Break Time Marks 40 Years of Convenience, Connection and Change

November 4, 2025

Written By Adam Buckallew

When Break Time opened its first store in 1985, convenience looked a little different. The average store was about 500 square feet, roughly the size of a two-car garage, with just a handful of soda options, two kinds of coffee and a cash register that actually required cash. Four decades later, the convenience-store brand owned by MFA Petroleum Company has grown into a network of 76 locations across Missouri, some of which are 10 times larger than the originals. And while much has changed, the mission remains the same: to make life easier for customers.

40 Deals in 40 Days

Break Time marked its milestone anniversary this summer with 40 Deals in 40 Days. Promotions ran from July 1 to Aug. 9 and rewarded customers with daily savings through the MyTime Rewards program. The campaign featured fun, rotating offers on snacks, drinks and fuel. Additionally, Break Time offered forty-cent refills on fountain and coffee drinks to all customers from July 1 through Labor Day.

“The 40-cent refills were a huge success,” said Anita Bichsel, Break Time’s marketing manager. “Customers loved the pricing, and it was a fun way to thank them for 40 years of support.”

The MyTime Rewards deals created excitement both in-store and online.

“It gave us a chance to collaborate with our vendors and highlight new products,” Bichsel said. “The free Mountain Dew day was one of the most popular promotions we’ve done.”

Occasional pop-up fuel discounts added another layer of excitement to the anniversary celebration.

“This celebration was our way of saying a heartfelt thank you to the customers who’ve supported us for 40 years,” Bichsel said. “Surprising them with pop-up fuel discounts was a fun way to show our appreciation and make the anniversary feel truly special.”

Evolving with the Industry

As the convenience-store industry has evolved, so too has Break Time.

“Some of our first stores were incredibly small, with limited cooler space,” said Jennifer Bach, vice president of Break Time operations. “Back then, we might have had milk, soda and beer. Today, we have a huge selection of adult beverages, soft drinks, bottled water, energy drinks, teas, coffee drinks and more.”

In modern Break Time locations, some of which are as large as 6,000 square feet, customers will find Beer Caves, expanded snack sections and complete food-service programs like Chester’s Chicken, Hunt Brothers Pizza and the brand’s own line of AnyTime Eats breakfast sandwiches.

“Fuel remains an important part of what we do,” Bach said, “but today’s convenience-store customer wants a reason to come inside. That’s why we’ve invested so heavily in food service and store experience.”

Break Time has also embraced technology with the launch of its MyTime Rewards loyalty program in 2017 and the introduction of self-checkout kiosks in 2023.

“Many of our customers are looking for flexibility at checkout,” Bach said. “With most transactions now happening through digital payment methods, offering self-checkout gives them more options and a faster, more convenient experience.”

Behind the scenes, technology is improving operations, too.

“We’ve added systems that help our team manage inventory, scheduling and training more efficiently,” she said. “Customers may not see that side, but it helps ensure every visit feels consistent and convenient.”

Powered by People

While Break Time’s stores have gotten bigger and smarter, Bach said the brand’s greatest strength still lies in its people.

“In many of our stores, the employees know their customers by name,” she said. “They know their usual order. Those types of connections keep people coming back. That community bond is something we’re very proud of.”

Looking ahead, Break Time plans to continue upgrading older stores, expanding food options and introducing new technologies like mobile pay and potential food delivery for select markets.

“We’re also developing a more interactive training program to engage younger employees,” Bach said. “We have to meet our workforce where they are—on their phones, in digital spaces—and make learning more dynamic.”

From its humble beginnings to today’s modernizations, Break Time’s 40-year journey reflects the evolution of the convenience industry itself.

“What hasn’t changed is our commitment to serving our communities,” Bach said. “We’ve been part of people’s daily routines for 40 years, and we’re excited to keep earning that place for many more years to come.”