During the Exchange Managers Conference this week in Atlanta, the Merchandising and Services, Food & Fuel (SFD) directorates honored top Exchange vendors.
Winners of the Exchange Protection Plan Awards were also announced Tuesday.
Supplier of the Year Awards
Dude Wipes: The fastest-growing supplier in the bath tissue category, Dude Wipes increased sales by 326% from 2024 to 2025. The award also honors Paragon Brokerage, the military exchange representative for the products.
Quality Gold: As the fine jewelry industry experienced record prices in gold and silver, Quality Gold quickly responded to the shift in customer demand, offering products on guaranteed sale. Sales grew to $4.2 million in 2025, a 24% increase over prior year.
Mars Wrigley: The Exchange’s No. 1 candy supplier set the standard for balancing strong sales with responsible inventory management. Mars Wrigley improved inventory efficiency with a 25% reduction, balancing that with $18.6 million in sales, a 10% increase over prior year.
Military Prestige Marketing was recognized for its support in the beauty department, working with all military channels and with national brands. During 2025, Military Prestige Marketing pivoted to provide in-store vendor and buyer support, including employing the beauty consultants for Estee Lauder companies. More than 300 beauty consultants are employed in Exchange stores worldwide. Up to 90% are military spouses or family members.
“The Exchange is honored to work with these vendors who make valuable contributions to serving those who serve,” said Exchange Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer Eric Sidman. “They are important partners in increasing Quality of Life for military communities.”
SFD Brand Partners of the Year
PODS Moving & Storage: PODS, which supports nearly 120 CONUS and Hawaii Exchange locations, achieved $21 million in sales, a 1.4% increase over prior year. The moving and storage company also accepted the MILITARY STAR card for the first time. The company’s military-exclusive promotions offered shoppers 15% to 30% in savings.
OSL: With the addition of Verizon inventory in 2025, OSL allowed customers to choose a plan or phone from all major carriers. Through RQ Mobile, the company enabled phone sales at remote sites. Its internet category sales increased 105% over FY24. Overall, OSL, which operates in more than 30 of the Exchange’s largest stores, achieved a 46% increase in sales over FY24.
Subway: Since opening its first Exchange location in 2001 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Subway has grown to nearly 120 Exchange locations, generating $62.3 million in sales and $8 million in earnings in FY25. During the 130th anniversary celebration, Subway contributed $130,000 in gift cards and distributed more than 55,000 units of Exchange-Subway co-branded merchandise to Warfighters and their families worldwide.
iMenu360: The online ordering system, which collaborates with the Exchange on MyExchangeFood, has been an outstanding partner in digitizing the Exchange customer service experience in Pacific and Europe Regions. In FY25, the digital platform had more than 1 million restaurant orders, generating $31 million in sales; at Reel-Time Theaters, 230,000 online tickets were purchased, driving $2.4 million in revenue.
“These brands are key in providing tastes and comforts of home to Warfighters and their families, wherever they serve,” said SFD Senior Vice President Denise Hunter. “We celebrate their contributions to the Exchange’s ‘We go where you go’ mission.”
Exchange Protection Plan Awards
Store teams that generated the most Exchange Protection Plan sales in 2025 were also recognized at the conference. First-, second- and third-place winners were chosen for achieving the highest attachment rates.
Stores with the highest sales per region were also awarded. Teams received a plaque and $500 for team-building events.
Here are the winners:
Eastern Region
First: Robins Air Force Base Main Store (9.51% attach rate)
Second: Fort Bragg South Post Main Store (9.35% attach rate)
Third: Fort Drum Main Store (9.07% attach rate
Central Region
First: Joint Base San Antonio Lackland Main Store (9.37% attach rate)
Second: Fort Hood Main Store (9.26% attach rate)
Third: Fort Campbell Main Store (9.22% attach rate)
Western Region
First: Fort Bliss Main Store (9.85% attach rate)
Second: Fort Carson Main Store (7.91% attach rate)
Third: Goodfellow Air Force Base Main Store (6.97% attach rate)
Europe/Southwest Asia Region
First: Vicenza Main Store (26.30% attach rate—highest worldwide)
Second: RAF Lakenheath Main Store (10.08% attach rate)
Third: Aviano Main Store (6.32% attach rate)
Pacific Region
First: Kadena Air Base Main Store (12.57% attach rate)
Second: Osan Air Base Main Store (9.66% attach rate)
Third: Yokota Air Base Main Store (9.18% attach rate)
Regional winners for the highest EPP sales volume for 2025
Pacific Region: Kadena Air Base Main Store, with $267,700 in sales
Central Region: Fort Hood Main Store, with $207,000 in sales
Eastern Region: Fort Buchanan Main Store, with $195,000 in sales
Europe/Southwest Asia Region: Vicenza Main Store, with $141,000 in sal
Western Region: Fort Bliss Main Store, with $140,000 in sales
“These store teams were exemplary in their knowledge of the Exchange Protection Plan and their engagement with customers,” said Hardlines Vice President Josh Samuels. “Their work is essential to the program’s success.”
Check out all the coverage from the 2026 Exchange Managers Conference:
People, Passion, Purpose: Bingham Kicks Off Conference with Call to Accelerate
Four Stores Earn Director/CEO Cup, the Exchange’s Highest Honor
From the Managers Conference: 4 Stores Earn President/COO X Award
Trailblazing Associate Honored with First-Ever Knock It Out of the Park Award
From the Managers Conference: Service eLITe Champion, UROC Award Winners
From the Managers Conference: MILITARY STAR Challenge Cup Winners
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