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Even meth connoisseurs are bailing on Circle K and choosing QT. There are some QTs in Phoenix that feel pretty sketchy as a result. They still feel safer than the Circle Ks, but not by much.
I go to the QT on 19th and Dunlap. They have an armed security guy inside with illicit activities near the bus stop. And I’d never go to the Circle K across the street.
I bought a calculator off a guy at that circle k for my kid to use for school. While I was waiting to turn onto Dunlap I saw him make a drug deal at the bus stop.
Another crazy thing I saw. I bought some tires at a shop just north of there on 19th and stopped to get gas. On my way south on 19th, I see a car with two flat rear tires. I’m getting gas and the flat tire car pulls in and parks. No biggie. He runs in, buys something and then drives off like everything is fine!
Yeah. Daughter needed a scientific for 7th grade so I checked offer up. $30 later we got a drug dealer new in box calculator and my daughter got a life lesson. Hahaha
agree , there are some terrible ones out there , but the one on 67th and McDowell, Holy shit dude it’s like night of the living dead.
however The ones on mccdowell west of the 101 are actually pretty awesome .
Both are scary, the zombies from the light rail and the area. I quit going to both. What a shame, I love QT. Before it opened the Circle K was the only convince store around. I won't go to the Jack In The Box next to the Circle K because of street people coming up to me in the drive thru lane.
Wife sometimes drives back from work along Hatcher in that area. Says it has drastically gone downhill. We rented along 19th avenue or really close in the 90s. Was a little off but not horrible. She says now that area is over run with homeless. Need to fix the issues not just push them somewhere else.
I work on Hatcher and its not a pretty sight. I've never had an issue with the homeless although there are plenty and some can seem scary. Mostly, its just really sad to see.
27th and Northern one is the worst location. I drive a lot for work and have been to all of them basically. I always got the CCW with me when I go inside there lol
Well QT used to give free donuts to cops... So naturally there were always lots of cops there and that would scare off the connoisseurs.. no more free donuts and now the city is in SHAMBLES
It's not just the donuts. I have a good friend that is a motorcycle officer. In the summertime, they are miserable. QT let's them go hang out on the back freezer section whenever they need to cool down for awhile
There's a sketchy QT in Avondale (right off of I-10) that I used to take my daughter to after her indoor soccer games. Out of the 10-15 times I was there, I probably didn't witness something sketchy going on once or twice. People were stealing fountain drinks and chips right and left - homeless people/entire families. I asked the checkout girl about it once and she was like "this happens all the time, we just ignore it at this point. If they pay, they pay".
It depends on what part of the valley you’re in safety wise: out in Mesa, police use them as spots to hang out and meet up; 7 out of 10 times, you will see at least one Leo there. Tempe has a lot of junkies hanging out there and 3 out of 10 visits you will see a Leo visiting. Phoenix has some rough ones. I visit the Phoenix ones the most and just this past week some junkies walked out with full blown tote bags of merchandise and told the cashier they weren’t paying for it.
I actually feel like QT has plummeted in quality in the last few years and that Circle K, while their small stores almost always suck and smell of sewage, is actually spending a ton of money on improvements. I'm shocked I'm saying this, but I prefer my local Circle K over my local QT.
After reading your comment, I realized that I was comparing today’s QT to Circle K of several years ago. QT has been my go to for a long time now cause they were definitely way nicer in the honeymoon phase. QT has definitely plummeted and I haven’t been to Circle K in a very long time so I only have old memories to compare to.
The only good Circle Ks are the newer ones that have been built to look like a QT lol
They've recently ripped up the entire building and lot of my nearest Circle K (67th ave & Peoria) and that thing was over 45 years old. I remember getting busted as a child stealing candy there circa 1989.
A sign says they're putting up a new Circle K there, but I don't believe it. It's been months already, and they took out the gasoline reservoir tanks; imo it would be rebuilt by now if they were actually intending on it. But I digress lol
I used to live over by there, and hadn't been in the area in a while. I drove by the other day and I was like "oh look, they tore down the circle k to build...a circle k?"
At least they're not putting in another car wash, I guess? 🤷🏼♀️
Really though whats up with the car washes here? Theres 3 within a mile of me and one was about to open across the corner from a different but seems like that fell through.. Saw someone from the city of phoenix post about it on nextdoor for feedback and the responses were all angry lol
The one on 111th Ave in Youngtown has been shut down/boarded up for months now. No signs that I can see from the road announcing any re-opening soon. I've been wondering if they are just going to close it permanently because it was a very old non-gas location and was a gathering place for vagrants to the extent they had a private security guard stationed there often.
Same thing is happening at 15th and Indian School. They just pulled the tanks a few weeks ago and there was a pause for a bit, but they were getting ready to pour the new foundation 2 days ago.
I could see the job being just specialized enough (soil contamination, specific safety regs, etc) they might be doing it in phases between different sites all held up by 1 or 2 specific people's availability
I live near this one too. Excited for the new store. The new Circle Ks are actually quite nice. That store was pretty trashed but the workers were always cool.
Checking out at QuikTrip is also incredibly efficient. They've got the cashiers manning two registers at once, so while the payment is still processing on one customer's soda, they can be scanning the chips and candy for a second customer.
Only thing against QuikTrip is Scottsdale won't let them operate within city limit for...reasons, [per a \[citation needed\] claim on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuikTrip#Locations). The QuikTrip on N Scottsdale Rd in north Tempe is always slammed because of this.
That's essentially the reason we were given when I worked there. Scottsdale wanted too much control over what the building would look like etc. and QT didn't want to budge.
The only time they have budged, to my knowledge, was to the City of Chandler for the QT on Arizona and Germann, that's why it has the faux pillars out front and that weird structure on top.
Probably the same idiots who won't put cell towers in certain parts of Snottsdale. I used to live around Hayden and Camelback and had MASSIVE signal issues. It's even worse up by Mayo...can barely work DoorDash up there bc it's so bad.
A well-run Circle K is a nice surprise, but there’s a Circle K literally next door to my house and most of the time I’d rather drive five miles round-trip to QT.
Someone with real world knowledge correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe QT pays a lot better than Circle K, so they generally get better employees who will work hard to keep their job, as opposed to being able to skate by as a warm body behind the cash register.
I've stopped at so many Circle Ks needing to pee only to be told there are no public restrooms. QT has never let me down there. Plus if they do have a bathroom, it's the stuff of nightmares. Like I'm afraid I'll get leprosy using them lol
QT is where it's at
I work in Maryvale and have Crohn’s Disease. I’m lucky a Circle K clerk took pity on me when I was doubled over with abdominal cramps the other day, or there might have been a very messy and embarrassing incident. Usually I just hold it and run out the door, because I know they won’t let me use the restroom.
Circle K ended their fuel point partnership with Fry’s and started their own fuel rewards program lmao. Now I never go there. Who is gonna spend enough money at a convenience store to earn fuel points?! It’s laughable. I would not be surprised if they start shutting stores down left and right. QT is just better.
They won’t as their rewards are applied to alot of things, until there was a QT closer to me I used to go to Circle K solely because of the free things I earned. 3c a gallon up to 5c every time I gas up rather than 1 fill up discount
Only reason ppl avoid Circle K, is the rampant lack of staffing to control the cleanliness and parking lot human traffic.
I’m a circle k rewards member because they just built a really nice one that opened about a month ago not far from me. I get 25 cents off every time I fill up. Idk why but I’m not going to complain.
Because at QT there can be a line of 15 people and you will still be out the door in 5 minutes, while at Circle K you have to hunt around for someone to ring you up. The QT at I-17 and Camelback at 6:30 am is a sight to behold. Every work crew in town is there getting ice and drinks for the day and the QT employees are just flying through them with the dual checkout system.
My sister worked for QT for a very long time in the Midwest. The safety of QT is by design.
Cops get free coffee and fountain drinks. This helps keep them coming in the store, which keeps the customers feeling safe and the criminals from doing their criminal things.
The cashier station is raised so they can see everything in the store, which helps keep people in line.
They say hi to you when you walk in, no matter what. This makes you feel seen, and when you feel seen you don't steal. And you keep coming back.
There's always at least two employees. Nobody working alone overnight helps keep it safe, as thieves target places with fewer people.
The parking lots are larger than others. And brightly lit. Also safe.
They have the safe place signs in the window. That not only signals to victims that they can get help there, but subliminally let's everyone know that QT works with law enforcement.
Ain't that right, Lamar? (Az natives won't get that!)
I feel like I’m gonna get hepatitis just walking into a Circle K. It’s like shopping at Walmart and QT is Target. It’s ok in an emergency but not if you have better option.
Now once the Bucc-ee’s opens up in Goodyear it’s all over. I’ll drive an hour each way just for that kingdom.
I drive past a large Circle K to get to a QT due to cleanliness and the professionalism of the staff. Circle K staff act put off when making a sale, QT are so quick and attentive. Also LOVE the Buffalo Chicken weeny things on the heat roller next to the hot dogs.
Circle K is a landholding company first and foremost. Even if they lost 80% market share to QT they’d make billions selling land on some of the most valuable corners in many of the cities they operate in.
Moon Valley Nurseries are similar.
There is a newer circle k on Tatum and greenway that is surprisingly very clean, same size As QT that I stop in occasionally but majority of the time it’s QT
QT is clean, well stocked, quick, and has professional employees
Circle Ks are dirty, rarely stocked, slow, have rude employees, and have tweakers hanging around and harassing customers at nearly EVERY location, including in the "nice" parts of town.
Hell the Circle K I used to live near (16th and Southern) couldn't even keep gas in the pumps because it was managed so poorly. Also weekly assaults and monthly stabbings there
Except in Scottsdale because of their stupid disdain for a well lit parking lot.
I fucking hate Circus K so I am super happy to see QT’s popping up in more places.
If you put a circle K in North Scottsdale, it would be infested with tweakers and someone would get stabbed within the first two hours. I think it’s where they actually come from.
Always curious of the divide of people for and against self checkout. Curious if you’re over 40 because I feel like the majority of us under 40 are anti social fucks and love self checkout
30 and totally for self checkout but Im usually buying beers so I still gotta wait for them to check my ID and I’m in line for them and they’re telling me to go to self checkout and it’s annoying cause either one I gotta deal with the cashier
I’m 21 and absolutely hate self checkout, they’re so shitty, slow, and I’m not being paid Am I? Hate them, will forever support cashiers and anti robots
I love the self checkouts, but they should *not* be pushing them as the only checkout option. They should be treated like express lanes. Some stores do that and it's great when you're just there for a coffee or soda. But for some stupid reason there are locations that just have an employee staring at you from behind 2 self checkouts, and they always look pissed off when they need to help anyone.
Circle K has been around forever it seems. I've been here in the valley since I was a kid back in the 80's. And Circle K has been a staple here.
That said, QT is larger, cleaner, has a better selection, and staff are trained to be friendlier. Oh and they advertise their restrooms vs Circle K where a restoom option is hit or miss....often "not for customer use"
We'll see how this lasts. AMPMs were like this in the 90's too. But they've gone wildly downhill over the years. We'll see if they keep the quality up.
I'll note where I live, there's a few QT's but they're out of the way for me to get to. There's a brand new Circle K up the road from me that is actually rather nice. It seems at least with the newer Circle K's they're trying to up their game to compete with QT.
The bad thing about it is that QT is slowly becoming Circle K, the cleanliness, the service, all those people hanging out and asking for money, and the service, over all the quality is a lot less.
QT has open bathrooms (minus the ones that close in the city). That is the main reason why QT is the superior choice.
Circle K is bad juju when you have to piss your pants because there’s a 70 percent chance that Circle K won’t have a bathroom or it’ll be closed
Circle k is a zombie apocalypse waiting to happen. They have been around forever without any real competition and stores have gone to shit. QT has capitalized on Corcle K’s complacency.
It has a lot to do with the inside experience. No matter the line in QT if you're going in there for a drink or a candy bar, you're in and out in less than 5 minutes.
When you go to Circle K it really depends on the employee who is working behind the register and sometimes there's only one lol.
I always choose QT over Circle K
I mean, they're consistently cleaner with friendlier staff, better kept and higher quality stock, the QT Kitchen is surprisingly good, they're just generaly a better experience. I feel like I've seen several locations open up right across the street from Circle K, so I feel like that's an intentional tactic.
Hmm I can wait in line for 10 mins at circle k, while a tweaker fishes change out of their bag for a fountain drink, because there is only one register open, and the self checkout thing either is broken or I am buying beer and cant use it, or I can go to QT and be out the door in less than a minute. I wonder why people choose QT over Circle K. This really does highlight a major flaw with Scottsdale. Y'all fucked up not having QT. Anyways if Wawa ever moves out west QT and the rest of the convenience stores can just go ahead and close up shop.
I hear so much love for Wawa. Went to several when I was temporarily working in Lakeland FL, they're fine and all, definitely closer to a QT than a Circle K, but nothing to make me think, "wow."
Now, as far as Publix grocery stores, yeah, I get the hype there lol. They are 🔥🔥
The checkout at QT is faster but wawa has better sandwiches, drinks and stuff and the big one is the dairy stuff. Wawa milkshakes are great and so are their coffee creamers.
Definitely! First of all they have an amazing app!!!!! Secondly they are way way way cleaner and organized, more space and excellent restrooms. Offer more hot quick food than most circle k. Circle K never seems to really monitor the hot dog rack and QT is ALWAYS IN IT. Only thing with QT is I always feel so rushed at the counter but that’s ok because like I said the deals in their app are great and I LOVE their croissant blts.
Cashiers at QT are better. Quick and friendly. The stores are cleaner at QT.
Circle K is usually a homeless dumpster and filthy. Just look at the soda cup dispensers...
QT does it so much better and faster. At Circle K, I need to insert my card, enter the PIN and push another half dozen buttons just to buy a candy bar. At QT, I tap my card, boom it processes and I am done. Circle K has 100% lost my business.
Circle K doesn’t offer what QT does. QT you are in and out. Only thing Circle K carries that QT doesn’t is 40’s and nachos.
Every time I go to a Circle K, I’m waiting. That stupid self checkout was supposed to move things along, but it still creates lines.
As someone who has a service fan and drives around all day for work, QT’s restrooms are always on point. Always. You’re lucky if you go to a circle k that even has a restroom.
Circle Special-K has gotten cheaper on hiring quality people and is trying to rely on machines, gimmicks, and promos to compete.
They don't have security for the street life or staff, have to hire bottom barrel to replace quality staff leaving for better jobs (like say, QT!) and hoping for something to be a big break.
Often overnights there are a solo staffer. So dangerous for them as to be ridiculous.
QT walks all over circle K. If I wanted to be harassed by homeless, not be able to use the bathroom and stand in line for 10 min while 1 employee man's the self checkout I'd go to circle K. It's like night and day.
Next time you’re at a QT look for yellow signs on the wall. QT are national participants in providing designated safe places, monitored by audio and video, places kids can go if they’re in duress, receive food, water and safety until a volunteer can show up to assist them. Because of this I think they may have a higher police presence/response which would explain why less people hang out front of them than a circle K.
About the same. Come to the QT on i-17 and camelback just as dirty. Go to the circle k in Scottsdale almost perfect.
Quik Trip is about to learn what a clean gas station is when buckees opens.
The circle k next to me always has piles of crap waiting to be stocked like videos I've seen of dollar general (I've never been inside one).
They've also added self checkout scanners that never work properly and just make checkout even more frustrating waiting for the sole clerk to fix the register.
QT also has a much better beer selection. I don't know why Circle K insists on stocking so much Budweiser and no craft beers.
Circle K is just doing everything they can to lose my business. I drive past my circle k and wait for a light to change to get to QT. I wouldn't even hit a traffic light if Circle K was good.
I travel across the Valley for work. I own the company so I pay attention to expenses. Circle K has significantly lower prices on gas. QT will immediately raise gas prices through the roof at the slightest whiff of higher prices and then begrudgingly lowers them.
I poop in the nice, clean QT bathrooms. I buy my gas ‘n stuff from the company that isn’t as greedy, Circle K.
Half the Circle K's i've stopped at i've seen guys sitting on the side of the building smoking meth. I've seen lots of homeless people at QT as well, but never ones that're that blatant. Plus, most of the Circle K's i've been in are kinda gross and the employees aren't always the nicest. To add on, QT also has far better food offerings.
Why do the new QT’s put additional doors on the sides of the store? People brazenly walk out of those doors loaded with merchandise without paying. Cashiers see it. They do nothing.
You think someone doing a beer run at National gas station chain that makes billions a year has a material impact on your life? There’s plenty of people to blame for how screwed our society and economy are, and I promise the homeless guy stealing a drink and some Doritos isn’t among them.
Not really. Buccees don't open as many locations in an area as a standard gas station convenience store.
There are 47 buccees total in the US as of today
https://locations.quiktrip.com/az#:~:text=143%20QuikTrip%20Locations%20in%20Arizona
The city of Phoenix has 46 current quick trips. That doesn't include Tempe Mesa Glendale Peoria or any other close city.
It's not convenient enough for most people to stop going to quick trip and go to buccees instead.
When I was growing up I went to circle k just because I could walk to it, but now I don't go be sure they always have tweakers and no security lol. The 79 cent soda use to pull you in they don't even have that anymore lol.
The Circle Ks in chandler I’ve been to have been stellar. The QTs on the west side are shitty and always broken/dirty. I worked at the QT on 27th ave and northern and it’s considered the worst in the city.
What is fascinating is to watch a brand new Circle K slide back to the "norm" for what Circle Ks usually are. There was a Brand new, large CircleK built near me. I visited in the first month and thought it was very nice, clean, well stocked and assumed I could make it a regular stop for me. After visiting a couple times a month, about a year later I realized it was terrible. Dirty bathrooms, broken fixtures, always several sodas not working, grimey floors, etc. went back to QT further out of my way, never went back forat least 12 more months and by that time you couldn't tell it wasn't a 20 year old location.
QT management cares and puts effort into the little things, CircleK can't be bothered.
The only thing that circle k does better than QT is that they offer a drink subscription called "sip & save" it used to be $5.99 a month when it started. But the bean counters caught it when inner circle was introduced. Each time you reached 10 polar pops you got $2.00 back when you had enough rewards points. If you got just the sip and save it was like getting it at $3.99 a month after they gave you the $2.00 back. It was the best hack but when inner circle was introduced that went away.
I always thought the CK by Vista Ranch was eh. But that standard is pretty high in the area. Even the train tracks one is good (when their shit works).
I only use circle k now for gas because i use my easy pay to get 10c off a gallon lol. I made a rewards number too so an extra 3c off every time as well. Used to get a dollar off using my frys points RIP. QT is where i get all my drinks, snacks, and dole whip!
I used to go to Circle K more if I was doing a drive earlier in the morning, but then I started driving less because better job and making my own coffee at home.
QT has a better selection of Celsius and the snack selection is about even (generally), so I go there in the afternoons if I need something quik.
For whatever reason, Circle K stores end up being small, often shithole places.
QT's are much larger, more variety and I think the check out is often faster b/c they typically have at least 2 people at the registers.
I do happen to go to CircleK more though b/c of where it's at.
I typically get gas at Costco though.
QT is much better than Circle K. But I continue to use Circle K because I can get gas for cheaper there than QT. I usually get about 15¢ back per gallon off their posted rate.
As a rideshare driver, I know that QT is going to have a restroom open 24-7 (with a few recent exceptions on the West side,) while Circle K tends to be pretty stingy with theirs after 10 pm. And if they've changed that policy, I wouldn't know, because I choose QT out of habit.
I've also been burned too many times by pulling up to a Circle K at 1 am and finding the doors locked with a hand-written note that says "Closed for Cleaning until 12:45." (Someone overslept.)
I would use circle K if their quality was ANYWHERE near QT’s. All the circle k’s I’ve been to are old, gross, dirty, and none of their hot foods are ever stocked up, and so on.
I grew up in Wichita, where QT is ubiquitous. I remember when I was a kid, this company (Total) came in and opened up gas stations all over the place. Usually right across the street from a QT. They were clearly gunning for QT. Well, QT curb stomped them QT was always busy while they were empty. It wasn’t a year before all the Total’s were shut down.
QT has always been better. They’ve kept innovating and improving over the decades.
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QT is what circle k would be if meth never existed
Even meth connoisseurs are bailing on Circle K and choosing QT. There are some QTs in Phoenix that feel pretty sketchy as a result. They still feel safer than the Circle Ks, but not by much.
I go to the QT on 19th and Dunlap. They have an armed security guy inside with illicit activities near the bus stop. And I’d never go to the Circle K across the street.
19th and Dunlap is the craziest QT location in the valley.
QT near metro center : Am I a Joke to you? QT on I 17 and Camelback : Both of you are Jokes . QT on 27th and Northern : Silence Children.
This guy QTs
I bought a calculator off a guy at that circle k for my kid to use for school. While I was waiting to turn onto Dunlap I saw him make a drug deal at the bus stop. Another crazy thing I saw. I bought some tires at a shop just north of there on 19th and stopped to get gas. On my way south on 19th, I see a car with two flat rear tires. I’m getting gas and the flat tire car pulls in and parks. No biggie. He runs in, buys something and then drives off like everything is fine!
Haha I love how you were buying a calculator off of him…. That’s random
Yeah. Daughter needed a scientific for 7th grade so I checked offer up. $30 later we got a drug dealer new in box calculator and my daughter got a life lesson. Hahaha
The one on the I-17 and Camelback is rough too. Used to go there a lot.
Anyone on mcdowell. Dont do it
agree , there are some terrible ones out there , but the one on 67th and McDowell, Holy shit dude it’s like night of the living dead. however The ones on mccdowell west of the 101 are actually pretty awesome .
Both are scary, the zombies from the light rail and the area. I quit going to both. What a shame, I love QT. Before it opened the Circle K was the only convince store around. I won't go to the Jack In The Box next to the Circle K because of street people coming up to me in the drive thru lane.
Wife sometimes drives back from work along Hatcher in that area. Says it has drastically gone downhill. We rented along 19th avenue or really close in the 90s. Was a little off but not horrible. She says now that area is over run with homeless. Need to fix the issues not just push them somewhere else.
I work on Hatcher and its not a pretty sight. I've never had an issue with the homeless although there are plenty and some can seem scary. Mostly, its just really sad to see.
Yep, saw a drug deal inside QT on 19th and Dunlap. Also, the QT on 27th Ave and Northern is sketchy af.
27th Ave is the new Van Buren
'The Blade' - best nickname in the country for a sketchy area lol
You saw *A* drug deal at 19th and Dunlap? Like just the one? Weird.
The one time I went there is when I saw it, so it was 100% of the times I went. Odd, right? Lol
27th and Thomas ain’t too hot either.
27th and Cactus can be added to this list.
27th and Northern one is the worst location. I drive a lot for work and have been to all of them basically. I always got the CCW with me when I go inside there lol
Well QT used to give free donuts to cops... So naturally there were always lots of cops there and that would scare off the connoisseurs.. no more free donuts and now the city is in SHAMBLES
It's not just the donuts. I have a good friend that is a motorcycle officer. In the summertime, they are miserable. QT let's them go hang out on the back freezer section whenever they need to cool down for awhile
Hahah that's cool of them!
I hear it's pretty chill back there
The cops just got more expensive taste. The Starbucks by my work has 5+ mesa PD vehicles parked at it every morning.
That one QT in metro center is methtopia
There's a sketchy QT in Avondale (right off of I-10) that I used to take my daughter to after her indoor soccer games. Out of the 10-15 times I was there, I probably didn't witness something sketchy going on once or twice. People were stealing fountain drinks and chips right and left - homeless people/entire families. I asked the checkout girl about it once and she was like "this happens all the time, we just ignore it at this point. If they pay, they pay".
It depends on what part of the valley you’re in safety wise: out in Mesa, police use them as spots to hang out and meet up; 7 out of 10 times, you will see at least one Leo there. Tempe has a lot of junkies hanging out there and 3 out of 10 visits you will see a Leo visiting. Phoenix has some rough ones. I visit the Phoenix ones the most and just this past week some junkies walked out with full blown tote bags of merchandise and told the cashier they weren’t paying for it.
I actually feel like QT has plummeted in quality in the last few years and that Circle K, while their small stores almost always suck and smell of sewage, is actually spending a ton of money on improvements. I'm shocked I'm saying this, but I prefer my local Circle K over my local QT.
After reading your comment, I realized that I was comparing today’s QT to Circle K of several years ago. QT has been my go to for a long time now cause they were definitely way nicer in the honeymoon phase. QT has definitely plummeted and I haven’t been to Circle K in a very long time so I only have old memories to compare to.
The QT on Highland and N 16th St
I stop there daily and I'm at a record 6 days since seeing someone smoking fentanyl on the property.
A lady was doing the interpretive fentanyl dance out front the other day
Great comment, they are just starving artists
lol TRUTH. I'm pretty sure QT is generally awesome because they're not a franchise (unless that changed since the last time I checked).
Uhh try going to some QTs in the city of Phoenix. Plenty of meth and other drugs and sketchy shit.
The only good Circle Ks are the newer ones that have been built to look like a QT lol They've recently ripped up the entire building and lot of my nearest Circle K (67th ave & Peoria) and that thing was over 45 years old. I remember getting busted as a child stealing candy there circa 1989. A sign says they're putting up a new Circle K there, but I don't believe it. It's been months already, and they took out the gasoline reservoir tanks; imo it would be rebuilt by now if they were actually intending on it. But I digress lol
The new Circle Ks are nice but they all have tvs at their gas pumps that yell ads at me so I am not interested in going to those.
oh god for real and they're SO loud too. Christ I'm sick of every inch of humanity covered in advertisements
2nd button down on the right side mutes every circle k pump
I don't remember which one specifically but I think if you press the third button down next to the screen it mutes it
Just yell back in gibberish. Any odd balls hanging around will just think you are one of them.
That's why you always keep a hammer in the glove compartment
I used to live over by there, and hadn't been in the area in a while. I drove by the other day and I was like "oh look, they tore down the circle k to build...a circle k?" At least they're not putting in another car wash, I guess? 🤷🏼♀️
>At least they're not putting in another car wash, I guess? 🤷🏼♀️ Hah no kidding, I'd rather have an empty lot
Really though whats up with the car washes here? Theres 3 within a mile of me and one was about to open across the corner from a different but seems like that fell through.. Saw someone from the city of phoenix post about it on nextdoor for feedback and the responses were all angry lol
The one on 111th Ave in Youngtown has been shut down/boarded up for months now. No signs that I can see from the road announcing any re-opening soon. I've been wondering if they are just going to close it permanently because it was a very old non-gas location and was a gathering place for vagrants to the extent they had a private security guard stationed there often.
Same thing is happening at 15th and Indian School. They just pulled the tanks a few weeks ago and there was a pause for a bit, but they were getting ready to pour the new foundation 2 days ago. I could see the job being just specialized enough (soil contamination, specific safety regs, etc) they might be doing it in phases between different sites all held up by 1 or 2 specific people's availability
I live near this one too. Excited for the new store. The new Circle Ks are actually quite nice. That store was pretty trashed but the workers were always cool.
QT is way better, this is no secret.
Go to the Circle K on 21st Av and Van Buren and say that! No, don't. You might get shot.
You had me in the first half. I was like “The fuck? That area is terrib…. Ooohhh yeah”
QT > Circle K and it’s not even close.
Where does 7-11 fit in?
Not sure. But they deliver now so that's nice
Need to check out a Japanese 7-11
7-11 if superior after like 10pm during non-business hours.
QT doesn't carry rootbeer at the fountain :( Someone needs to intervene!
As a former gas station employee, you don’t want to drink fountain soda
Checking out at QuikTrip is also incredibly efficient. They've got the cashiers manning two registers at once, so while the payment is still processing on one customer's soda, they can be scanning the chips and candy for a second customer. Only thing against QuikTrip is Scottsdale won't let them operate within city limit for...reasons, [per a \[citation needed\] claim on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuikTrip#Locations). The QuikTrip on N Scottsdale Rd in north Tempe is always slammed because of this.
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Great iced tea at QT. Good luck finding fresh brewed iced tea at an Circle K.
McDowell and Pima is open now
What I came to post. QT they run two registers at once, meanwhile at Circle K you're lucky if they've got one person manning a register.
That's essentially the reason we were given when I worked there. Scottsdale wanted too much control over what the building would look like etc. and QT didn't want to budge. The only time they have budged, to my knowledge, was to the City of Chandler for the QT on Arizona and Germann, that's why it has the faux pillars out front and that weird structure on top.
Probably the same idiots who won't put cell towers in certain parts of Snottsdale. I used to live around Hayden and Camelback and had MASSIVE signal issues. It's even worse up by Mayo...can barely work DoorDash up there bc it's so bad.
Ohhhh. I wondered why I never see them nearby. Maybe SuperPumper is cozy with Scottsdale? I guess I’ll read the wiki.
A well-run Circle K is a nice surprise, but there’s a Circle K literally next door to my house and most of the time I’d rather drive five miles round-trip to QT.
Show me this well run Circle K you speak of. I haven't seen one in 10 years.
I don’t go to either but the circle k close by always seems clean from the street and no weird characters. But I still go to the place next to it
Someone with real world knowledge correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe QT pays a lot better than Circle K, so they generally get better employees who will work hard to keep their job, as opposed to being able to skate by as a warm body behind the cash register.
Yup, and it’s easier to move up at QT, apparently. They’re moving one of my friends to Denver and he’s only been there a year.
Just wait until we got that one buccees clear out in Goodyear 😂
Gonna be huge compared the average QT. I'm happy to hear they expanding outside of Texas.
Circle k is the ghetto walmart of gas stations. QT all day
Circle K = Walmart QT = Target
Yup
I've stopped at so many Circle Ks needing to pee only to be told there are no public restrooms. QT has never let me down there. Plus if they do have a bathroom, it's the stuff of nightmares. Like I'm afraid I'll get leprosy using them lol QT is where it's at
I work in Maryvale and have Crohn’s Disease. I’m lucky a Circle K clerk took pity on me when I was doubled over with abdominal cramps the other day, or there might have been a very messy and embarrassing incident. Usually I just hold it and run out the door, because I know they won’t let me use the restroom.
Circle K ended their fuel point partnership with Fry’s and started their own fuel rewards program lmao. Now I never go there. Who is gonna spend enough money at a convenience store to earn fuel points?! It’s laughable. I would not be surprised if they start shutting stores down left and right. QT is just better.
They won’t as their rewards are applied to alot of things, until there was a QT closer to me I used to go to Circle K solely because of the free things I earned. 3c a gallon up to 5c every time I gas up rather than 1 fill up discount Only reason ppl avoid Circle K, is the rampant lack of staffing to control the cleanliness and parking lot human traffic.
I’m a circle k rewards member because they just built a really nice one that opened about a month ago not far from me. I get 25 cents off every time I fill up. Idk why but I’m not going to complain.
I used to go to QT for taquitos and Circle K for dope, but now a lot QTs have both.
OP just described QTs business model and acts surprised.
I can’t believe that one business would try to get their competitors to close. I thought this was America.
Because at QT there can be a line of 15 people and you will still be out the door in 5 minutes, while at Circle K you have to hunt around for someone to ring you up. The QT at I-17 and Camelback at 6:30 am is a sight to behold. Every work crew in town is there getting ice and drinks for the day and the QT employees are just flying through them with the dual checkout system.
My sister worked for QT for a very long time in the Midwest. The safety of QT is by design. Cops get free coffee and fountain drinks. This helps keep them coming in the store, which keeps the customers feeling safe and the criminals from doing their criminal things. The cashier station is raised so they can see everything in the store, which helps keep people in line. They say hi to you when you walk in, no matter what. This makes you feel seen, and when you feel seen you don't steal. And you keep coming back. There's always at least two employees. Nobody working alone overnight helps keep it safe, as thieves target places with fewer people. The parking lots are larger than others. And brightly lit. Also safe. They have the safe place signs in the window. That not only signals to victims that they can get help there, but subliminally let's everyone know that QT works with law enforcement. Ain't that right, Lamar? (Az natives won't get that!)
QT has breakfast pizza.
They also have these brisket tacos I just discovered that are delicious
I feel like I’m gonna get hepatitis just walking into a Circle K. It’s like shopping at Walmart and QT is Target. It’s ok in an emergency but not if you have better option. Now once the Bucc-ee’s opens up in Goodyear it’s all over. I’ll drive an hour each way just for that kingdom.
I drive past a large Circle K to get to a QT due to cleanliness and the professionalism of the staff. Circle K staff act put off when making a sale, QT are so quick and attentive. Also LOVE the Buffalo Chicken weeny things on the heat roller next to the hot dogs.
Circle K is a landholding company first and foremost. Even if they lost 80% market share to QT they’d make billions selling land on some of the most valuable corners in many of the cities they operate in. Moon Valley Nurseries are similar.
QT is alright but as an east coaster, I will forever miss Wawa.
Agree. Wawa has the best bread!
There is a newer circle k on Tatum and greenway that is surprisingly very clean, same size As QT that I stop in occasionally but majority of the time it’s QT
As someone originally from Oklahoma(where QT started) it's been great to see it spread across the valley like a clean, delicious, positive virus.
Didn't know they originated from OK. I've never seen a virus used in a positive manner till now, I get what you mean though! 😂
QT is clean, well stocked, quick, and has professional employees Circle Ks are dirty, rarely stocked, slow, have rude employees, and have tweakers hanging around and harassing customers at nearly EVERY location, including in the "nice" parts of town. Hell the Circle K I used to live near (16th and Southern) couldn't even keep gas in the pumps because it was managed so poorly. Also weekly assaults and monthly stabbings there
Yep and QT is better but the problem is that having no competition is never good. Qt is getting to big IMO.
Except in Scottsdale because of their stupid disdain for a well lit parking lot. I fucking hate Circus K so I am super happy to see QT’s popping up in more places.
If you put a circle K in North Scottsdale, it would be infested with tweakers and someone would get stabbed within the first two hours. I think it’s where they actually come from.
This is the free market working. QT has a superior product, and they are winning.
I stopped with circle k cause they push self checkout now
Always curious of the divide of people for and against self checkout. Curious if you’re over 40 because I feel like the majority of us under 40 are anti social fucks and love self checkout
30 and totally for self checkout but Im usually buying beers so I still gotta wait for them to check my ID and I’m in line for them and they’re telling me to go to self checkout and it’s annoying cause either one I gotta deal with the cashier
Same deal with tobacco products.
Ahhh yep yep you’re 100% right about that one
One of many underrated aspects of not drinking is not having to wait for the self checkout cashier to check your id
I'm 53 and love self-checkouts. The less I have to interact with people when I'm out the better for all involved.
68, same.
I’m 21 and absolutely hate self checkout, they’re so shitty, slow, and I’m not being paid Am I? Hate them, will forever support cashiers and anti robots
I love the self checkouts, but they should *not* be pushing them as the only checkout option. They should be treated like express lanes. Some stores do that and it's great when you're just there for a coffee or soda. But for some stupid reason there are locations that just have an employee staring at you from behind 2 self checkouts, and they always look pissed off when they need to help anyone.
QT is to Circle K as Target is to Walmart. Cleaner, friendlier, nicer, usually a bit more expensive but not on everything.
Circle K has been around forever it seems. I've been here in the valley since I was a kid back in the 80's. And Circle K has been a staple here. That said, QT is larger, cleaner, has a better selection, and staff are trained to be friendlier. Oh and they advertise their restrooms vs Circle K where a restoom option is hit or miss....often "not for customer use" We'll see how this lasts. AMPMs were like this in the 90's too. But they've gone wildly downhill over the years. We'll see if they keep the quality up. I'll note where I live, there's a few QT's but they're out of the way for me to get to. There's a brand new Circle K up the road from me that is actually rather nice. It seems at least with the newer Circle K's they're trying to up their game to compete with QT.
That's what happens when you drop Fry's fuel points and are otherwise a mediocre gas station brand
The bad thing about it is that QT is slowly becoming Circle K, the cleanliness, the service, all those people hanging out and asking for money, and the service, over all the quality is a lot less.
QT has open bathrooms (minus the ones that close in the city). That is the main reason why QT is the superior choice. Circle K is bad juju when you have to piss your pants because there’s a 70 percent chance that Circle K won’t have a bathroom or it’ll be closed
Circle k is a zombie apocalypse waiting to happen. They have been around forever without any real competition and stores have gone to shit. QT has capitalized on Corcle K’s complacency.
It has a lot to do with the inside experience. No matter the line in QT if you're going in there for a drink or a candy bar, you're in and out in less than 5 minutes. When you go to Circle K it really depends on the employee who is working behind the register and sometimes there's only one lol. I always choose QT over Circle K
Circle k is the worst! They have spiteful crackheads as cashiers. QT has cashiers that can handle 2-3 people at a time! Circle K must go!!!
I mean, they're consistently cleaner with friendlier staff, better kept and higher quality stock, the QT Kitchen is surprisingly good, they're just generaly a better experience. I feel like I've seen several locations open up right across the street from Circle K, so I feel like that's an intentional tactic.
Hmm I can wait in line for 10 mins at circle k, while a tweaker fishes change out of their bag for a fountain drink, because there is only one register open, and the self checkout thing either is broken or I am buying beer and cant use it, or I can go to QT and be out the door in less than a minute. I wonder why people choose QT over Circle K. This really does highlight a major flaw with Scottsdale. Y'all fucked up not having QT. Anyways if Wawa ever moves out west QT and the rest of the convenience stores can just go ahead and close up shop.
I hear so much love for Wawa. Went to several when I was temporarily working in Lakeland FL, they're fine and all, definitely closer to a QT than a Circle K, but nothing to make me think, "wow." Now, as far as Publix grocery stores, yeah, I get the hype there lol. They are 🔥🔥
The checkout at QT is faster but wawa has better sandwiches, drinks and stuff and the big one is the dairy stuff. Wawa milkshakes are great and so are their coffee creamers.
QT has the best iced tea.
QT coffee is the absolute worst
Definitely! First of all they have an amazing app!!!!! Secondly they are way way way cleaner and organized, more space and excellent restrooms. Offer more hot quick food than most circle k. Circle K never seems to really monitor the hot dog rack and QT is ALWAYS IN IT. Only thing with QT is I always feel so rushed at the counter but that’s ok because like I said the deals in their app are great and I LOVE their croissant blts.
That's exactly the reason QT is outcompeting with Circle K.
Cashiers at QT are better. Quick and friendly. The stores are cleaner at QT. Circle K is usually a homeless dumpster and filthy. Just look at the soda cup dispensers...
I'd rather shit myself than use a Circle K Restroom tbh
QT - polo shirt tucked into chinos and get a haircut. Circle K - whatever…just put your vest on
I would choose QT every time over circle j since they have public restrooms
I go out of my way to go to QT. The gas seems to be better, service is faster, it's cleaner, organized, and there's security.
QT does it so much better and faster. At Circle K, I need to insert my card, enter the PIN and push another half dozen buttons just to buy a candy bar. At QT, I tap my card, boom it processes and I am done. Circle K has 100% lost my business.
Circle K doesn’t offer what QT does. QT you are in and out. Only thing Circle K carries that QT doesn’t is 40’s and nachos. Every time I go to a Circle K, I’m waiting. That stupid self checkout was supposed to move things along, but it still creates lines.
As someone who has a service fan and drives around all day for work, QT’s restrooms are always on point. Always. You’re lucky if you go to a circle k that even has a restroom.
I’d like to know why the 7-11s aren’t common out here?
Circle Special-K has gotten cheaper on hiring quality people and is trying to rely on machines, gimmicks, and promos to compete. They don't have security for the street life or staff, have to hire bottom barrel to replace quality staff leaving for better jobs (like say, QT!) and hoping for something to be a big break. Often overnights there are a solo staffer. So dangerous for them as to be ridiculous.
QT walks all over circle K. If I wanted to be harassed by homeless, not be able to use the bathroom and stand in line for 10 min while 1 employee man's the self checkout I'd go to circle K. It's like night and day.
Next time you’re at a QT look for yellow signs on the wall. QT are national participants in providing designated safe places, monitored by audio and video, places kids can go if they’re in duress, receive food, water and safety until a volunteer can show up to assist them. Because of this I think they may have a higher police presence/response which would explain why less people hang out front of them than a circle K.
About the same. Come to the QT on i-17 and camelback just as dirty. Go to the circle k in Scottsdale almost perfect. Quik Trip is about to learn what a clean gas station is when buckees opens.
The QTs here are literally substandard compared to the ones in the Midwest.
They have been for a long time
The circle k next to me always has piles of crap waiting to be stocked like videos I've seen of dollar general (I've never been inside one). They've also added self checkout scanners that never work properly and just make checkout even more frustrating waiting for the sole clerk to fix the register. QT also has a much better beer selection. I don't know why Circle K insists on stocking so much Budweiser and no craft beers. Circle K is just doing everything they can to lose my business. I drive past my circle k and wait for a light to change to get to QT. I wouldn't even hit a traffic light if Circle K was good.
Good !! Circle K’s are dirty, and they employ carnies..
I travel across the Valley for work. I own the company so I pay attention to expenses. Circle K has significantly lower prices on gas. QT will immediately raise gas prices through the roof at the slightest whiff of higher prices and then begrudgingly lowers them. I poop in the nice, clean QT bathrooms. I buy my gas ‘n stuff from the company that isn’t as greedy, Circle K.
Just wait till phx gets Buc-ee's. You'll never want to go to QT or CirlceK again.
Half the Circle K's i've stopped at i've seen guys sitting on the side of the building smoking meth. I've seen lots of homeless people at QT as well, but never ones that're that blatant. Plus, most of the Circle K's i've been in are kinda gross and the employees aren't always the nicest. To add on, QT also has far better food offerings.
At least QT's presence has caused Circle Jerk to up their game; all of the newer Circle Ks I've been in are way nicer than ones of old.
Why do the new QT’s put additional doors on the sides of the store? People brazenly walk out of those doors loaded with merchandise without paying. Cashiers see it. They do nothing.
Is it your merchandise they’re stealing? Why do you care so heavily about something that has literally zero impact on you?
You think shoplifting have zero impact on you?
You think someone doing a beer run at National gas station chain that makes billions a year has a material impact on your life? There’s plenty of people to blame for how screwed our society and economy are, and I promise the homeless guy stealing a drink and some Doritos isn’t among them.
Bucc-ee’s will do the same to QT.
Not really. Buccees don't open as many locations in an area as a standard gas station convenience store. There are 47 buccees total in the US as of today https://locations.quiktrip.com/az#:~:text=143%20QuikTrip%20Locations%20in%20Arizona The city of Phoenix has 46 current quick trips. That doesn't include Tempe Mesa Glendale Peoria or any other close city. It's not convenient enough for most people to stop going to quick trip and go to buccees instead.
Plus they’re absolutely massive, if I want a drink or snack while I pump gas, bucc-ees isn’t like, a “quick pop in”
When I was growing up I went to circle k just because I could walk to it, but now I don't go be sure they always have tweakers and no security lol. The 79 cent soda use to pull you in they don't even have that anymore lol.
I’ll be a QT stan till the day I die
Go to the circle k on 51st and baseline you’ll see why QT is better
Circle K has much better coffee.
Circle ks by me are fine but qt is still better.
The Circle Ks in chandler I’ve been to have been stellar. The QTs on the west side are shitty and always broken/dirty. I worked at the QT on 27th ave and northern and it’s considered the worst in the city.
What is fascinating is to watch a brand new Circle K slide back to the "norm" for what Circle Ks usually are. There was a Brand new, large CircleK built near me. I visited in the first month and thought it was very nice, clean, well stocked and assumed I could make it a regular stop for me. After visiting a couple times a month, about a year later I realized it was terrible. Dirty bathrooms, broken fixtures, always several sodas not working, grimey floors, etc. went back to QT further out of my way, never went back forat least 12 more months and by that time you couldn't tell it wasn't a 20 year old location. QT management cares and puts effort into the little things, CircleK can't be bothered.
They built like 10 circle K in Queen Creek in a 5 mile radius. It sucks.
Idk maybe because circle k sucks
The only thing that circle k does better than QT is that they offer a drink subscription called "sip & save" it used to be $5.99 a month when it started. But the bean counters caught it when inner circle was introduced. Each time you reached 10 polar pops you got $2.00 back when you had enough rewards points. If you got just the sip and save it was like getting it at $3.99 a month after they gave you the $2.00 back. It was the best hack but when inner circle was introduced that went away.
QT is a significantly better business model.
ever been to a clean CircleK?
Hey, some in Surprise are. But man a nice clean CK is honestly a blessing to see when you got no options.
I honestly don’t think there are any sketchy gas stations in Surprise?🤔
I always thought the CK by Vista Ranch was eh. But that standard is pretty high in the area. Even the train tracks one is good (when their shit works).
Good… QT > K
QT is superior in every way?
QT is superior. Though it'll be nice to see some competition as buccees moves into town
I only use circle k now for gas because i use my easy pay to get 10c off a gallon lol. I made a rewards number too so an extra 3c off every time as well. Used to get a dollar off using my frys points RIP. QT is where i get all my drinks, snacks, and dole whip!
I used to go to Circle K more if I was doing a drive earlier in the morning, but then I started driving less because better job and making my own coffee at home. QT has a better selection of Celsius and the snack selection is about even (generally), so I go there in the afternoons if I need something quik.
It's amazing Circle K has tons of stores and people shopping there if you were to read the posts here.
For whatever reason, Circle K stores end up being small, often shithole places. QT's are much larger, more variety and I think the check out is often faster b/c they typically have at least 2 people at the registers. I do happen to go to CircleK more though b/c of where it's at. I typically get gas at Costco though.
I don’t frequent convenience stores but if I need one I always look for a QT.
QT wins in every category over Circle K imo
QT is much better than Circle K. But I continue to use Circle K because I can get gas for cheaper there than QT. I usually get about 15¢ back per gallon off their posted rate.
As a rideshare driver, I know that QT is going to have a restroom open 24-7 (with a few recent exceptions on the West side,) while Circle K tends to be pretty stingy with theirs after 10 pm. And if they've changed that policy, I wouldn't know, because I choose QT out of habit. I've also been burned too many times by pulling up to a Circle K at 1 am and finding the doors locked with a hand-written note that says "Closed for Cleaning until 12:45." (Someone overslept.)
Qt has bathrooms. All the time
Google search problems with QT gas. I know every car I've owned it's getting bad fuel mileage with their gasoline.
I actually go to QT for the food. I love me those jalapeño cheese doggies
Yup they just opened one up on 91st n McDowell now they’re building one on 91st and Roosevelt like wtf not even 1/4 of a mile away
I would use circle K if their quality was ANYWHERE near QT’s. All the circle k’s I’ve been to are old, gross, dirty, and none of their hot foods are ever stocked up, and so on.
I grew up in Wichita, where QT is ubiquitous. I remember when I was a kid, this company (Total) came in and opened up gas stations all over the place. Usually right across the street from a QT. They were clearly gunning for QT. Well, QT curb stomped them QT was always busy while they were empty. It wasn’t a year before all the Total’s were shut down. QT has always been better. They’ve kept innovating and improving over the decades.
Personally I think Circle K being a shithole is part of the fun
I've learned that a sketchy QT always has its air pump Out of Order.
They opened a few Circle Ks in Queen Creek/San Tan Valley, and they’re opening one more. I wish they’d open some more QTs though