QuikTrip Fires Up QT Kitchens Rollout

TULSA, Okla. – QuikTrip Corp. is introducing its new QT Kitchens concept with remarkable speed across its entire footprint, according to a Tulsa World report. The convenience store chain expects to finish the rollout at all its stores scheduled for a remodel by October, just nine months after the project began.

QT Kitchens counters offer fresh, made-to-order food and beverages, such as flatbreads and sandwiches, kolaches, specialty drinks, soft-serve ice cream and full- or by-the-slice pizzas, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The concept is in place at all of QuikTrip's Gen 3 stores, and at more than 70 percent of its "Gen 2 1/2" stores in the Tulsa market, said company spokesman Mike Thornbrugh.

"We felt we've had to reach a certain critical mass to talk about it locally," Thornbrugh told the news outlet. "We've done it at lightning speed [with] crews going in and knocking out three stores every two weeks."

The scope of the rollout is a "massive project," Thornbrugh added. QT Kitchens will be installed at the majority of QuikTrip locations. The chain's 700th store is scheduled to open soon.

QuikTrip is also hiring extra staff as it installs QT Kitchens and has added approximately 2,000 employees in the past few months.

"We are especially excited to roll out this new, fresh, made-to-order concept in our hometown of Tulsa, where our community has always been incredibly supportive of QuikTrip," Chet Cadieux, chairman and CEO, stated in a news release.