OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. & TEXARKANA, Texas -- Each year, the CSP-Service Intelligence Mystery Shop survey asks the question, "Was the public restroom clean?" And inevitably, the results lead to a sample-based, scientific declaration of who among the eight chains shopped had the "best" restrooms.
This year is no exception. So keeping that in mind, the chain that ranked highest for that particular question was Texarkana, Texas-based E-Z Mart stores, with an average score of 97.8%. While the chain definitely took the top spot for that question, others could argue that it shouldn't be the sole holder of the crown. Three chains in the study, Circle K Great Lakes, Akron, Ohio; Kwik Trip, La Crosse, Wis.; and RaceTrac Petroleum, Atlanta, earned 100% scores for the question, "Was the restroom properly stocked with supplies?"
For the fourth time in five years, Kwik Trip took the No. 1 overall spot in this year's study for chains with 150 or more stores. The chain also took the top spot in three subcategories: exterior cleanliness, customer service and employee appearance.
The survey--this year expanded to include seven chains of less than 150 stores (with those results to come this fall)--reviewed eight large regional and national chains, analyzing exterior and interior cleanliness, customer service, merchandising and employee appearance.
This year, the Fort Mill, S.C.-based Service Intelligence sent shoppers to the following chains: Casey's General Stores, Ankeny, Iowa; Circle K Great Lakes; E-Z Mart Stores; Kwik Trip; MAPCO, Brentwood, Tenn.; QuikTrip, Tulsa, Okla.; RaceTrac Petroleum; and Sheetz, Altoona, Pa. Shoppers completed 80 to 110 visits per chain during eight weeks this past spring.
[Editor's Note: CSP Daily News will reveal more insights in the coming days, with extensive coverage of the study in the August issue of CSP magazine. And don't forget the second part of the survey, which reviews seven chains with less than 150 stores. CSP Daily News will count down the top chains and CSP magazine will delve into the results in September.]
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