QuikTrip Plans First Michigan Location at Cork Street

*KALAMAZOO, Mich.* — A QuikTrip gas station is in the beginning stages of potentially becoming one of the first in Michigan, with Kalamazoo serving as the possible first location in the state.

During their Wednesday night meeting, the City of Kalamazoo Planning Commission will discuss the possibility of granting a special use permit to the project managers of a QuikTrip gas station looking to build a 16 pump gas station and 5,312 square-foot convenience store at 3810 E. Cork St.

From Restaurant to Fuel

The site was formerly home to The Crew Family Restaurant and Bakery, which now operates on Portage Road. An abandoned building currently occupies the land, and if QuikTrip receives approval to build, developers will tear down the structure to make way for their gas station and convenience store.

The land is zoned for community commercial for medium to large commercial and mixed use development. A special use permit is needed for builds that may have a greater propensity to adversely affect surrounding uses in a zone district.

Future land use maps support commercial development at 3810 E. Cork St. and CC zoning allows for a wide range of retail, service, and office uses.

Traffic Study Shows Compatibility

City Planner Christina Anderson recommended that planning commissioners vote yes to approve QuikTrip's request based on a series of evaluations including possible adverse effects, traffic patterns and environmental impacts.

The QuikTrip project management team for 3810 E. Cork St. provided planning staff with a traffic study, conducted on their behalf by CESO, Inc., anticipating the station to generate 4,114 trips per day on a typical weekday.

The study recommended a few best practices to least disrupt traffic flow during construction, if it were to happen, and overall concluded the build to be compatible and logical for the location.

What QuikTrip Offers

QuikTrip is currently in 22 states and looking to expand into Michigan where they currently do not have any sites. The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based retailer is No. 9 on CSP's 2025 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count.

Founded in 1958, the chain has grown to a more than $11 billion company with more than 31,000 employees. The retailer offers:

  • A 5,312 square-foot convenience store
  • Full-service kitchen
  • 16 fueling stations for passenger vehicles
  • Diesel fueling
  • Shopping and dining options

Wider Michigan Interest

Kalamazoo is not the only area QuikTrip is eyeing in Michigan. The retailer presented plans in August 2025 for a location in Scio Township, which is just west of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Another proposed site is in Howell, Michigan, at 1291 South Michigan Ave.

The proposed development in Howell includes an 8,296-square-foot store with a full-service kitchen, 32 fueling stations for passenger vehicles, 12 diesel fueling stations for commercial vehicles, 40 parking spaces and seven commercial truck parking stalls.

QuikTrip is a privately held company. CSP could not immediately reach QuikTrip for more information regarding their proposals in Michigan.

Construction Timeline

QuikTrip's Midwest expansion includes Missouri as well. The retailer plans to begin construction this summer in the Show-Me State on a store featuring the chain's fourth-generation format, which includes an updated layout and design.

The nearly 6,400-square-foot store will be located at 9507 Watson Road in Crestwood, Missouri, on a stand-alone, 2-acre lot.