QuikTrip Founder Chester Cadieux Dies

Chester Cadieux, one of the two founders of QuikTrip convenience stores, has died.

The company says Cadieux died peacefully at his home in Tulsa Monday night. He was 84. 

In a statement, the company said, "Chester's vision, keen wit, insistence on fairness, and marvelous ability to mentor people will never be forgotten."

The statement said Cadieux considered himself to be luckier than smart. He said his secret was to hire good people and promote from within.

Cadieux and Burt Holmes opened the first store in Tulsa in 1958.  According to QuikTrip, Holmes came up with the idea of opening a small grocery store in Tulsa in 1957 after seeing successful 7-11 stores on a trip to Dallas. Holmes convinced his former classmate, Chester Cadieux, to invest in the store, calling it QuikTrip.

Chester's son Chet became president of QuikTrip in 2002. As of 2014, the company had 700 stores and was named to Fortune magazine's list of 100 Best Companies To Work For for the 12th straight year.

Tulsa Chamber of Commerce President Mike Neal issued the following statement on Cadieux's passing:

“Chester’s successful legacy as one of Tulsa’s most celebrated entrepreneurs is a testament to the stellar growth of the company he co-founded, QuikTrip, and its loyalty to its employees and commitment to its hometown.

We lost a true visionary business leader today, and our thoughts are with the Cadieux family and the entire QuikTrip organization.”

Learn More About Chester Cadieux's Story On John Erling's Voices Of Oklahoma