Dive Brief:
- Upscale convenience retailer Foxtrot and its sister company Dom’s Kitchen & Market ceased operations on Tuesday, according to an announcement from Dom’s.
- This impacts all 33 Foxtrot c-stores and two Dom’s markets across Chicago; Dallas; Austin, Texas; and Washington, D.C., according to the announcement. Dom’s did not specify why it suddenly ceased operations, only noting that it “explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option despite good faith and exhaustive efforts.”
- This comes just a few months after Foxtrot, which was founded in 2014, announced it was merging with Dom’s in a move that would create a new food retail entity, Outfox Hospitality.
Dive Insight:
All elements of both Foxtrot’s and Dom’s businesses will close at the end of the day on April 23. According to Dom’s website, that includes delivery capabilities, store operations, store credits, both brands’ mobile apps and all customer-facing operations.
In a statement on Dom’s website and on Foxtrot’s Instagram account, the companies said the decision to shutter operations “has not been made lightly” and that it understands the impact it will have on its customers and team members. The company thanked its customers, team members and partners for the brand it built over the years.
“We understand that this news may come as a shock, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause,” the statement reads. “We genuinely appreciate your understanding during this challenging time.”
Last November, Foxtrot and Dom’s announced that the two companies were merging in an effort to “redefine food shopping and dining experiences” and offer “thoughtfully curated products and experiences” to customers.
At the time, former Foxtrot CEO Liz Williams took over the combined entity, with Dom’s CEO Don Fitzgerald serving as chief operating officer. However, in February, Williams left the company to become CEO at restaurant chain El Pollo Loco, and former Whole Foods executive Rob Twyman became CEO of Outfox Hospitality.
Although it’s unclear why exactly the two chains have ceased operations, the economic climate has not been favorable of late for upscale food retailers. Foxtrot, which expanded rapidly over the past few years, sold made-to-order meals, smoothies and coffee, and featured many local and niche brands in its stores.
A spokesperson from Foxtrot did not respond by press time for more details on its sudden termination.
