CARY, N.C. -- The Pantry Inc. today unveiled its "Fresh Initiative" in five additional markets. Kangaroo Express stores in Charlotte, N.C.; Gulfport, Miss.; Birmingham, Ala.; Charleston, S.C.; and Gainesville, Fla.; are now offering guests Bean Street Coffee and new fresh-food and bakery options.

As CSNews Online reported in May, The Pantry is planning to roll out its Fresh Initiative to 400 stores by the end of this year. The program was first launched in Raleigh, N.C., and has enjoyed early success with store guests responding with excitement, the retailer said.

In addition to the new and improved Bean Street Coffee, Kangaroo Express stores with the "Fresh Initiative" offer customers a broader assortment of pastries, warm breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit and fountain beverages. In addition, the stores sell a variety of fresh sandwiches, salads and grill options for on-the-go lunch and dinner.

"The Fresh Initiative reflects the transformation taking place at Kangaroo Express to deliver value to our store guests with fresh food, drinks and snacks around the clock," said John Fisher, senior vice president of marketing at Kangaroo Express. "Our goal is to impress our guests with the quality and value Kangaroo Express delivers in coffee, fresh food and a fast, friendly and clean shopping experience."

The new bakery case features glazed doughnuts, which are almost 40 percent larger than other well-known brands, along with blueberry and banana nut muffins, cheese Danishes and the very popular jumbo chocolate chunk and oatmeal raisin cookies. The bakery offering also includes seasonal treats, such as a pumpkin muffin and maple long john for the fall. To cross-promote its bakery and coffee, guests can purchase a doughnut for 49 cents with any size coffee.

In addition to improving the taste of its coffee, Kangaroo Express is replacing the glass pot system with new dispensers to preserve the freshness of the coffee. The spacious serving stations will have upgraded coffee accessories including cups, lids and stirrers, and a wide variety of coffee flavors and additions such as extra boosts of caffeine, allowing guests to customize their cup of Bean Street Coffee.

"Our guests deserve a great cup of coffee served exactly the way they like it, and we want to give them as many options as possible to make their perfect cup to enjoy along with a wide assortment of fresh, on-the-go meals and snacks," said Fisher. "The Fresh Initiative gives guests of Kangaroo Express a selection of high-quality coffees to start with and the creative freedom to make it their own."

Reusable Bean Street Coffee mugs, also known as "Roo Mugs," are available for $1.59 with the first fill free. Guests who purchase a "Roo Mug" can refill their Bean Street Coffee for only 99 cents through Dec. 31. To take full advantage of the Roo Mug, guests are invited to join the Roo Club by texting "ROOCLUB" to "67777," which will grant them access to exclusive text message deals, including 49-cent Coffee Wednesdays and Free Coffee Fridays.

The Pantry is one of the largest independently operated convenience store chains in the country. The company operates 1,655 stores in 13 Southeastern states under select banners, including Kangaroo Express, its primary operating banner.

For more on the company's Fresh Initiative, look for the "Inside The Pantry" Special Edition that will be part of the November 7 issue of Convenience Store News.