Kwik Trip to require pre-pay or pay-at-the-pump

Kwik Trip will require customers to use pay-at-the-pump or pre-pay for most fuel starting Jan. 3.

The company says the change is being made due to the high level of drive-offs. The change will free employees from having to watch for people who drive away without paying.

"We are moving to prepay to improve our guest service. Our coworkers spend so much time watching the fuel islands for drive offs, they can’t focus solely on the guests in the stores," said a statement from the company.

The company will continue to accept cash and checks inside the store for pre-paid fuel. Side-diesel islands will continue to offer an option of paying inside.

Some Kwik Trip stations already require pre-pay at some or all pumps.

The La Crosse-based company opened its first Northland location, in Superior, in 2014 and now has dozens of stores in the region.