Who wouldn’t want to pay a little extra to have a hassle-free and streamlined experience that saves time and effort? I know I would and so do 86% of customers for a better customer experience.
This is why new companies like DoorDash and Grubhub have grown so much over the past few years in the US. This is because these apps allow users to shop and get deliveries in the comfort of their own homes, so no need to put on nice clothes, drive through congested roads, and wait in line to get a simple order of burgers and French fries.
This shows that companies that invest in delivering exceptional customer experience not only stand out from the crowd but also foster a deeper and long-term relationship with their customers.
So, let’s explore how the 10 best companies for customer experience in 2024 do it differently and take some lessons from their CX strategies.
Top 10 Companies with Great Customer Experiences In 2024
Let’s take a look at the 10 best companies for customer experience in 2024, according to Forbes, because customer experience isn’t just about creating awesome products – it is also about delivering seamless and memorable experiences that exceed customer expectations.
1. Buc-ee’s
Restrooms give everyone the chills – what if it isn’t clean, what if it is locked, and many more scares, and this is where Buc-ee’s differentiated itself. It redefined restrooms in the USA by creating mega stores that focus on and prioritize cleanliness, comfort, and convenience.
Not only do they have clean restrooms, they also have convenience stores with a wide variety of offerings, in fact, 40% of their revenue comes from these convenience stores! This is why Buc-ee’s has been called an amusement park rather than a simple gas station. They have created a different world inside the gas station where people can do much more than just fuel their vehicles and use restroom facilities.
2. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A is a well-known name in the fast-food industry and has topped the list in this industry in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), earning an overall score of 83 out of 100 in 2024.
Chick-fil-A CX’s strategy is rooted in hospitality, driven by a customer-centric culture of respect and personalized attention to customers. The attendants are trained to greet customers with a warm and friendly welcome and give their undivided attention to them. Also, the fast-food giant ensures high-speed delivery all the while ensuring order accuracy and politeness, and their drive-thru operations are meticulously organized for fast and efficient functioning during peak hours. much like how Google Maps route planning helps streamline navigation for quicker and more efficient travel
3. H-E-B
In a study conducted by Bond Brand Loyalty, H-E-B scored an 80% customer satisfaction mark, leaving behind well-known names in the food retailing industry like Walmart, Trader Joe’s, etc.
H-E-B is a Texas-based supermarket chain that has been termed the “smartest supermarket” by Forbes itself. The brand has adopted a community-centric approach to win over customers. It adapts its offerings to fit the local needs, creating a personalized experience that is tailored to that particular neighborhood.
4. Toyota
Toyota’s CX success lies in its focus on quality, reliability, and outstanding customer service. The company is well-known for its product reliability, continuously providing products that instill trust and confidence in its customers.
The company is also known for investing in its employee’s training and development as it believes that its employees are not just a “mere set of hands” but “workers who accumulate wisdom of experience”.
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5. Costco
Who doesn’t want to strap on a comfortable pair of shoes and do a Costco run? I mean the store’s got everything that you can think of under the same roof – from diapers to bed frames, it got everything and also at a cost-effective price.
The driving force behind Costco’s CX success – apart from its wide offerings of products – is its membership model that drives customer loyalty which means that the customer is not just interested in the products but in the relationship with the brand. Also, Costco provides value through bulk purchasing which appeals to budget-conscious customers.
6. In-N-Out Burger
When it comes to customer satisfaction, value received on the money spent, speed of service, and atmosphere, In-N-Out Burger takes the crown home. The fast-food mogul keeps things simple by keeping a limited menu and using high-quality ingredients. This allows them to maintain quality control and ensure consistently good food.
The company also invests highly in employee training because you can’t be topping the fast-food industry list with impolite behavior and inefficient operations, especially during peak hours.
7. Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s CX strategy lies on three pillars – a personable shopping experience, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and its curated selection of high-quality private-label products. The stores might be small but they are packed with a carefully curated selection of groceries.
Instead of overwhelming customers with thousands of products from different sellers, Trader Joe’s decided to create its own products from scratch like its cookie butter, two chuck buck, everything cheddar, and many more innovative products. Also, it invests in employee engagement and training a lot. All the employees are paid competitive wages and health care, even for part-time employees.
8. See’s Candies
Who doesn’t love the smell of chocolate and a warm and personalized welcome when you enter a store? Well, at See’s Candies stores, you get all of that and more. The store is over 90 years old but still makes candies the same way its founder, Mary See’s did, and that has kept the spirit of this brand alive.
When you walk into the store you are given not only a warm welcome but a personalized one where a store representative will walk you through all flavors, answer your questions, help you select your flavors, and offer you free samples. Who doesn’t love free samples? This helps create a memorable experience that lives in a customer’s mind and encourages them to return.
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9. Lexus
Despite facing competition from already established luxury brands like Jaguar, BMW, etc, Lexus differentiated itself as a luxury brand by understanding the market, with its superior after-sales services, and a relentless pursuit of perfection.
Lexus prioritizes creating a premium experience at every touchpoint of the customer journey – from dealership interaction to maintenance. They set themselves apart by focusing on personalization, tailored communication, and proactive service reminders.
10. Kwik Trip/Kwik Star
Free and clean restrooms, 24-hour open, ATMs, no “see the cashier nonsense”, and above all GREAT hot food and affordable groceries – that’s the core of Kwik Trip/Kwik Star’s success and customer retention.
Kwik Trip/Kwik Star differentiates itself from other convenience stores by offering fresh, hot, and high-quality products – from baked goods to fresh produce. Also, these stores are always consistent in their service and quality and provide a clean and seamless experience to their customers.
Conclusion
With all the case studies discussed above of the 10 best companies for customer experience, one thing that pops out the most is how these brands put so much thought and effort into making themselves customer-centric and creating not just a positive but also a memorable experience.
This goes on to show that investing in understanding your customers, creating positive and memorable experiences for them, and exceeding their expectations is not a thing of the future, it is a vital part of any CX strategy and it is happening now.