The 10 Best U.S. Gas-Station Brands
By Greg Lindenberg on Jan. 17, 2018BOSTON – Buc-ee’s is the breakout retailer among the best gas-station brands in America, according to GasBuddy.
The developer of the GasBuddy smartphone app, which connects more than 70 million drivers with gas stations according to member ratings, has issued its list of the Top 10 Gas Station Brands in the United States for 2017.
“These are destination brands that directly compete with restaurants, coffee shops, and—in some cases—even supermarkets,” said Frank Beard, c-store and retail trends analyst for Boston-based GasBuddy. “Although gas stations are still in the business of selling gas, the leading brands have become so much more. They’re a refuge for motorists looking for great food, an amazing cup of coffee or some of the best customer service you’ll find anywhere.”
- Click here to view GasBuddy's list of the Top 100 Pit Stops in the United States in 2017.
GasBuddy’s data science team compiled the findings by examining customer ratings and reviews between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2017, only considering U.S. convenience stores with more than 30 retail locations.
Here are the top 10 gas-station brands in the United States, according to GasBuddy …
1. Buc-ee's
Leading the pack is Lake Jackson, Texas-based Buc-ee’s. With 33 locations, Buc-ee’s sweeps the ranking by capturing the highest ratings and reviews in all six GasBuddy categories: coffee, cleanliness, customer service, outdoor lighting, restrooms and overall.
2. Kelley’s Market
Rockford, Ill.-based Kelley Williamson Co.’s Kelley’s Market, with 48 locations in Rockford, Ill., and Madison, Wis., also made a strong showing by placing second in the overall category and second in the five individual categories demonstrating their commitment to all facets of the customer experience.
3. Kwik Trip
Based in La Crosse, Wis., there are 545 Kwik Trip locations throughout Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Kwik Trip placed third overall and in the top five for cleanliness (No. 4), customer service (No. 4) and restrooms (No. 4).
4. QuikTrip
Tulsa, Okla.-based QuikTrip operates 740 locations in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. QuikTrip placed in the following categories: overall (fourth), cleanliness (fifth), customer service (third), outdoor lighting (fifth) and restrooms (fifth).
5. Wawa
With 730 locations throughout the East Coast, Wawa, Pa.-based Wawa placed fifth overall and appears in the individual categories of coffee (third) and outdoor lighting (third).
6. Hy-Vee Gas
With 141 gasoline locations, West Des Moines, Iowa-based grocer Hy-Vee ranked in all six rating categories and earned the No. 6 spot overall.
7. QuickChek
Based in Whitehouse Station, N.J., QuickChek has 154 locations throughout New Jersey and New York and ranked No. 7 overall.
8. Sheetz
Ranking No. 8 overall is Sheetz, a family-owned convenience-store chain based in Altoona, Pa. Sheetz has 565 store locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina.
9. Parker’s
The Parker Co. is based in Savannah, Ga., with 46 c-stores throughout Georgia and South Carolina. It ranked ninth overall in customer ratings.
10. NOCO Express
Rounding out the top 10 is NOCO Express. It has 37 gas stations and convenience stores in Western New York and is based in Tonawanda, N.Y.