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The year was 1959. The country was in the midst of a massive transformation. Middle-class families were becoming suburban families. And with suburbs came an increase demand for cars. The Federal Highway Act of 1956 created the Interstate Highway System. People were on the move, and the entrepreneurial spirit was in the air, especially related to travel, transportation and fuel.
Two such visionaries – W.A. Krause and T.S. Gentle – set out to create a refueling destination with a sense of "convenience."
In an age where catchy company names and unique marketing phrases were a representation of the times – and also the difference between success and failure – the two gentlemen used the first letters of their last names to create a unique moniker to showcase the ease and convenience they instilled in a shopping experience. Thus Kum & Go was born.
Since then the company has grown.
- 425 stores in 11 states.
- Employs 3600 associates.
- Excess of $2 billion in annual sales.
- One of Forbes top private companies in the country two years running.
- Third largest private owner operator of convenience stores.
- In 2008 Kum & Go was the winner of the 2008 Iowa Secretary of Agriculture's Ethanol Marketing Award.
- In 2008 W.A. Krause was named Retail Leader of the Year by CSP Magazine (industry trade).
Plus, the company gives back 10 percent of its annual profits to charitable and educational causes each year. This distinction earned the organization the "Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy Award” for 2006 from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
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