Here Are the Top 40 C-Store Chains Ranked: A 2024 Update

While not a year for mega-acquisitions, 2023 saw several significant purchases within the c-store channel, with major players buying several iconic convenience-retail brands.

One of the most significant acquisitions was Salt Lake City-based Maverik purchasing Midwest powerhouse Kum & Go, West Des Moines, Iowa. The deal doubled the store count for Maverik’s “Adventure’s First Stop” brand and heralded the beginning of the end of a venerable c-store name in Kum & Go. 

The future of another regional c-store brand, MAPCO, based in Franklin, Tennessee, remains unclear, as its owners split the company in two separate deals in 2023. Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard purchased 112 MAPCO stores to add to its Circle K-branded network, while Lawrenceville, Georgia-based Majors Management LLC, acquired the chain’s remaining 192 locations.

At the same time, other major players made their own moves. Chicago-based BP America and Richmond, Virginia-based GPM Investments both secured significant acquisitions in 2023, while on the West Coast, Long Beach, California-based United Pacific merged with Greenwood Village, Colorado-based Alta Convenience to operate a combined 675 sites in 11 states last year.

In terms of organic growth, regional giants like Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s General Stores Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma-based QuikTrip Corp. and Wawa, Pennsylvania-based Wawa Inc. continued their methodical, new-to-industry march toward regional dominance.

To benchmark from year to year, editors base CSP’s annual c-store count on numbers as of the first of the year. So, the 2024 list ranks store counts as of Jan. 1, 2024. Here’s a preview of that 2024 list, with the debut of CSP’s 2024 Top 40.

Chains: 7-Eleven, Speedway, Stripes

No. of Stores:  Approximately 13,000

2024 Ranking: 1

Ranking the Previous Year: 1

Headquarters: Irving, Texas

What’s New: 7-Eleven is among the world’s largest and most widely recognized retailers, both inside and outside the convenience-store channel. While 2023 was a quiet year for acquisitions, the Irving, Texas-based retail giant announced this past January an agreement to acquire 204 stores from Sunoco LP, which includes Stripes convenience stores and Laredo Taco Company restaurants, for approximately $1 billion. Located across West Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, these stores will join its family of store brands—7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes—that 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses across the United States and Canada.

Three years ago, 7-Eleven completed a $21 billion acquisition of Marathon Petroleum’s Speedway chain of nearly 3,900 stores.

7-Eleven provided an estimated 13,000 c-stores for its 2024 Top 202 U.S. count, including approximately 9,500 under the 7-Eleven banner, around 3,800 under the Speedway banner and about 500 under the Stripes flag.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Circle K, Holiday Stationstores 

No. of Stores: 7,146

2024 Ranking: 2

Ranking the Previous Year: 2

Headquarters: Laval, Quebec

What’s New: Alimentation Couche-Tard is a global leader in convenience and fuel retail, operating in 29 countries and territories, with more than 16,700 stores, of which almost 13,100 offer road transportation fuel.

Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard operates in 29 countries and territories, with more than 16,700 stores, of which almost 13,100 offer road transportation fuel. Its network includes more than 7,100 stores in the United States, primarily under the Circle K and Holiday Stationstores banners, and approximately 2,100 in Canada under the Circle K, Mac’s and Couche-Tard banners. In Europe, under the Circle K and other banners, Couche-Tard operates a retail network in Scandinavia, Ireland, Poland, the Baltics and Russia with more than 2,700 stores and unmanned automated fuel stations. And under licensing agreements, more than 2,200 stores operate under the Circle K banner in 15 other countries and territories (Cambodia, Egypt, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, Macau, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam). More than 150,000 people are employed throughout its network.

In terms of U.S. acquisition activity in 2023, Couche-Tard purchased 112 MAPCO Express sites from Compañía de Petróleos de Chile S.A. (COPEC), Santiago, Chile. The transaction included a network of modern sites predominantly in Tennessee and Alabama, but also in Kentucky and Georgia. All 112 sites are company-operated and most of the real estate is owned. The transaction also included surplus property and a logistics fleet.

Among its portfolio of programs, Circle K launched a national, U.S. advertising campaign called, “Fueled by Circle K,” focusing on the brand’s fuel and its availability in more than half of its locations. Meanwhile, Couche-Tard has deployed electric-vehicle fast chargers in the United States.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Casey's, GoodStop

No. of Stores:  2,639

2024 Ranking: 3

Ranking the Previous Year: 3

Headquarters: Ankeny, Iowa

What’s New: Casey’s General Stores targets small towns and rural areas for its convenience stores, now in 17 states. It is the fifth-largest seller of pizza in the United States.

After a quiet 2022, its acquisition activity reignited in 2023, with the company announcing the purchase of 63 convenience stores from Westborough, Massachusetts-based EG America. Later in 2023, it confirmed the purchase of 11 EZ Go stores from Oklahoma City-based Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores. Overall, Casey’s grew by about 200 stores in 2023, based on its updated store count for CSP’s Top 202. 

The company has been breaking with its own tradition and acquiring more stores in larger deals rather than in single-store deals. In 2021, Casey’s acquired Buchanan Energy, owner of Bucky’s Convenience Stores, in what the company called its most significant transaction in its history. The transaction included 94 convenience stores and 79 dealer locations, as well as multiple parcels of real estate for future new-store construction.

Darren Rebelez, who became CEO in 2019, has vowed to “contemporize” the venerable chain. In 2020, Casey’s updated its logo for the first time in 50 years and launched a new loyalty program. Casey’s Rewards enrollment surpassed 7 million members in 2024. Rebelez was chosen as CSP's 2024 Retail Leader of the Year. 

In 2023, Casey's introduced its own retail media network (RMN), called Casey’s Access, an end-to-end retail media business bringing together convenience customer data and Casey’s pizza offering. It will create opportunities for brands to leverage Casey’s scale and capabilities through an omnichannel presence with in-store, online and at-the-pump transaction opportunities; onsite owned media, in-store media and offsite paid media providing first-party data; and campaign measurement and analytics to enable ongoing investment optimization.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Murphy USA, Murphy Express, QuickChek

No. of Stores: 1,733

2024 Ranking: 4

Ranking the Previous Year: 4

Headquarters: El Dorado, Arkansas

What’s New:The company markets retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise through a network of 1,733 retail stores located in 27 states. Of those stores, 1,577 were branded as Murphy stores and 156 were branded as QuickChek stores.

Since its 2021 acquisition of stores from QuickChek Corp., Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, the company has continued to build QuickChek convenience stores and complete raze-and-rebuilds of Murphy USA stores. The rebuilds replace high-performing kiosk stores with larger 1,400-square-foot stores that feature a broader assortment of higher-margin merchandise and better grab-and-go food items. Most of the company’s existing and new-to-industry retail gasoline stores operate under the brand names of Murphy USA and Murphy Express.

Murphy USA stations are typically near Walmart big-box retail facilities, while Murphy Express stores are stand-alone gas stations and c-stores. Murphy USA stations tend to be smaller, kiosk-format stores, while Murphy Express stations are larger, traditional convenience-store formats.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: EG America, Cumberland Farms, Certified Oil, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf N' Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Stop, Sprint, TomThumb, Turkey Hill 

No. of Stores: 1,578

2024 Ranking: 5

Ranking the Previous Year: 5

Headquarters: Westborough, Massachusetts

What’s New: The chain’s parent company, Blackburn, U.K.-based EG Group, was founded in 2001 by Mohsin and Zuber Issa. The brothers grew the business into a leading independent convenience retailer, which has established partnerships with global brands, as well as a focused portfolio of proprietary brands.

EG Group currently employs more than 50,000 colleagues working in over 6,600 sites across Australia, Europe, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The business is regularly recognized for innovation and investment in convenience-retail assets, employees and systems.

EG America began with an initial acquisition in the United States of Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger Co.’s 762 convenience stores in April 2018. That same year, EG Group acquired Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters of America’s 225 stand-alone Minit Mart c-stores. Then in 2019, EG Group acquired 54 locations for East Syracuse, N.Y.-based Fastrac; 69 locations from Columbus, Ohio-based Certified Oil; and 566 locations from Westborough, Mass.-based Cumberland Farms.

In 2022, EG Group began rebranding its Tom Thumb locations to the Cumberland Farms brand. The $50 million project will span two years and include 113 Tom Thumb locations and new locations across Florida and Alabama.

Last year, EG America sold 63 stores to Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s General Stores Inc. The sites were located in Kentucky and Tennessee, and operate under the Minit Mart and Certified Oil banners.

EG Group was founded as Euro Garages in 2001, when it acquired a single gas station near Manchester, U.K. Euro Garages acquired sites over the next decade until it was merged with European Forecourt Retail Group, with more than 1,100 sites split between Belgium and France, in 2014. The combined companies became EG Group.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Fas Mart, Shore Stop, Scotchman, Pride BreadBox, Young’s, Li’l Cricket, Next Door Store, Village Pantry, Apple Market, Jiffi Stop, Admiral, Roadrunner Markets, Jiffy Food Marts, E-Z Mart, 1 Stop, TownStar, ExpressStop, Uncle’s and Handy Mart

No. of Stores: 1,543

2024 Ranking: 6

Ranking the Previous Year: 6

Headquarters: Richmond, Virginia

What’s New: With a history of building by merger and acquisition, Richmond, Virginia-based GPM Investments continued its growth strategy in 2023, closing a $370 million deal for Transit Energy Group, West Memphis, Arkansas, and its affiliates, adding 135 c-stores to the company’s operational footprint and expanding its southern retail territory into Alabama and Mississippi. The deal included 181 dealer locations as well.

Later in the year, GPM closed on its acquisition of WTG Fuels Holdings LLC, owner of 24 Uncle’s Convenience Stores, 68 Gascard-branded cardlock sites and 43 private cardlock sites.

In 2022, the retailer acquired Pride Convenience Holdings LLC, which operated 31 convenience stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut, for $230 million.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Arko Corp., the company uses more than 25 regional store brands, including Fas Mart, Li’l Cricket and Scotchman.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: ampm, Thorntons, TravelCenters of America 

No. of Stores: 1,540

2024 Rank: 7

Ranking from Previous Year: 7

Headquarters: Chicago

What’s New: In 2023, BP America Inc. completed a $1.3 billion acquisition of TravelCenters of America Inc., Westlake, Ohio. The acquisition marked “a milestone for the U.S. in the growth of bp’s strategic convenience and mobility business,” according to bp officials. The transaction gave bp 280 travel centers, located on major highways across United States, almost doubling bp’s global convenience gross margin and adding an estimated $800 million in earnings by 2025.

The Chicago-based company owns convenience-store brands ampm, based in La Palma, California, and Thorntons, Louisville, Kentucky, which it acquired in August 2021.

The ampm brand expanded to the East Coast in August 2022 with a store opening in New York City. The brand’s key focus is foodservice, with a program that emphasizes coffee, bakery, fresh sandwiches and hot prepared foods. A large fountain program offers up to 24 varieties of soda and proprietary drinks. Stores have an open floor plan, with some featuring open-air refrigerated cases carrying a selection of fresh sandwiches, fruit and yogurt.

Since it acquired Thorntons in 2021, bp has been integrating the chain into its business. The legacy the Thorntons family established was one of the reasons why the chain was attractive to bp, and the minimal number of changes made to the stores in the last few years was by design, officials said.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: ExtraMile

No. of Stores: 1,070

2024 Ranking: 8

Ranking the Previous Year: 8

Headquarters: Pleasanton, California

What’s New: ExtraMile Convenience Stores, a rapidly expanding U.S. convenience retail chain, has demonstrated a strong commitment to growth and revitalization, reaching a milestone of 1,070 stores nationwide, exclusively at Chevron and Texaco branded locations.

The company recently completed a comprehensive overhaul of its interior design, introducing a fresh and modern look and feel that enhances the shopping experience for its customers, a transformation that was accomplished across the entire network in just three years. Building on this momentum, the brand is now turning its attention towards refreshing the exterior of its stores. This initiative underscores ExtraMile’s dedication to maintaining a vibrant and welcoming presence in the communities it serves, ensuring that both the inside and outside of its stores reflect the company’s high standards and forward-thinking approach.

At the heart of ExtraMile’s strategy is a deep focus on the customer, demonstrated through experienced merchandising, a dynamic rewards program and food innovation. Recognizing the importance of variety and quality in the retail experience, ExtraMile employs merchandising techniques to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of its customers, ensuring that each visit is both satisfying and engaging, the company said. The brand’s rewards program further elevates the customer experience, offering valuable incentives that encourage loyalty and frequent visits.

Meanwhile, ExtraMile’s commitment to food innovation keeps the product offerings fresh and exciting, with a new pizza scheduled to debut in the summer of 2024.

Alongside these consumer-centric initiatives, ExtraMile places a significant emphasis on building and nurturing relationships with its franchise partners. This collaborative approach fosters a network of stores that are not only aligned with the brand’s high standards but are also deeply connected to the communities they serve, ensuring a consistent and exceptional experience across all locations, according to the company.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chain: QuikTrip

No. of Stores: 1,041

2024 Ranking: 9

Ranking the Previous Year: 10

Headquarters: Tulsa, Oklahoma

What’s New: QuikTrip Corp., one of the nation’s top-performing c-store chains, hit a milestone in 2023 with the opening of its 1,000th location in Converse, Texas, within the San Antonio metro area. A privately held company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and founded in 1958, QuikTrip has grown to more than 1,000 stores in 17 states.

Recent expansions with new-to-industry locations have occurred in Colorado, Mississippi, Illinois and Texas.

For more than a dozen years, Fortune magazine has ranked QuikTrip among its 100 Best Companies to Work For, offering tuition reimbursement, medical insurance, 401K and advancement opportunities for its roughly 31,000 employees.

The company donates 5% of its net profits to charitable organizations in communities where it operates, officials said.

In 1958, Chester Cadieux and Burt Holmes invested their life savings to open the very first QuikTrip, which was a small grocery store serving their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Chester’s son, Chet Cadieux III, has served as QuikTrip’s CEO since 2002 and added the role of Chairman to his responsibilities in 2006.

Over six decades, the chain has evolved to run full-service kitchens with fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, as well as fresh food delivered daily through its bakeries and commissaries.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chain: Wawa

No. of Stores: 1,040

2024 Ranking: 10

Ranking the Previous Year: 9

Headquarters: Wawa, Pennsylvania

What’s New: Wawa Inc. is one of the nation’s most well-respected convenience-store chains, particularly when it comes to foodservice. In addition to a slew of fresh foods and beverages, Wawa sells a wide selection of private-label products, such as bagged Wawa coffees, dairy products and teas.

The chain grows almost exclusively through construction of new stores in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C.

In 2023, the company announced its plans to open approximately 80 stores across North Carolina’s eastern region, with the first eight locations opening in 2024. Additionally, Wawa stated that it plans to open 160 stores across the Midwest in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Then earlier this year, the company announced it would open 70 new stores in both existing markets as well as new ones. The company will soon open its first stores in three new states: Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina.

In 2022, the chain unveiled its plan to open non-traditional travel centers in North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Travel centers will help close the gap in Wawa outposts between its Mid-Atlantic and Florida markets, according to the company.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Tobacco Outlet Plus, Tobacco Outlet Plus Grocery, Kwik Spirits, Stop-N-Go

No. of Stores: 868

2024 Ranking: 11

Ranking the Previous Year: 11

Headquarters: La Crosse, Wisconsin

What’s New: Family-owned Kwik Trip, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is one of the largest independently held convenience-store chains in the country, having expanded into Michigan and South Dakota in 2023. The chain also operates in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois under the brand names Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Kwik Spirits, Tobacco Outlet Plus, Tobacco Outlet Plus Grocery and Stop-N-Go.

Late last year, Kwik Trip announced that it would be investing more than $151 million to expand operations throughout Wisconsin. The capital investment will involve expansion of its dairy, commissary and bakery facilities in La Crosse; buying and renovating a commercial office building in Onalaska; and building a new satellite distribution center. Kwik Trip produces more than 80% of the products sold in its stores, supplied by foodservice production facilities and logistics network.

In 2023, Kwik Trip/Kwik Star earned a 2023 Renewable Fuels Marketing Award from the Iowa Department of Agriculture, recognizing fuel marketers who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote and sell renewable fuels.

The business changed leadership in January 2023, when Scott Zietlow, son of former president and CEO Donald Zietlow took over those roles. Don Zietlow led the chain for 22 years and worked there for 52 before retiring in 2022.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Maverik, Kum & Go

No. of Stores: 817

2024 Ranking: 12

Ranking the Previous Year: 21

Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah

What’s New: Maverik made one of the industry’s boldest acquisitions of 2023, purchasing a chain equal in size and industry cache in West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go. The $2-billion deal closed in August of last year, doubling the size of the Salt Lake City-based Maverik by 405 stores.

Maverik owners were experiencing a windfall through investments in Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire Hathaway’s takeover of what is now Pilot Co., Knoxville, Tennessee, while at the same time, owners of Kum & Go were pursuing investment interests outside the convenience channel. They found common ground and closed the deal.

While initially saying it would only rebrand in certain states, Maverik leadership made the call to retire the Kum & Go name, sources told CSP. Maverik has only confirmed that it is rebranding Kum & Go stores in Utah, Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming.

Maverik in 2023 was voted the No. 1 Best Gas Station for Food and No. 5 Best Gas Station Brand in the United States, according to the USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards.

In March, Maverik's CEO Chuck Maggelet announced he was retiring. His wife, Crystal Maggelet, said she would step into the CEO role until a replacement was found. 

In partnership with Feeding America, since 2021, Maverik has contributed more than 16 million meals to member food banks throughout its operating region through ongoing donations and continually expanding its food-waste reduction program. Together with newly acquired Kum & Go, Maverik’s combined food waste reduction program is active in nearly 450 stores across 13 states serving 24 local food banks and growing.

Maverik operates stores in 13 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The brand targets adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts by establishing itself as a “base camp” to fuel up for activities such as off-roading, biking, canoeing and mountain climbing, while reflecting the natural beauty of the local communities’ favorite outdoor adventures in the stores’ design and incorporating them into the stores’ concept and decor.

Kum & Go operates in 11 states, including Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chain: Sheetz

No. of Stores: 710

2024 Ranking: 13

Ranking the Previous Year: 12

Headquarters: Altoona, Pennsylvania

What’s New: Sheetz spent 2023 growing its chain count through new-to-industry locations, building in established markets while moving forward with plans to enter markets in western Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan. As of the beginning of 2024, Sheetz operated 710 convenience stores across its six-state footprint, which includes Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland.

Its expansion into Michigan will begin this year, with the first location set to open in the latter half of 2024. Officials are considering two other locations for potential new builds.

Meanwhile, plans continue for about 20 locations in Dayton, Ohio, over the next four years, with the first one set to open this year.

In July 2022, Sheetz officials also announced plans to expand its presence in western Pennsylvania by as many as 30 locations within the next three to five years.

Bob Sheetz founded the family business in 1952, when he purchased one of his father’s five dairy stores located in Altoona, Penn. In 1961, Bob hired his brother Steve to work part-time at the store. By 1983, Bob and Steve had opened 100 stores. The history of family ownership and innovation continues today.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chain: Rocket 

No. of Stores: 675

2024 Ranking: 14

Ranking the Previous Year: 16

Headquarters: Long Beach, California

What's New: United Pacific is based in Long Beach, California, and operates 675 gas stations and convenience stores, a significant increase from 503 a year ago. The stores operate throughout Southern and Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada. They offer motor fuel products under the 76, Conoco, Chevron, Shell and United Oil flags.

Last year, Greenwood Village, Colorado-based Alta Convenience merged with United Pacific to operate a combined 675 sites in 11 states. Prior to the merger, each company was owned by respective joint venture entities between affiliates of New York-based Fortress Investment Group and a subsidiary of Houston-based Phillips 66 Co.

In 2022, the company rolled out its Rocket convenience store brand to all company-operated sites.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Pilot Travel Centers, Flying J Travel Centers

No. of Stores: 652

2024 Ranking: 15

Ranking the Previous Year: 12

Headquarters: Knoxville, Tennessee

What’s New: Pilot Co. is one of thelargest networks of travel centers in the country, with more than 870 Pilot, Flying J and One9 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces, serving an average of 1.3 million guests per day. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and employs approximately 30,000 team members.

In recent years, Pilot began a financial transition culminating with the investment-holding giant Berkshire Hathaway, Omaha, Nebraska, gaining total ownership of Pilot earlier in 2024. The investment firm bought a 38.6% stake in Pilot Flying J in October 2017 for $2.76 billion, then grew its ownership stake to 80% in 2023, buying more of what had then become Pilot Co. Finally, in January 2024, Berkshire Hathaway acquired Pilot’s remaining 20% interest.

Last year, the company opened 10 new travel centers and welcomed more than 20 dealer locations to its network. The new stores were located along major routes in key markets, including Yucca and Ash Fork, Arizona; Colton and Rialto, California; Gallup, New Mexico; McCarran, Nevada; Edon, Ohio; Holladay, Tennessee; Odessa, Texas; and Wamsutter, Wyoming.

In late 2023, Pilot celebrated more than 100 completed remodels under its $1 billion “New Horizons” initiative, adding another 75 locations to the original plan for a total of nearly 200 completed remodels since launching the program in 2022. Major enhancements included curb-to-counter makeovers with refreshed restrooms and showers, new kitchens, expanded food and beverage options and updated technology. 

The company’s 2024 growth plan includes building 10 new travel centers to increase the company’s presence in several states, bringing additional services, amenities and over 500 truck parking spaces to the nation’s roadways.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chain: Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores

No. of Stores: 640

2024 Ranking: 16

Rank the Previous Year: 14

Headquarters: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

What’s New:Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, Love’s Travel Stops is one of the nation’s leading travel stop networks, with 640 Love’s locations in 42 states. Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company remains family-owned and operated and employs more than 40,000 people.

In 2023, Love's opened 33 locations, including the company’s first store in Connecticut in July and its milestone 600th location in October in its home state of Oklahoma. The company also opened 40 restaurants and added new fresh food items like breakfast bowls and new fruit and veggie tray, salad and sandwich options.

The company also acquired the EZ GO chain from Carey Johnson Oil Co., Lawton, Oklahoma, in April of last year. The acquisition included six truck stops located on Oklahoma turnpikes, five on the Kansas turnpike and 11 convenience stores in Oklahoma and Nebraska for a total of 22 stores.

This year, Love’s will add 20 to 25 new locations, update 35 to 40 aging stores and rebuild four stores, officials said. Other changes will include added food and restaurant options and increased service offerings like RV hookups, truck washes and more, the company said.

Six decades ago, Tom Love opened the company’s first service station in Watonga, Oklahoma. Today, half of the stores were built more than 10 years ago and need remodeling, the company said. Many of the remodels will involve expanding the stores, adding more room for amenities like showers and for foodservice operations.

After opening its first truck wash in 2023, Love’s has plans to double its truck wash network by adding seven new locations in 2024. It’s also bringing RV hookups to 44 more locations in 2024, which by the end of the year will bring a total of 1,500 hookups to 98 locations.

Love’s branded food and snack items will expand to include new chip flavors, meat sticks, honey buns, powdered donuts and cookies. Its Fresh Kitchen concept is also growing based on customer feedback on offering fresh, healthier and diet-specific options.

When it comes to the forecourt, Trillium Energy Solutions, an affiliate company, plans to add to Love’s national electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network by adding chargers to 29 Love’s locations. Love’s has received awards to help fund this from the Federal Highway Administration’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: RaceTrac

No. of Stores: 580

2024 Ranking: 17

Rank the Previous Year: 15

Headquarters: Atlanta

What’s New: Headquartered in Atlanta, family-owned RaceTrac, Inc. is Forbe’s 22nd largest privately held company in the United States for 2023. Serving guests since 1934, RaceTrac has nearly 800 retail locations representing the RaceTrac and RaceWay brands (see Raceway at No. 36) in 12 states in the southeast, offering guests an affordable one-stop-shop featuring a wide selection of food and beverage favorites, as well as competitively priced fuel.

RaceTrac has more than 10,200 team members across RaceTrac, RaceWay and affiliated companies Metroplex Energy and Energy Dispatch.

While its c-store count grew modestly through new-to-industry locations last year, RaceTrac cemented its place among heavyweight fuel marketers with the purchase of the iconic Gulf Oil brand. Through its wholly owned wholesale fuel supply and trading subsidiary, Metroplex Energy, RaceTrac completed the purchase of Gulf Oil LLC, Wellesley, Massachusetts. As part of the transaction, RaceTrac acquired Gulf’s nationally recognized fuel brand across the United States and U.S. territories, all of Gulf’s branded distributor and license agreements and the exclusive rights to market fuel at Gulf’s retail locations along the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Metroplex Energy sells fuels to all RaceTrac locations as well as many other leading retailers and fuel wholesalers in 15 states primarily in the southeast.

In 2023, RaceTrac expanded into Indiana and South Carolina with new locations. Meanwhile, the company continued building stores in Alabama, having announced expansion plans in that state through 2025.

Regarding foodservice, merchandise and services, RaceTrac launched the RaceTrac Rewards + Debit card in 2021, which saves customers discounts per gallon at the fuel pump. It combined the chain’s Fuel Rewards, Rewards VIP and Debit Rewards offers into a single program.

New RaceTrac locations offer Grab & Go pizza and sandwiches made in-house; whole and cut fruit and salads, made and delivered fresh daily; the retailer’s Swirl World frozen treat stations offering a variety of ice creams, yogurts and sorbets with 28 toppings; six blends of Crazy Good Coffee with creamers, sweeteners and toppings; foods including roller-grill favorites such as Nathan's Famous 100% Premium All Beef Hot Dogs, tamales with traditional corn husk wraps and stuffed with seasoned pork and taquitos featuring battered, and fried tortillas filled with meats, cheeses and spices.

RaceTrac also owns RaceWay c-stores, which are listed separately at No. 36.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Anabi Oil, Rebel, 7-Eleven

No. of Stores: 492

2023 Ranking: 18

Ranking the Previous Year: 17

Headquarters: Upland, California

What’s New: Anabi Oil had 492 stores as of the beginning of the year, with locations spanning from California and the Midwest to the East Coast and Florida. It has a large footprint in California, selling and delivering fuel from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Regarding fuel brand, Anabi is the largest Shell distributor in California, but also distributes Sinclair, 76 and unbranded fuels.

Anabi owns the Rebel convenience-store brand, which it acquired from Las Vegas-based Rebel Oil Co. in 2016.

The family has owned and operated Anabi Oil since 1991, starting with one station in Baldwin Park, California. It began as a fuel wholesaler, working with independent retailers throughout the Golden State. Over the years, the company has grown by buying and selling stations, converting bays into convenience stores, adding car washes, partnering with fast food brands, and building ground up new to industry locations. In 2022, Rebel Convenience Stores forged a national agreement with Waitr Holdings Inc. for delivery and pickup services.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Yesway, Allsup's

No. of Stores: 428

2024 Ranking: 19

Ranking the Previous Year: 21

Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas

What’s New: Established in 2015, Yesway is a multi-branded platform based in Fort Worth, Texas. It operates 428 stores in Texas, New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Nebraska. The company operates its portfolio primarily under two brands, Yesway and Allsup’s, with the chains’ geographic footprints consisting of stores located in rural and suburban markets across the Midwest and Southwest.

The fast-growing convenience store chain said that it raised $190 million in new equity in the second half of 2022 to continue funding its successful new store construction program. Most of the structured equity comes from New York-based HPS Investment Partners, a leading global investment firm with $95 billion of assets under management.

In the past year, Yesway continued an aggressive campaign to grow its store count and financial performance through the completion of new stores and raze-and-rebuild projects across its portfolio and geographic footprint. It had announced plans to complete all scheduled projects and add an additional 28. In 2022, Yesway completed the construction of 17 new stores and 21 raze-and-rebuild projects, while also acquiring nine locations from San Angelo, Texas-based Tres Amigos Convenience Stores.

For 2024, the Yesway officials said they would expand its presence in Oklahoma. The company, which also owns the Allsup’s c-store brand, expects its portfolio of stores in the Sooner State to stand at 15 locations by the end of 2024.

Yesway skyrocketed its growth in 2019 when it acquired Clovis, New Mexico-based Allsup's and its 304 stores in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, catapulting the chain into the 2020 top 20 of CSP’s list.

Yesway is owned by BW Gas & Convenience Holdings, Fort Worth, Texas, which joined the convenience-store industry in late 2015 with ambitions of operating up to 1,000 stores. The company is an affiliate of Beverly, Massachusetts-based Brookwood Financial Partners, a real-estate and private-equity investment and asset management company with more than $2.6 billion in holdings.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chain: Unbranded

No. of Stores: 425

2024 Ranking: 20

Ranking the Previous Year: 19

Employees: 5,828

What’s New: Sunshine Gasoline Distributors Inc., owned by Cuban-American Maximo Alvarez, owns 425 convenience stores, up from 415 sites a year ago. The company also supplies independent dealer sites. All owned sites are branded major fuel brands, including Chevron, Texaco, Shell, Exxon, Mobil, Marathon, CITGO or BP.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Alltown, Alltown Fresh, Convenience Plus, Fast Freddie’s, Honey Farms, Jiffy Mart, Mr. Mike’s, P&H Truck Stop, T-Bird, XtraMart

No. of Stores: 405

2024 Ranking: 21

Ranking the Previous Year: 24

Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts

What’s New: Global Partners LP and its Alltown Fresh c-store chain reported 341 directly operated convenience stores, primarily in the Northeast, as well as 64 gasoline stations located in Texas that are operated by its unconsolidated affiliate, Spring Partners Retail LLC (SPR). Overall, the company has 1,627 owned, leased or supplied gasoline stations.

In March 2024, the company released a new logo, brand colors and tagline to encompass its new brand identity. 

One of the region's largest independent owners, Global Partners supplies and operates gas stations and c-stores under several retail brands, including Alltown Fresh, Honey Farms and XtraMart.

In the summer of 2022, a new partnership between Alltown Fresh and online wholesale platform Mable brought more local specialty foods to the convenience-store retailer’ shelves. Alltown Fresh supports communities by sourcing products from local farms, bakeries and vendors, and Mable offers 3,000-plus local, emerging brands.

Global Partners for more than 75 years has focused on community, safety and creating stability for our stakeholders, its website says.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Kwik Fill, Red Apple Food Marts, Country Fair

No. of Stores: 404

2024 Ranking: 22

Ranking the Previous Year: 20

Headquarters: Warren, Pennsylvania

What’s New: Warren, Pennsylvania-based United Refining Co. is an independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products and the parent company of multiple convenience store chains in Pennsylvania and portions of Ohio and New York. The company operates gas stations, convenience stores, truckstops, restaurants and garages. The c-stores are branded Kwik Fill, Red Apple Food Marts and Country Fair. Each is a separate retail division, operated independently, with separate company headquarters and management staffs.

Kwik Fill’s locations include four full-service diesel truck stops, four mini truck stops, two restaurants and two truck-stop motels, according to the company's website. Kwik Fill operates in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, supporting local businesses, economies and local charities.

John Catsimatidis, CEO of the Red Apple Group Real Estate Co., bought United Refining Co. in 1986. Country Fair opened its first store in 1965 in Erie, Pennsylvania.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chain: Stewart's Shops

No. of Stores: 358

2024 Ranking: 23

Ranking the Previous Year: 23

Headquarters: Ballston Spa, New York

What’s New: Founded in 1945, the Ballston Spa, New York-based Stewart’s Shops chain operates in upstate New York and southern Vermont. Stewart’s Shops milk was named the best in New York State in 2022 as judged by Cornell University’s Department of Food Science. 

In addition, the convenience-store chain launched an online shop, selling limited-edition Stewart’s Shops-branded items, coffee and My Money/Gas Cards. Items included a rhinestone tumbler, a baby bodysuit, pom-pom winter hats, socks, an ice cream car sticker and coffee. Stewart’s said there will be multiple limited-run edition merchandise drops throughout the year.

The chain traditionally offers ice cream promotions honoring veterans on Nov. 11, for Father’s Day and on St. Patrick’s Day.

While Stewart’s Shops is mostly owned by the family of chairman William Dake, employees also own about 40% of the company through an employee stock ownership plan. Stewart’s is known regionally for its milk, ice cream, coffee, food to go, gasoline and other convenience items. The company has an extensive production, distribution and warehousing network that supplies its stores. As a result, the chain is unusual in the number of products it produces in its own facilities, including 20-ounce “refresher” teas and dairy drinks.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Smoker Friendly, Tobacco Depot, Smoke 'N Go, Havana Manor and Gasamat 

No. of Stores: 354

2024 Ranking: 24

Ranking the Previous Year: 28

Headquarters: Boulder, Colorado

What’s New: The Cigarette Store Group, doing business as Smoker Friendly, was founded in 1991, growing to operate a mix of convenience stores, tobacco stores, cigar lounges, liquor stores and fueling locations under the names  Smoker Friendly, Tobacco Depot, Smoke 'N Go, Havana Manor and Gasamat. 

The chain did little in 2023 in terms of growth through acquisition, but in 2024, The Cigarette Store Group bought 54 stores from Richmond Master Distributors Inc., South Bend, Indiana, doing business as Low Bob’s Discount Tobacco. The company will rebrand the stores to Smoker Friendly, with the acquisition bringing the chain’s store count to 80 in the state, officials said. It was the company’s seventh acquisition in the past four years.

Its last significant acquisition came in August 2022, when the retailer acquired 79 Tobacco Superstores, headquartered in Forrest City, Arkansas. Then in November of 2022, it acquired 30 tobacco stores across Indiana and Kentucky from Seymour, Indiana-based Collett Enterprises Inc.

Investment firm Main Street Capital Corp., Houston, Texas, made a $51.7 million investment in Smoker Friendly, taking a minority stake in the company in January 2021. The investor provided a revolving line of credit to support its working capital needs and assist with its acquisition growth strategy.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chain: Bolla Market

No. of Stores: 326

2024 Ranking: 25

Ranking the Previous Year: 26

Headquarters: Garden City, New York

What’s New: Founded in 1989, Bolla Oil Corp. operates gas stations, convenience stores, auto repair and car washes throughout the New York and New Jersey metro areas. Additionally, Bolla operates Bolla Transport and Bolla Construction, focusing on the development of corporate locations, as well as a dealer and franchise business.

Bolla Market became a franchise in 2015, with the company also operating as a franchisee of Burger King, Tim Hortons, Pizza Hut, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Red Mango since 2017. These franchised foodservice brands work as nontraditional partners within Bolla Market locations.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chain: Jacksons Food Stores

No. of Stores: 323

2024 Ranking: 26

Ranking the Previous Year: 25

Headquarters: Meridian, Idaho

What’s New: Meridian, Idaho-based Jacksons, operates 323 convenience stores under the Jacksons Food Stores and ExtraMile by Jacksons brands. It serves customers in Arizona, Idaho, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Jacksons Food Stores is one of the largest privately held corporations in Idaho, with the Jacksons family of companies owning, operating, or supplying more than 773 stores across nine western states.

With a reputation for quality execution, they have achieved “Top Performer” status nationally for each year of Chevron’s “Customer First” and Shell’s “Mystery Motorist” customer service and store cleanliness programs.

The vertically integrated company also supplies fuel to more than 1,300 locations in nine states through Jacksons Energy and Jackson Energy Logistics, store supplies and full-line grocery through Capitol Distributing, fresh food products through Capitol Kitchen and tobacco and alcohol in four states through Jacksons BevCo.

Jacksons has been dedicated to the communities it serves through volunteer efforts and charitable causes including local chapters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

John D. Jackson founded Jacksons Food Stores, Inc. in 1975 in Caldwell, Idaho, as a single service station, and is now headquartered in Meridian, Idaho.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Joe’s Kwik Mart, Hy-Miler Convenience, Uni-Mart, Rocky Top Markets, Stop In Food Stores, One Stop, Zoomerz

No. of Stores: 295

2024 Ranking: 27

Ranking the Previous Year: 33

Headquarters: Allentown, Pennsylvania

What’s New: Formed in 2012, CrossAmerica Partners LP is a distributor of branded and unbranded petroleum for motor vehicles in the United States and distributes fuel to approximately 1,750 locations and owns or leases approximately 1,100 sites. With a geographic footprint covering 34 states, it has relationships with several major oil brands, including ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Chevron, Sunoco, Valero, Gulf, CITGO, Marathon and Phillips 66.

Although 2023 was a dormant year in terms of acquisitions, 2024 saw significant activity, with CrossAmerica Partners LP and its Lehigh Gas Wholesale Services Inc. subsidiary entering into an agreement in late January to acquire 59 convenience stores from Applegreen Midwest and Applegreen Florida for $16.9 million, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

On Feb. 20, in connection with this acquisition, CrossAmerica entered into an amended 2019 bank credit agreement involving certain lease termination expenses. CrossAmerica will acquire the assets through termination of the partnership’s existing lease agreements with Dublin, Ireland-based Applegreen at the acquired locations.

The Applegreen c-stores are in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, and in Florida.

Across its network, the company’s retail brands include Joe’s Kwik Mart in Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia; Hy-Miler Convenience in Ohio; Uni-Mart in Ohio and Pennsylvania; Rocky Top Market in Tennessee; Stop In Food Stores in Virginia and West Virginia; One Stop in West Virginia; and Zoomerz in Tennessee.

In late 2021, CrossAmerica acquired wholesale motor fuels distributor Community Service Stations Inc. (CSS), which supplies approximately 75 million gallons annually to locations across New England. The deal included wholesale fuel supply contracts to 39 dealer-owned locations, 34 subjobber accounts and two commission locations.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chain: Royal Farms

No. of Stores: 287

2024 Ranking: 28

Ranking the Previous Year: 30

Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland

What’s New: Royal Farms opened its first c-store in Baltimore in 1959 under the name White Jug. Today, the Mid-Atlantic chain has 287 locations in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia and now North Carolina.

The Baltimore-based c-store chain expanded into North Carolina in 2023, with the opening of a new store in the community of Grandy.Other communities targeted for expansion were New Bern, Greenville, Lumberton, Kinston and Jacksonville.

Store menus focus on the retailer’s “world-famous” chicken, which was awarded “best fast-food fried chicken” by Food and Wine magazine. Royal Farms also offer a variety of side dishes, such as macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes, so customers can take a complete meal or platter home. Other features include Royal Farms’ hot or iced coffee from bean-to-cup machines and f’real milkshakes at the blending station. Every location also features surcharge-free ATMs, air-pump stations, lottery and fuel. Car washes are available at select locations.

Royal Farms launched an updated mobile app with a point system and other new capabilities in early 2022. It includes mobile ordering that allows customers to order ahead for delivery or pickup.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: GetGo Cafe and Market

No. of Stores: 266

2024 Ranking: 29

Ranking the Previous Year: 31

Headquarters: Pittsburgh

What’s New: Pittsburgh-based GetGo operated 266 c-stores at the start of 2024, along with five standalone WetGo Car Wash locations and a total of 47 car washes across its network. Forty-two of those car washes are located on the same property as a GetGo store.

The c-store chain is a division of the Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle supermarket chain, which owns and operates stores in five states. The stores are primarily located in the metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus and Indianapolis.

GetGo’s myPerks loyalty program, which GetGo shares with Giant Eagle and Market District supermarkets, allows members to earn perks on all purchases at any of the Giant Eagle locations. Those perks can be banked and later redeemed for money off future purchases.

On the technology front, GetGo rolled out a new price book system for inventory-management and electronic shelf labels in 2023.

In 2021, Giant Eagle supermarkets and GetGo convenience-store locations began accepting PayPal and Venmo as forms of payment, becoming the first U.S. chains to offer customers the ability to use them at the register. The company also partnered with Grabango in 2021 for frictionless and contactless checkout technology.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: MAPCO, a variety of other banners 

No. of Stores: 252

2024 Ranking: 30

Ranking the Previous Last Year: 118

Headquarters: Lawrenceville, Georgia

What’s New: Lawrenceville, Georgia-based Majors Management, LLC, is an owner, developer and operator of convenience stores and a distributor of high-quality branded and unbranded motor fuels. Majors and its affiliates supply fuel to over 1,400 convenience store locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

In 2023, Majors Management, LLC, completed a significant transaction with Santiago, Chile-based Compañía de Petróleos de Chile (COPEC), purchasing 192 MAPCO-branded convenience stores in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas and Kentucky. The acquisition also included MAPCO’s wholesale fuel division, loyalty program, brand and other intellectual property.

The acquisition bumped Majors Management from No. 118 in last year’s Top 202 to its current rank.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: DK, 7-Eleven

No. of Stores: 250

2024 Ranking: 31

Ranking the Previous Year: 34

Headquarters: Brentwood, Tennessee

What’s New: Delek U.S. Holdings is a diversified downstream energy company with assets in petroleum refining, renewable fuels, asphalt, logistics, wholesale marketing operations and c-store retailing. The c-store business operates locations in central and west Texas and New Mexico under the new DK store banner. The retailer entered the Arkansas market in late 2022 with two stores opening in disparate parts of the state.

In 2023, the company announced a capital spending budget of approximately $350 million on a consolidated basis. Growth capital was largely allocated toward expanding its business in the Permian basin, with budgeted amounts going towards its refinery operations, logistics and retail segment. Despite allocating $4 million to retail growth, its retail store count remained the same from 2022 to the end of 2023.

In 2022, Delek relaunched its High Octane Rewards program through Philadelphia-based Stuzo, a provider of loyalty, digital payments and software. Within the first 10 months after Delek switched to its new system, High Octane Rewards active members increased per day by 262% and grew monthly loyalty transactions by 188%.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024. 

Chain: Applegreen

No. of Stores: 242

2024 Ranking: 32

Ranking the Previous Year: 32

Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland

What’s New: Irish convenience-store retailer Applegreen, the holding company of Petrogas Group U.S. Inc., Plainview, New York, made its U.S. debut in 2014 after opening its first sites in New York state. It made its Top 202 debut in 2019 after a series of acquisitions increased its store count. The U.S. business includes sites in the North, Midwest and Southeast under the Shell, Exxon, Mobil, Sunoco, BP, Chevron, Holiday, Freedom and Speedway fuel brands.

In 2024, Applegreen sold 59 c-stores to Allentown, Penn.-based CrossAmerica Partners LP and its Lehigh Gas Wholesale Services Inc. subsidiary for $16.9 million, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Food partnerships include Burger King, McDonalds, Subway, Taco Bell, Dunkin’ Donuts, Hunt Brothers Pizza, Pizza Hut and Mama DeLuca’s Pizza. The chain also offers proprietary foodservice.

In 2022, Applegreen revealed that its current network of three locations along the New York State Thruway System will eventually grow into 27 sites, one for each tollway service area.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chains: Meijer Gas Stations, Meijer Express

No. of Stores: 235

2024 Ranking: 33

Ranking the Previous Year: 35

Headquarters: Grand Rapids, Michigan

What’s New: Meijer Gas Stations and Meijer Express convenience stores are part of the Meijer Inc. company portfolio, which also includes grocery stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Brands include Fresh From Meijer grocery, whose items include deli, bakery, meat, products and snacks; Purple Cow ice cream; Frederick’s by Meijer higher-end food and beverage items; and True Goodness by Meijer organic offerings.

The company store count rose by five locations in 2023.

Meijer’s gas stations offer Top Tier gasoline and diesel fuel, and the c-stores carry a wide variety of beverages, snacks and fresh-prepared and packaged food. The c-stores range in size from about 2,500 square feet up to 5,500 square feet at newer locations. C-stores are open 24 hours a day and offer fuel discounts for Meijer credit card and fleet card holders.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Chain: Par Mar Stores

No. of Stores: 235

2024 Ranking: 33

Ranking the Previous Year: 38

Headquarters: Marietta, Ohio

What’s New: Par Mar acquired 14 Red Rover convenience stores from Rooster, Ohio-based Santmyer in 2023.

A year earlier, Par Mar added 34 stores, pushing it into the Top 40 of CSP’s list for the first time. Also that year, Par Mar purchased its first four stores in Maryland.

In addition to c-stores, Par Mar operates car washes and quick-service restaurants, including QSRs under the A&W, Fazoli’s, Quiznos and Subway brands, as well as Par Mar’s proprietary foodservice. Fuel brands include BP, Exxon, Marathon and Shell.

Croton Holding Co., Pittsburgh, purchased Par Mar Oil in 2016. Croton Holding’s largest asset is Superior Petroleum Co.

Joseph Grow of Parkersburg, West Virginia, and James L. Hollister of Marietta, Ohio, founded Par Mar Oil Co. in 1967, with “Par” standing for Parkersburg and “Mar” for Marietta. The company opened its first convenience store in 1979. Today, it operates Par Mar Stores in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Maryland.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2024.