Feeding Readiness: How AAFES’ BE FIT 360 Program Advances Global Military Wellness in 2026

 

As wellness, nutrition, and performance continue to shape how Americans think about food in 2026, few organizations operate at the scale—or with the mission-critical responsibility—of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). Through its BE FIT 360 program, AAFES is not simply responding to New Year’s resolutions; it is embedding nutrition-forward food access into the daily lives of millions of service members, families, and retirees worldwide.

AAFES serves tens of millions of authorized shoppers annually across more than 2,500 Exchange facilities, operating on U.S. military installations in over 30 countries and U.S. territories. From large-format food courts and branded quick-service restaurants to Express convenience locations and 24/7 self-service markets, the Exchange functions as one of the most geographically diverse food retail and foodservice networks in the world.

BE FIT 360: Nutrition as a Force Multiplier

The BE FIT 360 program reflects a holistic view of wellness—one that recognizes food as fuel for readiness, resilience, and long-term health. Under this program, fresh, better-for-you options are available across all Exchange food formats, ensuring consistency whether a Warfighter is on a major stateside base, deployed overseas, or stationed in a remote location.

“Supporting nutrition and wellness for the military community is central to keeping the Nation’s Total Force ready,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez, senior enlisted advisor at the Exchange. That commitment is operationalized daily through menu engineering, product sourcing, and in-store guidance that makes healthier choices easier—not aspirational.

Better-for-You Choices, Built Into Everyday Brands

Rather than isolating wellness into niche concepts, AAFES integrates better-for-you options into familiar national brands trusted by military families:

·       Burger King at Exchange locations worldwide offers the Impossible Whopper, featuring a plant-based patty, alongside salads—meeting demand for flexitarian and plant-forward eating.

·       Qdoba Mexican Eats delivers customizable, hand-crafted meals with fresh vegetables and grilled proteins, supporting low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-friendly, high-protein, and calorie-conscious lifestyles.

·       Charleys provides multiple menu items at 300 calories or fewer, including grilled chicken, steak, and garden salads, with smaller cheesesteak portions under 500 calories.

·       Exchange-exclusive Arby’s locations feature meal options under 500 calories, including sliders and the Classic Roast Beef sandwich paired with a side salad.

This approach allows AAFES to scale wellness without sacrificing familiarity, speed, or value—critical factors for high-velocity military environments.

Healthier Choices, Wherever Duty Calls

For on-the-go needs, BE FIT 360-approved items are clearly identified with Healthier Choices, Healthier Lifestyle shelf tags at approximately 350 Express locations worldwide. Fresh fruit, yogurt, trail mix, veggie chips, and balanced snack options support energy and satiety throughout demanding schedules.

Recognizing that access varies by assignment, AAFES has also expanded 24/7 self-service markets, ensuring that service members without proximity to full restaurants still have access to fresh salads, sandwiches, fruit, and prepared meals—anytime, day or night.

A Retailer With a Mission, Not Just a Margin

Founded in 1895, AAFES is among the largest retailers in the United States, yet operates under a unique model: 100 percent of earnings are reinvested into military communities, funding quality-of-life programs and services. As a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense, the Exchange blends commercial foodservice execution with public service responsibility at global scale.

From commissary-adjacent Express stores to overseas food courts, AAFES foodservice does more than feed people—it sustains morale, readiness, and family life across continents.

 

Insights from the Grocerant Guru®

1.       AAFES proves that wellness scales when it is integrated, not isolated. Embedding better-for-you choices into mainstream brands accelerates adoption far faster than standalone “healthy” concepts.

2.       Foodservice is readiness infrastructure. BE FIT 360 positions nutrition as a performance asset, reinforcing that what Warfighters eat directly impacts resilience and operational effectiveness.

3.       Global consistency with local flexibility is the Exchange’s competitive advantage. AAFES delivers a standardized wellness framework while adapting to diverse locations, duty cycles, and access constraints worldwide.

4.       AAFES is a blueprint for mission-driven food retail. By aligning food, value, and reinvestment into communities, the Exchange demonstrates how large-scale foodservice can drive both health outcomes and social return.

For international corporate presentations, educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions.  His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert and public speaking will leave success clues for all. For more information visit www.GrocerantGuru.com , www.FoodserviceSolutions.us or call    1-253-759-7869