Parker’s has been awarded for its contributions to growth in Bluffton, S.C.
On Jan. 8, the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Regional Economic Impact Award was presented to Savannah, Ga.-based Parker’s convenience store company, at the inaugural Bluffton Business Awards, held at the Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Community Park in Bluffton, S.C.
“We want to recognize those successful people who have contributed to the growth in Bluffton,” said Don Brashears, chairman of the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
The ceremony honored businesses, community leaders and entrepreneurs in 11 categories and attracted more than 200 attendees. Each winner was presented with a Golden Oyster award.
“This award is a tremendous honor, as it recognizes our company’s growing impact on the region,” said Greg Parker, president and CEO of Parker’s. “We are committed to being the low price leader in South Carolina and Georgia and work hard to exceed customer expectations each and every day.”
In South Carolina, Parker’s operates convenience stores on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton, Port Royal, Okatie, Hardeeville and Pritchardville.
“The Palmetto State is a major growth market for Parker’s,” said Parker. “We opened new stores in Hilton Head, Bluffton and Hardeeville, S.C. last month and have plans to open additional stores in 2016.”
At the Bluffton Business Awards, Parker’s earned special recognition for its Fueling the Community program, which gives back to every community where the company does business. On the first Wednesday of each month, Parker’s donates a portion of the proceeds from every gallon of gas sold across all 43 Parker’s locations to schools across Georgia and South Carolina, and to local medical centers, including Parker’s Emergency and Trauma Center at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Ga.
Parker’s has also earned accolades for its PumpPal loyalty program, which offers deep discounts on gas and has saved customers more than $5 million since its inception. Today, the PumpPal program has more than 100,000 members. The company launched a Parker’s Cash Card in 2015, which offers customers the ability to save at the pump while using cash.
Founded in 1976, Parker’s has been ranked on Inc.’s elite list of the top 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for four consecutive years. Company president and CEO Greg Parker has been honored by the Savannah Chamber of Commerce as the Entrepreneur of the Year.
Parker’s currently operates 43 convenience stores across the region and employs nearly 500 individuals throughout South Carolina and Georgia. Over the next several months, Parker’s plans to open new locations in Okatie, S.C., Claxton, Ga. and Statesboro, Ga. The company, which completes more than 80,000 transactions daily, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2016.
