FRANCHISEE EXPANDS BUSINESS
Usha Parekh was living and working as a travel agent in India’s State of Gujarat, when she received a shock from her then-husband, who announced he decided to leave her. In those days in India, Parekh said, even if a woman’s husband walked out on her, it was the woman who was frowned upon.
Parekh sought a better life for herself and her 16-year-old son. She left India alone in 1996 destined for the United States without knowing a word of English, carrying one suitcase and $500. Parekh relishes in retelling her story, hoping it will be an inspiration to other women who have found themselves in similar situations.
Parekh eventually created the life she was seeking and remarried. She and her husband Rakesh Patel are now the franchisees for a Circle K Convenience Store & Gas Station. The couple is in the process of expanding their business in adjacent space within their shopping plaza, where customers will be able to purchase to-go meals from a salad bar and Broaster Chicken franchise; and beverages from a juice bar.
The Circle K convenience store chain was established in Texas in 1951, quickly expanded throughout New Mexico and Arizona. It now has a worldwide presence in 20 countries, with Alimentation Couche-Tard in Canada acquiring the brand in 2003.
Broaster Chicken is a franchise that boasts proprietary recipes and pressure frying through the “broaster” process. The Broaster franchise within Parekh’s Circle K franchise is considered a “Broaster Express,” which offers restaurant-quality, ready-to-go foods that franchisees distribute within a small space. Fried chicken, boneless Buffalo wings, potato wedges, corn dogs and onion rings are among the fare. Parekh said the Broaster items appealed to her and many of her customers because of the high quality flavor.
Parekh said rebuilding her life in the United States when she arrived in November 1996 took sheer determination and hard work. She started working in a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise in Philadelphia, before briefly returning to India. Once she came back to the United States in 1997, she settled with friends in Bergen County and worked at a Dunkin’ Donuts location there. She learned English by watching television programs and speaking the language as much as possible.
“I knew if I wanted to live in this country, I had to learn English,” she said.
While living and working in Bergen County, she met Patel.
“I can do nothing without him (Patel),” said Parekh. “He’s my biggest supporter.” She has since become a U.S. citizen and said that people in the community have embraced them.
“This community gave me a lot of love,” she said. “I didn’t want to start over. I love my community.”
Parekh said Circle K contacted her to ask if she could oversee the local franchise, which Parekh and Patel took over on July 3. She sold her share in the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise before transitioning to Circle K. Their success has come from working countless hours, she said, with Parekh putting in 12-hour days and Patel, 90-hour workweeks.
“This was my dream come true,” said Parekh of having the opportunity to become a franchisee for the Circle K brand.
The location is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for fuel, food and beverage purchases.
The bakery within the franchise specializes in fresh-baked bagels, rolls, donuts, muffins, cookies and breads. Another popular breakfast choice among Parekh’s loyal customers are the small boxes of cereal she stocks. There are hot beverages, with Circle K’s premium coffees, cappuccinos and teas for on-the-go purchases that customers can start their day with; or enjoy anytime.
The Circle K store also offers seasonal coffee flavors. Parekh said customers can return for a coffee refill at a nominal charge. Cold beverages can be chilled in Circle K’s “Polar Pop” cup that reportedly keeps beverages cooler longer – customers can opt for crushed or cubed ice. Milk shakes and smoothies are part of the frozen beverage selection.
Customers can stop in to grab a quick bite, with a selection of sandwiches and salads. There are hot foods, too, with sandwiches, hot dogs heated on a roller grill, empanadas, nachos and other items.
There are refrigerated, bottled beverages and other refrigerated choices. Ice cream pints are another option for treats on-the-go, at any hour of the day. Customers can satisfy snack cravings with a range of sweet to salty to spicy snacks. One-yard-long chocolate bars are one of the sweet favorites. Fresh fruit is a healthy snack choice that they also offer to their customers.
The Broaster Chicken Express area that is by the location’s register has also become a go-to for Parekh’s customers throughout the day. One of the regulars is Bill Weiss, who initially met Parekh and Patel three years ago when they were working at the Dunkin’ Donuts. He has followed the couple as a loyal client to Circle K.
“They’re great,” Weiss said of Parekh and Patel, “they’ve become like family.”
Weiss said he stops to the location “a few times a week” for fuel, but his other favorites are the coffee and Broaster Chicken items.
Parekh said she anticipates the expansion and opening of the food area in the adjacent space to the Circle K with the Broaster Chicken franchise, salad bar and juice bar to take place within the next six months.
#BetterBeBroaster
#FAQFryDay: How do I know which Trademark Food Program is right for me?
The #ChickenExperts know!
👇
Broaster continues to innovate with the next generation of food service. If you have a youth sports center, a camp, or other cafeteria setting then you can deliver restaurant quality meals in a quick-serve timeline. Discover how Broaster can take you beyond traditional food service!
DM us to see what program fits best based on your needs!
#BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken #RestaurantIndustry
Feb 7

Wanted to celebrate #NationalChopstickDay but also wanted Genuine Broaster Chicken....guess we need some more practice! 🤷🏻
#GenuineBroasterChicken #BetterBeBroaster
Feb 6

Operator Spotlight goes to Keystone Turner Hall! 🙌🏼
Keystone Turner Hall is a banquet center in Keystone, IA. They host luncheons, birthday parties, meetings, and smaller banquets.
Not only do they host many events, but they also boast a six lane bowling alley with many leagues throughout the year AND operate a bar and grill! 🔥
Shout out to you!
#BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken
Feb 5

The best time to eat Mozzarella cheese sticks, is all the time, and we have the perfect equipment to cook some in! 💯
The Broaster 1800 Pressure Fryer is our most popular model, offering the best combination of production capacity & space efficiency! Its built-in oil filtration makes filtering safe and easy. It can cook up to 40 pieces of fresh, bone-in chicken in as little as 10 minutes.
Standard Features:
🔥Designed for max space efficiency
🔥18” in overall width
🔥Available in gas or electric models
🔥Touch screen controller option now standard
Send us a DM if you want to learn more about our equipment!
#BetterBeBroaster
Feb 4

Instead of 6 more weeks of winter, the groundhog says you should go get Genuine Broaster Chicken 🤗
#GenuineBroasterChicken #BetterBeBroaster
Feb 2

#FAQFryDay: What Are The Features Of The Broaster Instant Burger?
The #ChickenExperts know!
👇
Instant Burger cooks great tasting burgers and other food products evenly without flipping or splattering grease.
🔺Cooks 2 fresh burgers in less than a minute. Over 200 burgers can be cooked in an hour.
🔺Meat is cooked through a direct energy transfer process where the energy is transferred directly through the meat.
🔺Compact design requires only 23″ x 16″ of counter space. No hood required to operate.
Send us a DM to learn more about our Instant Burger!
#BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken #RestaurantIndustry
Jan 31

Ever had a meal that just ‘Leaves You Wanting Mo’? 😏
That’s exactly what you’ll feel when you eat at Moe Moe’s Wingz & Things!
You can try their Moe Moe’s Wingetts which are made from our very own Genuine Broaster Chicken or check out their corn dogs and burritos!
Thank you for being a Genuine Broaster Chicken Operator! 👏🏼
#BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken
Jan 29

Watch us cook up the juiciest batch of chicken real quick! 😎
#GenuineBroasterChicken #BetterBeBroaster
Jan 28

What’s better than popcorn chicken? JUMBO Popcorn Chicken! 💯
Our Jumbo Popcorn Chicken is made from 100% breast meat. Marinated & coated in our proprietary products for a moist, delicious taste.
This food item is frozen and ready to be cooked in any of our pressure fryers or ventless fryers!
Reach out to your local Broaster Distributor for availability!
#GenuineBroasterChicken #BetterBeBroaster
Jan 27

#FAQFryDay: What Are The Features Of The Broaster Smokaroma?
The Smokaroma Pressure Smoker combines the modern scientific method of pressure cooking with pressure smoking to create deliciously juicy, smoked foods.
💥Requires minimum kitchen space in kitchen and casters are standard, making the unit portable.
💥Fast and easy operation increases productivity.
💥Pressure smoking reduces shrinkage up to 40% over other methods.
💥Smoke up to 45 pounds of ribs in under 90 minutes.
Want to learn more about our Smokaroma? Send us a DM! 🤗
#BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken #RestaurantIndustry
Jan 24

If you vibe with Genuine Broaster Chicken, can we be friends? 🤞🏼
#GenuineBroasterChicken #BetterBeBroaster
Jan 23

Looking for a place to watch Sunday football while enjoying some delicious Genuine Broaster Chicken? 🔥
Check out @main.gate.bar.grill in Springfield, IL. Anything from sandwiches, to pizza, to hotdogs and different chicken platters, they got it all!
Shout out to Main Gate Bar & Grill for being a Genuine Broaster Chicken Operator! 👏🏼
#GenuineBroasterChicken #BetterBeBroaster
Jan 22

Craving some juicy chicken tenders? We have the perfect equipment to cook some up in! 👏🏼
Check out our Broaster 2400!
💥Broaster 2400 Features:
* Large-capacity, high efficiency pressure fryer for more food per hour
* Faster service & greater sales
* Can produce 48-64 pieces of fresh bone-in chicken per cook cycle
* 48-64 pieces of fresh bone-in chicken per load
* 24” in overall width
* Available in gas or electric models
* Touch screen controller option now standard
DM us to learn more about our Broaster Equipment!
#BetterBeBroaster
Jan 21

Are you hungry for some wings? 🤔
Our Boneless Buffalo Wings are moist & flavorful with larger than average piece sizes! Made from tender, delicious 100% breast meat, these wings are marinated with a very mild heat & coated with our proprietary zesty breading. Your customers will love the lip-smacking flavor that these wings provide.
Perfect grab ‘n go snack or great as an appetizer! Our Boneless Buffalo Wings are carried at most Broadliner Distributors! 👏🏼
#GenuineBroasterChicken #BetterBeBroaster
Jan 20

#FAQFryDay: Where can I ask my questions in person?
The #ChickenExperts know!
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If you’d like to ask us questions in person, check out two of our upcoming events; The NAFEM Show and The NRA Show! Visit us at the NAFEM Show in Atlanta Georgia on February 26-28, 2025 and discover the equipment and supplies that will keep you and your foodservice operation one step ahead!
The National Restaurant Association Show will be in Chicago, Illinois on May 17-20, 2025. Come join us and be a part of the largest gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western hemisphere.
#BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken #RestaurantIndustry
Jan 17
