November 9, 2026
Murphy USA is expanding its automated restaurant initiative with White Castle, with more than 100 units now operating as the convenience store and fuel retailer evaluates customer demand and the potential for a broader rollout. During the company's third-quarter 2026 earnings call, President and CEO Mindy West described the initiative as a test-to-scale program designed to determine whether automated foodservice can become a sustainable part of Murphy USA's retail operations.
The company refers to the initiative internally as Murphy Automated Restaurant Solutions, or MARS. West said Murphy USA is deliberately expanding the program into additional markets and formats while examining three factors: customer demand, compatibility with its operating model and store-level economics. The company has not disclosed sales figures, transaction volumes or profitability for the automated restaurant units.
Although the company is encouraged by early results, West cautioned that it is too soon to determine the program's long-term potential. "The initial results that we've seen so far are encouraging," West told analysts. She said the company expects to provide more detailed info...