Family Express begins work on prototype modular convenience store buildings
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A conceptual rendering of the new modular design of Family Express convenience stores. (Rendering Provided/Family Express)
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Construction begins on the first modular design Family Express convenience store building in Ligonier. (Provided Photo/Family Express)
Valparaiso-based convenience store chain Family Express Corp. is moving forward with the first of several prototype building design.
The company is assembling its first modular building at a new location in Ligonier, which will feature a full kitchen and car wash. It’s part of a $100 million investment by Family Express to develop about a dozen of what it’s calling “new-to-industry” stores at various locations around the state.
“Our objective is to facilitate the rapid development of our company and to remedy, to the extent possible, weather-related delays that are typical in the upper Midwest,” CEO Gus Olympidis said in written remarks.
The 7,200-square-foot masonry buildings are prefabricated in a controlled environment and then shipped to the construction site, where the company said they can be assembled in a matter of days.
Vice President of Development Peter Andreou told Inside INdiana Business that the only way to execute the company’s aggressive development plans, they had to come up with an idea that’s focused on speed-to-market.
“Having a building that’s ready to ship to a construction site, and being able to be erected in a matter of days is very enticing to us, and we feel that that can accommodate our development growth, which is pretty aggressive,” Andreou said.
Andreou said the modular design makes it much more adaptable for various municipalities and helps shave off the normal construction time and avoid multiple kinds of delays.
The design brings a modern, upscale look and great curb appeal, Andreou said, which complements the company’s effort to bring more of a restaurant style to its convenience stores.
“Convenience stores are pretty much becoming a restaurant,” he said. “We have a wide variety of options, ranging from barbecue ribs to our much talked about thin crust pizza, which we’re expected to sell over half a million made-to-order pizzas this year alone. The inside layout is very customer centric, and all the offers are readily available and visible to the customer. We have indoor-outdoor seating. That’s part of the becoming a restaurant thing as well.”
In addition to the Ligoner store, work is also underway on a new modular design store in Nappanee. Plans also call for new stores in Valparaiso, St. John, Marion, Lafayette, and Fort Wayne.
Family Express currently has 84 stores in operation, employing about 1,000 employees. Andreou said the new stores will each have 15-20 employees.
“We love our communities,” he said. “We love building relationships, and we’re excited to go into markets.”