Kum & Go Launches Specialty Coffee Brand BLK & Bold in Over 300 Convenience Stores
Des Moines, IA (June 8, 2023) – Family-owned convenience store chain Kum & Go continues to grow its partnership with beverage company BLK & Bold, now featuring their sustainably sourced, specialty grade coffee in 300+ convenience stores across 13 states. Kum & Go’s in- store whole bean-to-cup machines will distribute hot coffee that will feature BLK & Bold’s silky, creamy, and bold Rise & GRND and Smoove Operator blends for a quality on-the-go experience for consumers. This larger company-wide launch follows the initial launch of BLK & Bold in select locations in January 2022.
BLK & Bold is the first Black owned nationally distributed coffee company dedicated to bringing accessibility and quality to consumers. Since inception, the brand has donated 5% of proceeds to its social impact initiative “For Our Youth,” which helps nonprofit organizations support children in underserved communities across the country. Kum & Go is a family-owned company providing a fresh perspective to convenience by bringing customers the choices they deserve, and a quality typically not met in the convenience industry. Both Des Moines, IA based companies uphold the values of community support, engagement, and experience.
“This partnership creates an opportunity to share the quality of our coffee, bring an experience to our consumers and positively impact more communities,” said Pernell Cezar, CEO of BLK & Bold. “We are able to become part of people’s day in a new way by widening the accessibility of specialty grade coffee to over 300 convenience stores for a premium on-the-go experience.”
Blk & Bold sources Fair Trade and direct trade 100% Arabica coffee from Ethiopia, Central and South America. The process is monitored and roasted in Des Moines by experts and utilizes precise formulas to emphasize natural flavors notes from blueberries to caramel in their wide range of assortments.
“Kum & Go’s national partnership with BLK & Bold is the latest in our journey to bring a fresh perspective to the convenience space. BLK & Bold’s coffee is as fine a cup as you will find in our industry. Combining quality with the philanthropic values of the brand is a key reason why their company is growing rapidly and why they are an obvious fit with Kum & Go’s values,” said Tanner Krause, CEO of Kum & Go.
Kum & Go continues to expand their footprint and partnerships through a myriad of initiatives, the retailer has recently entered two new markets, Salt Lake City, UT and Grand Rapids, MI. Kum & Go is also actively continuing to expand their new made-to-order food program that offers fresh meals for customers to order on the spot in over 100 stores. The convenience store chain is taking these steps In an effort to keep healthier choices and quality at the forefront as part of their new initiatives and branding.
About BLK & Bold
Founders, Pernell Cezar & Rod Johnson, created BLK & Bold with purpose. Their dedication to build a coffee community that has access to super premium coffee with social impact in mind is realized through intentional partnerships; starting in a garage and graduating to a 33,000 sq ft warehouse. They welcome the obligation to equip young people with tools to realize their full potential and overcome socio- economic disparities. BLK & Bold pledges 5% of its profits to initiatives aligned to sustaining youth programming, enhancing workforce development, and community
About Kum & Go
Established in Hampton, Iowa in 1959, Kum & Go is a fourth-generation, family-owned convenience store chain providing a fresh perspective by meeting customers where they are and offering them the choices they deserve. Kum & Go employs over 5,000 associates and currently operates over 400 stores across 13 states. For over 60 years, the company has been dedicated to sharing 10% of all profits back to the communities it serves.
Taylor Boland • Director of Communications • Kum & Go • taylor.boland@kumandgo.com
Customer Relations • customerrelations@kumandgo.com • 888-458-6646