About Us
Who is Rhodes?
Rhodes isn’t a convenience store. It’s people. People who know a customer’s favorite drink before they reach the drive-thru window. People who notice if a daily customer misses a visit because they’re under the weather. People that make dinner for a family juggling so many activities they don’t have time to cook. Through our people and relationship-focused culture, we have completely raised our customers’ expectations of the typical convenience store experience. Let our employees tell you more.
Our Mission
Our mission is to be a superior convenience store business; committed to excellence by creating a valuable experience for every guest and team member.
Core Values
R – Respect and trust our team and guests
H – Honesty to self and others
O – Outstanding experience for every guest
D – Do what we say we will do every time
E – Empower all well-trained team members
S – Service + Execution = 101 Success
History
Rhodes convenience stores started in 1963 when a young, hardworking oil jobber capitalized on a highway expansion project and later discovered an emerging retail gasoline market. A second generation of management then joined the company who established internal corporate functions and energized marketing efforts creating clear distinctions from other local convenience stores. Today, Rhodes operates 30 retail stores throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois while enjoying consistent growth.
Many strategic decisions and critical turning points have also contributed to the company’s long-term success. With every critical turning point that Rhodes has encountered, the same recurring theme has existed; provide quality products in a convenient manner, and most of all, build customer relationships that will keep them returning. These are the foundations that have made Rhodes a consistent, and often daily, stop for the hardworking men and women of Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.
1955
1956
1963
Late 1960s
Early 1970s
Late 1970s – Early 1980s
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.
1983
Mid 1980s
1986 – 1994
1989
1990
1990s – 2000s
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.
December
2014
2015
April 2016
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.
July
2016
August & September 2016
September
2016
November
2016
December
2016
Early 2017
March 2017
May
2017
May
2017
June 1
2017
June 30
2017
August 20
2017
December 19
2017
December 31
2017
January
2018
January
2019
Summer
2019
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.
December 27
2019
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.
December
2019
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.
January
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.
Late January
2020
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.
Early
2020
Rhodes management team opens its second Rally’s Drive-In franchise in Sikeston, Mo. next door to its convenience store on North Main St.
March
2020
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.
July-August
2020
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.
September
2020
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.
October
2020
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.
November
2020
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.
December
2020
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.
February
2021
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.
March
2021
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.
May
2021
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.
August
2021
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.
September
2021
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.
November
2021
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.
December
2021
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.