Ranking the Top 40 C-Store Chains: A 2021 Update

CHICAGO — M&A activity fluctuated in 2020 as the pandemic stole attention that might otherwise have been put toward merger-and-acquisition deals. Still, the year scored the largest deal in c-store history as 7-Eleven Inc. contracted to purchase the Speedway chain for $21 billion and dozens of smaller chains cashed in on high purchase-multiple rates.

CSP’s complete 2021 Top 202 list of the largest chains in the United States will be released in June, but we offer this early look at the current top 40 based on store counts as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Here’s a look at the top 40 U.S. c-store chains by store count as they stand today …

Chains: 7-Eleven, Stripes

No. of Stores: 9,519

2020 Ranking: 1

2021 Ranking: 1

Headquarters: Irving, Texas

What’s New: 7-Eleven is among the world’s largest and most widely recognized and iconic retailers, both inside and outside the c-store channel. The company’s Slurpees, Big Gulp soft drinks and fresh-made coffees have helped 7-Eleven grow in North America and in several countries overseas.

The Irving, Texas-based chain grew its U.S. store count by about 155 sites in 2020. It has set a goal of growing to 20,000 U.S. store sites by 2027 and will take a significant step in that direction when it closes its pending acquisition of the Speedway convenience-store chain (No. 3 on our list) from Marathon Petroleum.

The Speedway acquisition is not only the largest M&A deal by 7-Eleven Inc., but also the largest consolidation of stores in U.S. c-store history.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Circle K, Holiday Stationstores

No. of Stores: 7,142

2020 Ranking: 2

2021 Ranking: 2

Headquarters: Laval, Quebec

What’s New: The largest c-store operator in Canada, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is also a major force in the U.S. and global c-store markets.

Couche-Tard’s North American retail network consists of 15 business units, 11 in the United States covering 48 states and the District of Columbia, and four in Canada covering all 10 provinces. The company operates in the United States under the Circle K and Holiday Stationstores banners and in Canada under the Circle K and Couche-Tard banners. It also has a retail network in Scandinavia, Ireland, Poland, the Baltics and Russia, and it licenses the Circle K brand in 16 other countries. Its worldwide network consists of approximately 14,200 stores.

Circle K stores offer a wide variety of branded and private-label items and the Simply Great coffee and Polar Pop fountain programs. The company also recently launched its Fresh Food Fast program built around three pillars: good food, done in a way that's operationally easy and profitable and with the ability to be customized at the store level or store cluster level.

Couche-Tard Inc. also has invested in Fire & Flower Holdings Corp., an independent Canadian cannabis retailer, and entered into an agreement with Canopy Growth Corp., a diversified cannabis and hemp company, to sell recreational marijuana in Ontario.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chain: Speedway

No. of Stores: 3,854

2020 Ranking: 3

2021 Ranking: 3

Headquarters: Enon, Ohio

What’s New: Speedway is the retail arm of integrated refiner-marketer Marathon Petroleum Corp., for now. It’s pending acquisition will put the third-largest c-store chain in the U.S. in the hands of No. 1 chain 7-Eleven Inc.

The Speedway brand is known for low gasoline prices and its popular Speedy Rewards program.

7-Eleven’s acquisition of Speedway is the largest M&A deal in U.S. c-store history, and is part of 7-Eleven’s goal to grow to 20,000 units in the U.S. by 2027.

Marathon Petroleum announced it would spin off Speedway in October 2019 following a strategic review and pressure from activist investors. 7-Eleven’s acquisition of Speedway is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021. The acquirer has not announced whether it will maintain the Speedway retail brand or rebrand the 3,854 stores to the 7-Eleven name.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chain: Casey’s General Store

No. of Stores: 2,230

2020 Ranking: 4

2021 Ranking: 4

Headquarters: Ankeny, Iowa

What’s New: With more than 2,200 convenience stores in 16 Midwestern states, Casey's General Stores targets small towns and rural areas. It offers a wide range of prepared foods and beverages in addition to the traditional selection of snacks, grocery items, retail goods and gasoline. The retailer has launched and recently expanded its private-label line of packaged beverage, bakery and snack items.

The hallmark of its in-store offerings is its expansive pizza program, which has evolved over the years to include delivery and online ordering. It is the fifth-largest seller of pizza in the United States.

Casey’s has expanded its executive team and accelerated its technology initiatives. It revamped its website and mobile app to allow for a more seamless ordering process, and it rolled out a new loyalty program, Casey's Rewards, which allows customers to earn points and redeem them for fuel discounts or a donation to a local school of their choice.

In fall 2020, Casey’s also debuted its first new logo and brand refresh in 50 years.

Casey's generally grows through new construction and small acquisitions. In 2020, it broke this pattern and acquired 94 Bucky’s c-stores in Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, Texas and Missouri from Omaha, Neb.-based Buchanan Energy. It will rebrand most of the stores to Casey’s.

The company is set to open its third distribution center in Joplin, Mo. The new facility will service 400-600 company's stores. Its other distribution centers are in its home base of Ankeny, Iowa, and in Terre Haute, Ind.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Cumberland Farms, Certified Oil, Fastrac, KwikShop, Loaf ‘N Jug, Minit Mart, QuickStop, TomThumb, TurkeyHill

No. of Stores: 1,704

2020 Ranking: 5

2021 Ranking: 5

Headquarters: Westborough, Mass.

What’s New: EG America’s store count grew by 25 sites this year. The chain acquired Schrader Oil’s 18 convenience stores and gas stations in northern Colorado and opened seven new Cumberland Farms stores.

EG Group—EG America, locally—made its way into the top rankings of CSP's Top 202 in short order, starting with its initial acquisition in the United States of Kroger Co.'s 762 c-stores in April 2018. The international retailer, with global headquarters in Blackburn, U.K., has continued to acquire U.S. chains since.

Notably in 2018, EG Group acquired TravelCenters of America's 225 stand-alone Minit Mart c-stores. Then in 2019, EG Group acquired 54 Fastrac locations, 69 Certified Oil locations and 566 Cumberland Farms locations.

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, 2021.

Chains: Murphy USA, Murphy Express

No. of Stores: 1,500

2020 Ranking: 6

2021 Ranking: 6

Headquarters: El Dorado, Ark.

What’s New: Murphy USA operates 1,500 stores under the Murphy USA and Murphy Express banners. Murphy USA stations are typically located near a Walmart store, 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.

In 2020, Murphy began the process of acquiring QuickChek Corp. (No. 44 on CSP’s 2020 Top 202), a deal that closed after the start of 2021. The deal adds 157 stores to Murphy USA and brings foodservice expertise and a footprint in the northeast.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Fas Mart, Shore Stop, Scotchman, 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

No. of Stores: 1,330

2020 Ranking: 7

2021 Ranking: 7

Headquarters: Richmond, Va.

What’s New: GPM Investments LLC is an aggressive acquirer of convenience-store chains large and small. In 2020, it grew by about 60 convenience stores, largely with the closing of its acquisition of Empire Petroleum Partners, Dallas. That deal, first announced in December 2019, closed in October 2020.

And this past December, GPM Investments’ parent company, Arko Holdings, combined with Haymaker Acquisition Corp. II, a publicly traded special-purpose acquisition company, to create a new company, Arko Corp. Trading on Nasdaq as ARKO, the coupling will “drive the next chapter” of GPM Investments’ growth, according to CEO Arie Kotler.

GPM operates in three segments: retail, which consists of fuel and merchandise sales to retail consumers; wholesale, which supplies fuel to third-party dealers and consignment agents; and GPM Petroleum, which supplies fuel to GPM and its subsidiaries selling fuel in the retail and wholesale segments, as well as to sub-wholesalers and bulk purchasers.

In 2020, GPM Investments also unveiled a new store prototype and plans to remodel about 360 of its stores over the next three to five years.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chain: ampm

No. of Stores: 1,026

2020 Ranking: 8

2021 Ranking: 8

Headquarters: La Palma, Calif.

What’s New: BP America's national convenience-store brand is ampm, a fully franchised banner on the West Coast. The brand is looking to attract millennial and Gen Z consumers, which is reflected in its testing of bitcoin-enabled ATMs, stocking of CBD snacks and topicals, and its social-media savvy.

The ampm 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.

In 2018, BP formed a joint-venture partnership with ArcLight Capital Partners to acquire the privately owned Thorntons Inc. c-store chain. Since then, the newly renamed Thorntons LLC (No. 37 here) has grown to 200 stores, all retaining the Thorntons store and fuel brand. It operates independently from the rest of BP's retail network.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chain: ExtraMile

No. of Stores: 975

2020 Ranking: 9

2021 Ranking: 9

Headquarters: Pleasanton, Calif.

What’s New: ExtraMile Convenience Stores LLC is a joint venture franchising company for the ExtraMile convenience-store offer. Ownership and governance are split between Chevron USA, San Ramon, Calif., and Jacksons Food Stores (No. 30), Meridian, Idaho, ExtraMile Convenience Stores LLC has its sights on growing the ExtraMile c-store brand within the existing Chevron- and Texaco-branded network, building the brand through franchising.

Consumers can find ExtraMile stores in six Western states: Utah, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Idaho. As it continues to expand across more of the Western United States, ExtraMile Convenience Stores LLC plans to grow to 1,500 ExtraMile sites by 2027.

In late 2019, ExtraMile forged a partnership with KickBack Rewards Systems to enhance the ExtraMile Extras rewards program. The program uses KickBack technologies and program management services to integrate the Extras reward program in the various point-of-sale solutions ExtraMile franchisees use. The enhanced Extras program allows franchisees to participate in and offer vendor-sponsored discounts as well as comply with any data reporting requirements.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chain: Wawa

No. of Stores: 917

2020 Ranking: 10

2021 Ranking: 10

Headquarters: Wawa, Pa.

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

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

In 2020, Wawa opened its first drive-thru and pickup-only c-store. The chain also activated an augmented reality (AR) game to its kids meals and launched a plant-based breakfast sandwich.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chain: QuikTrip

No. of Stores: 850

2020 Ranking: 11

2021 Ranking: 11

Headquarters: Tulsa, Okla.

What’s New: QuikTrip added 30 new stores in 2020. It also began work to grow beyond the c-store channel, opening a MedWise urgent care clinic in Tulsa, Okla. The chain sold four stores to Hy-Vee in early 2020 as it seeks to grow its count of new, larger footprint Generation 3 stores.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

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

No. of Stores: 768

2020 Ranking: 13

2021 Ranking: 12

Headquarters: La Crosse, Wis.

What’s New: Kwik Trip began 2021 with 67 more convenience stores than it operated a year earlier. The chain in December 2020 closed on the purchase of the assets of Stop-N-Go of Madison Inc., which operated 36 Stop-N-Go stores in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

La Crosse, Wis.-based Kwik Trip, which owns and operates c-stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, plans to continue to operate many of the acquired stores under the existing Stop-N-Go banner. It will remodel and rebrand some of the larger stores as Kwik Trip, or as Kwik Star in Illinois.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Pilot, Flying J, Xpress Fuel, Mr. Fuel

No. of Stores: 754

2020 Ranking: 12

2021 Ranking: 13

Headquarters: Knoxville, Tenn.

What’s New: In recent years, Pilot Co. began an ownership transition that will culminate in the company becoming majority owned by investment holding giant Berkshire Hathaway in 2023.

Berkshire Hathaway bought a 38.6% stake in Pilot Flying J in October 2017 for $2.76 billion. While having little involvement in strategy at Pilot Co., according to company executives, Berkshire Hathaway will grow its ownership stake to 80% over the next two years.

Also in 2017, Pilot announced a $485 million investment to renovate its existing locations over the next five years, focusing on “replacing our signs and canopies with our new logo and updating site and canopy lighting to all LED, enhancing the exterior look and feel of our stores, including adding stone, tile and stucco to our exteriors, replacing floor tiles, ceilings and lighting where needed.”

In November 2019, Pilot Flying J launched the One9 Fuel Network, a nationwide fueling network aimed at smaller fleets. The network gives professional drivers and trucking companies access to personalized credit and reward benefits with a variety of travel-center brands. As of the end of 2020, the network includes 241 Pilot and partner locations.

The company changed its name from Pilot Flying J to Pilot Co. in January 2020, as the company aimed to bring all of its related brands—travel centers, truck service centers, the fuel network, logistics and more—under one corporate identity.

And in July 2020, as CEO and owner Jimmy Haslam looked to step away from the day-to-day oversight of the company, he announced that he would become chairman of the company as of Jan. 1, 2021, promoting Shameek Konar, most recently chief strategy officer, to CEO.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chain: Sheetz

No. of Stores: 615

2020 Ranking: 14

2021 Ranking: 14

Headquarters: Altoona, Pa.

What’s New: Sheetz added about 15 new stores in 2020, growing to 615 sites across six state. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Altoona, Pa.-based chain introduced new services including scan-and-go and curbside pickup that were rolled out quickly compared to typical projects.

The chain also announced plans to open as many as 60 new convenience stores in the Columbus, Ohio, market through 2025.

In September 2020, People Magazine named Sheetz to its Companies That Care List, identifying the top U.S. companies that are supporting their employees and communities during the coronavirus outbreak.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: RaceTrac

No. of Stores: 567

2020 Ranking: 15

2021 Ranking: 15

Headquarters: Atlanta

What’s New: RaceTrac added 12 new stores in 2020. After going through “tremendous” growth, RaceTrac changed its top leadership structure in 2019 to focus more on its expansion, the company said.

RaceTrac entered the Nashville market in 2019 and opened four additional locations in middle Tennessee, with more planned. RaceTrac offers a wide selection of on-the-go food and beverages, including favorites such as its Swirl World frozen dessert stations and its signature Crazy Good Coffee.

In 2020 it offered a new RaceTrac Rewards VIP program to healthcare and other essential workers free for the first month amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The RaceTrac Rewards VIP is a premium add-on to the company’s loyalty program. The monthly fuel subscription allows members to save 10 cents per gallon on the first 40 gallons and 3 cents per gallon thereafter each month with each fuel purchase. It costs $2.49 per month to subscribe. 

The chain also launched an online ordering platform in 2020, which allows guests to select and order items from RaceTrac and pickup within 30 minutes from a “grab-and-go box” pass-through window.

RaceTrac also owns RaceWay stores, which are listed separately at No. 38.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

No. of Stores: 543

2020 Ranking: 16

2021 Ranking: 16

Headquarters: Oklahoma City, Okla.

What’s New: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. increased its store count by 35 in 2020, as part of its plan announced in 2019 to expand. 

Highlights of Love's 2020 plan included expanding the store's fresh-food offerings, enhancing the Love's Connect mobile app and opening new compressed natural gas, renewable natural gas, solar and hydrogen stations.

In November 2020, the chain partnered with quick-service restaurant chain Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill to open in a Greenup, Ill., travel center. The QSR offers handmade Middle Eastern food options such as pita, chicken Shawarma, hummus and falafel. Love’s plans to add 10 more Naf Naf locations in the next five years.

Love's prides itself on its numerous types of stores and services, including its Country Stores, Travel Stops, a growing interstate hotel business and storage facilities.

This year, the chain plans to open up to 50 new travel stops.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: We Got It! Food Mart, My Goods Market, Rocket

No. of Stores: 451

2020 Ranking: 19

2021 Ranking: 17

Headquarters: Long Beach, Calif.

What’s New: United Pacific, through its retail and wholesale fuel distribution network, has established itself as one of the largest independent owners, operators and suppliers of gas stations and c-stores in the western United States. It offers motor fuel products under the 76, Conoco, Phillips 66, Shell and United Oil flags in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Colorado.

Fortress Investment Group created Long Beach, Calif.-based United Pacific from the purchases of United Oil Co. and Pacific Convenience & Fuels in 2015. United Pacific is now owned by SoftBank Group Corp., a Tokyo-based telecom holding company and investment firm that acquired it from New York-based Fortress in 2017.

In July 2020, United Pacific acquired 95 retail locations from Platinum Energy, mostly in Southern California. The acquisition marks 507 locations for United Pacific, including 451 company-operated stores and 56 fee-operated locations.

In late 2020, United Pacific announced that it would add CBD Wellness Centers to 350 of its c-stores in a partnership with KushCo Holdings, a provider of products and services to the cannabis and CBD industries.

United Pacific uses social media to reach new customers, showing photos and location information, as well as highlighting product promotions. Social-media marketing enables the chain to be more aggressive with its signage, especially at the point-of-purchase. As a force in metro markets such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, the chain’s stores are known to have competitive pricing on gasoline, tobacco and energy drinks. Social media is also United Pacific's most prominent employee recruitment tool.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chain: Kum & Go

No. of Stores: 408

2020 Ranking: 18

2021 Ranking: 18

Headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa

What’s New: In 1959, W.A. “Bill” Krause and T.S. Gentle formed a partnership and created convenience-store chain Kum & Go. The two, a father-in-law and son-in-law, created Hampton Oil Co. in Hampton, Iowa, which became the Krause Gentle Corp. and later Kum & Go LC.

Krause Group is parent company to a diverse set of businesses that include convenience retail, logistics, Italian wineries and hospitality, real estate, agriculture and soccer clubs.

In May 2018, Tanner Krause succeeded his father, Kyle Krause, as president of Kum & Go. Kyle Krause transitioned to chairman and CEO. In January 2021, he transitioned out of his role as CEO. He remains CEO of the convenience-store chain's parent company, Krause Group. Tanner Krause succeeded him as president and CEO of the c-store chain.

Kum & Go has long been dedicated to the communities it serves, sharing 10% of its profits with charitable causes. Leadership speaks out on issues such as racial and sexual equality and racial injustice. In 2020, to help ensure that all of its employees could exercise their right to vote, the chain provided two hours of paid voting time and free in-store meals for all store associates on Election Day, Nov. 3.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chain: Yesway

No. of Stores: 402

2020 Ranking: 17

2021 ranking: 19

Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas

What’s New: BW Gas & Convenience Holdings joined the convenience-store industry in late 2015 with ambitions of operating up to 1,000 stores. It first acquired 10 Country Store sites in late 2015, then added 21 sites purchased from Kum & Go. The chain has slowly accumulated stores through acquisition ever since, most recently in July 2018 with the Fresh Start chain. In March 2018, it acquired the In & Out BP Travel Plaza in Marshalltown, Iowa. And in February 2018, it acquired five Rip Griffin Travel Centers in Texas and one State Line Convenience store in Missouri.

In 2019, Yesway acquired Clovis, N.M.-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. In 2020, Yesway set to work integrating the Allsup’s brand into its network.

The company is an affiliate of Beverly, Mass.-based Brookwood Financial Partners, a real-estate and private-equity investment and asset management company with more than $2.6 billion in holdings. Brookwood Financial Partners LLC formed BW in 2015 and announced its c-store brand—Yesway—in summer 2016.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Unbranded

No. of Stores: 395

2020 Ranking: 20

2021 Ranking: 20

Headquarters: Doral, Fla.

What’s New: Sunshine Gasoline Distributors Inc., owned by Cuban-American Maximo Alvarez, is one of the largest gasoline distributors in Florida, supplying 543 gas stations and owning 395 of them, up from 360 sites a year ago. A company representative tells CSP all of the company’s new sites came through acquisitions, the bulk of them bought from RaceTrac in central and west Florida last year. While most of Sunshine’s c-stores are unbranded, its gasoline brands include Shell, Chevron, Exxon, Mobil, Marathon and CITGO.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

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

No. of Stores: 367

2020 Ranking: 21

2021 Ranking: 21

Headquarters: Warren, Pa.

What’s New: Warren, Pa.-based United Refining Co. (URC) added 18 convenience stores in 2020, most of them through the December acquisition of Acorn Markets Inc. and Putnam Co.

URC is an independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products and the parent company of convenience stores 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.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chain: Maverik

No. of Stores: 360

2020 Ranking: 23

2021 Ranking: 22

Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah

What’s New: Maverik owns and operates 360 c-stores in 11 states. The brand targets adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts by establishing itself as a “base camp” for activities such as off-roading, biking, canoeing and mountain climbing, and incorporating them into the stores’ concept and decor.

Maverik is known for its BonFire food, made fresh every day, and its values on fuel, drinks and snacks. Maverik sells exclusive products such as fresh-made, gourmet burritos, sandwiches, pizzas, toasted-subs, cookies and coffee blends from around the world. Loyalty members can use Trail Points collected on their app to enter for a chance to win one of Maverik’s series of sweepstakes presented in partnership with popular product brands throughout each year that offer guests adventure-themed prizes.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Anabi Oil, Rebel, 7-Eleven

No. of Stores: 350

2020 Ranking: 26

2021 Ranking: 23

Headquarters: Upland, Calif.

What’s New: In 2020, Anabi Oil added 25 stores to its portfolio of sites, bringing the total owned and/or operated to 350. Anabi Oil has a large footprint in California, selling and delivering fuel from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Anabi is the largest Shell distributor in California, as well as the largest 7-Eleven franchisee in the United States, the company said. Besides Shell, Anabi also distributes Sinclair, 76 and unbranded fuels. Anabi also owns the Rebel convenience-store brand, which it acquired from Las Vegas-based Rebel Oil Co., in 2016. Rebel stores are in several Nevada cities and towns, and more new-to-industry Rebel stores have been added in California, sporting a new design and branding. Family-owned Anabi buys and sells stations with existing c-store, car washes and quick-service restaurants. The company supports operators with financing options and guidance on facility branding and upgrades.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Stewart’s Shops, Stewart’s Express

No. of Stores: 348

2020 Ranking: 25

2021 Ranking: 24

Headquarters: Ballston Spa, N.Y.

What’s New: Stewart’s Shops added a dozen locations in 2020, growing to 348 stores in upstate New York and southwestern Vermont. The growth included the November acquisition of eight stores and about 75 dealer network sites from Red-Kap Sales Inc., Schenectady, N.Y.

That deal led Stewart’s Shops to develop a secondary brand—Stewart’s Express—for the smaller stores.

While Stewart’s Shops is mostly owned by the family of Chairman William Dake, employees also own approximately 40% of the company through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

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 unique 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, 2021.

Chains: MAPCO Express

No. of Stores: 345

2020 Ranking: 22

2021 Ranking: 25

Headquarters: Franklin, Tenn.

What’s New: Owned by Compania de Petroleos de Chile (COPEC), a Chilean retail and fuel giant, MAPCO operates c-stores in the United States under MAPCO Express banner. Stores stock a standard mix of c-store items such as cigarettes, snacks, packaged beverages and beer. Foodservice also gets play, with touchscreen ordering terminals and interior seating setting the stage for a program that includes proprietary made-to-order meals or a branded quick-service restaurant partner, depending on the location.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Sunoco, APlus

No. of Stores: 343

2020 Ranking: 24

2021 Ranking: 26

Headquarters: Dallas

What’s New: Sunoco LP is a master limited partnership that operates or franchises retail fuel sites and c-stores. It also distributes motor fuel to convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors. Its parent company is Energy Transfer Partners LP, which owns Sunoco's general partner and incentive distribution rights. The name Sunoco LP was launched at the end of 2014 after the company acquired Susser Petroleum Partners and its Stripes stores. 7-Eleven Inc. completed its acquisition of 1,030 Sunoco and Stripes c-stores in January 2018. The deal also included the trademarks and intellectual property of the Laredo Taco Co. to 7-Eleven.

The 7-Eleven-Sunoco deal marked a shift in Sunoco's attention and resources toward wholesale fuel distribution. In April 2018, Sunoco completed the conversion of its retail sites in several West Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico markets to a single commission agent. With this conversion complete, Sunoco's transition out of the majority of its c-store operations in the continental United States is “effectively complete,” it said, although it did retain some retail sites in New Jersey, as well as the Aloha Petroleum c-stores in Hawaii that it acquired in 2014.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Alltown, Alltown Fresh, Convenience Plus, Fast Freddie’s, Gulf Express, Honey Farms, Jiffy Mart

No. of Stores: 277

2020 Ranking: 27

2021 Ranking: 27

Headquarters: Waltham, Mass.

What’s New: Global Partners LP operates a total of 277 stores in the Northeast. The company opened a new Alltown Fresh c-store in Schenectady, N.Y., in August 2020. It features fresh food and made-to-order meals including organic, natural, gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options made with locally sourced ingredients. The 4,800-square-foot market is designed to create a farmstand-like experience with a menu of healthy options such as all-day breakfast, salads, smoothies, sandwiches, bowls and more.

In December 2020, the company signed an agreement to purchase Consumers Petroleum of Connecticut, with 27 company-operated gas stations with Wheels-branded convenience stores in Connecticut. The transaction also includes fuel supply agreements for approximately 25 stations located in Connecticut and New York. The companies expect the purchase to close in the first half of 2021.

Global Partners has rolled out PayByCar, a pay-by-text service, at all 30 Alltown gas stations in Massachusetts. The technology will allow fuel customers to pay without having to use cash, a credit card or a mobile app, via toll transponders.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: TA, TA Express

No. of Stores: 272

2020 Ranking: 28

2021 Ranking: 28

Headquarters: Westlake, Ohio

What’s New: TravelCenters of America (TA) operates 272 stores in 44 states. In May of 2020, TA announced a companywide reorganization, which included significant leadership changes. The company also accelerated its network expansion strategy by actively pursuing franchise opportunities. In 2020, the travel-stop company signed 21 franchise agreements and opened 10 new franchise locations.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chain: GetGo Cafe and Market

No. of Stores: 266

2020 Ranking: 30

2021 Ranking: 29

Headquarters: Pittsburgh

What’s New: GetGo, the convenience-store division of the Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle supermarket chain, owns and operates stores in five states, primarily focused in the metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus and Indianapolis.

Recently, Giant Eagle rebranded all of the 56 sites in acquired from Anderson, Ind.-based Ricker's, which it acquired in October 2018.

In 2021, GetGo will continue to focus on growth and enhancing the customer experience with new store builds, fresh and made-to-order food innovation, the launch of Top Tier fuel and building out the network of WetGo and WetGo Pro car washes. Acquisitions are a priority for GetGo, especially assets that can provide a fresh, food-first experience for consumers.

Because of the pandemic, GetGo is expanding refrigeration space for grocery and dairy.

GetGo also focused on technology in 2020. The company is piloting frictionless and contactless checkout technology via Grabango and rich media and video cooler door screens through a partnership with Cooler Screens. The company also is retrofitting its more than 1,800 fuel pumps with Invenco’s video touchscreen technology.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Jacksons Food Stores

No. of Stores: 264

2020 Ranking: 31

2021 Ranking: 30

Headquarters: Meridian, Idaho

What’s New: Jacksons Food Stores added 10 sites to its store count in 2020, one through new construction and nine via acquisitions.

Parent company Jackson Oil operates the chain of Jacksons Foods Stores that in 2017 entered into a joint-venture partnership with San Ramon, Calif.-based Chevron Corp. to franchise and grow the oil company’s ExtraMile c-store brand. Jacksons Food Stores Inc., a private company, manages its own stores, while the joint-venture entity, called ExtraMile Convenience Stores, oversees its ExtraMile locations as a franchisor.

Jacksons’ retail network includes a mix of c-stores, travel centers and car washes. Jackson Oil is a jobber for more than 800 dealer sites in nine Western states, delivering fuel brands 76, Chevron, Conoco, Exxon, Mobil, Phillips 66, Shell and Texaco.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Bolla Market

No. of Stores: 260

2020 Ranking: 33

2021 Ranking: 31

Headquarters: Garden City, N.Y.

What’s New: A new Bolla Market in Seaford, N.Y., that opened in July 2020 is the first to feature a full-service Tim Hortons, a prominent Canadian coffee shop. The Bolla Market is 4,500 square feet and sells Shell fuel. The Tim Hortons offers coffee, baked goods and frozen drinks.  The Long Island store also has a self-service Pizza Hut, Red Mango frozen yogurt and Nathan’s Famous hot dogs. Those QSR brands are found in most other Bolla Markets and some also have Burger Kings. The chain prefers offering branded foods. Bolla plans to add a dozen or more stores and hopes to expand the Tim Hortons brand through the chain. Founded in 1989, Bolla Oil Corp. operates gas stations and convenience stores, auto repair shops and car washes throughout the New York metro area. A Bolla Market in Sheepshead Bay made news in January when it sold a $1 million Mega Millions lottery ticket.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: DK, 7-Eleven licensee

No. of Stores: 253

2020 Ranking: 29

2021 Ranking: 32

Headquarters: Brentwood, Tenn.

What’s New: Delek U.S. Holdings is the largest 7-Eleven licensee in the United States, with locations in central and West Texas and New Mexico. The retail c-store business has launched a convenience-store brand, DK, and will rebrand all of the 7-Eleven stores by the end of 2021.

Delek U.S. Holdings is a diversified downstream energy company with assets in petroleum refining, renewable fuels, asphalt, logistics, wholesale marketing operations and convenience-store retailing. The refining system consists of four locations.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Royal Farms

No. of Stores: 242

2020 Ranking: 35

2021 Ranking: 33

Headquarters: Baltimore, Md.

What’s New: Royal Farms built 20 new sites in 2020, bringing its total store count to 242 in five states.

Royal Farms’ foodservice program is centered around its flagship fried chicken. It regularly earns recognition in Technomic’s c-store foodservice power rankings. In 2020, it ranked No. 1 for overall food quality. In late 2020, the chain implemented a new bean-to-cup coffee brewing system intended to provide customers with fresh hot or iced coffee 24/7.

The chain sells gasoline under the Royal Farms brand. It also offers a network of DC fast chargers, as well as some Level 2 electric-vehicle chargers.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.

Chains: Sam’s Food Stores, DB Mart, Smoker’s Discount World

No. of Stores: 231

2020 Ranking: 40

2021 Ranking: 34

Headquarters: Rocky Hill, Conn.

What’s New: Sam's Food Stores operates locations across New England, with many sites in Connecticut. The business includes the convenience-store chains Sam's Food Stores and DB Mart, gas station chain Ravi Petro and the tobacco specialty shop Smoker's Discount World, plus other sites that are branded by fuel. Sam's Food Stores has a handful of company-operated stores, with the rest leased to independent operators.

Sam's Food Stores range in size from 1,500 to 2,500 square feet and operate in both heavily populated towns and smaller communities.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.