A $20 million QuikTrip convenience store and fuel station is breaking ground Friday in south Kankakee, marking the culmination of nearly five years of planning between the retailer, city officials, and the Economic Development Agency.
The new 5,400-square-foot facility at 1340 May Road (northeast corner of RiverStone Parkway and U.S. Routes 45/52) will include eight gasoline pumps, four diesel pumps, and a future QT Kitchen. The project is expected to create 20 to 25 full- and part-time jobs, with construction taking roughly 40 weeks.
“This groundbreaking represents much more than the start of construction,” Mayor Christopher W. Curtis said in a release. “It reflects the strength of public-private partnerships and a shared commitment to Kankakee’s future. QuikTrip’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in our community.”
The project faced infrastructure and access challenges that required redesign and extensive coordination. Despite those obstacles, both QuikTrip and city leaders remained committed to moving forward.
Barbara Brewer-Watson, executive director of the Economic Development Agency of Kankakee, called the investment a validation of the city’s long-term planning. “This investment will create jobs, generate new economic activity, and serve as a catalyst for continued development along the RiverStone Parkway corridor,” she said in the release.
QuikTrip, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, operates more than 1,200 stores across 22 states and is known for customer service and clean facilities.
Groundbreaking ceremony details:
• When: Friday, June 26, 2026, 11 a.m.
• Where: 1340 May Road, Kankakee (RiverStone Parkway & U.S. Routes 45/52)