The first Royal Farms convenience store in North Carolina will open to the public at midnight on Monday, May 1, in Grandy along U.S. 158, the main link between the Outer Banks and the mid-Atlantic.
A soft opening preview event for the Baltimore-based chain’s newest location was held Wednesday, and we take you in for a first look (and taste) of their World Famous Fried Chicken!
Construction started last summer on the 5,300 square foot store with fuel pumps and 67 parking spots at the southeast corner of the intersection of Caratoke Highway and Walnut Island Boulevard in Grandy.
Last year, Royal Farms submitted plans for a store along the Halstead Boulevard Extended corridor in Elizabeth City which is still under review. The company has also announced they will be coming to New Bern, Greenville, Lumberton, Kinston, and Jacksonville.
The closest location to the Outer Banks currently is at the corner of Centerville Turnpike and Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach.
Founded in 1959, Baltimore-based Royal Farms already has more than 200 stores located in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Royal Farms is best known for what they call their “World Famous Fried Chicken – Always Fresh, Never Frozen” that’s available 24 hours a day, which Food and Wine magazine bestowed the title of “best fast-food fried chicken”.
They also offer a variety of side dishes such as mac and cheese, western fries and mashed potatoes.
Freshly brewed hot or iced coffee comes from Swiss-Made brewing machines that grind whole Arabica beans seconds before brewing. Customers can experience f’real™ milkshakes made from all real ice cream and dairy-fresh milk at the blending station.
Every location also features surcharge free ATMs and air pump stations, lottery sales, various grades of gasoline and diesel fuel, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Earlier in the day, Royal Farms celebrated the store’s opening with a major donation to the Lower Currituck Food Pantry.
“We are thrilled to expand into North Carolina and bring our dedication to supporting the communities we serve with us,” said Royal Farms’ Director of Marketing, Frank Schilling.
Royal Farms donated a truckload of products ranging from beverages, protein bars, snacks and toilet paper for local residents who struggle to make ends meet and are in need of emergency food assistance.
“The Lower Currituck Food Pantry says a big thank you to Royal Farms for their generous donation. It’s nice to know a good neighbor has moved in,” said Bill Henkel, Executive Director of the Lower Currituck Food Pantry.
“At Royal Farms, we are passionate about finding ways to give back to the neighborhoods we do business in,” Schilling said. “Our donation to the Lower Currituck County Food Pantry is our way of thanking Grandy for welcoming us into this historic community.”
The company is encouraging the Greater Outer Banks community to reach out if they are seeking support for first responders, schools, community organizers, and local hospitals. Donation and sponsorship requests can be made at https://www.royalfarms.com/donations-sponsorships.
