John Triplett is co-owner of B&T’s Food Fresh Market – a growing independent grocery company with 11 locations in Georgia and South Carolina and more planned – with Clark Brunson. The two are self-described “conservative entrepreneurs” and own other businesses in addition to raising young families.
Triplett also is a vocal proponent for tort reform in the state of Georgia, testifying on Gov. Brian Kemp’s roundtable on that high-ranking issue and subsequently was quoted by Kemp in his State of the State address in January.
Despite a full to overflowing schedule, Triplett took time to share with The Shelby Report about B&T’s operations, economic outlook, community service, his involvement in the policy realm and more.
Tell us about the stores you operate. What would you say are your biggest customer draws?
At B&T’s Food Fresh Market, we operate 11 stores, each tailored to the needs of its specific community. Our stores range from 15,000 to 40,000 square feet and are designed to provide a comprehensive shopping experience.
We focus on fresh produce, quality meats and a wide selection of local and regional products. Specialty departments like our full-service deli and bakery are major customer draws, along with a commitment to supporting local farmers and suppliers.
Our value proposition revolves around offering high-quality products at competitive prices while delivering exceptional customer service. We thrive on our ability to make buying decisions at store level to enable our team to best serve our community.
How’s business? Any plans for new stores or remodels?
Business has been strong, bolstered by our focus on community engagement and adapting to customer needs. [B&T’s Food Fresh Market] has plans to remodel three stores this year, with a particular emphasis on modernizing layouts and enhancing the shopping experience.
Additionally, we’re exploring new store locations that align with our long-term strategy here in Georgia and surrounding states.
Are you using technology in your stores to help team members be more efficient/effective and shoppers have a better experience?
Technology is a key part of our operations. We’ve considered the implementation of self-checkout stations to reduce wait times and launched a shopper app that offers digital coupons, personalized deals and mobile ordering. We enjoy the customer-focused approach of traditional checkout while encouraging speed and efficiency.
For our team members, we’ve introduced tools to streamline inventory management and enhance communication, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness across all departments. Many of the corporate bog-down practices – excessive paperwork, pointless meetings, time-consuming tracking and scanning – we have eliminated through common sense and technology.
How is the economy where your stores are located?
The economy in our areas is relatively stable, with some communities experiencing growth due to new job opportunities and infrastructure developments. However, like many regions, we’ve faced challenges from inflation and supply chain disruptions.
We do serve many rural economies that have different needs and lack growth but find doing business in these communities very rewarding and fun. Overall, our customer base remains loyal, and we’re optimistic about continued growth in the markets we serve.
Describe the competitive landscape in your market area.
Our markets are diverse. In some areas, we face heavy competition from big-box retailers and discount chains, while others are relatively underserved. We differentiate ourselves through personalized service, local products and a deep connection to the communities we serve. This approach has allowed us to carve out a loyal customer base despite the competitive landscape we may find ourselves in.
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How do you deliver on customer service? Is employee turnover a concern? How do you keep employees engaged?
Customer service is at the heart of our business. We achieve this by investing in employee training, maintaining a positive work environment and offering competitive benefits. While turnover is always a concern in the retail sector, we’ve been able to retain employees by fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their work.
Regular recognition programs and opportunities for growth help keep our team engaged. We also provide a very unique flex schedule for our management team that allows them to put life first.
How do you support the communities where you operate?
Community support is a core value for us. [B&T’s Food Fresh Market] partners with local schools, food banks, churches and civic organizations to give back. Through sponsorships, charitable donations and volunteer initiatives, we strive to make a positive impact in every community where we operate.
Our goal is to not just be a grocery store but a valued community partner. Our company takes prides in giving the store the authority and ability to purchase local produce and products from the community. This definitely proves to the area that we care and support the same people that support us.
Tell us a little about you, how you got into the grocery business.
My journey in the grocery business began with a passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to serve communities. Over the years, I’ve worked in various roles, gaining a deep understanding of the industry.
I started my grocery career as a part-time stocker in a small independent store in 2009. I quickly fell in love with the work, people and challenges. I purchased my first small store in 2016 and through our team’s efforts we have grown by more than 10,000 percent.
We are unique also in how we complete the majority of maintenance in-house and have a real hands-on approach. We are truly a family-owned business that desires to honor God and conduct business in the most honorable way possible.
Kathy [Kuzava, president of the Georgia Food Industry Association ] mentioned that you serve on the GFIA board and that you testified on Gov. Kemp’s roundtable regarding tort reform. Speak to what GFIA involvement means to you and your company and why tort reform is important to retailers.
Serving on the GFIA board (and CFIC – Carolinas Food Industry Council) has been an incredible opportunity to advocate for the grocery industry. Our participation allows us to stay informed on key issues and collaborate with peers to address shared challenges.
Kathy has a unique presence at the capitol and is one of the most liked and respected lobbyists there. Testifying on Gov. Kemp’s roundtable regarding tort reform was a chance to highlight the need for fair legal protections for businesses. Tort reform is critical to reducing unnecessary litigation costs, which ultimately helps retailers invest more in their employees, stores and communities.
I am proud of our governor and the leadership at our state. We truly have one of the best states in the union to operate a business. We are equally excited that Gov. Kemp has taken the initiative to fight what is arguably the worst legal climate in the union.
I appreciate Kemp quoting me in his State of the State when he said, “At this point, I don’t feel like I am able to run my business; I’m just trying not to lose it.”
