Little Sheetz fan gets big surprise as 'youngest employee,' free slushies through childhood

A little Sheetz fan in Virginia got the surprise of his young life last week when the founders of his favorite store paid him a visit.

At 8 years old, Dylan LaMotte is an honorary Sheetz employee at his local store in Lynchburg, Va., according to a release from Planit, Sheetz’s public relations firm. He’s been going there for years and ordering his favorite go-to: fries and a slushie.

Employees made him a shirt and hat, according to the release. When he leaves, he salutes a photo of co-founders Steve and Bob Sheetz. His mother posted a video of Dylan receiving his “youngest Sheetz employee” shirt from employees at their local Sheetz, and executives at the Altoona-based company took notice.

On Thursday, Steve Sheetz traveled to Virginia to surprise Dylan, naming him the “official youngest employee,” according to the release. He helped call out order numbers, and Steve Sheetz gave him a gift card that’s good for free slushies for the rest of his childhood.

His mother told WFXR-TV that an injury at birth caused problems with her son’s throat, making it difficult to eat. Sheetz french fries, however, are easy for him to digest, she said.

“Dylan’s passion for Sheetz is, like, off the charts,” Steve Sheetz said in a video posted to the convenience store’s Facebook page. “When I found out he salutes my brother and my nephew and I, I said, ‘I’ve got to meet this kid.’ ”