TULSA, Okla. -- What makes a workplace great? Whatever it is, convenience-store retailer QuikTrip Corp. has it. On the 2015 100 Best Companies to Work For, the annual ranking by Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine, the company came in at No. 54, the only c-store/gas station company to make the list, which it has done for the last 13 years.
"QuikTrip stands out from other gasoline and convenience store chains in that employees praise its above-industry average pay and overall friendly, supportive atmosphere," the company's review said. "Employees who ace a 'mystery-shopper' test or demonstrate good attendance get bonuses as well. The Tulsa-based, privately held chain has 700 stores in 11 states and is still growing. Employees like the work: turnover is extremely low, with only 13% of employees leaving, compared to an industry average of 59%. Self-motivated, customer-oriented people will thrive, however, those with concerns about physically challenging work--standing on their feet up to 10 hours a shift, cleaning and stocking products--might look elsewhere. 'Everyone wears a smile as a part of our uniform,' one employee says. 'We have great relationships with our customers, so not only is our organization a family, all customers are family too'."
Click here to read the full review, employee quotes and demographics.
"If you think about the millions and millions of businesses out there, just even to be under consideration is a tremendous feat for us," Mike Thornbrugh, manager of public and government affairs for QuikTrip, told The Tulsa World.
"The one thing that does not change is the commitment to the employees and our culture. Those two things, I think, are why we continue to enjoy success," he added.
Thornbrugh also extended congratulations to everyone that made the list as well as the "men and women in red shirts" working in QuikTrip's stores. "They're the ones that make QuikTrip," he said. "There is really tremendous pride from the customers. Fortunately, a lot of people choose QuikTrip for their destination, and it's a sense of pride for them as well."
Other related-channel retailers in the ranking included Wegmans Food Markets (No. 7 and highest of any retail company of any kind), Nugget Market (No. 26), Whole Foods Markets (No. 55) and Publix Super Markets (No. 81).
Industry suppliers General Mills (No. 80; click here to read the full review) and Mars (No. 85; click here to read the full review) also made the list.
Every year, Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine team up to identify the 100 Best Companies to Work For, as rated by employees. This year marks the 18th annual Fortune magazine 100 Best Companies to Work For list. Over the past 18 years, Great Place to Work and Fortune have surveyed millions of employees and witnessed the transformations of hundreds of companies. This year, 14 different industries are represented in the survey along with more than 250,000 of their employees.
Click here to view the complete list.
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