Kum & Go expands local coffee partnership to over 300 stores

Dive Brief:

Kum & Go announced it is expanding its partnership with coffee company BLK & Bold, bringing the “sustainably sourced, specialty grade” coffee to its bean-to-cup machines in more than 300 of the chain’s locations in 13 states, according to a press release.
The partnership began in January 2022, with the convenience retailer adding the roaster’s Rise & GRND and Smooth Operator blends to 35 locations in Little Rock, Arkansas; Omaha, Nebraska; and Des Moines, Iowa.
The partnership between these two businesses that call Des Moines home highlights the key role local suppliers can play for c-stores.

Dive Insight:

To help it stand out in a coffee service category that’s become a staple for c-stores, Kum & Go is turning to a local partner with a growing national profile and a philanthropic mission.

BLK & Bold is a Black-owned nationally distributed coffee company that uses fair trade and direct trade Arabica coffee that they roast in Des Moines. Founded by childhood friends Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson, the company donates 5% of its proceeds to youth-focused nonprofit organizations.

“BLK & Bold’s coffee is as fine a cup as you will find in our industry. Combining quality with the philanthropic values of the brand is a key reason why their company is growing rapidly and why they are an obvious fit with Kum & Go’s values,” said Tanner Krause, CEO of Kum & Go, in a statement.

Kum & Go’s coffee program also includes iced coffee, cappuccino and hot chocolate. The company has added its made-to-order food program to more than 100 of its locations.

Kum & Go is far from the only company putting coffee in the spotlight recently. Arko Corp. noted in its first-quarter earnings that adding 550 bean-to-cup machines throughout its footprint has boosted its coffee program by 133%. Earlier this year, GetGo Cafe + Market announced an upgrade to its own coffee service to add bean-to-cup, cold-brew and nitrogen-infused coffee to its offerings.

7-Eleven, meanwhile, made coffee the star of its latest selection of “Take it to Eleven” ads.

Kum & Go, which recently agreed to merge with Salt Lake City-based Maverik, runs more than 400 stores in 13 states and employs more than 5,000 people. Both companies also make a point to return a percent of their profits back to the community.