Speedway

I had stopped into the speedway on Saturday around 6pm to refill the rental before departing back for home on Sunday. Each pumping station was full and there was one pump for the flex fuel that I needed for the car. Needless to say I had to wait for gentlemen who parked his car at this particular pump and go inside for 10 minutes to get a slice of pizza and a drink. Anyway, I was able to get the gas and be on my way. Not sure if this will be my first choice to stop and get gas the next time I am in Chicago. Prices were good though.

No complaints here. Not a huge c-​store, but plenty of munchies, drinks, fountain sodas, and typically hot pizza and sandwiches from dawn til dusk. Employees are friendly, and keep the store in tip-​top shape. Gas prices are competitive, and their rewards program boasts 50¢ off on the gallon. My go-​to shop near the crib.

I come here just about everyday and the employees are always so helpful. I came in today and just got gas. I was in and out within 5 min even with a big line. I also come here for gas because I get speedy rewards.

I have a love hate relationship with this Speedway. Lately, I dread the thought of stopping here. It is close to my home and convenient in proximity only. The biggest complaint I have at this location is the morning rush hour… There are at least 3 landscaping companies that unload employees here like a school bus on a field trip… every morning between 6:30 and 7am there are roughly 20 landscapers taking over this place. They take over the precious, little, outside real-​estate with their giant trucks with trailers and the workers take over the inside of the store buying pizza, hotdogs and red bull.
No joke, this morning — there were 5 cars at the pumps, 3 landscaping trucks parked around the lot and over 25 people standing in a line that reached the coolers in the back of the store. Something is out of balance here.
What’s even more inconvenient at this time… you will find only 1 or 2 clerks actually checking out customers. yet 2 – 3 more filling coffee, emptying garbage and switching out pizza. Yes, pizza is a big priority at 6:30 in the morning. Forget your customers trying to get gas and cigarettes on their way to work. there are landscapers who need their pizza!
On to what I love here — they have some great employees. Several have been working here for years and they are very friendly. They are fun to joke with and get a warm greeting from — but that’s where the pleasure ends here. I’ve tried my best to not take this out on them, I realize management needs to better staff their store and train employees on priorities.
Standing in a 15 minute line to pay for gas or pick up cigarettes is hardly a convenience. This store is making bank at this hour of the day… it would not harm them in any way to add a few more on the clock during these hours to expedite their lines. I wrote their corporate office about these very concerns about 2 months ago. I got a nice reply back about how they take these concerns seriously and will forward to the store management there… guess it fell on deaf ears. I’ve noticed no change.
The evening rush hour here is also very busy. However, the lines actually move at that time of day.