2026 sees slight decrease in convenience store count

WASHINGTON — The U.S. convenience store industry recorded a modest contraction in 2026, with total store count declining by 280 locations, or 0.2%, year over year, according to the 2026 NACS / NIQ TDLinx Convenience Industry Store Count.

The annual report found 151,975 convenience stores operating nationwide as of December 31, 2025. Despite the slight overall decline, the number of convenience stores selling fuel rose by 768 locations (0.6%) to 122,620, the highest total in eight years. Fuel-selling locations now account for 80.7% of all convenience stores, and the channel is estimated to account for 80% of the fuel purchased by U.S. consumers.

With the U.S. population estimated at 343 million by the U.S. Census Bureau, there is approximately one convenience store for every 2,257 people, underscoring the channel’s continued reach and relevance.

Small operators remain the backbone of the industry. Companies operating 10 or fewer stores own 95,672 locations, representing 63% of the total store count. By comparison, chains operating 500 or more stores control 33,810 locations, or 22.2% of all U.S. convenience stores.

From a financial perspective, the convenience store industry generated $837.4 billion in total sales in 2024, including $335.5 billion in in-store sales and $501.9 billion in motor fuels sales. Updated operational and financial performance data for 2025 will be released at the NACS State of the Industry Summit, scheduled for April 14–16 in Schaumburg.

Regionally, Texas continues to lead the nation with 16,504 convenience stores, accounting for more than one in 10 U.S. locations. Alaska has the fewest stores at 185, unchanged from the prior year.

The top 10 states by store count are:

1. Texas (16,504)
2. California (12,143)
3. Florida (9,730)
4. New York (7,561)
5. Georgia (7,092)
6. Ohio (5,833)
7. North Carolina (5,799)
8. Michigan (4,957)
9. Pennsylvania (4,784)
10. Illinois (4,708)

Store counts increased in 22 states, led by Texas (+88), Georgia (+39) and Ohio (+38). New York experienced the largest decline, down 143 stores, followed by Massachusetts (-77) and New Jersey (-61).

The 2026 NACS/NIQ TDLinx Convenience Industry Store Count reflects stores in operation as of December 31, 2025.