Casey’s Sucks
- Thread starter CychiatricWard
- Start date
There's also a percentage for whom making a horrific mess, damaging stuff, putting the TP roll in the toilet, etc is really fun. Just screwed up people for whom wrecking things is their only joy because they are mentally or emotionally damaged in some way.
There are lots of reasonable, smart(ish), kind people in the world. But if 5% are stupid sh!theads, that's more than enough to ruin things for everyone else.
Are you saying Casey's employees are forced to work there, like they got sentenced to community service or something?
I mean, that would explain a lot.
Gas station life cycle:
Phase 1 - new build, modern, clean, everything works, best employees to get it started up
Phase 2 - maintained well, employees still have pride and effort
Phase 3 - facilities start to breakdown, lack of reinvestment, employees lose hope, cleanliness takes a dive
Phase 4 - hazmat bathrooms, surly employees, lost cause
Caseys in phase 1 and 2 are fine. Caseys in 3 and 4 are probably worse than I've described above.
Kwik Star is basically in phase 1 and 2 in Iowa as they've expanded a ton the past 5-10 years here. I HOPE they reinvest and keep running it right, but IDK if anyone in the space has ever really done that.
Why is their point of sale system so slow??? Why do I have to wait to enter my rewards number??? Quik Trip can check out 8 people in the time Casey's can do 1.
Hard disagree! Casey's were solid when they still had franchise stores. They bought all of those back like 15 years ago.
Kwik Trip's older locations in Wisconsin are maintained. You can tell they aren't brand new but they are still clean. If you don't want to keep your store clean they find someone who will.
I only get back to the midwest a few times a year. Casey's still holds a soft spot for me, but I think it's mostly nostalgia. I have definitely noticed a drop off. However, you can't get a good Taco pizza out east, so that is a must have when I'm back.
Locals out here have the same feelings about Wawa's. They were great 20 years ago, but have fallen hard since being acquired by corporate. Sadly, it is mostly the only game in town as far as gas/convenience stores. Starting to get a few Royal Farms moving in, which are different, but not much better.
Locals out here have the same feelings about Wawa's. They were great 20 years ago, but have fallen hard since being acquired by corporate. Sadly, it is mostly the only game in town as far as gas/convenience stores. Starting to get a few Royal Farms moving in, which are different, but not much better.
If Kwik Star ever figures out how to make pizza that isn't garbage I will never enter a Casey's again.
Got tired of playing Russian roulette with Casey's gas pumps years ago since half won't actually work but there's no indication of that until you pull up and actually try to use them.
Got tired of playing Russian roulette with Casey's gas pumps years ago since half won't actually work but there's no indication of that until you pull up and actually try to use them.
Most gas stations are franchises. I have found different experiences with the same gas station brand at different locations. The gas station I frequent near my house has an owner that is top notch. It's not a huge store, but he makes sure his employees are always doing something. If you're not helping a customer, the employees are wiping countertops down, cleaning bathrooms, wiping up any spills from slushies/fountain drinks (which get sticky quickly), making sure items are stocked neatly, etc
I went to the same brand gas station about 10 miles away and the place was trashed. No lids for drinks, no straws, counters were sticky, and the two employees were just sitting and talking to each other behind the register
TLDR: franchise owner makes a big difference in how well a gas station is run
I went to the same brand gas station about 10 miles away and the place was trashed. No lids for drinks, no straws, counters were sticky, and the two employees were just sitting and talking to each other behind the register
TLDR: franchise owner makes a big difference in how well a gas station is run
The only reasons I still visit a Casey's:
1) Sometimes the only game in town and I live in a small town
2) Pizza by the slice is still worth it, Breakfast pizza still the industry standard
There is no doubt some Casey's stores are better than others. The couple I have around me are okay, but I will always make a point to stop at Kwik Star instead if that's an option on my trip.
Kwik Star hot food is generally solid, but their business model of heat-and-eat seriously limits the quality of their pizza. It's okay but still below Casey's. However usually Kwik Star will have other handhelds available that make up for it, and the beverage selection more than blows away Casey's. Casey's branded drinks and snacks:
Oh, and somehow in this day and age in particular, Kwik Star has the lowest price in the planet on eggs.
1) Sometimes the only game in town and I live in a small town
2) Pizza by the slice is still worth it, Breakfast pizza still the industry standard
There is no doubt some Casey's stores are better than others. The couple I have around me are okay, but I will always make a point to stop at Kwik Star instead if that's an option on my trip.
Kwik Star hot food is generally solid, but their business model of heat-and-eat seriously limits the quality of their pizza. It's okay but still below Casey's. However usually Kwik Star will have other handhelds available that make up for it, and the beverage selection more than blows away Casey's. Casey's branded drinks and snacks:
Oh, and somehow in this day and age in particular, Kwik Star has the lowest price in the planet on eggs.
$1 sandwich from Handimart was my only source of sustenance for quite some time during that time.
It 100 percent depends on which Caseys you go to. I used to love Caseys. However, only certain ones are doing it old school. I generally found the smaller town Caseys still hold up and the brand new ones. The older ones don't seem to be keeping the standard of Caseys.
Try to order a half-and-half pizza from Casey's. I dare you.
(It can be done, but you'll feel like you've solved the human genome when you finally do it.)
(It can be done, but you'll feel like you've solved the human genome when you finally do it.)
Hey now I will not stand for behind the counter crapper slander!
Correct me if I’m wrong: Casey’s bought out the few locations still owned by local owner franchisees several years ago and every store is corporate owned now. Casey’s also bought Kum & Go but left the logo on some of the stores.
QT's are friggin great. I was so mad when they sold some of the DSM metro stores to Hyvee. Every single one of those HyVee Fast and Fresh stores that are former QT's are complete dumps.
No doubt, it's more that KS specializes in those larger stores in larger more competitive markets, and they are willing to do what it takes to staff and maintain those stores properly in those environments.
And I suspect that takes more than just throwing money at the problem. Kwik star employees almost have a chik fil A vibe to them. They seem much happier to be there, and seem to take more "pride" in their job. No doubt there's a cultural alignment aspect to that which is more streamlined, organized, and customer-focused.
There's probably good reason for that.
Now when I walk into a small town Casey's that's the lifeblood of the town, I still often get pretty good vibes from the employees, regardless of the set up or situation. Compare that to what you see in a bigger remodeled Casey's trying to compete directly with a Kwik Star down the road.
It's usually no comparison at all. (Even QT gives Casey's a run for their money in that context, IMO)
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