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Many consumers will be seeing new faces — or more specifically, new c-store brands — in their neighborhood in the coming months.
While much of the c-store industry’s growth happens in areas where companies already have a presence, there can be much to gain from introducing a brand to entirely new customer bases — especially by building new-to-industry stores.
Here’s a recap of seven major convenience store companies staking their claim in new states through new builds.
QuikTrip quietly making moves
QuikTrip opened its first site in Ohio in downtown Dayton in June, and its debut in Nevada is expected to come in Las Vegas by the end of the year.
Looking further down the road, QuikTrip announced in May that it’s planning its first travel center in Florida, then in July confirmed it was also targeting Kentucky. The first sites in each of those states is expected to open in 2025.
Most recently, a QuikTrip spokesperson confirmed in August that the retailer is working on multiple Indiana sites. The first of these, a travel center in Daleville, is slated to open in spring 2025.
Wawa continues massive growth plans
Wawa made big news in late 2022 and into 2023 by announcing plans to expand into seven new states. The map of the retailer’s proposed footprint was missing two notable ones, however — West Virginia and South Carolina.
In July, Wawa announced that it would be adding West Virginia to those massive expansion plans. The company scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for its first store in the state on Aug. 14. It did not share a planned opening date for that store, which will be built in Inwood, roughly 80 miles northwest of downtown Washington, D.C.
Plans also continue apace in the other states. Wawa held groundbreakings in Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana earlier this year, and opened its first sites in Alabama and North Carolina.
Buc-ee’s keeps on growing
Buc-ee’s has been storming its way into new states in recent years, and 2024 has continued that trend.
In January, plans surfaced for the company’s first c-store in Arizona. The site is expected to have a 75,000-square-foot store and more than 700 parking spots.
Buc-ee’s followed that up by opening its first site in Colorado on March 18. The 74,000-square-foot store has 116 fueling positions and 12 EV charging stations.
Then in April, Buc-ee’s got approval for its first Arkansas site, off I-30 in Benton.
Most recently, Buc-ee’s began seeking approval to expand into Kansas, setting its sights on a location across from the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City.
ExtraMile enters Louisiana
ExtraMile is primarily a West Coast chain, but as the Chevron and Jacksons Food Stores joint venture seeks to reach 2,000 stores, it’s begun looking to the Southeast. The retailer opened its first Louisiana store in Mandeville, about 35 miles north of New Orleans, in May.
That opening added to the brand’s other stores in the region, including locations in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.
ExtraMile is also looking at expanding into Florida within the next year, said President Brian Sardelich in an interview earlier this year.
Racetrac gets approval in North Carolina
While much of the news from RaceTrac this year has been tech focused — the retailer has upgraded its app, implemented an edge computing program, opened its first electric vehicle chargers in Texas and switched its security and data servers to a new platform — it has also been extending its reach into new states.
After opening its first sites in South Carolina and Indiana in late 2023, RaceTrac was granted zoning approval for a site in North Carolina in January of this year, according to local reporting.
Rutter’s begins work on Virginia site
In early 2023, Rutter’s announced a bold expansion plan that would grow the company’s footprint by 60% in five years and introduce it to two new states.
A year and a half later, Rutter’s has confirmed that it’s working on its first site in Virginia. That store, in Winchester, will feature the company’s new 13,500-square-foot prototype with an updated facade.
Rutter’s is also expected to expand to Delaware in the next few years.
Sheetz readies for Michigan debut
Sheetz is opening its first Michigan store in August, the company announced early in the month.
The inaugural site, at 33380 Wick Road in Romulus, will be one of around 40 Sheetz locations currently outfitted with diesel fuel, DEF, truck scales and overnight truck parking, according to the company’s website.
The retailer is already working on expanding its presence in the state, having confirmed it’s working on multiple sites in Romulus and Chesterfield.
Sheetz, which also announced plans to move into Asheville, North Carolina, and additional areas in Ohio, is currently aiming for the 1,000-store milestone.
