Welcome Wednesday: Favorite chain stores?

[Dave LIAO]

Happy Wednesday, Atlassian Community!

For this week's Welcome Wednesday post, I'll pose this question: Is there a chain store that you're fond of? 💖

For me, two come to mind:

1. Buc-ees - if you're lucky enough to encounter one in the States, they have a crazy amount of snacks
2. FamilyMart - it's a Japanese chain, and my favorite locations are in Taiwan for the Taiwan-specific jingle that plays when you walk in

📢 Share your favorites in the comments!

[Chris Rainey]

I think I have to say Costco. My partner and I just recently got a membership and she talks about how much she loves Costco every single day. We just can't get enough.

But, I will always miss RadioShack and Blockbuster.

[Amanda Barber]

We're also big Costco fans! 

[Dave LIAO]

Now I'm craving a Costco hot dog. 🌭 

[Arkadiusz Wroblewski]

H&M and Media Markt 

[Dave LIAO]

Never heard of or seen a MediaMarkt before, but now I'll look for them when I'm back in Europe!

[Liam - DevSamurai]

7-Eleven would be my choice. It appears in every corner of Thailand, a lot of things to discover when I travel there.

[Dave LIAO]

@Liam - DevSamurai - yesssss!

I'm obsessed with 7-Eleven's coffee in Japan.

Unfortunately that coffee isn't served at the 7-Elevens in Taiwan (I found out the hard way), or in the States (because Americans can't have nice things). 🥲

[Anne Saunders]

I live in Oklahoma City, the "home" of 7-Eleven (it's a long story!), and we love it, too! (I stop at the one by my house about half the times I leave my house)

[Dave LIAO]

@Anne Saunders - I never knew Oklahoma had a different segment of 7-Elevens (thanks Wikipedia)! The trivia we learn...

[Barbara Szczesniak]

I am also a fan of Buc-ees. In addition to the 50-80 fuel pumps (no trucks allowed), snacks, drinks, and merchandise, they are open 24 hours a day and have like 50 stalls in the ladies' room that are always clean. I assume the men's room is similar.

[Dave LIAO]

Surprisingly (?) I've never checked out the bathrooms at a Buc-ees! 😆 

[Anne Saunders]

I only drive through Texas rarely, but I am a fan of Buc-ees! They really do have the tidiest facilities.

[Rhian Higgins]

I've only been to a Buc-ees once and already i know its up there as one of my favourites! Im also a big fan of a 7/11 in Japan for the Umaibos and Thailand for the Banana bread!

[Amanda Barber]

7/11 was one of my favorites when we visited Japan - egg salad sandwiches 4 life! ;)

[Mikael Sandberg]

When you mentioned the jingle that plays when you walk in, it reminded me of my favorite store in Japan, Bic Camera (I worked in Japan for about 6 months). They have a specific jingle too when you walk in, and you can get almost everything there.

Another family favorite is Costco as other have mentioned.

[Robert Nadon]

HEB

[Dave LIAO]

HEB rocks, especially their fancier locations.

I wanted to work there awhile ago, I'll have to see if they have any remote-friendly jobs 😂 

[Kris Klima _K15t_]

Decathlon and IKEA :) 

When I walk into a Decathlon, I usually stop at the first assistant to tell them 'hi, I'm dressed like your model on page 35 of your catalogue' just to avoid suspicion I'm stealing their goods :D 

Price/performance ratio of their clothing and equipment is excellent.

I used their stores in Britain, France, Germany, Czechia, Spain...

Similar story with IKEA - Canada, Britain, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Czechia. I moved a lot in the past so when you're faced with an empty apartment, where do you go :D Hence my home photos look like page 54 of the IKEA catalog!

[Amanda Barber]

We love IKEA! We even go sometimes just to get out of the house - haha!

[Dave LIAO]

I used to live near an IKEA that would routinely host neighborhood events, like social dancing!

I've coworked from an IKEA once (and would do it again), love that members (at IKEA US, anyway) got free coffee. ☕️ 

[Kris Klima _K15t_]

@Dave LIAO That's a great idea :) I've been WFH for 6 months now and could use a bit of an commotion. My closest IKEA is just 5 subway stops away!

[John Funk]

Buc-ee's is AWESOME!!

And Sam's Club would be another one!

[Natalie Beiler]

 @Dave LIAO in 2025 a Buc-ees opened in our area of Virginia. We are now famous with signs up and down Interstate 81 informing motorists of the number of miles to travel to experience Buc-ees in Rockingham County, VA. The restrooms are great! I have brothers in Texas so this was not a new experience for me.

Costco and Ikea are pretty high on my list as well.

[Anne Saunders]

Since we don't have HEB here, I'll add my favorite grocery chain - Aldi!

They're affordable, speedy, and allergy-friendly, plus they have the 'Twice as Nice' guarantee, where if you have to return something, you can get a replacement AND your money back. (I've only had to use it once in probably 25 years of shopping there)

[Dave LIAO]

Aldi is everywhere, but I've never made time to stop in a store. 😬

I've got more than I thought near me, so that'll change soon 🙌

I usually end up at Trader Joe's when it comes time to get groceries...

[arjun_nagaraja]

Poulet Rouge.

[Dave LIAO]

Merci - never heard of them, but adding them to the list for my next Montreal trip! 🐓

[arjun_nagaraja]

Definitely Poule Rouge is the best.