U.S. convenience-store count declines for second year, NACS reports

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The number of U.S. convenience stores slightly decreased for the second year in a row, the National Association of Convenience stores said Monday.

There are 151,975 c-stores in operation as of Dec. 31, a decrease of 280 stores, or 0.2%, from the year prior, according to the 2026 NACS/NIQ TDLinx Convenience Industry Store Count. 

In January 2025, NACS reported that the U.S. c-store count shrunk by 0.1% compared to the year prior. Here’s a look at the past decade:

U.S. c-stores (as of Dec. 31, 2025) 

• 2026: 151,975 (-0.2%)
• 2025: 152,255 (-0.1%)
• 2024: 152,396 (+1.5%)
• 2023: 150,174 (+1.5%)
• 2022: 148,026 (-1.5%)
• 2021: 150,274 (-1.6%)
• 2020: 152,720 (-0.3%)
• 2019: 153,237 (-1.1%)
• 2018: 154,958 (+0.3%)
• 2017: 154,535 (+0.2%)
• 2016: 154,195 (+0.9%)

Despite the decline, the number of c-stores selling fuel increased by 768 stores to 122,620—the highest number in eight years, NACS said. Convenience stores sell about 80% of the fuel purchased by consumers in the United States, NACS said. 

Most c-stores are owned by smaller operators. NACS said 95,672 stores—or 63% of the total store count—are owned by a company with 10 or fewer stores. Companies operating 500-plus stores own 22.2% of the overall total. 

The U.S. c-store industry had $837.4 billion in sales in 2024, driven largely by foodservice. Data for 2025 will be released at the NACS State of the Industry Summit, which takes place April 14-16 in Schaumburg, Illinois. 

What are the top convenience stores by state?

Texas continues to have the most convenience stores of any state. It topped the list at 16,504 stores as of Dec. 31, NACS said. 

Here’s a look at the top 10 states by store count:

1. Texas (16,504 stores)
2. California (12,143)
3. Florida (9,730)
4. New York (7,561)
5. Georgia (7,092)
6. Ohio (5,833)
7. North Carolina (5,799)
8. Michigan (4,957)
9. Pennsylvania (4,784)
10. Illinois (4,708)

Texas also grew by them most c-stores, with 88 by the end of 2025 than by the close of 2024. New York’s count shrunk the most, down 143 stores, NACS said. 

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