RAF Molesworth Airmen, families and civilians now have a revitalized place to shop and dine following the grand opening of the newly upgraded RAF Molesworth Express and its addition of Hunt Brothers Pizza. The more than 2,000-square-foot store, originally converted into an Express in the early to mid-1990s, was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Exchange last month. The $787,000 renovation project, funded by $650,000 in appropriated funds and $137,000 from the Exchange, marks the first major upgrade to the facility in decades and represents a significant investment in quality-of-life improvements for the remote installation.
Col. Michael Fleming, 423rd Air Base Group commander, joined the Exchange and partner teams to officially cut the ribbon. He praised the extensive collaboration required to complete the project and emphasized how meaningful the improvements will be for the Molesworth community.
“This was a true team effort from start to finish,” said Matthew Beatty, UK/Norway Consolidated Exchange general manager. “It took time to get here, but the result is a major improvement for Molesworth. The base’s support was critical, and I’m grateful to all the teams who helped make it happen.”
The transformation was made possible through a strong partnership among HQ and local teams, including Real Estate’s Facility Management Office, Information Technology, Store Operations, the Europe Region Office, the RAF Molesworth Express team, local Civil Engineering, and many others who supported the effort.
Renovations included extensive behind-the-scenes upgrades, including utility improvements, fire-prevention enhancements, and the renovation of a former chaplain’s area, along with the installation of the new Hunt Brothers Pizza kitchen. The additional space made available from the old chaplain’s office nearly doubled the size of the sales floor and provided more space for the quick serve restaurant and additional merchandise. This was also the first Hunts Brothers Pizza implemented by the Exchange in the United Kingdom.
“We truly appreciate every team that had a hand in making this a success,” said Beatty,
Additional Exchange resources allowed the store to refresh its fixtures, update graphics and signage, add new food service equipment, and install an external walk-in freezer to support a broader assortment. More enhancements, including checkout area updates and expanded kitchen capabilities, are planned for the near future.
Since the store’s grand opening, the RAF Molesworth community has shown enthusiastic support. Traffic through the Express has noticeably increased, and customers are responding positively to the refreshed assortment and the improved shopping experience. Hunt Brothers Pizza has quickly become a favorite among visitors, and other food and beverage options are seeing stronger engagement as well. Even newly added Sports Nutrition department items are gaining momentum, signaling that the improvements are resonating with shoppers.
“These smaller, remote locations really appreciate the upgrades and are supporting with their wallet,” said Stephanie Burns, senior vice president for the Europe, SW Asia and Africa Region. “The community’s response shows the powerful impact of this transformation and the dedication of the Molesworth team.”
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