchange’s commitment to healthier options for our service members so they are fit and mission-ready.”
— Trini Saucedo, senior vice president of Services, Food & Fuel Directorate
Recipe for Success
Providing food, healthy options and an exceptional customer experience have proved to be recipes for success for the food team. The Exchange opened or converted 67 new restaurants 2016. The lineup for 2017 will include brands and choices that are food destinations for service members and their families not only during the week, but also at night and on weekends.
Supporting BE FIT initiatives
Initiatives for 2017 will include expanding existing brands, evaluating emerging trends and providing healthy food options. In support of the Department of Defense’s Healthy Army Communities and the Exchanges’ BE FIT initiatives, the Exchange opened 10 Boston Markets, seven Qdobas and a Freshëns Fresh Food Studio in 2016. The second Freshëns is due to open at Eglin AFB, Fla., this spring.
“This is in part a transition from the underperforming brands while aligning with popular national name brands,” Saucedo said, “ More importantly, this is the Exchange’s commitment to healthier options for our service members so they are fit and mission ready.”
