Kangaroo Express Reveals New Military-Focused Fayetteville Store, Designed for Military with Input from Local Troops, Families

Fayetteville community invited to grand opening celebration of Bragg Blvd. store on May 30

CARY, N.C., (May 7, 2014) – Kangaroo Express, the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States, operated by The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), today announced its first military-themed store will open on May 8 at 5642 Bragg Boulevard in Fayetteville, North Carolina, celebrating the strong Armed Forces community in Fayetteville and Fort Bragg.

The grand opening will be celebrated on Friday, May 30 with a variety of festivities, including recognition of the local military personnel and military families that helped shape the store.

Kangaroo Express guests who visit the new store will enjoy a fast, friendly and clean environment, as well as a SUBWAY® restaurant, with tributes to our troops incorporated throughout the store design. Kangaroo Express hosted a round table at the USO of North Carolina (USO-NC) Fort Bragg Center to collect input from servicemen and women, their spouses and children, and the store design was developed as a direct result of their feedback.

Six murals on the Shaw Road side of the store depict brave military men and women serving our country. The aptly named “Wash Rack” caters to civilian and military vehicles alike with automatic wash, foam, rinse and wax options. Guests can also grab a refreshing, chilled beverage from the walk-in “Cold Canteen,” always set at 34 degrees Fahrenheit. The mural selection and military-themed names were chosen unanimously through local input.

“Considering more than one-third of our employees have a direct connection to the military, supporting our troops is supporting our family,” said Gordon Schmidt, senior vice president of operations, Kangaroo Express. “We knew that in order to provide the best possible service to our troops and their families, we needed to go to the source. Many features of the Fayetteville store, from the Wall of Honor to unique promotions, are the direct result of conversations with locals at the USO-NC center.”

A Wall of Honor in the store will recognize local community members that are making a difference in the Fayetteville area and around the world through their service. It will also display recognitions from local military service organizations, including the USO-NC and Fisher House Foundation, for Kangaroo Express’ support through its Salute Our Troops® campaign and throughout the year.

Kangaroo Express’ 2013 Salute Our Troops campaign raised more than $528,000 for the Fisher House Foundation alone. This was the single largest contributor to the construction of the new Fisher House at Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, scheduled to open its doors in spring 2015.

Salute Our Troops has also raised more than $763,000 for the USO-NC over the past three years, providing funds that directly support its centers, including the one at Fort Bragg.

The Fayetteville store will feature Kangaroo Express’ great-tasting Bean Street Coffee, fresh sandwiches and an assortment of bakery options.

It will also feature a SUBWAY® restaurant with a drive-thru, where guests can enjoy their favorite SUBWAY® sandwiches on the go. The restaurant also accommodates seating for about 30 guests.

The new store is a prime example of the investments Kangaroo Express is making in its communities across the Southeastern United States, including plans to open more quick-serve restaurants in stores and remodel stores. More than 40 Fayetteville Kangaroo Express locations received upgrades over the past year.

About The Pantry and Kangaroo Express

The Pantry’s Kangaroo Express® convenience stores meet the daily food and fuel shopping needs of guests. As of May 1, 2014, the Company operated 1,534 stores in thirteen states under select banners, including its primary operating banner Kangaroo Express.  The Pantry is one of the nation’s largest convenience store chains and the leading independently operated chain in the southeastern United States. The Pantry is headquartered in Cary, N.C. For more information, visit www.thepantry.com.

Kangaroo Express offers hot and cold beverages, snacks, fresh foods, gasoline and a wide assortment of merchandise and services for guests’ on-the-go lifestyles. It is home to more than 220 foodservice restaurants, including Dairy Queen, Little Caesars and Subway. Kangaroo Express associates are committed to providing store guests with the fastest, friendliest and cleanest shopping experience.