10 Largest Convenience Store Chains in the U.S. by Store Count

From interstate exits and busy city corners to quiet rural roads, convenience stores are just about everywhere. With 152,255 locations across the country, they’re as much a part of the American landscape as traffic lights and road signs.

While most stay small, a few beloved c-stores have scaled into juggernauts — transforming the humble corner store into a multi-state operation with made-to-order food, fuel, and branded coffee on tap.

In this guide, we’re spotlighting the ten largest convenience store chains in the U.S. by number of locations. All store count data comes from NACS Magazine’s 2025 NACS/NIQ TDLinx Convenience Industry Store Count.

Key takeaways

• 7-Eleven remains the undisputed leader, with a presence in nearly every region and a model built for aggressive national expansion.

• Regional dominance varies — Circle K leads in the Southeast, Casey’s in the Central U.S., and chains like Wawa and Kwik Trip thrive on strong local loyalty.

• Foodservice is a major growth area, with many top chains investing in made-to-order programs that rival fast-casual restaurants.

• Multi-banner strategies are common, especially among holding companies like GPM and EG America, which operate under several legacy names.

1. 7-Eleven

• Number of U.S. stores: 12,414

• Headquarters: Irving, Texas

• C-store model: Urban/suburban convenience store; many with fuel, others purely grab-and-go

• Parent company: Seven & i Holdings Co. (Japan)

7-Eleven is the undisputed giant of the convenience store world. In fact, it’s the largest convenience store chain in every region of the U.S. except for the Central and Southeast. Even in those regions, it’s the second-largest. Known for its Slurpees and Big Gulps, the brand has become synonymous with convenience itself.

A big part of its success lies in its aggressive growth strategy, including its 2021 acquisition of Speedway (which added roughly 3,800 stores). It's a one-stop shop for today’s grab-and-go lifestyle — and it’s built to scale. 

2. Alimentation Couche-Tard (Circle K)

• Number of U.S. stores: 5,833

• Headquarters: Laval, Quebec, Canada (U.S. operations managed from Arizona)

• C-Store model: Gas station convenience store; highway, suburban, and urban locations

• Parent company: Alimentation Couche-Tard

Circle K is the flagship brand of Canadian-based Alimentation Couche-Tard, one of the largest convenience retail operators in the world. In the U.S., Circle K is the largest convenience store chain in the Southeast — one of the only regions where it outpaces 7-Eleven.

That regional strength is a result of multiple acquisitions, including Kangaroo Express, which helped expand its southern footprint.

3. Casey’s General Stores

• Number of U.S. stores: 2,887

• Headquarters: Ankeny, Iowa

• C-store model: Rural and small-town gas station convenience store with made-to-order food

• Parent company: Casey’s (publicly traded, NASDAQ: CASY)

Casey’s is the largest convenience store chain in the Central U.S. It may not have the coast-to-coast visibility of 7-Eleven or Circle K, but in small towns across the heartland, Casey’s is the go-to gas station, grocery stop, and pizza joint all rolled into one.

What makes Casey’s unique is its focus on prepared foods — particularly its fan-favorite made-from-scratch pizza, which has become a cornerstone of the brand.

4. GPM Investments LLC

• Number of U.S. stores: 1,498

• Headquarters: Richmond, Virginia

• C-store model: Multi-banner gas station convenience stores; primarily suburban and rural

• Parent company: ARKO Corp. (publicly traded, NASDAQ: ARKO)

GPM Investments may not be a household name, but it operates one of the largest portfolios of regional convenience store brands in the U.S. Instead of focusing on a single national banner, GPM manages a patchwork of acquired stores under legacy names like Fas Mart, E-Z Mart, Scotchman, Village Pantry, and more.

This multi-brand strategy allows GPM to maintain local loyalty while expanding operational scale behind the scenes. It’s especially strong in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern regions.

5. EG America LLC

• Number of U.S. stores: 1,405

• Headquarters: Westborough, Massachusetts

• C-store model: Multi-banner gas station convenience stores; suburban, highway, and rural locations

• Parent company: EG Group (United Kingdom)

EG America is the U.S. arm of EG Group, a major UK-based fuel and convenience conglomerate. Like GPM, EG America operates through a portfolio of regional banners — including Kwik Shop, Turkey Hill, Certified Oil, and Loaf 'N Jug — rather than under one unified brand.

Its 2019 acquisition of Cumberland Farms gave it a strong foothold in the Northeast, and since then, EG America has continued to grow. The multi-banner approach allows EG to tap into the brand equity of trusted local names while streamlining operations.

6. Murphy USA

• Number of U.S. stores: 1,154

• Headquarters: El Dorado, Arkansas

• C-Store model: Low-cost, fuel-focused convenience stores located primarily near Walmart locations

• Parent company: Murphy USA Inc. (publicly traded, NYSE: MUSA)

Originally established to operate fuel stations adjacent to Walmart stores, Murphy USA grew rapidly by capitalizing on Walmart’s high foot traffic. While the company has expanded its in-store product selection and rolled out standalone stores, its core identity remains tied to fast, efficient service at the pump. 

Its 2020 acquisition of QuickChek — a regional chain known for made-to-order sandwiches — signaled a broader move into foodservice offerings.

7. QuikTrip

• Number of U.S. stores: 1,118

• Headquarters: Tulsa, Oklahoma

• C-store model: High-traffic gas station convenience stores with strong made-to-order food programs

• Parent company: QuikTrip Corporation (privately held)

QuikTrip, often abbreviated as QT, is one of the most beloved regional c-store brands across the South, Midwest, and expanding areas in the Southwest. Many locations feature full kitchens offering custom-made pizzas, sandwiches, pretzels, and breakfast options, blurring the line between c-store and fast-casual dining.

QuikTrip regularly earns top customer satisfaction ratings and is frequently listed among the best places to work in retail.

8. Wawa

• Number of U.S. stores: 1,096

• Headquarters: Wawa, Pennsylvania

• C-store model: Fuel and non-fuel convenience stores with a strong focus on made-to-order food and coffee

• Parent company: Wawa Inc. (privately held, employee-owned)

Wawa isn’t just a convenience store — in many parts of the Mid-Atlantic, it’s a full-on cultural institution. With a cult-like following across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and beyond, Wawa has become the gold standard for fresh food in the c-store space.

The chain is known for its made-to-order hoagies, customizable drinks, and touchscreen ordering system. The company continues to expand down the East Coast and around the country, recently opening their first stores in states like Indiana and Ohio.

9. Kwik Trip

• Number of U.S. stores: 878

• Headquarters: La Crosse, Wisconsin

• C-store model: Full-service convenience store with fuel, extensive grocery selection, and fresh food made in-house

• Parent company: Kwik Trip Inc. (privately held, employee-owned)

Kwik Trip is a Midwest powerhouse — and one of the most vertically integrated c-store chains in the country. What truly sets Kwik Trip apart is its in-house production model. The company owns its own bakery, dairy, and kitchens, supplying stores daily with fresh items like sandwiches, donuts, bread, and milk — all branded under its beloved Kwikery and Nature’s Touch labels. 

Many locations also feature grocery staples like eggs, bananas, and butter, making it a convenient hybrid between a convenience store and a mini-market.

10. Maverik Inc.

• Number of U.S. stores: 850

• Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah

• C-store model: Adventure-themed gas station convenience stores with foodservice and outdoor lifestyle branding

• Parent company: FJ Management Inc. (privately held)

With stores scattered across the Rocky Mountains, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest, Maverik brands itself as “Adventure’s First Stop.” With its BonFire food program and outdoorsy aesthetic, the chain caters to road trippers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone fueling up on their way to explore.

In 2023, Maverik significantly expanded its reach by acquiring Kum & Go, a respected Midwestern chain. The move added over 400 stores to Maverik’s portfolio, signaling its ambition to become a national player.

From coast-to-coast chains to corner store champs

While major chains like 7-Eleven, Circle K, and Casey’s dominate by store count, they’re just one part of the convenience store ecosystem. In fact, there are 92,155 independently owned c-stores operating across the U.S.—making up nearly 60% of all convenience stores nationwide.

Still, when it comes to shaping national trends, expanding foodservice programs, and investing in next-gen store formats, the country’s largest chains are leading the way.