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Considering the economic news of the past two years, the first thing to note about Kum & Go L.C. is that the company recently announced seven openings at its headquarters in West Des Moines. That’s enough right there to draw a lot of applications, but the convenience store chain has quite a few benefits to offer in addition to a paycheck.

Kum & Go, founded in 1959 by W.A. Krause and T.S. Gentle, operates more than 400 stores in 11 states, employing about 3,800 people. About 140 of them work at the “store support center” at 6400 Westown Parkway.

“It’s an environment of ‘work hard and also enjoy life,'” said President and CEO Kyle Krause. “We’re in the retail business, with stores open 24/7, and we’re supporting that operation. But we want to make sure people have time with their family as well as the Kum & Go family.”

The West Des Moines operation offers occasional outings for its employees, to venues such as the Brenton Skating Plaza and the Science Center of Iowa, and free memberships at the Des Moines Art Center.

Once a month, the company has KG Care Day, when employees can pay $5 for the opportunity to dress informally; Kum & Go matches that, and the money goes to charity.

“In nicer weather, we follow up with KG Happy Hour on the last Friday of the month,” Krause said. That means live music and drinks by the pond that graces the headquarters property.

The staff is treated to a Cake Break once a month, and one winner is drawn per month for a gift certificate.

Along with celebrations, Kum & Go offers employees opportunities for self-improvement.

Each year, 40 or more employees take part in some form of Six Sigma training. “They may be recommended, or they may come forward and say it sounds interesting, and they want to be involved,” Krause said. “And some pieces of education you give to everybody.”

For years, the company has reimbursed employees for tuition for college classes. “We also do college scholarships for associates and their children,” Krause said.

Then there are exercise classes in the building, along with money to help pay for membership in Weight Watchers or a fitness club.

This fall an associate will be chosen, based on the company’s seven basic values, to have dinner with senior management. Managers and associates have chances to win a Caribbean cruise next winter.