Cornhusker Business Continues Evolution with latest Renovations

If you’ve driven by 25th and Cornhusker over the past couple of months, you may have noticed a few changes going on at the Cornhusker Auto Wash, Express Lube, and Quick Stop station on the southeast corner. The improvements started in early April and will continue for another year as Cornhusker has ‘unbranded itself’ from Shell and will break ground this month on a new and improved express lube facility.

Original owner Ray Fox opened Cornhusker Auto Wash in February of 1986, building on the southeast corner of 25th and Cornhusker Road. The area looked very different 40 years ago. At that time, nearly all of the surrounding land was cornfields. The Kennedy Freeway was still years away from completion. Even Cornhusker Road was just a single lane in each direction. The Cornhusker Auto Wash business added its Express Lube service in 2000 and then purchased the neighboring Shell Quick Stop gas station in 2014.

The car wash and neighboring businesses have been passed down through the Fox family over the years, with Ray’s grandson, Brian Fox, purchasing the business in 2014.

To kick off over a year of planned improvements, the Cornhusker Quick Stop gas station got a new look in April as they dropped the Shell label and forged ahead ‘unbranded’.

Cornhusker Quick Stop began offering a new fuel in April, but it was very similar to the fuel they were already using. “Our fuel comes from the same local pipelines that it always has, and the same local fuel company is delivering it as it always has been. It’s just not the Shell brand,” Owner Brian Fox explained. “All fuels distributed here are guaranteed to be the highest quality for your vehicle, and now that we offer 93 Premium, we are proud to have the highest quality of gas sold in Bellevue at an affordable price.”

Fox elaborated on his thought process in dropping the Shell brand, which has been associated with the station for nearly 25 years. “There was a time when Shell fuel was considered a superior fuel compared to others. Today, government regulations between the refinery and distributors have leveled the playing field in the quality of gas distributed through local pipelines,” said Fox. “Due to these regulations, all fuels are now of the same quality at their base. The only difference between any brand today is the detergent additive that is added to the fuel to make it the specific brand.  Over the last five years, Shell’s priorities have shifted, and small businesses like ours have felt the impact drastically.  From charging us excessive fees to maintain their brand to holding our credit card revenue for several days before distributing it to us, it has made it difficult for us to keep our prices affordable and run our business efficiently. If you look around the metro area, you will notice that the Shell brand is being replaced by other brands.  Shell is still a quality brand, but their priorities are no longer focused on supporting small businesses.  Now that we are unbranded, we have the flexibility to offer the same quality of fuel at a lower price point, with more options to provide discounts and other benefits to our customers.”

With the new fuel comes a new rewards program. Cornhusker Quick Stop is now offering the Cornhusker Rewards Program.  Those enrolled will receive 10 cents off per gallon every day, and they will save 20 cents per gallon every Tuesday.  The Cornhusker team developed an App called Cornhusker Rewards.  Once downloaded, customers can begin earning loyalty reward points that can be used on both inside sales and fuel purchases. Fox mentioned that they will soon be further enhancing this loyalty program.  Those who are carwash members and/or oil change customers will soon receive even more savings at the pumps.

Fox expanded on the freedom that comes with being unbranded. “Now that we are unbranded, our gift cards can be used at any of our businesses on the corner, including the gas station.  One gift card can be used for any service at any time,” said Fox. “In addition, we are very excited to offer 93 Premium fuel to our customers.  This is a fuel that is not commonly available in Sarpy County.”

While upgrades and remodeling continue on the inside of Cornhusker Quick Stop, Fox is about to break ground on a new express lube building.

With his current express lube facility outgrowing its current space, Fox decided to build a brand new 4-bay facility, offering three dedicated express oil change bays. The fourth bay will be used for additional repair services, including brake, shock, and strut replacements, engine flushes, transmission flushes, and other related services.  Groundbreaking for the new facility is expected by the end of the month, with a completion date of June 2026.

One improvement coming with the new building will address a common suggestion that customers have made over the years. “Customers love how quick our oil changes are, and they love the fact that they receive a free $30 inside/outside carwash cleaning with each oil change. However, many customers wish they didn’t have to wait in the car wash line after their oil change,” Fox shared. “So, we are going to make the deal even sweeter for our customers. Once the new building is built, customers will have the option to VIP their service. The VIP service will include having our staff pick up your vehicle after its oil change and these dedicated staff will do the inside and outside cleaning of your vehicle for you while you relax in the waiting room.  We will deliver a full-service oil change, 17-point check, and a free full-service carwash in about 30 minutes.”

Fox also mentioned improvements that will be made in the waiting area. “We will offer comfortable seating, complimentary massage chairs, a kid’s corner, and a drink station that will offer complimentary top shelf coffee/tea options.  We have also applied for a liquor license on site so that customers who are waiting for service can receive one complimentary drink, such as a locally brewed beer or wine.”  

Fox was asked why someone new should give them a try. “We take pride in being a trustworthy and locally owned and operated facility for our customers.  We offer the lowest prices around, but also offer the highest satisfaction guarantee,” Fox said. “We want our customers to always feel comfortable here.  Customers will never hear a high-pressure sales pitch from us.  Our goal is to get you in, out, and on your way so that you can spend time doing things other than worrying about an oil change.”

There are expected to be no service disruptions during construction, and the current express lube facility will remain in operation until the new building is complete.

|| Images provided by Cornhusker Quick Stop ||