KWIK TRIP

With more than 500 stores across Wisconsin (and more in neighboring states), Kwik Trip , like TLW member establishments, has become integrally woven into the fabric of Wisconsin communities. That tie — and its desire to support the industry — is a key reason Kwik Trip became a TLW Corporate Sponsor a few years ago.

A family-owned business with corporate headquarters in La Crosse, Kwik Trip first connected with the TLW through the La Crosse City/County Tavern League. From there, the local league and Kwik Trip worked closely on a few events and the relationship blossomed, eventually leading the company to become a Corporate Sponsor.

At the most recent Spring Conference & Trade Show, Kwik Trip’s John McHugh, director of corporate communications, leadership development and training, presented a seminar on creating a mission-driven culture to turn satisfied customers into loyal customers.

“It hasn’t been very long, but it’s been a great relationship so far,” David Ring, Kwik Trip’s community relations manager, says of the sponsorship. “Tavern League does so much for the state of Wisconsin, and our local and regional economies. We also serve all the economies Tavern League members are in, so we are in this together, serving the community. And we wanted to be a partner with the Tavern League in supporting that.”

Founded in 1965, Kwik Trip is owned by the Don and LaVonne Zietlow family. The vertically integrated company operates its own bakery, dairy, kitchens, food protection laboratory, distribution center, ice plant and more. Nearly 24,000 of the company’s 36,000 total employees live and work in Wisconsin.

“We are one of the few vertically integrated convenience stores around. That’s a real plus because it allows us to save costs and ensure quality, which benefits our guests at the end of the day,” says Ring. “We make and sell about 80% of the products we sell internally. Our owners like to say from cow to the store in 24 hours. We source locally and regionally, so you know you get fresh products at our stores daily.”

This integration has helped Kwik Trip transform through the years, he adds. “We used to be considered a gas station, but now we’re more like a local neighborhood grocery store that sells fuel,” explains Ring. More recently, the company has focused on take-home meals that help support busy families. Nearly 11.5 million guests visit Kwik Trip stores each week.

A great way for local county leagues to connect with Kwik Trip is through its charitable giving program. The company, for instance, has provided gift cards for raffles to support the SafeRide Program. To start a request, visit kwiktrip.com/community/donations/kwik-trip-kares and complete the donation request. Requests must be made at least four weeks before the event.

“Kwik Trip has a wonderful culture of caring for our coworkers and our communities,” says Ring. “I hope members see that, as a Wisconsin-based company, we are committed to their success. We want them to see this as a long-term partnership, and see how it demonstrates that we are committed to giving back and reinvesting in the communities we serve.” TLW