Sheetz named Convenience Retailer of the Year

ALTOONA, Pa. — As consumer expectations for convenience keep rising, Sheetz has shown that success in the convenience store industry is increasingly based on core retail principles rather than traditional foot traffic. In 2025, the family-owned chain stood out by treating every location as a busy food and convenience hub, earning the Mass Market Retailers’ Retailer of the Year award.

Founded in 1952 as a single dairy store in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sheetz has expanded into one of the largest privately owned convenience retailers in the United States. Today, the company operates over 800 company-owned stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, and Michigan, employs more than 27,600 associates, and generates about $11 billion in annual revenue, according to Forbes. The company ranked No. 43 on Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Top Private Companies and No. 111 on its 2026 list of America’s Best Companies.

What makes Sheetz unique isn’t just its size, but its deliberate approach to retail execution.

Scaling a food-centric retail model

Under President and CEO Travis Sheetz, the company’s most significant decisions this year centered on expanding a food-focused retail model while keeping consistency. As Sheetz entered new markets like Michigan and strengthened its presence in Ohio, leadership invested in training, kitchen design, labor systems, and supply chain infrastructure to ensure new stores operate with the same precision as existing locations.

That discipline allows Sheetz to deliver a consistent experience across its growing locations, even as menus and digital interaction evolve. Store layouts are designed for speed, clarity, and variety, reinforcing Sheetz’s role as a destination for fresh food and everyday convenience.

Prepared food as a retail cornerstone

Prepared food is a fundamental part of Sheetz’s identity as a retailer. The company’s Made-To-Order platform, launched decades ago, still distinguishes it and continues to evolve. In 2025, Sheetz expanded its food options with greater customization, seasonal menu updates, and a focus on operational simplicity.

Commissary production through Sheetz Bros. Kitchen ensures quality and consistency across stores, while in-store execution is enhanced through equipment upgrades and staff training. The focus is not just on menu variety but also on reliability at scale. Sheetz competes directly with quick-service restaurants by offering restaurant-quality food within a retail environment designed for speed and convenience.

Food drives traffic, loyalty, and repeat visits, positioning Sheetz as a meal solution provider instead of a typical convenience store.

Competing on experience across dayparts

Sheetz’s retail strategy centers on catering to various customer needs throughout the day. It provides morning coffee and breakfast, lunch and dinner, late-night food, and grab-and-go options all through a single, integrated platform.

Digital ordering, drive-thru options, and mobile loyalty programs extend that experience beyond the store, allowing customers to connect with the brand on their terms. Instead of competing only on price, Sheetz emphasizes total value by blending speed, customization, and accessibility.

That approach has helped Sheetz stay ahead in traditional markets and boost brand recognition in newer areas.

Technology that strengthens execution

Sheetz has long been an early adopter of retail technology, but success depends on execution. The company introduced touchscreen ordering long before it became widespread, pioneered drive-thru integration in the convenience store industry, and implemented voice-activated ordering through Amazon Alexa.

In 2025, technology investments continued to focus on core fundamentals. Data-driven tools enhance inventory management, labor scheduling, and demand forecasting, while digital platforms personalize offers and improve the customer experience. Instead of adding complexity, Sheetz uses technology to eliminate friction for both customers and employees.

That approach earned Sheetz national recognition as one of Fortune and Statista’s America’s Most Innovative Companies, with Sheetz standing out as the only convenience retailer on the 2025 list.

Culture as a retail multiplier

Sheetz’s people-first culture remains a key driver of retail success. In 2025, the company increased associate benefits, improved leadership development, and fostered a culture of internal growth and engagement. Leadership considers these efforts essential for delivering consistent service and food quality across hundreds of locations.

The results are clear. Sheetz ranked No. 10 on PEOPLE Magazine and Great Place To Work’s “Companies That Care” list, marking the fourth consecutive year and the fifth time in six years that the company has earned this recognition. Sheetz is the only convenience retailer to appear on the list every year during that period. Employee surveys showed that 90% of associates consider Sheetz a great place to work, and 92% are proud of the company’s community impact.

For Sheetz, culture is integral to retail execution. It is essential for scaling.

Community engagement at scale

Sheetz’s retail presence is deeply embedded in the communities it serves. Through Sheetz For the Kidz, an employee-led charity program launched in 1992, the company has built one of the most consistent giving initiatives in the convenience store industry.

In 2025, Sheetz For the Kidz raised over $1 million during its annual July in-store campaign for the first time. The funds support children and families through partnerships with The Salvation Army, Make-A-Wish, and Feeding America. In 2024 alone, the program provided more than 2.4 million meals and sponsored 78 Make-A-Wish children. Over the past six years, Sheetz has donated more than $12 million, helping over 64,000 children nationwide.

That sustained impact earned Sheetz The Salvation Army’s Evangeline Booth Award, recognizing decades of dedication to helping children and families in need.

A disciplined growth strategy

Sheetz continues to grow carefully, using a data-driven approach. Market choice is based on demographics, traffic flow, and competition, but also depends on the company’s ability to support stores with supply chain systems and trained staff.

The company’s expansion into Michigan, its first new state in over 20 years, demonstrates confidence rooted in disciplined execution rather than opportunistic growth.

A retailer setting the standard

More than seventy years after its founding, Sheetz continues to evolve as a modern convenience retailer. In 2025, the company demonstrated that a food-focused strategy, disciplined execution, and a people-centered culture can drive sustainable growth at scale.

That performance confirms Sheetz as not only a leader in convenience retail but also a deserving Retailer of the Year for Mass Market Retailers.