MT. ARLINGTON, NJ – On Dec. 25, QuickChek Senior Vice President Mike Murphy worked Christmas Day for the 40th consecutive year. “If I’m going to have people work that day, then I’ve always felt I should be there, too,” said Murphy, who is based out of the chain’s support center in Whitehouse Station, N.J. “I work in different stores every year doing what I can to help out.”

Murphy worked in the company’s new Mt. Arlington store from 6:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday, serving the company’s popular “Kris Kringle” flavored coffee. He also handled other responsibilities, including cleaning inside and outside the store. “Whatever the store leader needs me to do, I’ll do,” Murphy said. His boss that morning: his son Mike.

“My sons Mike and Matt are store leaders in Mt. Arlington and Independence. They fight to see whose store I’ll be working in because I’m free help for the day,” said the elder Murphy with a laugh, noting that Mike won out again this year.

Like most of the company’s vice presidents, Murphy began his career working in a local store. He notes that the first thing consumers want on Christmas is their morning coffee. Next? More batteries. Over the past few years he has seen an increase in the sales of QuickChek’s bakery products, including freshly-made breakfast sandwiches to go and custom-made espresso drinks.

“We have customers who come into stores in their pajamas, which is fitting as we’ve been their neighborhood shopping destination all year long,” Murphy added.

Among the convenience items that customers come to QuickChek for that they may not be able to get elsewhere on Christmas Day is gas, a must for those who need to fill up during their holiday travels.

“Our company has been built on total customer dedication. It’s something we live 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Murphy said. “It’s the nature of the times we live in. Customer lifestyles change and we have to be there to meet their needs.”