A leaked internal memo from BP’s retail business has revealed the P&C major is “investigating pilot opportunities” that may lead to a new partnership with one of Australia’s largest retailers, Retail Food Group (RFG).
In a letter (distributed electronically) to BP retailers, national dealer manager Rob Plecher said he was excited about the new partership, priming dealers for new food and coffee-to-go concepts in the coming year.
“As a leading provider of food and beverage services nationally, we look forward to the prospect of working with RFG to pilot ways of leveraging the group’s iconic brands within BP’s strong network of retail sites,” he said.
“We know our customers want quality and convenient products they can consume on the go, and a partnership with RFG can help us tick all of these boxes.”
Mr Plecher said BP and RFG were working together on a “pilot concept that would be trialed at a small number of BP company-owned retail locations in the coming months”, and that more details would be announced “soon”.
BP retailers interested in participating in the pilot-concept roll-out were invited to discuss the matter with their business managers.
Global food company RFG is the owner of iconic brands such as Gloria Jean’s Coffees, Donut King, Brumby’s Bakery, Michel’s Patisserie, The Coffee Guy, Café2U, Pizza Capers and Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar; all of which were mentioned by name in the internal letter.
Last year BP launched a partnership between their Wild Bean Café and the now-imploding pizza chain Eagle Boys, which has gone into liquidation and sold around 50 of its 115 stores to Pizza Hut.
C&I Week has requested further detail from BP.
Makes you wonder why BP don’t invest more in their Wild Bean brand in Australia? In NZ, Wild Bean Cafe is a credible cafe chain, with plenty of brand equity and is a destination for the driving public.
A quick look at RFG’s website shows $25k discount if you buy a GJ’s franchise now? Must be a clearance sale! LOL
BP would have to be insane to get into bed with RFG. A toxic culture exists in the organization where there is a revolving door each of the brands. A good look at the franchise satisfaction should ring alarm bells.