February 25, 2015 - Lethbridge Sun Times - page 35 BEST OF THE BEST Gas King marks 30 years of gas, car wash service
Dale Woodard For the Sun Times
G
as King is celebrating its 30th birthday. As the business with multiple locations
around southern Alberta commemorates three decades of being the local choice for retail fuel, Gas King does so as a locally owned and operated franchise with strong community involvement and regularly maintained car washes. “We have our own brand
and own unique way of doing things. We stand out in that we started here 30 years ago and we’re still going strong today,” said Gas King marketing assistant Chris Hibbard. “We try to be competitive and try to be a good locally owned and operated organization. We have about 100 employees that work for Gas King. We treat each other with respect and that trickles down to the people.” That dedication to customer service has
earned Gas King the “Best Car Wash” title in the annual Best of the Best awards in addition to being the runnerup for “Best Gas Station.” The seeds of Gas King were planted back in 1960 when Don and Georgia Morris founded a bulk farm fuel business in Shaughnessy. In May 1985, Don and his son, Brent, started an independently owned and operated chain of gas stations known as Gas King Oil Co. Ltd. “We have seven locations around
southern Alberta and four locations in Lethbridge. There is one in Picture Butte and one in Medicine Hat and one in High River,” said Hibbard. Thirty years later, Gas King
continues to be a staple in the community, hosting frequent charity car washes for local non-profit aid organizations. “We’re very community-oriented,” said
Hibbard. “Gas King donates thousands of hours and dollars back into the community. Gas King is strongly supporting Lethbridge Family Services. February is Family Month and all of our stores are accepting donations
PHOTO BY DALE WOODARD Whendlin Torscher washes his car at one of the Gas King locations in Lethbridge.
from customers and all of those donations will go directly to Lethbridge Family Services to support their initiatives in town.” “We often have charity car washes and
charity fund raising events,” he added. “Some Gas King employees are going to be participating in a bowling night to raise for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. We’re not just a corporation. We were started by a family and we consider ourselves to be the Gas King family. That is reflected in our service to the community.” Gas King also rewards its customers with
its loyalty program operated on the KickBack Rewards Network, allowing points to be earned and redeemed on retail purchases at any Gas King location.
And in keeping with their “Best Car Wash”
award, Gas King offers highly maintained, efficient car washes. “Our car wash stations are maintained
regularly and kept top-notch,” said Hibbard, adding Gas Kings car washes are fully automated with the deluxe option for customers who don’t wish to get out of their vehicle. “We have maintenance staff that are
constantly dedicated to making sure they’re running and working properly. We train all our staff at our stores very well to be respectful and polite, to nod and smile and ask how people are and I think the longer we’re around, the more people appreciate what Gas King brings to the community.”
• Best Family Dining • Best Pizza Restaurant 2 CATEGORIES THIS YEAR!
316 - 11th Street South 403-331-2222
www.twoguyspizza.ca
41208606
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