A Tour of Hy-Vee's Fast & Fresh Grocery-Convenience Hybrid

Hy-Vee opened its first Fast & Fresh small-format store in Davenport, Iowa, with plans to open a second in Altoona, Iowa, next year. The West Des Moines-based retailer is deviating from its usual 85,000-square-foot format with the new 10,000-square-foot store, but managed to pack in features such as multiple foodservice stations, a Starbucks and full beer, wine and spirits offerings. The concept acts as a supermarket with grocery items, including meat, produce, dairy, pantry and bakery offerings, incorporated into a quick-stop convenience feel.

The Fast & Fresh format also features 14 gas pumps to further push the new concept’s goal of serving the “busy customer who needs a more convenient grocery and meal experience while on the go.”

The store’s mission is also driven by Mealtime prepared foods offerings that allow customers to purchase a hot ready-to-eat meal on the go.

Mealtime offerings also include take-and-heat meal options and Hy-Vee Mealtime Kits.

Sushi is available as another grab-and go offering for those looking for a lighter quick-meal fix.

A wood-fire pizza station is also available, boasting “pizza in six minutes.”

The store features a full-service Starbucks complete with a drive-thru for customers who are just stopping to fuel up.

In line with the store’s grocery-convenience store hybrid feel, a self-serve soda station provides quick drink options.

A frozen beverage and other cold drinks station adorns an entire wall of the small-format store.

In addition to nonalcohol self-serve drinks, Fast & Fresh features a craft beer growler station with several options on tap.

For a smaller store, Fast & Fresh devotes a considerable amount of space to its extensive beer, wine and liquor assortment.