About Us
The Eskimo Hut concept is a specialty convenience store utilizing the sale of frozen daiquiris “to go” as a niche to draw customers. Each store is equipped with a drive thru window, enabling customers to obtain the specialty drinks marketed by the Eskimo Hut quickly and conveniently. As a result of the niche market for the specialty drinks sold by the Eskimo Hut, the stores are able to move a high volume of virtually its entire product line, including primarily beer, wine, and tobacco products, thereby greatly increasing the profitability of the store and its concept.
The first Eskimo Hut opened in 1996. There are currently 31 operational Eskimo Huts in locations all across Texas. Markets that have been exposed to the Eskimo Hut concept include Amarillo, Abilene, Waco, Midland, El Paso, Fort Worth, Denton, Lubbock, San Angelo, Wichita Falls, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Houston, and Snyder. As more stores open across the state, the marketing concept will continue to gain recognition, decreasing the burden of startup advertising and shortening the transition from startup to profitable business operation.
Store Concept
The Eskimo Hut concept has evolved from years of successfully selling frozen daiquiris from combination drive thru and walk-in convenience stores. Convenience stores have operated productively with walk-in service. The Eskimo Hut combines both of these concepts remembering “it’s all about customer service”.
Driving thru at the Eskimo Hut is an experience far removed from typical fast food drive thru operations of the past. Customers entering the drive thru are greeted by store personnel actually coming directly to the customer’s window for one-on-one personal service. All sales including beer, cigarettes, fountain drinks, candy bars, or other convenience store products are handled immediately, while daiquiri sales are directed to another drive thru door along the back of the building to decrease waiting time and increase customer service efficiency. Customers are also welcomed inside for traditional convenience store service.
Customer Base
The Eskimo Hut draws from a very broad customer base due to the products we sell. For Eskimo Snow, our largest demographic is ladies between the ages of 24 and 40. The age demographic appears to operate independently of socioeconomic status; ladies of all economic classes appear to enjoy a cold Eskimo Snow on a hot (or not so hot) day. Men of all legal ages perpetuate our traditional high volume of beer sales while providing their significant other with a beverage for their enjoyment. Our stores provide items for consumption for the 18 - 21 year old demographic as well, by offering a wide selection of cigarettes, cokes and candy bars.
Business Methodology
Generally speaking, the Eskimo Hut is a new concept utilizing strong basic business fundamentals and an eye toward creating and sustaining long-term financial growth and success. The management team of the Eskimo Hut is experienced at the purchasing, merchandising, inventory control, and advertising necessary for this genre of store. As with any successful business, a strong entrepreneurial culture combined with proven processes, controls and measurement systems is vital. The plan is followed closely and all personnel are held accountable.
The Eskimo Hut’s business culture is based on developing leaders and managers. The foundation of this approach is a template for consistent and effective leadership that breeds other leaders and creates an exciting and rewarding place of employment.
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