This Philly-based chain has more than hot coffee going for it
New Study: This Is America’s No. 1 Convenience Store Chain
Published on Oct. 10, 2024
Just like everyone has a favorite color, favorite food and favorite movie, we all have our favorite convenience stores. Whether you’re on a long road trip or out running errands, chances are, you’ll go out of your way to fuel up on gas, food and coffee at your preferred chain. But which convenience store is truly the best? Only one can reign supreme, and a first-ever study on the topic found out which chain can proudly call itself America’s favorite convenience store.
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How was the study conducted?
Finding the country’s favorite convenience store was no small task. Between March 2024 and September 2024, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) reached out to a pool of nearly 6,000 randomly selected customers via email. The ACSI asked each customer to complete a survey that asked them to score different convenience stores on a scale of zero to 100 in a wide range of categories. Food quality, coffee freshness, wait times, hours and store locations were among the categories customers rated.
Which convenience store was voted the best?
If you’ve ever enjoyed a made-to-order hoagie or a fresh cup of coffee from Wawa, then you won’t be surprised that the beloved Philadelphia-based chain came out on top. With an impressive score of 82 points, Wawa secured the No. 1 spot by a one-point margin. The runner-up, Tulsa-based QuikTrip, scored 81 points.
What makes Wawa so popular?
All it takes is one visit to Wawa to see why it has such a loyal following and earned the title of America’s favorite convenience store. The chain has a big menu that offers a wide assortment of food options, all of which are fresh and many of which are made to order.
Hoagies are undeniably a top choice among customers (as a South Jersey native and Wawa devotee, I recommend the Italian hoagie or the Thanksgiving favorite Hot Wawa Gobbler). And if you ask any Wawa fan, they’ll tell you that the coffee is simply the best around. Starbucks who?
Equally important is the experience of shopping at a Wawa store. Customer satisfaction goes a long way, and Wawa employees deliver both quality food and customer service, with employees always greeting you with a smile. The store has a huge selection of grab-and-go snacks and drinks too, which is ideal if you’re in a rush. Also, let’s not forget that Wawa has a gas station at most locations, making it a one-stop shop when you’re out and about.
Which other convenience stores round out the top 10?
Wawa may be the favorite convenience store among shoppers, but the fan-favorite store isn’t the only game in town. While it was surprising to see that stores like 7-Eleven didn’t make the top 10, plenty of other beloved convenience stores did:
- Wawa
- QuikTrip
- Buc-ee’s
- Murphy USA
- Casey’s General Stores
- Sheetz
- Kwik Trip
- BP
- Cumberland Farms
- Speedway
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Source:
- American Customer Satisfaction Index: “Convenience Story Study 2024”
