Fry's Food Stores Announces $260 Million Capital Investment in Arizona

TOLLESON, Ariz., March 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fry's Food Stores announced it is expanding its presence in Arizona and plans to add seven new stores in 2016. Fry's will invest $260 million in Arizona to build six new Marketplace Stores and to add one new store in Tucson along with multiple fuel centers at the properties. This funding also will be used to build additional fuel centers and complete expansion projects and remodels. The growth initiative will create more than 2,000 full- and part-time career opportunities that offer competitive pay, healthcare plans, retirement options, product discounts and other incentives.

"Fry's is a company that is focused on smart, strategic growth and providing a highly-satisfied customer shopping experience," says Steve McKinney, president of Fry's Food Stores. "We've operated here since 1960. In that period, we've grown our footprint to 119 stores and 82 fuel centers. Fry's successfully reached this point by closely monitoring the unique needs of this market and evolving to meet the requests of our customers."

Seven New Store Locations:

• Fry's Marketplace (Signal Butte & Guadalupe) – 2724 S. Signal Butte Rd. in Mesa. Scheduled opening: Summer 2016.
• Fry's Marketplace (Bell & 14^th St. – a new larger store that will replace the current Fry's Food Store located at 7^th St. & Bell) – 1311 E. Bell Rd. in Phoenix. Scheduled opening: Summer 2016.
• Fry's Marketplace (Camelback Rd. & Litchfield Rd.) – 13830 W. Camelback Rd. in Litchfield Park. Scheduled opening: Fall 2016.
• Fry's Marketplace (Gilbert & Ocotillo) – 2929 E. Ocotillo Rd. in Chandler. Scheduled opening: Fall 2016.
• Fry's Food Store (Valencia & Valley Indian Agency) – 1795 W. Valencia Rd. in Tucson. Store size: 102,375 sq. ft. Scheduled opening: Fall 2016.
• Fry's Marketplace (Lake Pleasant & Happy Valley Rd.) – 25401 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway in Peoria. This store also will feature a Power Parasol (see below for details). Scheduled opening: Fall 2016.
• Fry's Marketplace (North Valley Parkway) – 2800 W. Dove Valley Rd. in Phoenix. This store also will feature a Power Parasol (see below for details). Scheduled opening: Fall 2016.

*Fry's Marketplace stores are approximately 124,000 sq. ft.

Store Features
The six new Marketplace stores in Maricopa County will all feature adjacent fuel centers and several amenities such as Starbucks Coffee Shops, Murray's Cheese Stores, wine/beer tasting, sushi bar, salad bar, soup bar, made-to-order sandwiches, indoor seating, outdoor patio, The Little Clinic, pharmacy drive-up window and much more.

The new Tucson store will feature an adjacent fuel center, Starbucks Coffee Shop, salad bar, soup bar, sushi bar, made-to-order sandwiches, indoor patio and a pharmacy drive-up window and much more.

Power Parasol Provides Solar Shade for Shoppers at Two New Stores
In a move that will provide shaded parking, better lighted nighttime parking and clean renewable energy, Fry's Food Stores will install the Power Parasol – a patented solar energy and shade technology – at two of its new Fry's Marketplace stores. Shoppers who choose to frequent Lake Pleasant & Happy Valley in Peoria and North Valley Parkway in Phoenix will have an abundance of shaded parking.

Fry's was the first retailer to install the Power Parasol in 2013 at its I-17 & Bell Rd. Marketplace Store in Phoenix. The pilot project proved to be a hit with customers and the store quickly realized a 20 percent savings on its electric bill.

"We pride ourselves on providing the best possible experience for our customers inside every Fry's Food Store," says McKinney. "Now, we have found a way to provide a better experience outside our stores. Plus it increases our 'green efforts,' which help to make our community a better place to live now and in the future." 

"We strive to make all of our stores as energy efficient as possible," McKinney says. "Our division currently has 115 stores achieving the Energy Star rating. We plan for all our new stores to earn the Energy Star rating as well."

Join for a Job. Stay for a Career.
Fry's is excited to continue to grow in Arizona and serve our neighbors and communities with fresh food at famous low prices. Currently, we are seeking 900 friendly people that are customer-service stars and would like to start their career with a stable company that's been in Arizona since 1960. It is definitely a great place to work and shop. As we grow, Fry's will seek 2,000 additional friendly people that want to work for a top company offering great benefits and growth opportunities.

Fry's invites interested applicants to visit Jobs.FrysFood.com and "apply for store jobs." Applicants also can sign up to receive job alerts. Updates about the status of an application will be sent to the applicant via email.

About Fry's Food Stores
Fry's Food Stores is headquartered in Tolleson, Arizona. The company employs more than 18,000 Arizona residents. The 119 Fry's Food Stores service more than three million customers each week. Fry's has been serving Arizonans' with fresh food at famous low prices since 1960. In 2012, Fry's was honored with the Arizona Fundraising Professionals "Outstanding Corporation" award for its community service and philanthropic efforts. The company also received a "Best Place to Work 2012" and "2013, 2014 and 2015 Top Company" awards. For more information about Fry's Food Stores or online coupons, visit the company's website at www.Frysfood.com. Fry's is a division of the Kroger Co.

SOURCE Fry's Food Stores

Related Links

http://www.FrysFood.com