Kwik Star

John10 · Post by **John10** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 9:17 am

Kwik Trip/Kwik Star are fantastic stores and very well run! I am partial to them though as they are a very good customer of mine. They are working their way towards Omaha now and I'm sure already have some land!

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 3:35 pm

John10 wrote: Fri Nov 22, 2024 9:17 am Kwik Trip/Kwik Star are fantastic stores and very well run! I am partial to them though as they are a very good customer of mine. They are working their way towards Omaha now and I'm sure already have some land!

That is amazing news. Hope to see them soon. Let us know if/when you hear anything else.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Jan 24, 2025 5:36 pm

Talked to a Kwik Star employee in Charles City, Iowa today. He said they opening a store in Council Bluffs. He was under the impression they already started construction.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Fri Jan 24, 2025 10:47 pm

Brad wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 5:36 pm Talked to a Kwik Star employee in Charles City, Iowa today. He said they opening a store in Council Bluffs. He was under the impression they already started construction.

That would be fantastic! I haven’t heard anything yet though.

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Sat Jan 25, 2025 4:43 am

Brad wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 5:36 pm Talked to a Kwik Star employee in Charles City, Iowa today. He said they opening a store in Council Bluffs. He was under the impression they already started construction.

The one here in Sioux City opened, and I have to say it’s awesome! Cheapest gas around (outside of a club) and great food!

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Sun Jan 26, 2025 8:39 am

Considering the consolidation of Omaha area c-store chains through buyouts, more competition is a good thing.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Jan 26, 2025 10:14 pm

Glad I went to the Charles City Kwik Star first, it was an older store but sill ok. Then the Kwik Trip next to our hotel in Wisconsin was much newer and way bigger. Then we hit two new Kwik Stars in Iowa on the way home. They all had friendly employees and all were really clean, but new locations are crazy for a gas station. They will be a welcome addition if they make their way in to Omaha.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Jan 27, 2025 9:06 am

Brad wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 10:14 pm Glad I went to the Charles City Kwik Star first, it was an older store but sill ok. Then the Kwik Trip next to our hotel in Wisconsin was much newer and way bigger. Then we hit two new Kwik Stars in Iowa on the way home. They all had friendly employees and all were really clean, but new locations are crazy for a gas station. They will be a welcome addition if they make their way in to Omaha.

Glad to hear that someone got to visit one. I really do think they will be a huge upgrade over the current offerings in our area.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Mon Jan 27, 2025 3:54 pm

I love me some kwik star. They have a lot of good food offerings

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Tue May 27, 2025 9:21 pm

Obviously these are more of a popularity vote but Kwik Trip/Kwik Star gets first place:

https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best ... uiMr3MNlBw

Imissomaha · Post by **Imissomaha** » Tue May 27, 2025 10:03 pm

First time I I went to a Kwik star was in Sioux City and was very impressed. I've been to another one in Des Moines. I wished they were here in Omaha instead of Casey's. Kwik Star is on another level entirely.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed May 28, 2025 10:42 am

Imissomaha wrote: Tue May 27, 2025 10:03 pm First time I I went to a Kwik star was in Sioux City and was very impressed. I've been to another one in Des Moines. I wished they were here in Omaha instead of Casey's. Kwik Star is on another level entirely.

I've been saying that for the past few years. They are getting closer to the Omaha metro on I-80. They just opened one in Stuart, IA about 95 miles from Omaha. I did talk to a manager at one in Sioux City last year and she mentioned that they were looking to expand to Omaha, but had no clue on a timeline.

orangeboots · Post by **orangeboots** » Wed May 28, 2025 11:54 am

Council Bluffs Zoning Board. I hoping this is a Kwik Star.
https://councilbluffs.novusagenda.com/a ... temID=7880

Post by **Brad** » Wed May 28, 2025 12:29 pm

orangeboots wrote: Wed May 28, 2025 11:54 am Council Bluffs Zoning Board. I hoping this is a Kwik Star.
https://councilbluffs.novusagenda.com/a ... temID=7880

Is 7k large enough for a Kwik Star?

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed May 28, 2025 12:47 pm

Doubt 7k would be. The average Kwik Star is 5k although newer stores are 9k.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Thu May 29, 2025 5:06 am

For what it's worth, we were in des moines a few months ago and stopped at the kwikstar by Altoona (cause I love that place) and I asked the manager why they haven't made it into western iowa or omaha yet. She said that they have plans for a store in cb, and maybe Sioux city? So maybe this is finally that

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Thu May 29, 2025 9:58 pm

thenewguy wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 5:06 am For what it's worth, we were in des moines a few months ago and stopped at the kwikstar by Altoona (cause I love that place) and I asked the manager why they haven't made it into western iowa or omaha yet. She said that they have plans for a store in cb, and maybe Sioux city? So maybe this is finally that

That'd be nice.

In MN (where I used to live), they had those stores but there they were called "Kwik Trip". However, in many states outside of MN, they're called Kwik Star due to trademark issues - or at least that's what I've always assumed with "Quick Trip". In MN, they could get away with it because as far as I’m aware, there are no QT stores in MN.

Anyhow, always loved those stores. They have really good breakfast sandwiches and pizza slices (some of the best IMO) among other things or at least they did. It's probably been close to 10 years since I've been to one.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu May 29, 2025 10:28 pm

Yes they are actually Kwik Trip but in Iowa they are Kwik Star.

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Fri May 30, 2025 6:52 am

skinzfan23 wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 10:28 pm Yes they are actually Kwik Trip but in Iowa they are Kwik Star.

Correct - they're also Kwik Star in IL and SD. I would assume they're Kwik Trip in states where they own the trademark and no QT exists.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwik_Trip

Post by **Brad** » Thu Oct 02, 2025 7:32 pm

Kwik Trip phasing out pennies; cash purchases will round down

https://www.fox6now.com/news/kwik-trip- ... 8rftYuF23w

Kwik Trip’s updated register systems will automatically apply rounding rules to all cash transactions, rounding down in the guest’s favor.

Post by **nebugeater** » Fri Oct 03, 2025 5:37 am

Brad wrote: Thu Oct 02, 2025 7:32 pm Kwik Trip phasing out pennies; cash purchases will round down

https://www.fox6now.com/news/kwik-trip- ... 8rftYuF23w

Kwik Trip’s updated register systems will automatically apply rounding rules to all cash transactions, rounding down in the guest’s favor.

Guess if I stop there, I will pay with cash and have part of that as pennies

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Tue Oct 07, 2025 12:17 pm

Rounding up would cause legal issues. So rounding down isn't as great as it's being made out to be.

Dundeemaha · Post by **Dundeemaha** » Wed Oct 08, 2025 12:10 pm

Would be great if this transition to penniless pricing leads to including taxes in prices on the shelf.

Ideally we could retire nickels as well. Though that would probably require more upstream adjustments like removing quarters as well. Given the current value of money we'd likely be best served by dimes, 1/2 dollar and $1 coins

Renovator2559 · Post by **Renovator2559** » Thu Dec 04, 2025 12:25 pm

I went to Kwik Star several times when in Des Moines, and I wasnt impressed with the amount of junk food they offered, no kitchen. I often left Kwik Star empty handed. Whose going there just to eat pastries?

Kwik Star now has self check outs another reduction in customer service they pride themselves. I was using the self check out and a whale size lady was too impatient to print out a receipt that their self check out printed out. Overall an impersonal shopping experience.

My long time Des Moines family member, doesn't even know what Kwik Star is, despite him living their most of his life. He was confused that it was the same Kwik Trip company that he visited in Illinois. Though he knows QuikTrip pretty well.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Dec 04, 2025 1:37 pm

Every single Kwik Star has a kitchen. They have the same food that most gas stations have. They have breakfast sandwiches, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, pizzas, and all the apps that any other store has. Kwik Star also offers some fresh produce and dairy as well (more than you see at any other gas station) Your relative should get out some more (and by the way Kwik Star is very new to the DM market, they just opened their first stores there about 2-3 years ago) Its actually Kwik Trip, only in IA and some other states due to licensing they go by the Kwik Star name. The company has been around since 1965. QuikTrip does have about 300 more locations than KwikTrip.

At least compared to the QuikTrips in the Omaha area (which are more like Casey's) Kwik Star is a much cleaner and nicer brand. I have been to the QuikTrip on 108th St several times and its so crowded and the bathrooms are small and always dirty.

Renovator2559 · Post by **Renovator2559** » Thu Dec 04, 2025 2:26 pm

I don't know what kitchen we are they have. Do they have a full sized Q kitchen preparing food? They keep their staff low at one, do they have an arsenal of employees also preparing food? Or is it just a seating area? I don't know but the Kwik Stars I've been too are too small and I just leave empty handed. I went to the largest Kwik Star and eh there was nothing for me, just a protein bar.

The QuikTrips I go to are always clean, no issues with bathrooms.

Maybe the 108 QuikTrip, has high demand because people get packed at QuikTrip, they will go to QuikTrip over any other.
That's a reason, why they need to open more QuikTrips.

I know I do and I just don't see the reason to go to a generic looking gas station. And the Kwik Star barn look doesn't look upscale.

Kwik Star is near Casey's Quality, same typical rectangular layout. The only exception are the former Buckys locations that were bought by Caseys, those are QuikTrip quality. QuikTrip is ranked the best over the Kwik Trip brand.

Tulsa based QuikTrip has deep pockets, its from the former oil capital, so they have the investment to expand faster and wider.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Dec 04, 2025 10:37 pm

QT stations are ok but they seem way more cluttered than KwikTrip. Here is an example:

QT;

Kwik Trip:

Kwik Trip has brighter lighting and is more open. They also have fresh produce. Yes, the bakery is a huge deal and probably something they do better than any other gas station.

I can take some of my own photos to prove my point if you like.

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Sat Dec 06, 2025 9:51 pm

QuikTrip and Kwitk Trip/Star are also privately owned. Some activist investor out of New York can't just swoop in and start buying shares and demanding core changes to the business since they think the stock is "undervalued."

Post by **Brad** » Sat Dec 06, 2025 10:52 pm

jessep28 wrote: Sat Dec 06, 2025 9:51 pm QuikTrip and Kwitk Trip/Star are also privately owned. Some activist investor out of New York can't just swoop in and start buying shares and demanding core changes to the business since think it's "undervalued."

That's always a great thing. That while Scheels is so good too.

Renovator2559 · Post by **Renovator2559** » Sun Dec 07, 2025 7:44 pm

Quiktrip maximizes inventory. An unbeatable line of sweet and unsweetened teas, premium looking latte dispensers. That's why I leave QuikTrip with more purchased products because of its selection. Lighting is consistent across QuikTrip and the internal design and outside looks upscale.

The times I've been to Kwik Star, its practically dead, no customers but myself. I can only imagine where everyone prefers to stop. QuikTrips in Des Moines are packed.

Its always the private companies that care more about their customers.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Mon Dec 08, 2025 4:57 am

Quiktrip is mid, in my opinion. I'll echo skins' sentiment that Kwikstar is superior. I've been to Kwikstars in Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Des Moines, etc, and all have had better hot options. Not sure if all of them offer fresh meat, but I've seen steaks and stuff there, too. It's almost like a small grocery store in some locations. We got waffle breakfast sandwiches there that were damn tasty, their chicken is really good, and they have way more selection of boxed hot items like tots, crispito type things, etc. If they opened them around here, I'd be extactic.

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Mon Dec 08, 2025 8:15 am

jessep28 wrote: Sat Dec 06, 2025 9:51 pm QuikTrip and Kwitk Trip/Star are also privately owned. Some activist investor out of New York can't just swoop in and start buying shares and demanding core changes to the business since they think the stock is "undervalued."

I can't think of many c-store chains that are publicly traded. Couche-Tard (Circle K) is one, Seven & i (7-Eleven), too. (Neither of which are traded on a US exchange.) And of course, Casey's. Admittedly, those three are the 800-lb. gorillas, but there are plenty of chains on the margin which could be targets.

Being private is no guarantee of being resistant to being acquired. K&G got eaten by Maverik and they're/were both private.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Dec 08, 2025 8:26 am

damonhynes wrote: Mon Dec 08, 2025 8:15 am
jessep28 wrote: Sat Dec 06, 2025 9:51 pm QuikTrip and Kwitk Trip/Star are also privately owned. Some activist investor out of New York can't just swoop in and start buying shares and demanding core changes to the business since they think the stock is "undervalued."
I can't think of many c-store chains that are publicly traded. Couche-Tard (Circle K) is one, Seven & i (7-Eleven), too. (Neither of which are traded on a US exchange.) And of course, Casey's. Admittedly, those three are the 800-lb. gorillas, but there are plenty of chains on the margin which could be targets.

Being private is no guarantee of being resistant to being acquired. K&G got eaten by Maverik and they're/were both private.

Apples and Oranges... There were no activist investors swooping in and taking over Kum & Go. Below is an article explaining why the family chose to sell Kum & Go.

Kyle Krause, CEO of Krause Group, which was Kum & Go’s parent company wrote:The decision to sell Kum & Go was not easy to make, Krause said. However, the time is right to diversify Krause Group’s portfolio, reduce risks associated with the convenience store industry and provide more opportunities for Kum & Go employees.

“We need to make sure that we have a family business for future generations and that meant looking at opportunities for diversification,” Krause said. “Also, when you combine two companies, you provide more opportunities for associates’ growth.”

Post by **Brad** » Thu Dec 18, 2025 8:55 am

New "You Betcha" reel at a Kwik Star.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Jan 31, 2026 12:58 pm

At the Kiwik Star in Ames, Iowa today.

Them: “Do you have rewards with us?”
Me: “No, we don’t have Kwik Star’s in Nebraska yet”
Them: “yet”
Me: “oh?”
Them: “well you’re about to have two”
Me: “we are?”
Them: “yes, they just announced it at our end of year meetings”
Me: “where?”
Them: “both in Omaha I think”

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Sun Feb 01, 2026 12:05 am

Nice, pretty sure that I bring it up every time I am at a Kwik Start and they always are surprised we don’t have any. Usually the employee responds that we will prob get one sons. Glad to hear it may be closer to happening.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Fri May 29, 2026 12:25 am

Wowt just posted a story today saying that they are doing their due diligence in selecting sites for stores in Nebraska but did confirm they are going to use the Kwik Star name in Nebraska.

Hopefully soon.

John10 · Post by **John10** » Sat May 30, 2026 1:38 pm

https://csnews.com/kwik-trip-sets-sight ... -expansion

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Mon Jun 01, 2026 6:04 am

we make it a point to fuel up at kwik star, specifically, any time we are on the road in Iowa. They have the best food options and since they are a Wisconsin chain, they always have a good amount of cheese curds and packaged sausages, too. Ironically, I've never had their pizza, which seems to be a mainstay for gas stations, but their chicken noodle soup is really friggin good

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Fri Jul 10, 2026 10:49 pm

Took some quick photos of KwikStar just east of Des Moines. This is why I keep saying I hope we get some in the Omaha metro. They are big, clean, bright and have a ton of food options.