When you think about convenience stores, construction technology likely won't be the first thing that comes to mind. But you'd be surprised at how much thought and tech goes into bringing these stores to life—especially when a company is building dozens of them each year.
Take, for example, Kwik Trip, which manages all its store development and construction in-house. The company leverages modern construction tools to maintain quality, consistency, and efficiency across its 800+ locations.
How does Kwik Trip do it? We recently caught up with Seth Waddell, Development Manager at Kwik Trip, and discussed his path from architecture to project management, how the company is using Autodesk Construction Cloud, and what the future holds for construction tech at one of the Midwest's most beloved brands.
Check out what he has to say.
Kwik Trip is a convenience store chain owned by four generations of the Zietlow family based out of Lacrosse, Wisconsin. As of 2024, Kwik Trip has over 38,000 coworkers, owns and operates over 870 stores in seven states throughout the Midwest under names such as Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Tobacco Outlet Plus, Stop-N-Go, and Kwik Spirits.
Kwik Trip's vision is to be better than the best. We strive to do that by serving our customers and community more effectively than anyone else and by treating our coworkers and suppliers like we would personally like to be treated.
Some may be wondering what we're getting out of Autodesk Construction Cloud. Well, Kwik Trip has a world-class team of development and construction managers who ensure we keep stores looking their best and maintain strong growth by doing the work inside our company.
As for my role, my area of focus is new store development. Our team is broken up into two groups for acquisitions and remodels, and then we have a team for new store development. Throughout the year we collaborate with our Real Estate team to find sites and work with different government agencies to get approval for these new store builds. So far we’re not much different than your traditional developer.
My journey started with a passion for architecture—I was just a kid playing with Legos, fascinated by the idea of creating something from individual pieces. That passion led me to study architecture in college. However, I found myself drawn to the project management side of the industry, particularly the process of assembling a structure from various materials and coordinating multiple trades to bring a project to life.
Over time, I realized that project management was the right career path for me, and eventually, I found my place at Kwik Trip.
While constructing my first Kwik Trip store was a memorable milestone, my proudest achievement has been the successful implementation of Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), a project that took nearly five years to integrate.
We are still in the process of incorporating all Autodesk Construction Cloud modules into our workflow, but we have made significant progress. Recently, we created a Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) role dedicated to optimizing our use of Autodesk Construction Cloud and driving continuous improvement.
Many companies use Autodesk Construction Cloud straight out of the box, but we saw an opportunity to refine our processes. With our high volume of store builds and a sizable development and construction team, we wanted to maximize the platform’s capabilities. We have taken a phased approach, first rolling out Building Connected, followed by Build, and now implementing Cost Management and other modules. Introducing the VDC role has been instrumental in advancing our efforts.
One of the greatest challenges is managing multiple projects simultaneously, whether in development or construction. Effective task and time management are crucial.
Technology—specifically Autodesk Construction Cloud—has been a game-changer in this area. It has streamlined stakeholder communication, reducing the need for back-and-forth emails with contractors. The platform’s activity log allows for automatic task tracking and reminders, eliminating inefficiencies and allowing me to focus on higher-level strategic planning rather than administrative tasks.
We have fully integrated Autodesk Construction Cloud across all new store developments and remodels, managing upwards of 30 new builds, and 20 remodels at a time within the platform.
We encourage our team members to treat Autodesk Construction Cloud as an essential daily tool—opening it each morning just as they would their email—to stay on top of tasks and project updates.
Efficiency has been the biggest benefit. Autodesk Construction Cloud has enhanced our ability to track key tasks, manage schedules, and ensure real-time communication between teams in the field and the office.
The platform has also allowed us to refine our internally developed general contracting processes. By leveraging Autodesk Construction Cloud, we have improved project coordination, document management, and communication between design and construction teams, aligning more closely with industry best practices.
Next year, we plan to conduct an ROI analysis to quantify the cost savings and efficiency gains resulting from Autodesk Construction Cloud implementation.
Our goal is to fully integrate Autodesk Construction Cloud across all aspects of our operations. While we are already using the platform extensively, we believe there is still untapped potential. Maximizing its capabilities will ensure that all team members are leveraging the tools to their fullest extent, ultimately driving greater ROI.
Since joining Kwik Trip, I have led the implementation of multiple software solutions, continuously pushing for innovation. Looking ahead, I see BIM Collaborate Pro as the next step in our digital transformation.
Embrace technology. Younger professionals are inherently tech-savvy, and leveraging modern tools can significantly enhance efficiency, collaboration, and organization.
Additionally, seek mentorship and learn from industry veterans. Construction and development are rich with knowledge and experience—asking questions and being open to learning will accelerate your growth.
Finally, adaptability is key. The industry is constantly evolving with new technologies, regulations, and best practices. Staying flexible and open to change will position you for long-term success.
