New Convenience-Store Roundup for October 2024

This edition of CSP’s New Convenience-Store Roundup features new-to-industry (NTI) c-store openings, as well as closings, that took place in October 2024.

Iowa, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania tied for the states with the most new-store openings in this month’s tally, with four locations each. Casey’s opened the most stores, a total of eight new locations, in six states.

This unscientifically gathered roundup—gleaned from company announcements, websites, email, social media and newspapers around the country, among other sources—is by no means complete, but it serves as a monthly competitive snapshot of newly opened or closed U.S. c-stores, gas stations, truckstops and travel centers.

• Click here for new c-store roundups from previous months, along with other grand opening and new-store coverage. And click here for coverage of convenience industry mergers-and-acquisitions activity.

Many of the stores listed here are owned by independent operators, while others belong to major chains. Some are part of CSP’s Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by size. Some of the owners and operators are new entrepreneurs, and some are industry veterans.

Click through for the state-by-state tally ...

True Food Kitchen opened True Food Market, a 2,800-square-foot restaurant-retail hybrid in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Oct. 8. The space features a dining room where customers can eat made-to-order meals as well as a retail area selling snacks and premade meals for to-go. It features True Crisp’d air-fried chicken tenders, which can be ordered on their own or as a sandwich, known as a Torpedo Roll. There are also salads and flatbreads and several sides. Beer and wine are available. It also serves breakfast. There’s a selection of biscuits, tacos and “quick bites” like overnight oats, along with a range of morning beverages, including coffee, smoothies and juices. On the retail side, there are packaged items from local and national brands as well as prepared meals.

Net new stores*: 1

*Represents new-to-industry stores opened minus stores closed in this state for the month of this count only. Other c-stores not captured by this count may have opened or closed in the state. The roundup does not include razed-and-rebuilt, remodeled or replacement stores, acquisitions, new ownership or temporary closings. Photographs do not always depict new store indicated.

Casey’s General Stores opened a new convenience store in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, on Oct. 24.

Net new stores: 1

Gelson’s Markets, in partnership with electric vehicle (EV) charging center developer Rove, opened a convenience store, ReCharge by Gelson’s, at Rove's first full-service EV charging station in Santa Ana, California, on Oct. 15. Gelson’s c-store offers fresh food, including coffee and espresso drinks, snacks and locally made salads, sandwiches and bowls. It also features an eco-friendly car wash, complimentary vacuums with every charge, restrooms, a pup pad and a 24/7 lounge with indoor and outdoor seating, Wi-Fi and power stations to charge electronics. The 1.3-acre charging center has 40 direct current (DC) ultra-fast EV chargers under more than 400 solar panels.

TravelCenters of America, part of the bp portfolio, on Oct. 15 closed a TA travel center in Corning, California. “Like any successful business, we are constantly evaluating our portfolio to ensure we are operating in locations where it makes sense for our customers and our business,” a spokesperson said. 

Net new stores: 0

QuikTrip opened a new convenience store in Greeley, Colorado, on Oct. 24.

Net new stores: 1

The Parker Cos. opened a new Parker’s Kitchen convenience store on Oct. 4 in Kingsland, Georgia, its largest to date at 7,122 square feet, with larger retail, food and checkout areas and expanded bathrooms. The store is the chain’s southernmost location. The 6.84-acre site includes parking for large commercial trucks as well as cars and offers three grades of unleaded fuel, as well as ethanol-free fuel, diesel and high-flow diesel. The store features Southern-style, made-from-scratch Parker’s Kitchen food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with indoor dining, grab-and-go food options and a hot bar with electronic kiosk ordering. The menu, made on site, includes hand-breaded Southern Fried Chicken Tenders, macaroni and cheese, potato logs, the Parker’s Kitchen Spicy Chicken Tender Sandwich, freshly made salads and more. Beverages include bean-to-cup coffee, freshly brewed sweet and unsweet tea, Fancy Lemonade, energy drinks, 28-degree beer and a variety of fountain drinks with Parker’s Kitchen Chewy Ice.

Net new stores: 1

Thorntons, part of the bp portfolio, opened a new, 4,400-square-foot convenience store in Burr Ridge, Illinois, on Oct. 1. The site has 20 fueling positions. In store, it offers freshly made burritos and sandwiches and fresh-baked pizza prepared throughout the day in the store’s onsite kitchen. It also offers a variety of beverages including bean-to-cup coffee and fountain beverages with nugget ice. The store has self-checkout.

Casey’s General Stores opened new convenience stores in Springfield, Illinois, on Oct. 4 and South Elgin, Illinois, on Oct. 31.

Net new stores: 3

Casey’s General Stores opened a new convenience store in Epworth, Iowa, on Oct. 10.

Kwik Trip opened new Kwik Star convenience stores in Stuart, Iowa, and Bettendorf, Iowa, on Oct. 10, and in Webster City, Iowa, on Oct. 16.

Net new stores: 4

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Wichita, Kansas, in late October. It has nine diesel bays, 122 truck parking spaces (99 full-size, 23 bobtail), 71 car parking spaces, three RV hookups and RV dump, CAT scale, a Speedco with truck wash and a dog park. The nearly 12,000-square-foot store—among the chain’s largest—features Dunkin’ Donuts and Arby’s quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and a Love’s Fresh Kitchen. It also offers seven showers and has a laundry.

Net new stores: 1

Martin & Bayley opened a new Huck’s Food & Fuel in Paducah, Kentucky, on Oct. 24. It features a Godfather’s Pizza quick-service restaurant (QSR).

Net new stores: 1

Royal Farms opened a new convenience store—its 300th—in Millersville, Maryland, on Oct. 7. It also features a car wash.

Net new stores: 1

A new Mobil gas station and Premier Convenience store opened in Taunton, Massachusetts, on Oct. 15. It features a New York Bagel Co. 

Net new stores: 1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new convenience store in Blue Springs, Missouri, on Oct. 17.

QuikTrip opened a new convenience store in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, on Oct. 10.

Net new stores: 2

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in late October. It has eight diesel bays, 84 truck parking spaces, 52 car parking spaces, six RV hookups and RV dump, CAT scale, a Speedco facility with truck wash and a dog park. The more than 10,000-square-foot store features an Arby’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) and a Love’s Fresh Kitchen. It also offers five showers and has a laundry.

Net new stores: 1

Wawa closed a 51-year-old convenience store in Cherry Hill. New Jersey, on Oct. 8. “While this was a very difficult decision to make, we have determined that this store cannot deliver the experience customers deserve or continue to meet performance expectations,” Wawa said in a statement. “Over the years, our product offerings and services have changed and whenever possible we expand, relocate or modernize our older stores to meet our current offer and standards rather than close them. We have considered options but have determined it is just not feasible for us to do so here.” Wawa also opened a new c-store in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Oct. 10.

A Speedway gas station in Deptford, New Jersey, closed in late October.

Net new stores: -1

BW Gas & Convenience Holdings’ opened a new Allsup’s convenience store in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Oct. 17

Net new stores: 1

Wawa opened a new convenience store in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, in mid-October.

7-Eleven opened new convenience stores in Greenville, North Carolina, on Oct. 4 and in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Oct. 24.

Net new stores: 3

7-Eleven closed a Speedway convenience store and gas station in Boardman, Ohio, on Oct. 20.

Net new stores: -1

QuikTrip opened a new travel center in Oklahoma City on Oct. 3. It features a larger lot and more spacious design than traditional QT stores. It has 20 gas pumps and six diesel bays for trucks. It includes a QT Kitchens offering freshly prepared grab-and-go items and custom-made meals, including items like breakfast tacos, BBQ sandwiches and frozen QuikShakes. Customers can also purchase pizza by the slice, roller grill items and cold brew coffee.

bp’s TravelCenters of America opened a new TA Express franchised travel center in Savanna, Oklahoma, on Oct. 9. It includes four diesel fueling positions with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) on all lanes, 16 gasoline fueling positions, 80 truck parking spaces, 10 Reserve-It parking spaces and 25 car parking spaces. Dining options include Sbarro and Dunkin’ quick-service restaurant (QSR) as well as onsite deli with freshly prepared to-go food options. It also offers three private showers, as well as laundry facilities.

Casey’s General Stores opened new convenience stores in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on Oct. 11 and Bristow, Oklahoma, on Oct. 24.

Net new stores: 4

Sheetz closed a convenience store in Youngwood, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 7.

EG America closed a Turkey Hill convenience store on Oct. 13 in Macungie, Pennsylvania.

TravelCenters of America, part of the bp portfolio, opened new, franchised travel centers in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, and Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 14. The TA Express Hazleton features five diesel fueling positions with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) on all lanes, six gasoline fueling positions, 50 truck parking spaces, 10 Reserve-It truck parking spaces, 45 car parking spaces and RV parking available and a CAT scale. Inside, it offers a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop, three private showers and laundry facilities. The TA Express Pine Grove features six diesel fueling positions with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) on all lanes, eight gasoline fueling positions, 237 truck parking spaces, 20 Reserve-It truck parking spaces, 45 car parking spaces and RV parking available, a CAT scale and Truckomat truck wash. Inside, it offers Subway and Cinnabon quick-service restaurants (QSRs) sandwich shop, on-site food options featuring regional favorites, three private showers and laundry facilities.

Onvo opened a new travel plaza in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 22. The new location marks the official debut of the chain’s made-to-order food program, Food on the Fly, featuring the Craverito, a signature burrito, as well as bowls and quesadillas. The plaza will also serve a new line of Onvo-branded handcrafted coffee, espresso and lattes.

Royal Farms held a soft opening of a new convenience store in Freedom, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 28. It features a gas station with 16 fueling positions, including ethanol-free fuel dispensers.

Wawa closed the company’s first drive-thru-only convenience store, located in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 28. The store opened in January 2021. Wawa still operates two other standalone drive-thru locations.

Net new stores: 2

The Spinx Co. opened the doors for its newest store concept, the Spinx Market & Eatery, on Oct. 23 in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. The new store will offer made-to-order gourmet food items, including flatbreads, sandwiches, salads and soups. Other items include bakery items, fresh produce and local favorites, including Methodical Coffee, Carolina Honey Bee and Dottie’s Toffee. The store’s menu will also include Spinx’s fried chicken. The new store is for those who live, work and play in downtown Greenville, CEO Steve Spinks said. “We knew we wanted to have a Spinx presence on main street because Greenville is our home,” he said. “It took some time to find the right space, but we believe this is the perfect fit.”

Net new stores: 1

Kwik Trip opened a new convenience store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Oct. 17.

Net new stores: 1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new convenience store in Rocky Top, Tennessee, on Oct. 24.

Net new stores: 1

BW Gas & Convenience Holdings’ opened a new Allsup’s convenience store in Mount Vernon, Texas, on Oct. 17

Net new stores: 1

Royal Farms held a soft opening of a new convenience store in Rustburg, Virginia, on Oct. 16. It features a gas station with 16 fueling positions, including ethanol-free fuel dispensers and dedicated diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) dispensers.

Net new stores: 1

Kitchen & Market opened a 5,000-square-foot store in the Eastlake neighborhood of Seattle on Oct 31. The European-style corner grocery model offers meal kits, grab-and-go lunches, pantry staples and produce. It offers interior seating. Along with grocery staples such as milk and eggs, customers will find grab-and-go options for breakfast and lunch, as well as meal kits. Chefs create meal kit menus that rotate based on seasonal offerings. Customers can choose from six meal kits, with new options rotating in regularly. These kits offer a variety of cuisine choices and accommodate different cooking comfort levels. The current menu features items such as Chicken Parmesan, Grandpa Jack’s Chili & Cornbread, Sheet Pan Pork with Polenta, Bulgogi Fried Rice, Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma and Autumn Squash Risotto, as well as a turkey or chicken Thanksgiving Feast available for pre-order. It also offers grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items that include smoothies, yogurt parfaits, soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts including the customer-favorite warm chocolate chip cookie. Customers also can find local labels such as Premier Catch, Buoy Beer, San Juan Seltzers, Momofuku, Beechers, Cypress Grove and Rustic Bakery. Kitchen & Market is also the exclusive grocer for Ethan Stowell restaurants pasta and home goods.

Net new stores: 1

7-Eleven closed two convenience stores in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 7.

Net new stores: -2

TravelCenters of America, part of the bp portfolio, opened a new, franchised TA travel center in Mineral Wells, West Virginia, on Oct. 22. Amenities include Five diesel fueling positions with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) on all lanes, CAT scale, six gasoline fueling positions, 104 truck parking spaces, 10 Reserve-It truck parking spaces, 60 car parking spaces and RV parking available. It features a full-service IHOP restaurant and Par Mar Kitchen, five private showers, laundry facilities, driver’s lounge and pet area.

Net new stores: 1

NEW STORES OPENED IN OCTOBER 2024: 40

STORES CLOSED IN OCTOBER 2024: 9

NET NEW STORES IN OCTOBER 2024: 31

TOTAL NET NEW STORES IN 2024: 341

To be sure your locations are listed in upcoming roundups, please send new-store announcements and other news to Greg Lindenberg at greg.lindenberg@informa.com