---
title: "Kwik Trip Named Top C-Store Seven Years in a Row"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/78a81a6c-026d-4e9b-9635-e707b3317259
source: "CStore Decisions"
original_url: https://cstoredecisions.com/kwik-trip-named-top-c-store-seven-years-in-a-row/
author: "Kevin McIntyre"
category: "C-store & fuel"
industry: "Retail"
segment: "C-store & fuel"
published: 2026-05-14T19:08:24.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T13:16:44.881Z
image: https://cstoredecisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KwikTrip.jpg
---

# Kwik Trip Named Top C-Store Seven Years in a Row

**TL;DR:** Kwik Trip has been named the top gas station brand by USA Today for the seventh year in a row. The company has been expanding its footprint and optimizing operations, including the opening of a new distribution center in DeForest, Wisc.

*By Kevin McIntyre, originally published in CStore Decisions on 2026-05-14. [Read the original](https://cstoredecisions.com/kwik-trip-named-top-c-store-seven-years-in-a-row/).*

## Story

USA Today has revealed the results from its annual Best Gas Station Brands list, with a familiar favorite coming out on top. For the seventh year in a row, La Crosse, Wis.-based Kwik Trip took home the top slot.

The list is determined by USA Today readers following a nomination process by a panel of c-store experts.

The top 10 finalists included:

1. Kwik Trip

2. Royal Farms

3. QuikTrip

4. Allsup’s/Yesway

5. RaceTrac

6. Hy-Vee

7. Rutter’s

8. OnCue

9. Sapp. Bros Travel Centers

10. Casey’s

“Today, we measure a gas station experience by much more than just the fuel, though,” USA Today wrote. “How clean are the bathrooms? How fresh is the coffee? What snack options are available? These 10 brands — nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. — cater to the needs of drivers in all of these ways.”

In 2026, the only two newcomers to the list are OnCue and Sapp. Bros, replacing Love’s and Maverik when compared to last year’s results.

Kwik Trip has been steadily expanding its footprint and optimizing operations over the past few years — all without losing sight of its core values and rigorous standards.

In late 2025, the chain announced the opening of its first two stores in North Dakota — a new and strategic market for Kwik Trip which it continues to invest in. Another North Dakota location opened up on Dec. 11, with three more to follow in 2026.

To support its expansion, the company opened a brand-new, 280,000-square-foot distribution center in DeForest, Wisc., in November 2025.

The site, which spans 60 acres, stands as the retailer’s second distribution center — the first one being located in its hometown of La Crosse, Wisc. The entire campus, according to a report from local outlet The Star, represents a $120 million capital investment in the area.

The distribution center employs 150 people and supplies to 150 Kwik Trip c-stores. Over time, the company aims to grow to 300 employees and up to 350 stores.

Kwik Trip CEO Scott Zietlow told The Star that about 80-90% of what is sold within Kwik Trip stores is distributed by the company.

The center was initially announced in July 2024, when the company broke ground on the site. Prior to the construction of this location, all Kwik Trip locations were being serviced from the company’s La Crosse distribution center.

“With our consistent growth in the number of stores, it is important for us to find the most efficient way to provide our stores with the many products they need,” said Zietlow in July 2024. “Our new distribution center is an exciting development for Kwik Trip.”

The distribution center includes a truck wash and maintenance facility, an on-site health clinic for employees, a freezer, cooler and dry good space, in addition to four air conditioning rooms for banana ripening.

## Entities

- unit expansion (topic)
- Retail (sector)
- CStore Decisions (publication)
- USA TODAY (company)
- north dakota (location)
- Kevin McIntyre (person)
- distribution center (topic)
- Kwik Trip (company)
- Royal Farms (company)
- QuikTrip (company)
- OnCue (company)
- Scott Zietlow (person)

---
Originally reported by Kevin McIntyre, CStore Decisions (https://cstoredecisions.com/kwik-trip-named-top-c-store-seven-years-in-a-row/). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/78a81a6c-026d-4e9b-9635-e707b3317259).