Family Express

The last year has seen great progress in technology innovation and advancement in the convenience store space, from further implementation of self-checkout and mobile payments to app rejuvenation to steps taken to use artificial intelligence (AI) for security and operational efficiency. Family Express, based in Valparaiso, Ind., operator of over 80 locations in Indiana, is one c-store chain that has taken advantage of the technology boom to pave a path of future success at its stores. CStore Decisions is recognizing Family Express with a Tech Innovation Award for its work in launching a new mobile app, the ability to order food and in-store items at the pump and its goal to continue to focus on technology as a means of accelerating the business and offering convenience.

We were happy to welcome V.A.L.E. Alternative School students at our home office and to show them our training store! They often stop by our stores for snacks on field trips. As part of our commitment, we proudly donate to V.A.L.E., supporting these youth as future community builders. ????

During Day 5 of Random Acts of Kindness Week, our adventure led us to Union Center Elementary School. We arrived just in time to hear their announcements, and we could immediately tell how much they cared about their kids! Union Center is 1 of only 11 in Indiana recognized as an Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School for 2023. Plot twist: We ended up locked out of our car! Thankfully, the school's resource officer was on hand with a quick save; his own random act of kindness! ????

Day 3 of Random Acts of Kindness Week brought us to Portage Firehouse Station #2, where we delivered some Cravin's To Order pizzas! The visit became even more memorable when Aaron Kirtz, who has dedicated 16 years to the Portage Fire Department, welcomed us. He provided not just a tour but shared the rich history of the department, and shared stories from the field. We were particularly intrigued by the capabilities of their vehicles and the wide range of emergencies they respond to. It was fascinating to learn about the diverse skill set required here, especially the necessity for each firefighter to also be a qualified paramedic. Witnessing the firefighters' passion and dedication firsthand was truly inspiring. Their love for the community and pride in their work left us with a profound respect for these local heroes and their steadfast commitment. We're eager to hear about the acts of kindness you've encountered or shared. Share your experiences below and let's collectively make a positive impact! ????

Day 2 of Random Acts of Kindness Week brought us the joy of gifting a tank of fuel to Trixie and Richard. Trixie warmed our hearts with her kind words, complimenting Grace on the beauty of her name, while Richard shared his passion for long beach walks, especially in the warmer weather to come ?? Tell us about an act of kindness you've shared or experienced in the comments below. Let's create a wave of happiness today! ??

It's Random Acts of Kindness Week! To kick off the celebration, we brought smiles to ValPlayso by handing out our signature FE ducks. While we were there, we took a moment to reflect on Family Express as the champion sponsor for ValPLAYso - The Next Generation. The park's design was uniquely crafted by the city's 3,500 elementary school children who shared their vision and dreams for what they wanted in their play space. ValPlayso truly reflects the creativity and aspirations of our youngest community members. This park stands as a testament to community spirit and collaboration. Out of the 3,000 who worked on building this community gem, only three were paid. It was a collective effort of volunteers! We’d love to hear about the kindness you spread. Share your stories in the comments below and let’s inspire a ripple of joy together. ??

You know what time of the week it is…. #ThrowbackThursday! We decided to switch it up this time in honor of the big game! Here we have a former Chicago Bears player wearing the coolest hat we’ve ever seen (no seriously). Does anyone know who this guy is? Because we have no idea ?? Who are you rooting for on Sunday?

"The life I love is making music with my friends." Thank you Snoop and Matthew for reminding us that some of the best memeories are made on the road again with good tunes and great company. ??

The answer is South Haven! This was our 3rd store to open and the location where our company name was born! Before being converted to a Family Express store, this location was operated as a 7/11 for several years.

Your turn… where do you think this is?