Hy-Vee Announces Innovative Partnerships with Wahlburgers Restaurants and Orangetheory Fitness
August 30, 2017 | News & Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (August 30, 2017) — Hy-Vee, Inc. today announced two strategic partnerships that will diversify its business model while reinforcing its mission of making customers’ lives easier, healthier and happier. The organization plans to build, own and operate 26 Wahlburgers restaurants – nearly doubling the brand’s current locations. Hy-Vee will add select Wahlburgers menu items in all Market Grille restaurants. In addition, Hy-Vee will partner with Orangetheory Fitness to provide customers with convenient access to an intensive group fitness program in or adjacent to Hy-Vee stores.
“These unprecedented collaborations reinforce our company’s longstanding commitment to health and wellness, culinary expertise and customer experience,” said Hy-Vee Chairman, CEO and President Randy Edeker. “However, they also represent a bold step to deliberately evolve our business to meet the change in our customers’ lifestyles and spending habits. These partnerships keep us on the leading edge as the retail grocery industry evolves.”
Last year, eating meals outside the home surpassed meals consumed in the home. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery spending trends began to shift in 2014. Millennials have played a significant role in the evolution, spending 44 percent of their food dollars annually on eating out, according to the Food Institute’s analysis of the USDA food expenditure data from 2014. That increase has skyrocketed income spent in restaurants and on take-out meals, rising from 34 percent in 1974 to 50 percent in 2014.
“There is a changing landscape in the retail industry,” Edeker said. “Hy-Vee has a responsibility to our customers, employees and communities to look for new ways to strengthen our company. With this type of progressive action, Hy-Vee is well positioned for future growth.”
Wahlburgers is a family-friendly restaurant that offers a unique dining experience featuring signature burgers and drinks in a casual environment. Currently, Wahlburgers operates 17 locations in nine states and Canada. Hy-Vee will build, own and operate 26 Wahlburgers in seven Midwestern states, becoming the brand’s largest single franchisee. In addition, all 84 Hy-Vee Market Grille restaurants will offer Wahlburgers-branded menu items. The Wahlburgers restaurants will complement Hy-Vee’s Market Grille restaurants, and tie into to the organization’s commitment to providing culinary expertise and experiences.
“I would personally like to welcome Hy-Vee to the Wahlburgers family,” said Paul Wahlberg, chef and co-founder of Wahlburgers. “It’s a great honor to be able to partner up with a company that has a long and successful history in the two areas that are very important to Wahlburgers, quality and customer service.”
The first Hy-Vee-owned Wahlburgers will be located in West Des Moines, Iowa, and open in mid-2018.
“Hy-Vee has been a great partner for us with our Performance Inspired Nutrition line. Their commitment to quality and innovation shows in everything they do,” said Mark Wahlberg, actor, producer and co-founder of Wahlburgers. “I can't think of a better fit for Wahlburgers to introduce our family's hospitality to the Midwest.”
Orangetheory Fitness is a revolutionary fitness program offering a one-of-a-kind, intensive group training workout. With 750 studios open nationwide, the company is on track to open 1,500 in the next two years. Hy-Vee will partner with Orangetheory to offer customers a fitness experience in or adjacent to Hy-Vee stores. In addition, Hy-Vee dietitians will work with Orangetheory members to offer dietetic services, provide samples of nutritional products and lead store tours to showcase items that align with member needs. This partnership creates an integrated fitness component to bolster Hy-Vee’s focus on health and wellness – including in-store dietitians, HealthMarkets, chefs, fresh and organic produce and pharmacies.
The first Hy-Vee Orangetheory Fitness location will open in 2017 in the Twin Cities.
“Orangetheory is a revolutionary fitness experience, which combined with Hy-Vee’s health offerings, creates a one-stop shop for wellness,” said Orangetheory Fitness Chief Brand Officer Kevin Keith. “Like our members, we know that many Hy-Vee customers are looking for more convenient ways to access fitness and healthy eating options in one location – this partnership solves that need.”
Innovation has become especially important to Hy-Vee as customer lifestyles and attitudes toward retail shift. In addition to these partnerships, Hy-Vee will continue to explore new ways to evolve while maintaining its core focus.
“At Hy-Vee, we are committed to meeting our customers where they are – whether that is in a retail grocery environment, restaurant or online through our Aisles Online program,” said Hy-Vee’s Executive Vice President of Strategy and Chief Merchandising Officer Jeremy Gosch. “These partnerships are just another example of Hy-Vee listening to the needs of our customers.”
For access to digital assets and video interviews from Hy-Vee executives and the Wahlberg family, please visit our Hy-Vee Sharefile site at: https://hy-vee.sharefile.com/d-s087edd644ec45c19
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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 240 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $9.8 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy- Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s 85,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.
Wahlburgers was founded by Executive Chef Paul Wahlberg, celebrity brothers Mark and Donnie and other investors. Wahlburgers offers a fun, casual music-filled atmosphere where guests, like family, share great food, a few laughs and lots of love. Crafted by Chef Paul and served with heartfelt hospitality, the chef inspired menu features a variety of fresh burgers, housemade condiments, crispy haddock, seared chicken and vegetarian options along with thick creamy frappes and floats. Wahlburgers’ full-service bar offers an impressive selection of adult frappes, cocktails, wines and beers. For locations and more information visit wahlburgersrestaurant.com.
Wahlburgers Media Contact: Lori Moretti, (617) 536-3400; [email protected]
Orangetheory Fitness is a scientifically designed, one-of-a-kind group personal training, interval fitness concept that is sweeping the nation. Backed by the science of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), Orangetheory Fitness is a 60-minute workout broken into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training. For more information visit www.orangetheoryfitness.com.
Orangetheory Fitness Media Contact: Claibourne Rogers, (954) 893-9150; [email protected]