Home » Hy-Vee To Operate 26 Wahlburgers And Offer In-Store Fitness Classes
Corporate Store News Food Service News Grocery Industry Health News Home Page Latest News Midwest

Hy-Vee To Operate 26 Wahlburgers And Offer In-Store Fitness Classes

Wahlburgers front sign 2

Last updated on September 1st, 2017 at 11:47 am

Hy-Vee Inc. has entered into two strategic partnerships that it says 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 long-standing 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 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, say the companies.

“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 partnership will include integrated in-store events

Orangetheory Fitness is a fitness program offering intensive group training workouts. With 750 studios open nationwide, the company is on track to open 1,500 locations 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. According to Hy-Vee, this partnership creates an integrated fitness component to bolster its 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 EVP of Strategy and Chief Merchandising Officer Jeremy Gosch. “These partnerships are just another example of Hy-Vee listening to the needs of our customers.”

Featured Photos

Featured Photo PLMA Annual Private Label Trade Show
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Chicago, Illinois
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap