DES MOINES, Iowa — Kum & Go LC, which a year ago said it would enter the Salt Lake City market in Utah and the Grand Rapids market in Michigan in 2022, said it expects to add more than 900 new store positions this year as a result of implementing its refreshed brand and new foodservice initiative, as well as its entry into new markets and growth in existing markets.
Earlier this year, the retailer also said it will enter the Boise market in Idaho in 2023.
The family-owned convenience-store chain launched its refreshed brand and new fresh food program last year in Little Rock, Ark., and Omaha, Neb. The new menu includes made-to-order items including grain bowls and stackers with meats and vegetables. The Des Moines and Ames, Iowa, markets are currently undergoing this transformation, which the company will complete later this year. Job openings will be for all store roles with an emphasis on foodservice positions at all levels, including full-time and part-time and manager.
“The opportunities our new food program provides to associates who aspire to make days better for their customers and fellow associates are new and unprecedented. The elevated nature of our food team manager role provides more structure and leadership to our food teams thus enhancing the development and career pathing of all associates,” said Reed Rainey, chief operating officer.
- To read CSP's The State of Foodservice: Kum & Go's Food-First Focus, click here.
The retailer offers competitive wages, ranging from $14 to $17 per hour for full-time store associates in the Des Moines and Ames, Iowa, markets. It also offers full-time associates a benefits package including weekly pay, set schedules with consistent hours; a food and beverage discount; medical, dental and vision insurance; 401(k); paid time off; tuition reimbursement; career growth and development opportunities; and more.
The company is also hosting store hiring events where prospective associates can interview on location. May and June events include Ankeny, Urbandale, West Des Moines and Des Moines, Iowa. Kum & Go said it plans to hire more than 5,000 associates across all of its locations this year, adding 176 food positions.
“My grandpa used to say, ‘People make the difference, and the difference is Kum & Go people.’ We are proud of the jobs and careers we offer to our associates. Competitive pay and benefits, a high internal promotion rate, and a culture that is consistently recognized as one that cares about its people,” said Kum & Go CEO Tanner Krause, who was named to CSP's2020 Power 20 list of c-store industry executives. “Kum & Go is bringing a fresh perspective to our customers, and our associates are the key to bringing that to life. As a company, we are proud to be investing in our communities to offer fresher, new stores and fresher, healthier food.”
- Kum & Go is No. 18 on CSP’s 2022 Top 40 update to the 2021 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count. Watch for the 2022 Top 202 ranking in the June issue of CSP magazine and in CSP Daily News.
Des Moines-based Kum & Go is a fourth-generation, family-owned c-store chain, operates more than 400 c-stores in 11 states.
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