Workers Owe Their Buys to the Company Stores

Employees of some California companies don’t have to rush far during work breaks.

They can be found down at the company store buying their employer’s items because of convenience, company pride or a good bargain.

Businesses like Taco Bell Corp., Douglas Aircraft Co. and Walt Disney Co. see advantages in on-site stores. They help boost morale, provide advertising and unload excess supplies.

At Taco Bell in Irvine, employees can walk down to the building’s first floor to rent a video or buy a can of Static Guard, No-Nonsense pantyhose or deodorant. The Taco Bell logo is prominent on merchandise ranging from flying disks to beach towels, mugs, clothing and golf balls.

Snackers are drawn to candy shelves about 3 p.m. at the store, which is managed by Marriott Corp.

Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach stocks a mini-department store’s worth of goods for its employees about a mile from the plant. Veteran workers can use their identification badges as credit cards to purchase compact disc players, camping equipment, china and shower heads, among other items.

In Fullerton, the Hunt Wesson plant offers company products such as Hunt’s ketchup, Rosarita refried beans and Peter Pan peanut butter at half retail cost. But items sell by the case, and groups typically split purchases, especially when flyers advertise sales because of an oversupply.

“We want to give employees . . . a much reduced rate,” spokeswoman Kay Carpenter said. “We think our products are good and want them to use them.”

Disney runs the king of company stores at its theme park in Anaheim. Company D, now in its third year, is a trailer exclusively for Disneyland’s 13,000 “cast members.”

Among its offerings for employees only: T-shirts that say “Part of the Magic” and “A sign of good character--Team Disney;” “Beauty and the Beast” watches; a film-development service and a ticket box offering group rates to shows such as “Phantom of the Opera.”

Some employees hunt for bargains among seasonal merchandise or discontinued or damaged items moved out of park shops. A surprising big seller: Knott’s Berry Farm’s jam gift packs sent by the rival amusement park to unload extra stock.

Even Carl’s Jr. has gotten into the act. Two years ago, the Anaheim-based hamburger chain started a catalogue for employees. Carl’s T-shirts are most popular, spokeswoman Patty Parks said. Also offered is a hamburger-shaped phone with a slice of melted cheese over the push-button key pad and a “happy star” foam key ring.