Sheetz & QuikTrip Rank as Best Places to Work in Retail

NATIONAL REPORT — A new national ranking has revealed what the industry already knows: convenience stores are a great place to work.

Sheetz Inc. and QuikTrip Corp. landed on Fortune magazine's "The 20 Best Workplaces in Retail" list. 

No. 8 Sheetz, based in Altoona, Pa., employs 15,044 associates and operates 508 convenience stores. It ranks 87th among the Fortune Best Companies to Work For.

The report cites the c-store chain's generous bonus schemes. Notably, all team members receive quarterly bonuses, and 35 percent to 40 percent of the company's pretax profits usually go toward these bonuses. In 2013, the company gave out around $40 million in bonus money. 

"The recognition doesn't stop there, as the company also recognizes outstanding service at its annual Employee Recognition & Service Awards, and employees with at least five years of service can stay for at least two days at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort," according to the report. "The company also gives employees a 50-percent discount on prepared foods purchased in-store, and during work hours, coffee and fountain drinks are free."

No. 9 QuikTrip, based in Tulsa, Okla., employs 20,342 associates and operates 760 c-stores. It ranks 54th among the Fortune Best Companies to Work For.

The report points to the practice of CEO Chet Cadieux meeting with his employees every year and leaving them with a special gift and a chance to win either $500 or a week's vacation. 

"The company also honors employees on their work anniversaries: those that hit the one-year mark get a special jacket, while those that work for 20 years at QuikTrip receive $300 spending money and $5,000 in cash or stock in their retirement plan," according to the magazine.

QuikTrip also offers on-site health benefits that include breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer and blood pressure screenings.

Fortune magazine partnered with Great Places to Work, the consulting and research firm behind its annual list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, to determine the best workplaces in the retail industry. The two outlets surveyed thousands of employees and found many patterns among the standouts: "generous medical coverages, awesome office discounts, and a parade of onsite benefits to keep workers happy and healthy," according to the report.

There are also several examples of companies that aim stand out from the rest, from higher-than-normal minimum wages to creative ways of fostering an internal work culture of encouragement. 

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