Wisconsin local Family-owned Employee-friendly business huge success - ex. Kwik Trip

[postulater]

This company runs convenience store throughout Wisconsin. They produce many of their own items for sale in their gas stations, doughnuts, own dairy, etc.

"With the business model of producing food products and trucking them daily, it wouldn't be possible to go beyond the 300-mile radius without building another production and distribution facility, Zietlow said."

"The Zietlow family gives 40% of pretax profits to Kwik Trip's employees, a plan that has resulted in what is believed to be the lowest turnover ratio in the industry, 24%, but has limited the amount of money available to expand faster."

"Kwik Trip's stores built since 1989 and the La Crosse warehouse are owned by employees who have at least five years of service with the company. Unit shares are given at the rate of one per year, starting with the fifth anniversary of service. Employees at all levels get the same amount."


http://www.jsonline.com/business/117448858.html

[OneGrassRoot]

1. This is what I'm talkin' about. Thanks. :) K&R n/t

[elocs]

2. I live in La Crosse and Kwik Trips rule here. People go to work there and stay for years.

I once asked an employee if the winning lottery ticket were sold at his store would they get the money there. He told me no, that it would go into the employees' profit sharing plan.

[dkofos]

good business model

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. Thanks for posting

I thought KT was one on the list of big Walker donors - therefore to be avoided. I guess I need to check this out further. If nothing else, I'll write them and ask about it.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. I thought that too.

And I knew nothing of ther humane business model.

I guess I'll forgive them Walker (if that's true) in favor of spending money where the employees get some of it.

[aquart]

6. Which might be why they don't think unions are necessary.

[Jackpine Radical]

9. The ol' Henry Ford Principle, I guess.

But of course unions ARE necessary if they want their customers to have any discretionary money, and anyway Walker is doing a lot more harm than just busting unions.

[aquart]

18. Yup. Good ol' Henry was just plain wrong.

Knowing how to build a car doesn't mean you know everything.

[postulater]

8. Just found out that KT buys gas from Koch bros.

But with employees owning part of the company there is room for change if they are educated how Koch is not in their best interest.

[KillCapitalism]

5. Uh-oh, the right hates to hear about successful progressive businesses.

I'd love to see the spin tea baggers would put on this:

"Those aren't real profits they're being funded by Spooky Dude George Soros."

[Greybnk48]

7. I love Kwik Trip, but have been going to Mobil to cash my

Pig Points. Since our Piggly Wiggly just got rid of the Union at my store, I'm not shopping there anymore. I have been going across town to the Union Piggly Wiggly. Whew!

After reading this article, I will forgo my Pig Points every other fill-up so I can support Kwik Trip. Or maybe just forget about them all together.

[EC]

10. According to a list I saw earlier this week

They gave to Walker's campaingn..I noticed them because I usually buy my lotto tickets from them because they have a lot of posted winners. But I decided I'll get my tickets elsewhere.

[TBF]

11. Unrec - Kwik Trip supports Walker

http://scottwalkerwatch.com/?p=985

[postulater]

14. Thanks for the list. I'll review it.

[postulater]

15. I see nearly all of that was given by the executives.

Zietlow, McHugh, Loehr.

http://wisdc.org/index.php?filter=+Search+&from=--&to=--&name=Walker%2C+Scott&employer=Kwik+Trip&module=wisdc.websiteforms&cmd=searchadvanced&p=1&sort=amount;DESC

[TBF]

16. Who else would give money - the folks who have it. nt

[Little Star]

12. I'm really admiring Wisconsin these days!

[magdalena]

13. I don't think it was Kwik Trip who donated to Walker, but the owners.

I usually find this one and the same, however, I don't know if there are really any gas stations/convenience stores around here in NE WI that didn't contribute to Walker or are any more deserving of my business. Think I'll let the Walker thing slide considering I know quite a few people who work at Kwik Trip and they are very happy with the company. At least they are treating their employees decently and they do have great products.

[TBF]

17. Can't really blame you for that -

in most of the small towns it's one of the only places to stop as well (I know, I'm from Ripon, WI)... just posted the list of Walker supporters (which includes Kwik Trip execs) for everyone's info.

We all make our own choices - I often stop at the Exxon near my house because it's close by, the folks are nice to deal with, and I can't believe that all the other oil companies are any better. The execs at any of those companies turn my stomach.