Convention 2021

IOWAGROCER
Your Hometown Grocer: Story City Kwik Star
“A Sign of Good Things” (Continued from page 19.)
Kwik trip is working to be known as the store that helps support the
Story City community and the people employed there.
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“What separates us from our
competitors is our people,”
says Mitch Schneider, Kwik Trip
district leader. “Our hiring and
training practices make all the
difference. Any company can
produce and sell products similar
to ours, but our culture and
passion for guest service help
us stand out. This is more than
a paycheck to our coworkers, it
is a career and a second home.
They enjoy coming to work and
truly care about our guests.”
Lowe agrees, adding, “We focus
on getting the right people in
place to begin with. And, we
are continually monitoring and
supporting our employees’
growth and development.”
Building upon a strong
foundation
Founded in 1965, family-owned
Kwik Trip has evolved with an
emphasis on guest service, and
the company’s mission reflects
its commitment to its customers.
The mission reads, “To serve
our customers and community
more effectively than anyone
else by treating our customers,
coworkers and suppliers as
we, personally, would like
to be treated and to make a
difference in someone’s life.”
Lowe explains how this mission
translates to her job as store
manager, “We treat our customers
as if they are guests coming over
to our house for a visit. When you
entertain friends in your home,
you make sure your house is
clean, you offer them good food
and snacks, you thank them for
coming and you invite them to
come back,” she explains. “That’s
how we treat our customers.”
As a result, keeping the store in
tiptop shape around the clock is
also a priority, according to Lowe,
and store procedures provide for
continuous cleaning and stocking.
Making a difference
Beyond the in-store experience,
Kwik Star’s commitment to “making
a difference” as stated in its
mission has led the Story City store
to quickly become a symbol for
community assistance. Through
the company’s “Neighbors Helping
Neighbors” fund, the store has
donated $1,000 to the Story City
police department, $1,000 to the
American Legion and $500 to the
Roland-Story FFA as well as granted
a multitude of other community
requests from area schools and
local clubs since opening.
“We want to be known as a
store that helps support the
community and the people
who work here,” says Lowe.
Based on what Story City’s
mayor, Mike Jensen, has to say,
Kwik Star has succeeded.
Jensen recalled that he was
disappointed when the town
lost a bid for a new Love’s Travel
Stop to be built on the land
Kwik Star currently occupies,
but now he feels differently.
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