Open for service: OnCue and Phillips 66 executives cut the ribbon to officially open OnCue’s first Texas store on December 9. Pictured from left are: Kevin Tilley, Phillips 66; Renee Semiz, Phillips 66; Rod Palmer, Phillips 66; Pam McGinnis, Phillips 66; Jim Griffith, CEO of OnCue; Laura Aufleger, president of OnCue; Steve James, CFO of OnCue; Tommy Shreffler, VP of operations, OnCue; and Marne Shafer, Phillips 66.
A major new gas station and convenience store has emerged from the site of the former Kaleidoscope Center on Westheimer Road at Blue Willow Drive. And, it’s far from what you’d expect from a c-store.
Officially opened on December 9, OnCue, a leading c-store operator in Oklahoma, arrived in Houston with a prominent presence for motorists driving through Westchase District or exiting the West Sam Houston Tollway. Located at 10612 Westheimer near Phillips 66’s corporate headquarters, construction of OnCue’s premier Phillips 66® site began almost a year ago. It will be the largest c-store of its kind on Westheimer – one of Texas’ most travelled roads – and perhaps in the entire city.
Laura Aufleger, president of OnCue, says the store offers a first-class fueling experience and coming to Houston is “part of the brand’s bright future.”
Oklahoma brand arrives in popular Texas District
Stillwater-based OnCue is known as an innovator in the Oklahoma convenience store market. The company has more than 75 locations and employs more than 1,200 people. The Westheimer location gives OnCue its first store outside of Oklahoma. The location will employ a team of 50 people.
In addition to TOP TIER® fuel, consumers will be able to dine on hot food, purchase convenience items and stock up on snacks for the road. Phillips 66 is a Houston-based brand and this state-of-the-art site adds to the growing Phillips 66 portfolio in the Houston area.
Fuel up or dine in: The seating area is the spot to enjoy freshly cooked food offerings from The Grill.
Boasting features not typically found in convenience stores, OnCue will be attractive for people on the go, dining-in or enjoying a meal in the dining room or courtyard. To illustrate, there’s a drive-thru window where customers can purchase anything from a chicken bacon ranch taco to a cup of coffee, to a bottle of wine or gallon of milk- without leaving their vehicle.
Not your average pump
OnCue sits on a 3-acre property and will have state-of-the-art technology at the pump. The gas station will have 12 dispensers with 24 fueling spots offering seven grades of fuel, including non-ethanol premium, E-85, E-15 and diesel. The canopy connects the fuel island to the store offering customers protection from Houston’s unpredictable storms. All the pumps have 2-lb nozzles that are easy to operate and are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.
OnCue sells TOP TIER Phillips 66 gasoline which has three times more detergent additive than the minimum required by the EPA. Fuel with lower-quality additive packages can build up deposits on fuel injectors and intake valves. Overall, lower levels of additives can have negative impacts on engine performance.
Cue up your cravings
Inside the 9,300-square-foot convenience store customers can purchase fresh food offerings and enjoy dine-in seating. A roller grill, similar to concessions at sports venues, offers taquitos, hot dogs, smoked sausages, bratwursts, chicken rollers, tamales and egg rolls. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available. There will be prepared foods for folks in a hurry or customers can order from ‘The Grill’.
“We’ve owned and operated a number of restaurants over the years and taste-tested our menu items so that we’re serving the best for customers,” said Aufleger. “You can order on a touch-screen kiosk or pre-order online. The menu will feature popular items like an onion-fried burger, lots of chicken options from tenders to jalapeno chicken bites, wraps and pizza.” Aufleger believes Texan palates will enjoy the brand’s ‘kick-it-up’ signature seasoning for a little extra in each bite. “Everything you order, you can kick it up,” said Aufleger. OnCue’s food options pair well with its signature “FreezeeCue” slushy drinks and extensive fresh brewed tea offerings, which use real cane sugar and five flavor varieties: sweet and unsweetened classic, tropical, Georgia peach, black raspberry and watermelon.
On a roll: Grab fresh egg rolls, hot dogs, brats, beef brisket dogs, and sausage inside the store, in addition to made to order burgers and chicken items.
Next to ‘The Grill’ is a gourmet coffee bar that rivals any coffee bar. Coffee drinkers will have a wide range of options from which to choose, including 12 blends of bean-to-cup coffee, espresso varieties, frozen Nitro coffee and classic drip.
Did you say ‘beer cave’? A walk-in refrigerated cooler keeps cases of beer at a cold 32-degrees.
It wouldn’t be a c-store without alcoholic beverages. OnCue has embraced the local craft beer market, selling craft beers in an open-air cooler while an actual walk-in refrigerator, known as the ‘Beer Cave’ will feature popular beer brands in grab-and-go tall boys, multi-packs, and cases.
Aufleger noted that the store’s wine selection is as impressive as how it’s selected. “We have an in-house wine and beer expert who is a Level 3 Sommelier,” said Aufleger. “She’s fantastic at picking really good wines as well as quality, affordable wines.”
‘Apportunity’ for savings: An app will allow customers additional savings at the pump.
If you didn’t think OnCue could offer much more, you’d be wrong. “Our bathrooms are consistently highly rated for cleanliness and are touch free,” said Aufleger.
As a 24-hour operation, Aufleger says all OnCue stores participate in the Safe Place program, a national crisis prevention program offering immediate help and safety for children and teens. OnCue plans for the Houston location to be a ‘Safe Place’ in the near future. For more information, visit https://www.nationalsafeplace.org/.
