Sheetz unveils new concept in restaurant technology

RALEIGH, N.C. --(Business Wire)-- March 9, 2005-- In the realm of technology, Sheetz is well known as an industry innovator. Its convenience stores were the first in the industry to exclusively use state-of-the-art touch-screen ordering which allows customers to quickly and efficiently order their food selections on an electronic screen.                          Sheetz has once again broken away from the industry pack, unveiling its second Convenience Restaurant - a cutting-edge hybrid concept that combines quick-casual dining and convenience. The new Convenience Restaurant, located in Raleigh, N.C., will officially open its doors to the public on Thursday, March 10th. The Convenience Restaurant concept was developed from customer feedback received when Steve Sheetz, chairman of the family-owned convenience industry leader, issued a public challenge in 2002 to "help put Sheetz out of business." After intensive research and input from Sheetz employees and customers system-wide, the Convenience Restaurant concept was born.

"The Convenience Restaurant is a revolution in both the food and convenience industries," said Steve Sheetz. "The concept combines a top-quality restaurant with a wide variety of great-tasting food and a state-of-the-art convenience store." The 10,000 square-foot Convenience Restaurant offers a broad menu prepared in a food theater where customers can watch as employees in white chef coats prepare their selections. Hand-carved slow-roasted turkey and roast beef Carverz® sandwiches, hand-tossed pizzas, gourmet hand-tossed salads, cold and toasted subs, panini sandwiches, quesadillas, or black angus Burgerz are just a few of the selections available from the theatre. "There is a unique visual element to the food theater in the Convenience Restaurant," said Keith Boston, Sheetz director of culinary development. "Customers can see their fresh salads and brick-oven pizza being assembled or their hand-carved roast beef and turkey sandwiches being prepared. It's food in your face." A full-service espresso bar features the first ever touch screen order point for Sheetz Bros. Coffeez™, Sheetz own line of gourmet coffee. A professionally trained barista prepares specialty mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, and fruit smoothies. While the quality of the coffee rivals leaders in the specialty coffee industry, Sheetz is careful to stay away from pretense and jargon in their product descriptions, making it easy to order your brew exactly the way you like it. The facility also features dine-in options with indoor and outdoor seating for more than 100 customers, the world's first touch screen drive-thru, digital menu boards, touchless restrooms and a gas island with 100 percent pay at the pump capability. Leading industry consultants say that these types of customer experience zones will become more frequent in a variety of retail food service establishments. Paul Barron of BMG Consulting claims that the move for more automation in-store and in the drive-thru lane have been underway for some time but Sheetz has taken the lead on improving the zone. "Much like when athletes find themselves in the zone, buyers do much of the same. They are engaged in the experience and this heightens the opportunity for purchasing goods and services". Trent Long a leading consumer science expert was one of the first experts to reveal that major food retailers would begin to cross the barrier of just selling food. More experiences are sure to creep into our fast food environment. "Touchscreen order-entry and customer engagement is the next major automation tool," states Barron. With labor and service expectations rising, and the ability to blend many technologies into one experience, this will fuel the addition of new retail technologies very soon.More on SheetzThe convenience area includes more than 350 bottled drink choices, a beer cooler, a wide selection of cigarettes and tobacco products, an array of fresh baked goods as well as additional fill-in grocery items such as milk and bread. For customers in a real hurry, the grab-and-go case is stocked with fresh food items. But wait, there's more. The Convenience Restaurant has something exciting for kids of all ages with DVD Rental and 5 large screen TVs. The new and improved convenience section features a larger than life self-serve bulk candy dispensary as well as creatively packaged kid meals and Nickelodeon merchandise. The facility even has tot pots in both men's and women's family restroom facilities. Throughout the uniquely decorated restaurant, the bright colors and contrasting textures transport anyone who walks through the doors to a hip and high-spirited environment unmatched by competitors. The Raleigh Convenience Restaurant is located approximately 3 miles north of I-540 off of North Capital Boulevard at 4801 Thornton Road.About SheetzEstablished in 1952, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sheetz, Inc. is one of America's most dynamic and fastest growing family-owned and operated convenience store chains, with more than $2.8 billion in revenue and more than 9,800 employees. The company operates over 300 convenience locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina. Sheetz provides an award-winning menu of made-to-order subs, sandwiches and salads ordered through unique touch-screens and is recognized for its innovative technology and Total Customer Focus. Sheetz currently ranks 87 on the Forbes list of largest private companies and was named fourth best place to work in Pennsylvania this year. All Sheetz convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information, visit Sheetz on the Web at http://www.sheetz.com or call (800) 487-5444.