About Us

Jim Maurer, formerly a service technician with LP Gas, became Rhodes Oil Company’s Office Manager. Maurer formalized financing and accounting practices while developing the company’s corporate structure, which is still used today.

Paul Dirnberger, originally a part-time cashier at a Pump-Ur-Own station, introduced bold and innovative marketing ideas to grow the chain, which primarily provided gasoline, oil, beer, cigarettes, bait, and tackle.

Rhodes 101 Stops Convenience Stores pioneers drive-up window service in its locations, which becomes an essential feature for providing quick, convenient service to customers.

Rhodes 101 Stops introduces a proprietary charge card for retail and business accounts.

Fountain soft drinks become a popular product at Rhodes 101 Stops, making it Coca-Cola USA’s number one chain for volume soft drink sales on an incident rate.

In April, a new logo is adopted, which triggers the rebranding process. The new design focuses solely on the Rhodes name and drops “101 Convenience Stores” from the design.

In the same month, a new store design is introduced in Farmington, Mo. using a larger footprint, warmer color palette, and local photography appealing to the community which supports the store’s operation as customers and employees.

Rhodes tests Street Eats, a new food truck menu, at its S. Mount Auburn Road location in Cape. Guest feedback is overwhelmingly positive, and Rhodes begins plans to introduce the same menu at a new convenience store opening in Chaffee, Mo. in January 2020.

Rhodes management team opens its first Rally’s Drive-In franchise in Jackson, Mo. The restaurant chain is known for flavorful, indulgent foods delivered to guests within minutes via drive-thru or walk-up.

Imo’s Pizza at Rhodes fundraisers generate over $75,000 for local schools and organizations since the events were introduced in March 2017. Rhodes continues to offer the fundraisers in 2020.

Rhodes and Southeast Missouri State University partner to offer Rhodes employees a 10% tuition discount to the University. The discount serves as a recruiting tool to attract new talented employees and retain current employees while encouraging them to further their education and skill sets.

Rhodes opens a newly constructed convenience store in Chaffee, Mo. The new location replaces an existing facility on the opposite side of Highway 77. It opens with Rhodes newest food concept, Streets Eats, a food truck menu.

Rhodes management team opens its second Rally’s Drive-In franchise in Sikeston, Mo. next door to its convenience store on North Main St.

The COVID-19 pandemic hits the United States. Nonessential business across the country, including the Midwest, are ordered to shut down. Convenience stores are categorized as essential businesses. Rhodes, Imo’s Pizza and Rally’s Drive-In continue providing guests with clean, safe shopping environments as their demand for take home food and household needs grow.

Rhodes also introduces “appreciation pay” for its team members. Rhodes employees earn an additional two dollars per hour to recognize their dedication to serving guests through unprecedented times. Appreciation pay continues for several weeks in the spring and early summer.

As Rhodes continues to operate through the pandemic and prepares to open three more Rally’s locations, an aggressive recruiting and hiring campaign is launched. #BuildingTogether offers the general public $500 in Rhodes gift cards for referring each new employee. New hires also receive a $600 cash bonus for joining Rhodes, and current employees receive a $600 cash bonus for referring a new employee.

Rhodes management team purchases the Rally’s Drive-In located in Farmington, Mo. The restaurant becomes Rhodes’ third location in the Rally’s franchise system.

Rhodes completes a major remodeling project at its North Sprigg St. convenience store in Cape. The location’s exterior is refinished to match Rhodes’ newly built locations. Street Eats, a food truck menu, is introduced at the location. Rhodes’ relationship and proximity to Southeast Missouri State University is reflected throughout the store’s interior finishes including recognition of its “Official Fountain Drink of SEMO Redhawks” title.

Rhodes management opens its fourth Rally’s Drive-In in Dexter, Mo. All four of its Rally’s locations were built and put into operation over a 13-month period.

The Checkers and Rally’s corporation names Rhodes management team its “2020 Rookie of the Year” among its new franchisees. The award is announced during Checkers and Rally’s virtual convention. Rhodes’ Sikeston, Mo. Rally’s location is also recognized for earning the highest first-week sales of all its 2020 new store openings.

Rhodes management group opens a Rally’s Drive-In in Poplar Bluff, Mo.  The restaurant is their 5th Rally’s.  The new location sets a record for highest opening sales week in all of Rally’s franchise system.

Rhodes management group opens a Rally’s Drive-In in Cape Girardeau, Mo.  It neighbors the Rhodes location on North Sprigg St. and is across the street from Southeast Missouri State University’s campus.  The new restaurant becomes Rhodes’ 6th location in the Rally’s franchise system.

An interior and exterior remodeling project is completed at the Fruitland, Mo. Rhodes location.  Street Eats, a food truck-inspired menu, is introduced at the location.

An interior and exterior remodeling project is completed at the North Kingshighway Rhodes location in Cape Girardeau, Mo.  Locals have affectionately called the location “Momma Rhodes” for years.  The nickname is incorporated in the store’s branding.

The Rhodes location at the intersection of West End Blvd. and Independence St. in Cape Girardeau, Mo. is demolished to make way for a new Rhodes location to be built.  Construction is expected to be complete in Spring 2022.

Ground is broken for a co-branded Rhodes and Rally’s Drive-In location in Miner, Mo.  It will become the company’s 30th convenience store and 7th Rally’s location.

Rhodes’ six Imo’s Pizza locations raise over $104,000 for local schools and organizations since introducing their fundraising programs in 2017.  Fundraising options include selling vouchers for fresh baked pizzas to be enjoyed at home or in the restaurant along with 10% give back nights allowing groups to receive 10% of sales made on their behalf.