Dunfermline-based Stephens Bakery has opened its third drive-thru site as it continues to strive to offer convenience for its retail customers.
The latest opening from the family-run firm, which celebrated its 150th anniversary this year, brings its estate to 15 shops spanning the southern part of Scotland’s Tayside, Central and Fife region.
The new site located in Halbeath village – close to Junction 3 of the M90 – has created 18 new jobs and includes a car park and walk-in shop along with the drive-thru. Both outlets sell Stephens’ range of hot and cold savouries (including its Scotch pies and “world famous” steak bridies), made-to-order filled rolls, sweet treats, snacks, and beverages.
Opening times are 6:30am to 5:30pm on Mondays to Saturdays, with reduced hours of 8am to 4:30pm on Sundays.
In 2018, the business was the first in Scotland to open a bakery drive-thru, also in Dunfermline. This became its busiest shop “within the first week of opening”, according toTalia Sarafilovic, who earlier this year ascended to the role of joint managing director at Stephens along with her brother Sean after their father stepped down.
Sarafilovic noted that Stephens’ total shop sales increased dramatically thanks to reinforced drive-thru participation during Covid, with a second drive-thru opened in February this year in Leven, Fife. “The drive-thru concept is very successful for us, as well as our drive-to sites that are on trunk roads with large car parks,” she added.
While admitting that finding an appropriate location within budget is a challenge, Stephens considers drive-thrus as a key aspect of its retail estate and will continue looking out for new sites. “We believe in our customers being able to get our award-winning products as conveniently as possible for them,” commented Sarafilovic. “However, we think there is merit in all our retail propositions and we will maintain the variety.”
Marking its first site in a retail park, the new drive-thru was said to have been busy for breakfast, lunch and afternoon trade over its opening fortnight. “We have definitely seen many existing Stephens customers come through the door as they know exactly what they’re after, and it’s also great to see new customers to Stephens eyes grow wide when they see the selection on display,” revealed Sarafilovic.
Canadian chain Tom Hortons operates a drive-thru and dine-in outlet just a few hundred metres away from Stephens’ latest location, and launched a franchise model in September to further expand its current portfolio of 75 sites in the UK.
In addition to its retail offerings, Stephens also supplies more than 200 local convenience stores including Co-op, Scotmid, and Morrisons Daily.
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