A new concept emerging from one of northern Ohio's largest convenience store chains is expanding to Central Ohio.
FriendShip Kitchen will open its first Central Ohio location at 45 Coal Bend Road near State Route 23 in Delaware this week. The concept, a convenience store that also serves food, comes from Fremont-based Beck Suppliers Inc.
"We've been evolving here in the northern corridor over the last three to four years, as we put a lot of effort into rebranding and remodeling existing stores," said Greg Erlich, president of Beck Suppliers. "Now that we have perfected the model, we want to bring it to Columbus."
Launched in 2018, FriendShip Kitchen is the next generation of Beck's FriendShip chain, which has locations around northern Ohio between Toledo and Cleveland. The concept heavily emphasizes a higher-quality kitchen to differentiate it from convenience stores that serve food as an "afterthought," Erlich said. Nine of Beck's 27 locations have now been rebranded as FriendShip Kitchen stores.
Fried chicken is its forte, including spicy and boneless versions. The menu features Americana staples like mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. Its other specialty is breakfast, but customers can also opt for pizza, sandwiches and other to-go food.
Beck Suppliers opened in 1950 as a wholesale petroleum marketer and distributes Marathon, Sunoco, BP and Valero fuel to independent retailers. Beck also distributes propane and heating oil.
FriendShip Kitchen is a company-owned concept.
Monroeville-based Janotta & Herner Design Build Construction was the general contractor for the 12-pump station.
Erlich said the company is already looking for additional locations to build more FrendShip Kitchen locations around Central Ohio, and is zeroing in on Marysville for its next location. It has purchased additional land and will open other locations over the next two years, he said.