By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
David W. Ring, Kwik Trip Community Relations Manager, addressed the Greater Whitewater Committee on November 11 with an overview of the company’s history and operations, as well as their plans for their two upcoming Whitewater stores. As had previously been announced, Ring confirmed that the roundabout location will open on December 9, with the grand opening on December 15. The Janesville Street/Highway 59 location will open on January 20. Although both stores are expected to be open 24/7, Ring indicated that early morning hours might ultimately be adjusted depending upon traffic counts. As “Generation 3 stores,” the buildings will both be approximately 9200 square feet and will include car washes. 50-60 people will be employed, about 40% of whom will be fulltime. Hiring is still underway, with Ring particularly emphasizing that they are seeking three assistant managers, with excellent advancement opportunities.
Kwik Trip was founded in 1965 by the Hansen and Zietlow families in Eau Claire. Since 2000 it has been owned entirely by the Zietlow family, with the fourth generation now part of the management. The company has experienced rapid growth: in 1986 there were 100 stores; 2000 – 300 stores; 2016 – 500 stores. By the end of the year over 800 stores will be in operation. 467 stores are currently in Wisconsin, with only two in Illinois and the remainder in Minnesota or Iowa. The Iowa and Illinois stores are named Kwik Star in order to avoid confusion with the Quik Trip brand. Employment totals 32,000 people, serving an average of 9.5 million “guests” per week. The average store sells 850 baked goods, 200 hot beverages, and 170 cold beverages per day.
Significant developments in recent years include the introduction of hot food in 2003, the major expansion in the Madison market in 2017-20 with the purchase of the PDQ and Stop & Go chains, and the entry into take home meals and fried chicken beginning in 2020.
According to Ring, CEO Don Zietlow is so insistent on the importance of clean, well-stocked restrooms that it’s the only place in the store where his name and phone number are posted. Air pumps are provided at no charge, and there is no fee to use the ATMs.
The company’s vertical integration is unusual in the convenience store market. Zietlow likes to say, “we make it, deliver it, and sell it,” as it’s claimed that the company makes 80% of the products sold. Ring acknowledged that they have experienced some “supply chain” issues recently. The 130 acre headquarters in La Crosse has 14 buildings and 85 loading docks, with a bakery employing 395 people, a dairy with 155, and a kitchen with 530. A fulltime USDA inspector is onsite, and the 7 day per week inhouse lab facility conducts over 3000 tests weekly. The 550 truck drivers log 32 million miles per year.
Employees share 40% of the profits, including through an annual bonus. “Coworkers” are told “you’re empowered to make it right,” and many voluntarily participate in a payroll deduction that provides funds for fellow employees who are in need due to something like a fire or a health crisis. The company employs a social worker to administer the program.
Ring admitted that as he drove around Whitewater he was “surprised that we aren’t already here.” It won’t be long before local residents have the opportunity to hear “see you next time.”
