3 of the Best C-Stores to Work For, According to Glassdoor
By Alaina Lancaster on Jan. 29, 2018CHICAGO -- Not every employer can be Facebook, but a few convenience-store chains just might be coming close. The social-media company topped Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work annual ranking for the third time. The job review site’s list is compiled based on the quantity, quality and consistency of employees’ anonymous feedback on topics such as career opportunities and work-life balance.
Facebook’s legendary perks, such as free food, on-site medical centers and 17 weeks of paid parental leave, have helped it earn a company ranking of 4.6 stars out of five. Competing with a $27.6 billion company's culture is not easy, but three convenience-store chains are nipping at the heels of your aunt’s favorite social network.
Check out the retailers that are listed alongside Facebook, Lululemon and Google as some of the best places to work in the country ...
1. H-E-B
Rolling in at No. 20, reviewers praise San Antonio-based H-E-B for seeing team members as names, not numbers. The grocery and convenience-store chain creates tailored development plans so that workers can move up and out to the store’s many divisions. The retailer also offers classroom training, online computer training and rotating assignments, so that “partners” can get a well-rounded education, according to the chain’s extensive career site.
The chain also strives to create a workplace in which team members connect with one another, a strategy some noncommercial operators are also investing in.
“The managers at my store are great at building relationships with their employees,” wrote one cashier in Austin, Texas. “They also often let you know that you're appreciated. Going to work is kind of like going to visit some friends for a couple hours. I know it might sound so cheesy, but most of my co-workers have actually become some great friends.”
2. Kwik Trip
In the 64th slot on the ranking, Kwik Trip Inc. was praised by some employees for its values. “Great salary, benefits and profit sharing. Ethical culture,” wrote one reviewer in La Crosse, Wis., where the company is based.
The c-store’s mission is for employees to treat customers the way they want to be treated and make a difference in their lives, according to the chain’s career site. Living that mission starts with the hiring the right people. Early in the interview process, hiring managers ask candidates to share the last random act of kindness they did for somebody, according to InBusiness Madison.
2017 Outlook Catalyst Award - Kwik Trip from Winsight, LLC on Vimeo.
3. QuikTrip
Competitive pay and unconventional benefits have helped QuikTrip Corp., Tulsa, Okla., take the 86th spot on Glassdoor's ranking. Store managers make an average of $80,524 a year, according to Great Place to Work; part-time clerks earn $10 an hour and are eligible for bonuses after six months.
An assistant night manager in Fort Worth, Texas, wrote that the benefits of working at QT include “super nice” pay and two weeks of time off. Workers get 10 days of paid sick leave and five personal days after one year of service. Staff can also purchase five days of paid time off every six months, according to the reviewer.
Health benefits are another area of focus for the retailer. The c-store pays 81% of health coverage for full- and part-time employees and has partnerships with doctors, who often exclusively see QuikTrip employees. Finding time for checkups and appointments can be a real struggle for retail workers; this program allows staff to take advantage of same-day doctors’ appointments.