CSNews Presents Retailer Innovator Award to Sheetz

ALTOONA, Pa. -- In front of a crowd of associates at the company’s corporate offices here on Thursday, Sheetz Inc. President and CEO Joe Sheetz accepted the Convenience Store News 2014 Retailer Innovator of the Year award on behalf of his team.

Editorial Director Don Longo, who was on hand to make the presentation, explained that the Retailer Innovator of the Year award goes to a retailer company that, through its innovation, is playing a leadership role in shaping the future of the convenience store industry.

As Retailer Innovator of the Year, Sheetz was recognized in the cover story of Convenience Store News' October issue for its innovative leadership in empowering its employees, giving back to the community, store growth and format innovation.

“Sheetz has stood out for its new state-of-the-art store format, including the development of drive-thrus and its foodservice program. But perhaps the most important area in which the company stands out is in the way it treats its people,” Longo said during Thursday's presentation ceremony. “The company consistently wins best employer awards in the states in which it operates, and is also challenging its people to be the best.”

Upon accepting the award, Joe Sheetz told the assembled group: "We pride ourselves on being innovators, and being recognized by one of the top magazines in the convenience industry is a great honor. As you know, every day we come to work with the vision of creating the Sheetz that will put the Sheetz as we know it today out of business.”

He went on to say: “We have a culture of being a little restless. I think this keeps us relevant to be an innovator, especially in attracting the younger consumers who have different needs from the parents and grandparents. And being innovative makes it fun.”