Fahey: Parker's opening several new locations in Beaufort County this year
A Savannah-based convenience store chain has big expansion plans for Beaufort County this year.
Parker's opened three new area gas stations in December: a second store on Buckwalter Parkway in Bluffton, on William Hilton Parkway at the former Shell station on Hilton Head Island and in Hardeeville at Exit 5 off Interstate 95.
At least six more Parker's locations will be built and opened in 2016, including the company's first drive-thru location at Snake Road near Callawassie Island on S.C. 170. Five additional stores are planned for the area in 2016: one in Shell Point in Port Royal and four in Beaufort.
"We have a lot more growth planned for Beaufort County," said CEO Greg Parker, adding the area is a "natural growth" for the company as it as moves up toward Charleston.
He said he expects Parker's to grow from a $500 million company to a $1 billion company within the next five years.
Parker's has been included on the Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for the past four years. The company experienced a 53 percent three-year growth, according to Inc.
The retailer's strategy is to build up its presence locally, where it is already familiar to customers, before moving to bigger markets such as Charlotte or Charleston.
"We're growing in concentric circles around where our brand is strongest," Parker said. Other markets the company is expanding in now include Statesboro, Ga., and Claxton, Ga.
The Parker's under construction near Callawassie Island will offer a drive-thru and a full-service menu including fried chicken, mac 'n' cheese and breakfast items. That location is expected to open March 4.
The new Hardeeville store that opened last month also includes more food and beverage options than a traditional convenience store, including a hot deli, a breakfast bar, locally grown fruit, fried chicken and mac 'n' cheese.
It seems as though the company is moving toward a more diverse convenience store format that has boded well for other industry brands, such as Pennsylvania-based Sheetz. The convenience store chain has had rapid growth and success across several states, perhaps because of nontraditional convenience store options such as a made-to-order food program and touchscreen ordering system.
The Shell Point Parker's has a projected opening of May 13. The remaining four gas stations will open this summer or fall.
Parker's has nearly 50 locations throughout Georgia and South Carolina.
Related content:
- Fahey: The Sippin' Cow to reopen in new Bluffton Promenade location, January 7, 2016
- Fahey: 2015 highlights from Beaufort County's retail, restaurant scene, January 3, 2016
- Fahey: Johnson's Urban Farm now operating on Hilton Head Island, December 17, 2015
This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 8:07 PM with the headline "Fahey: Parker's opening several new locations in Beaufort County this year."