TOLLESON, Ariz. -- QuikTrip Corp., which uses uses Kenworth medium-duty trucks to deliver fresh food from its kitchen commissary in Tolleson, Ariz., to more than 75 convenience stores and gas stations in metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson, has added three Class 7 Kenworth T370s with PACCAR PX-6 engines this year, joining a fleet of eight Kenworth medium-duty trucks purchased in 2006.
The Tulsa, Okla.-based convenience retailer prepares fresh sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit, pastries, and other food at company-owned kitchens and delivers them to each store daily.
It [image-nocss] is expanding its Arizona network, one of the company's top growth markets.
"What stands out about the Kenworth T370 is that it fits both our image as a company and our everyday needs as a distribution operation," said Manny Rubio, who manages QuikTrip's food distribution operation in Arizona. "It's a great-looking truck and we're proud to have our name on it, plus it provides the low operating costs and driver comfort we expect."
QuikTrip trucks make 10 to 12 deliveries on routes ranging from 75 to 250 miles. The Kenworth T370's combination of 220-horsepower PACCAR PX6 engine, automatic transmission and a load that starts out light and diminishes with each stop can deliver fuel economy and reduce the physical strain on drivers.
"We promote our drivers from within the distribution operation. It's more effective to train someone from our QuikTrip family to operate a truck than it is to train a truck driver to meet our high standards," Rubio (pictured) added.
New drivers adapt well to the Kenworth T370, the company said, so they can earn a CDL and be productive in a matter of weeks instead of months. "That's huge for us," Rubio said. "They feel comfortable in the truck quickly, especially with the automatic transmission. We can spend more time preparing drivers for other aspects of the job."
QuikTrip drivers have a demanding job working around fuel islands, unloading food, stocking shelves, and staying on schedule during an evening shift. At a busy gasoline lot, the Kenworth T370's sight-lines and maneuverability can reduce the risk of scrapes and dings.
The chain manages its own maintenance schedule and its truck dealer, Inland Kenworth in Phoenix, handles nearly all preventive maintenance and repairs. The arrangement helps QuikTrip improve utilization and focus on distributing fresh food instead of running a big shop.
"Other dealers have approached us about other makes of truck," Rubio said, adding that QuikTrip also has a Kenworth T660 day cab for weekly inventory delivery to its Arizona stores. "But there's a lot of value in being consistent. Our Kenworth T370s help us control our operating costs and keep our drivers happy every day. As a Class 7 truck, it also gives us the versatility we'll need as more stores and more products come on board. It's a great fit now and in the future."
Kirkland, Wash.-based Kenworth Truck Co., A PACCAR Co., is the manufacturer of heavy and medium-duty trucks.
QuikTrip operates approximately 500 convenience stores in nine states.
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