We are pleased to announce the arrival of the holiday edition of Hunks & Bites. As a valued member of the Hunt Brothers® Pizza Family, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to you and your families for your commitment to excellence. We are very grateful to you and wish you all the happiest of holiday seasons!
In this holiday issue, we explore the value of a branded pizza program, and you’ll hear from customers about their successes. There is an article outlining unique ways to capitalize on sales in colder months, and an insight into how c-stores are impacting their local communities.
We invite you to share your feedback for a chance to win a $500. Additionally, your input is always welcome, and if there is anything we can do to better serve you, please don’t hesitate to contact me at bryan.meng@hbpizza.com.
Thank you once again for your partnership and dedication.
Dukes Creek Marina is more than a c-store and marina; it’s become a community hub.
Dawn started managing Dukes Creek Marina and helped turn it into a welcoming space for locals and visitors alike. One of the things she enjoys most about managing the store is the team she gets to work with every day. “It’s a family environment,” she explained. “Our staff really cares about the customers, and people notice that. We get so many compliments about how helpful and friendly our team is. They’re always willing to go the extra mile.” That warmth, paired with remodeled spaces and a gift shop, has made the store a favorite stop for boaters, campers, and families.
A standout in their store is the Hunt Brothers® Pizza program. “The pizzas are easy for us to make, and locals, campers, and families all grab them,” she shared.
Though the program was already in place when Dawn stepped into her role, she quickly saw how much customers loved it. “People love the pizzas and locals order them for dinner, campers pick them up in the mornings, and families often take them out on the pontoons,” she shared.
Just as important, the program is simple for staff and backed by strong support from Hunt Brothers Pizza Account Managers, and the program is proving to be a steady traffic driver, bringing in both new and
repeat customers. “It definitely brings people in,” she said. “People know we have Hunt Brothers Pizza, and it adds profits for us.”
Efficiency has been a key benefit as well. “It doesn’t take long to make, which makes it easy on our staff and convenient for customers,” she explained. “The WingBites® are also a huge hit.” Looking back on her journey, Dawn feels proud of how Dukes Creek Marina has grown, not only as a business but as a community hub. And with Hunt Brothers Pizza as a trusted partner, they continue to deliver great food, warm service, and memorable experiences to everyone who walks through their doors.
HUNT BROTHERS PIZZA AND IT
ADDS
PROFIT
DAILY STOP MARKET: PIKEVILLE, TENNESSEE
THE TASTE, THE QUALITY, IT’S ALWAYS THERE. ANYTIME WE OPEN A STORE HUNT BROTHERS PIZZA WILL BE PART OF IT.
For Peter, convenience stores have always been a family business. His parents purchased their first location in 2004, and while in college, Peter would come home to help out during his summer breaks.
After graduating, he took on the responsibility of running stores full-time, and since then, Hunt Brothers® Pizza has been part of every location his family has opened. Today, Peter owns four stores with a fifth on the way.
What Peter enjoys most is the strong community connection that comes with running his stores. “All my locations are in tight-knit communities,” he shares. “I know my customers and their pizza orders by heart. That’s the kind of relationship we’ve built. It’s steady business, but more than that, it’s being part of people’s lives.”
Like many c-store operators, Peter faces challenges with labor. “Finding the right people who value their work and want to make a difference, that’s the hardest part. It’s not about money, it’s about motivation,” he explains. Despite these challenges, he’s continued to grow by focusing on foodservice, which he believes is essential for success.
Hunt Brothers Pizza has played a key role in that growth. Peter credits the program’s consistent quality and trusted brand recognition as major reasons why customers choose his stores. “I’ve never had trouble with it. The taste, the quality, it’s always there. Anytime we open a store, Hunt Brothers Pizza will be part of it.”
Offering pizza and wings in the early morning hours has also set Peter’s stores
apart. With hot food ready for customers as early as 3:30 a.m., he’s competing head-on with QSRs and redefining what customers expect from c-stores. “If you’re not doing foodservice, you won’t survive,” Peter says. “We’ve built the newest store in town, and customers notice the difference in both our food and our atmosphere.”
The impact has been clear: steady sales, strong profit margins, and loyal customers. “Hunt Brothers Pizza drives traffic, builds community, and has been a great program for us for the last 20 years,” Peter says. When asked what advice he’d give other store operators, Peter doesn’t hesitate: “It’s a great program to be in, and you should definitely have it in your store.”
For Peter and his community, Hunt Brothers Pizza has become more than just a product; it’s a way to connect, serve, and grow.
Winter Profits
When the temperature drops, many businesses brace for slowdowns, but c-stores have real opportunities if they adapt well. Industry publications suggest several strategies that help turn cold weather into a strength instead of a liability.
1 2
3 HEAT UP YOUR
Lean into Warm, Comfort Food
• Limited-time or seasonal flavors are especially powerful in drawing customers.
• Hearty meals like pizza and chicken do well in colder months.
Stock Up on Winter Essentials
• Products that address cold-weather needs: ice scrapers, windshield washer fluid, rock salt, and gloves tend to have strong demand during storms and freezing weather.
• Anticipate weather disruptions: deliver fuel or product inventory before storms, when possible, because deliveries often get delayed once bad weather hits.
Improve Customer Experience and Store Atmosphere
• Make the store warm, welcoming, and easy to visit during inclement weather. Clean, accessible entrances (shoveled snow, safe walkways), clear signage, and cozy visuals help.
• Keep warmers full of hot pizza and conveniently located where consumers can see and easily grab Hunks.
Colder months don’t have to mean declining sales. By focusing on what customers want when it’s cold: warm foods, comforting beverages, essential items, and combining that with good store maintenance and cost control, c-stores can not only survive winter but thrive.
How to Win Customers with HUNT BROTHERS® PIZZA
Consistency is the key to keeping your customers loyal. When every location executes the Hunt Brothers® Pizza program the same way, customers know they can count on a hot, delicious pizza no matter where they stop. Hunt Brothers Pizza fans look for c-stores across the country because they know they will get the same great pizza wherever they see our logo. That consistency builds trust, and that trust is what keeps them coming back and keeps your profits high.
Here are a few tips to continue executing the program and keep your profits high:
USE HUNT BROTHERS PIZZA’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICING
• Protect your profits; there’s no need to discount our pizzas and miss out on profits.
• Our pricing model is an incredible value for families looking for a deal.
ADHERE TO OUR “ALL TOPPINGS NO EXTRA CHARGE®” FOCUS
• This signature offer sets you apart from other pizza companies.
• This is a unique feature that delivers value to your customers and allows them to create a customizable, crave-worthy pizza, right at your store.
MAINTAIN PRODUCT QUALITY
• Follow portion controls to manage cost and deliver the perfect pizza.
• Keep Hunks in the warmer during peak traffic hours for grab-and-go sales.
KEEP APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT CLEAN
• Purchase all your pizza products from Hunt Brothers Pizza.
• This maintains the quality your customers have come to expect at other Hunt Brothers Pizza locations.
GRATEFUL FOR 2025 & EXCITED FOR 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to say thank you. This year has been outstanding, and that success is only possible because of our incredible c-store partners. Your dedication, partnership, and trust have allowed us to grow together and continue bringing great food and service to the communities we serve.
Our growth this year is a direct reflection of the strength of our partnerships. Every milestone has been achieved with you by our side. We are proud of the progress we’ve made together, and we are truly grateful for the relationships that make it all possible.
Looking ahead, 2026 promises to be another exciting year. We have new opportunities on the horizon, but our focus remains the same: to be a trusted partner that helps you grow, while continuing to deliver the quality and value your customers expect.
From all of us, thank you for making 2025 our best year yet. We’re grateful for the journey we’ve shared and look forward to all that we will accomplish together in 2026.
