Convenience Store Alliance now offers complete fountain package to help independent retailers save money.
Phillips 66’s branded retailer buying program, Convenience Store Alliance (CSA), released an online calculator that shows savings potential on CSA’s Fountain Freedom program, a package offering independent operators chain store pricing on soda fountain syrup, carbonation solutions, equipment and financing.
While CSA is exclusive to Phillips 66 in the Western half of the U.S., any fuel brand affiliation can participate in CSA’s fountain program in the Eastern portion.
Online users can type in current fountain syrup purchases and view results instantly. Savings calculations are based on CSA’s national account pricing and rebates on fountain syrup through Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper and Pepsi, three of now six Fountain Freedom vendors.
“We have been very pleased with the savings CSA has provided our branded sites since the announcement of our relationship last year,” said Mike O’Connor, manager of programs and brand image for Phillips 66. “And since current member savings are based on fountain syrup costs alone, we eagerly anticipate the added savings with CSA’s new fountain equipment and CO2 vendors.”
National equipment supplier Ken’s Beverage, Inc. (KBI) is the first of the new additions to CSA’s Fountain Freedom program. KBI is a major supplier for Circle K and McDonald’s and was named McDonald’s U.S. Supplier of the Year in 2012. They provide CSA members a national call-in number to take care of all inquiries from fountain equipment sales and installation, to equipment repair and preventative maintenance. KBI is CSA’s solution for independent store operators looking to take control of the products dispensed and sold to customers.
“Our Fountain Freedom program enables dealers to pour Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Dr Pepper products out of the same machine, at prices independent dealers would not have access to without group buying power,” said CSA President and CEO Mike Lawson. “And now Ken’s Beverage solves the dilemma of who will service the fountain equipment once they are on our program. We even offer equipment financing plans through Direct Capital.”
CSA also announced partnership this year with NuCO2, a carbonation solutions company that installs and maintains bulk CO2 tanks to eliminate waste and free store operators from the hassle of dealing with potentially dangerous CO2 cylinders. NuCO2 services 7-Eleven, Love’s Travel Stops, Pilot Flying J and Buc-ee’s as well as about 70 percent of the beverage-serving restaurant community in the U.S.
“We are excited to be a part of CSA’s turn-key solution in the fountain beverage offering,” said NuCO2 Southwest Regional Sales Manager Eric Monroe. “CSA is the only association we have partnered with that has a full fountain program available to their members, which will certainly give CSA members a key advantage in a highly competitive consumer category.”
Check out the calculator here: http://brandnews.drivesavvy.com/2014Q1CSARefreshCampaign_InteractiveTool.html