Wawa vs. Sheetz: This 2024 Ranking Compares the Rivals
We have a growing rivalry between two Pennsylvania-based convenience retail stores that have their sites set on expanding and controlling the convenience market on the East Coast.
Wawa and Sheetz.
Although Sheetz seems like a newcomer to people from the Philadelphia/South Jersey area, they have had stores open longer than Wawa. Sheetz opened its first store in 1952; Wawa's first store didn't open until 1964.
Of course, Wawa has been in business as a dairy since 1865 or earlier.
Wawa vs. Forbes - Forbes Top Companies List
Forbes Magazine has published its 2024 America's Top Private Companies list. Both Wawa and Sheetz ranked in the top 30 this year.
Both are family-owned businesses and both are private companies. Let's see how they compare.
Here's how Forbes describes the two:
"Wawa owns and operates convenience retail stores, the majority of which include a fuel offer, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Florida. These stores offer a fresh food and beverage selection under the Wawa brand including Built to Order sandwiches, coffee and specialty beverages, wraps, breakfast sandwiches, bakery products, express items, and dairy products."
"Sheetz operates approximately 680 convenience stores throughout six states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. In its stores, Sheetz sells everything from made-to-order salads to freshly baked goods to discount cigarettes. Founded by Bob Sheetz in 1952, the company remains family-owned and operated."
Wawa Vs. Sheetz By The Numbers
Number of Stores:
Wawa - 1,081 and more openings this year
Sheetz - 680
Number of States with Stores
Wawa - 10 states
Sheetz- 6 states
Year Opened:
Wawa - 1964
Sheetz - 1952
Employees:
Wawa: 47,000
Sheetz- 25,000
2024 Revenue:
Wawa - $18.8 billion
Sheetz- $14 billion
Forbes List Ranking:
Wawa - #22, predicted to be #121 in 2025 For Best Customer Service
Sheetz- #30, predicted to be #266 for Best Customer Service
Other Convenience Stores Rank Ahead of Both
For the record, two other convenience store chains rank ahead of Wawa and Sheetz on the 2024 Forbes Top Private Companies list.
Quick Trip, the Oklahoma-based company ranks at # 20 with $19.6 billion in revenue.
Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores, another convenience chain based in Oklahoma, ranks 11th on the list with $24 billion in revenue.
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