Kwik Trip

Family-owned Kwik Trip, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is one of the largest independently held convenience-store chains in the country, having expanded into Michigan and South Dakota in 2023. The chain also operates in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois under the brand names Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Kwik Spirits, Tobacco Outlet Plus, Tobacco Outlet Plus Grocery and Stop-N-Go.

Late last year, Kwik Trip announced that it would be investing more than $151 million to expand operations throughout Wisconsin. The capital investment will involve expansion of its dairy, commissary and bakery facilities in La Crosse; buying and renovating a commercial office building in Onalaska; and building a new satellite distribution center. Kwik Trip produces more than 80% of the products sold in its stores, supplied by foodservice production facilities and logistics network.

In 2023, Kwik Trip/Kwik Star earned a 2023 Renewable Fuels Marketing Award from the Iowa Department of Agriculture, recognizing fuel marketers who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote and sell renewable fuels.The business changed leadership in January 2023, when Scott Zietlow, son of former president and CEO Donald Zietlow took over those roles. Don Zietlow led the chain for 22 years and worked there for 52 before retiring in 2022.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.