NEW YORK -- Convenience-store retailers QuikTrip Corp. and Sheetz Inc. earned their places on the Fortune magazine’s 2016 “100 Best Companies to Work For” list, compiled by research and consulting firm Great Place to Work For.
This list, now in its 19th year, recognizes companies that have exceptional workplace cultures.
Tulsa, Okla.-based QuikTrip, with 727 convenience stores in 11 states, took the No. 76 spot, securing a place on the list for the 14th time.
“If you think about the many companies out there, to even be considered to make the list is an accomplishment,” QuikTrip spokesperson Mike Thornbrugh told CSP Daily News. “To make it 14 years in a row--we’re very proud of it.”
“The list just keeps getting bigger. They had about 1,800 anonymous questionnaires that went out to employees, and more than 90% were returned. It’s an affirmation of what QuikTrip is really all about. Our mission is very clear--it’s to give our employees the opportunity to grow and succeed. And we continue to do that,” he said.
“We’ve always paid above minimum wage,” he said. “But when you take into consideration bonuses based on customer service, cleanliness of stores, the profitability of the company, the mystery shopping--when you take all of those things into consideration, we far surpass every retailer.”
In an industry with an average turnover of 80%, QuikTrip boasts a rate of 29%. The company incentivizes managers by bonuses when their employees want to stay with the company, and new hire trainers also get bonuses for employees who stay. Part-timers receive a bonus of up to $1.15 an hour for every hour they have worked.
Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz has more than 520 convenience stores in six states. It took the No. 97 spot.
“At Sheetz we have a commitment to investing in our people, and we strive to achieve this by creating a great environment whether they work at the stores, the office, or in the distribution centers,” said Joe Sheetz, the chain’s CEO. “Listening to our employees’ concerns and understanding what is important to them in a work environment is crucial to creating a culture that makes Sheetz a great place to work. The culture and environment at Sheetz is something we are really proud of, and we work hard to constantly improve the work lives of our employees. Recognition like this proves that a company-wide effort to build and nurture a positive culture is paying off.”
“Now more than ever, it is important for companies to prove they are great workplaces,” said Michael Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. “Top talent expects as much as they seek new opportunities, and customers are demanding it as well as they decide where to spend their dollars. The 100 best workplaces are at the top of the heap in demonstrating they have a high-trust, high-performing culture.”
Organizations named on the list offer many benefits that include better financial performance, less employee turnover, higher levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, more innovative and creative thinking, higher productivity and enhanced public perception.
Applicant companies opt to participate in the selection process, which includes an employee survey and an in-depth questionnaire about their programs and company practices. Great Place to Work then evaluates each application using its methodology based on five dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.
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