Retailer Spotlight - PQD South

Customers from far and wide visit PDQ South in Russellville for three reasons: the world-class kitchen, the team’s welcoming attitudes and—of course—their favorite lottery tickets. The PDQ team attests to the power of their games, both in attracting customers and supporting Arkansas students.

“[The lottery] sells!” said Manager Bonnie Jones. “It is amazing and such a big draw.”

“I like that it does, in fact, go to a scholarship for a kid,” added Tory Sueh, an assistant manager. She notes that even if a player does not win on a certain ticket, they are still happy to support an Arkansas student’s education.

Draw games are an especially popular product for this retailer. Arkansas-exclusive games such as LOTTO and Natural State Jackpot appeal to players seeking better odds of winning, while other players look to multi-state games such as Mega Millions® and Powerball® for larger payouts. As a result, promotions like the 5-Buck Bundle “sell amazingly,” according to Bonnie, and boost interest in the lottery overall.

With such a big emphasis on these games, the PDQ South team also knows that high jackpots bring high energy and even more customers.

“We’ve had lines all the way to the back of the store,” Tory said.

Bonnie, who has managed the retailer since 2016, has devised a strategy for ensuring that players still have a positive lottery experience during these busy shifts. She keeps an additional person available for every shift, plus extra lottery paper near the machine, to help both lottery and non-lottery processes run smoothly.

In the end, the team loves going above and beyond for their players. Whether it’s keeping extra hands on staff or completing complicated ticket requests, the happiness on a winner’s face makes the experience that much more worthwhile.