Belts, Bling and Big Sales: Express Contests Crown Champs

May 12, 2026

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Expresses worldwide earned bragging rights and sweet hardware with three contests to celebrate success across the convenience channel.

“Contests tap into associates’ drive to excel, connect and have fun,” said Consumables Vice President Danielle Pelland. “They provide associates with clear goals, recognize strong performance and foster a healthy sense of competition. Congratulations to our winners for a job well done.”

Here’s a look at the contests and winning teams (and that hardware!):

Hunt Brothers Pizza contest

Winning stores were judged by total sales and percent of sales over goal during the eight-week contest. Each location’s goal was based on its average sales for the eight weeks before the contest began, and rankings for both metrics were combined for an overall score.

Overall winners:

CONUS: North Fort Hood troop store (Central Region winner)
OCONUS: Grafenwoehr Rose Barracks Express (Europe/SWA Region winner)

Region winners:

Eastern: Fort Stewart Harmon Express and Fort Jackson Gate 2 Express (tie)
Pacific: Schofield Shafter retail store and Camp Zama Express (tie)
Western: Fort Carson Wilderness Express

Overall winners took home a wrestling-style championship belt buckle to show off their victory.

The Exchange operates 135 Hunt Brothers Pizzas worldwide, with 14 opening in FY 25. In 2025, sales rose 17% over prior year to $52.3 million. One Hunt Brothers has opened in 2026, with 17 more planned.

The North Fort Hood troop store team accepts the award for overall OCONUS winner in the Hunt Brothers Pizza contest. At left are Exchange Executive Vice President/Deputy Director/CFO Brad Bingham, EVP/Chief Operating Officer Marla Randolph and EVP/Chief Merchandising Officer Eric Sidman. At right are Senior Vice President of Merchandising Marissa Carpenter (in red shirt), Consumables Vice President Danielle Pelland and Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez.

OLM contest

Winning stores were determined by total sales of all OLM brands, including Chopz, Eddie Peppers, Paavos, Hot Stuff Kitchen and Express Kitchen. Because OLM is new to the Pacific Region, performance there was measured on the first 90 days of sales this year.

Overall winner:

Fort Hood III Corps Express (Central Region winner)

The III Corps team earned a plaque to proudly display in-store.

Region winners:

Eastern: Fort Bragg Butner Express
Europe/SWA: Ramstein Express
Pacific: Schofield Tripler Retail Store
Western: JBLM-Lewis Pendleton Express

In 2025, OLM’s restaurants sales were up 61% over prior year to $14.2 million. The Exchange operates nearly 60 locations, with 10 opening in 2025, 10 opening so far in 2026 and 37 more planned for this year.

The Fort Hood III Corps Express team accepts the award for overall winner in the OLM contest at the 2026 Exchange seminar. At left are Exchange Executive Vice President/Deputy Director/CFO Brad Bingham, EVP/Chief Operating Officer Marla Randolph and EVP/Chief Merchandising Officer Eric Sidman. At right are Senior Vice President of Merchandising Marissa Carpenter (in red shirt), Consumables Vice President Danielle Pelland and Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez.

Rollin’ to Win

Expresses got their roller grills spinning and sales rising for a chance to take home a plaque, large gold chain with a medal and $300 gift card for a team celebration. The store in each region with the highest percent growth in total roller grill units was crowned the champ.

Region winners: