Giving Back: A Day at the Ronald McDonald House

Giving back, whether it is to customers or the community, has always been something that Speedstop Gas and Goods has supported. Our wonderful employees go above and beyond not only at work, but also on their own time outside of work. Recently, one of our employees, Pequot Lakes Store Manager Greg Larson, took time out of his day to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House with his family.

Having never volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house, this was a new experience for Greg. After visiting their website and gaining a better understanding of the great work they do for families, and the hardship these families are facing, Greg decided he wanted to get involved. When asked what the day was like, Greg stated:

“It was one of the most profound, rewarding things I had ever done. It was well out of my comfort zone, but Amy, my daughter-in-law who spear headed this event, and surrounded herself with good cooks and some people who could take direction (not so much me) got us all together in this nice commercial kitchen, and off to work we went. JM Speedstop and Deerwood Bank’s monetary donations helped pay for most of the groceries, so all we needed was the ambition to get 100 plus people fed. You can't imagine the feeling of having people from all over the world visiting your eating facility, largely with heavy hearts as they are experiencing life changing/threating events. People that entered sad or crying left feeling a little better and fuller and that is what we set out to do. As much as it seemed that we were giving, I feel we truly got more than we gave and because of this, we plan to raise money and volunteer twice a year for the Ronald McDonald Cooks for Kids program and serve more families!”

            The Ronald McDonald House has an extremely rich history and has touched the lives of millions. Starting in 1974, the charity has now grown to 58 countries and regions across the world with one mission in mind: “create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children.” Greg did just that, and said that no volunteering he’s ever done has been as rewarding than what he experienced at the Ronald McDonald House. The balance of a day spent with family and friends while helping people feel better for a few hours made it special.

            We are so happy that Greg and his family had such a wonderful experience while giving back to such a great cause. His experience is truly inspiring, and we are proud to have such a great individual on our Speedstop team.

Our HWY 10 Location Got A Makeover!

At Speedstop, we take pride in having the best facilities for our customers! This is why we decided to expand the interior of our HYW 10 location so we would have enough room for a walk in cooler. This added space will benefit our customers because we are now able to expand product lines and stay current with new products. Unfortunately in order to do this, it was necessary to take out the car wash at this location. If this was your go-to spot for giving your car a good scrub, get the same touch free washes at our nearby Sauk Rapids or Central locations. Here are the before and after shots of our new space:

Before

After

 Comment below and let us know if you like the fresh look!

Helpful Fuel Finding Apps

No one likes to pay high prices for gas. Whether you're on a business trip, a road trip vacation, or just doing your day-to-day driving, you'll want to pay the lowest price possible for your gas. Gas prices rise all around the world on a consistent basis. Luckily, iPhone and Smartphone users have access to very helpful fuel finding apps. These apps can help you find the lowest prices in your area without emptying your bank account.

GasBuddy

Perhaps the most notable app for finding the best prices is GasBuddy. This app has an easy to use interface and allows the user to access a large database of gas prices in your area by entering your city, state, or zip code. GasBuddy also gives you useful information about each station, such as the address and phone number, and it will even give you directions to the station of your choice. You can earn points and awards for reporting gas prices, and even have a chance to win $250 in gas every week.

Gas Guru: Cheap gas prices

This app is a good alternative to GasBuddy. Gas Guru pulls its prices from the Oil Price Information Service, making it one of the most accurate free apps available. The user interface is stunning, updates quickly, and lets you view not only the price changes, but the times they were updated. You can filter your search the type of gas you use (unleaded, regular, diesel, etc.) and label stations you visit most frequently. Gas Guru even gives you the locations and reviews of nearest ATM's, roadside assistance, restaurants, or places to grab a cup of coffee, then you can share your finds on Facebook.

YP Local Search & Gas Prices

If you are looking for something a little more all-inclusive, try the Yellow pages (YP) Local Search & Gas Prices App. Not only is it great for finding local gas prices, but it is also able to locate all sorts of deals and discounts in your area- from phone numbers and hours of operation to maps and directions, to photos- you can even upload your own! This app is powered by Yellowpages.com, putting over eighteen million businesses right in the palm of your hand. You'll save money on trips by going to other places that have cheap deals on your way to fuel up.

All three of these apps are free. If you travel a lot, you may want to try apps with a more polished interface like Fuel Finder ($2.99), or Smartfuel (which has a 30-day free trial period). These apps have all the same amenities as the other three, but are a bit more comprehensive and usually more accurate. Either way, gas station apps have the ability to help you harness the internet quickly and save you money each time you fill up. For more ways to save locally, take a look at the Speedstop’s reward offerings here.

Preparing for a Road Trip

Holiday season is right around the corner! For many, this means it’s time to head out on a road trip to see family or friends. Whether you are driving a short or long distance, it is always a good idea to ensure your car is prepared for the travel. Here are a few car maintenance tips that we personally recommend before taking a road trip:

1. Schedule a Check Up

Make some time to bring your car in to have a routine check up one week before you go. This will ensure that your wipers, fluid levels, brake pads, etc. are all working properly.

Don't have time for a check up? Your local Speedstop carries a lot of last minute maintenance items (oil, coolant, etc.) that would be good to have on hand.

2. Re-Charge and Re-Fuel

Check your battery to make sure it’s running strong, and make sure you fuel up the night before you leave. Although these seem like obvious recommendations, getting them out of the way the night before will give you one less thing to worry about the day you leave. Score the best deal on fuel by participating in Speedstop's various reward programs. 

3. Inspect Your Tires

Check your tires to make sure there are no tears, they have a good amount of tread left, and they have the right amount of air pressure.

Speedstop has air pumps available at every location for your convenience!

4. Be Prepared

Make sure you have the necessary supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Have a GPS on hand so you know where you are going, where to fuel up, and where to stop if you begin having car problems.

Below are a few items available at various Speedstop locations that might be a good idea to include in an emergency kit. 

5. Kid Prep

Pick up snacks before you leave. Plan activities and have plenty of entertainment. The less of a distraction the kids are to you, the more focus you can have on driving safely!

Let your kids pick out their favorite items at your local Speedstop. And then visit our Travel Tips board on Pinterest for road trip activity ideas. 

Are there any other tips we left out that you would recommend to others? Comment below and let us know!

Preparing Your Car For The Minnesota Winter

Winter-like conditions can hit Minnesota as early as October, even though the winter doesn’t officially start until December. The temperatures can drop to a freezing -17 degree Celsius, and the ten coldest counties in the United States are all located in this in one state.

One of the many aspects of your life that the Minnesota winter can take a toll on is your vehicle. Here are some tips to prepare your car for a cold winter.

Refresh Your Coolant 

If your coolant freezes because the proportion is off, it can lead to your vehicle overheating. Get your car’s coolant system checked thoroughly. If there’s a leak, it can be disastrous during the winter, and may leave you stranded if the car does end up overheating. Your safest bet will be to flush out the coolant and install a fresh serving.

Seek Shelter For Your Car 

Owning a garage makes this a simple task. But sometimes people can neglect using their garage despite this. Prep your garage if it isn’t in the right state, and start parking your car in there regularly.

You can also invest in a car cover if you don’t own a garage. A cover won’t solve the problem entirely, but it’s a start.

Get Your Windshield Wipers Up To Speed 

Worn-out or hardened windshield wipers will be a nuisance when you’re driving through fog or snow. If you’re not sure, get the wipers checked by a professional.

Once you’ve made sure the wipers are up to the task, change your windshield wiper fluid to one that has anti-freeze in it.

Ready Your Wheels For The Cold 

Icy roads are another aspect of the winter that your car needs to be ready for. Swap out any tires that have insufficient tire treads. Tire chains are another way to get traction while you’re driving through ice or snow. The most fool-proof solution is to opt for snow tires for the winter.

Keep Warm Clothes In Your Trunk 

It’s a good idea to stock up on warm clothes so that you’re prepared for a crisis situation, like your car breaking down. Sometimes, you might even have to place tire chains on your wheels while you’re out in the cold, and warm clothing can preserve your health.

Plan Out An Emergency Kit 

Prevention is definitely better than cure, but you can never predict adverse situations. Ready an emergency kit for the winter. A few items you shouldn’t forget are a flashlight, battery operated radio, camping shovel, first aid kit, spare batteries for all your electronic equipment and a tool kit.

Have a few more tips on winter-proofing a vehicle? Share them with us in the comments.

5 Tips To Make Your Next Tank Last Longer!

When it comes to driving, we all know that gas is a necessity. Gas prices, however, are very unpredictable. One day they go up and the next day they go down, but one thing is for certain: gas prices are expensive. As of this week, the average national gas price in the United States is $3.58 for regular, which is a result of a two-cent increase over the past two weeks. Many people are having trouble making room in their budget to pay to fuel their vehicles, and as a result, people are turning to other modes of transportation. There are, however, ways to save on gas. Follow these five gas saving tips to make your next tank last longer:

1. Keep the windows closed

· Windows open increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.

2. Use cruise control

· Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.

3. Avoid heavy loads

· Clean out your vehicle – the more weight in the vehicle the more gas that is used.

4. Keep tires properly inflated

· Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.

5. Do not accelerate or break hard

· By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.

These are just a few EASY to follow tips to keep in mind in order to save on gas – and we all know, saving on gas is a priority!

Also, keep in mind that SpeedStop has two reward programs: the Speedstop Superticket and the BP Driver Rewards Card. Learn more about these FREE programs in our previous blog, or ask the cashier the next time you’re at one of our locations! What's stopping you from getting these instant savings?? 

Join the Speedstop Team!

If you're at all familiar with Speedstop's history, then you know we pride ourselves on being founded on Central Minnesota family values. These values have contributed to our growth from a small fuel delivery service that existed in 1977 to the 13 full line Speedstop convenience stores that exist today. Driven to please, we focus on trying to provide our customers with service beyond expectation.

Over the years, we have discovered that the most important form of energy comes from the employees working at our 13 Speedstop locations- which is why we seek out outgoing and friendly individuals. Our success comes from the values we were originally founded on a commitment to serving others and being involved in the surrounding community we serve in. 

We are also dedicated to helping our employees build a career within the company, increase their knowledge, and add to their skill sets. On top of general knowledge of how a business runs, our team members also become informed experts about an essential industry that is always changing. Having a company that invests in their personal career goals, flexible hours, full benefit packages, and advancement opportunities all contribute to why many of our employees choose to stay for years – and even decades.

When you join SpeedStop, you’ll join a company that is committed to customers, community, and each of our employees. For more information about our team, click here.

The following employment opportunities are currently available:

Customer Service RepresentativeIf you're friendly, outgoing and like to satisfy customers then we want you at one of our stores. Please submit your application today! Apply now!

Store Manager & Assistant Managers If you have prior C-Store or retail experience and feel you're qualified to become a Manager or Assistant. Manager, then we would like to see you running one of our stores. Please submit your application today! Apply now!

*SpeedStop, a division of JM Companies, is an equal opportunity employer and offers competitive compensation and benefits.