10 Largest Gas Station Chains in the U.S. by Location Count

From quick pit stops to full-on food destinations, gas stations today offer a lot more than just fuel. Some brands have built massive footprints across the country, while others have carved out strong regional followings with loyal customers and unique offerings.

Let’s take a closer look at the largest gas station chains in the U.S.—who they are, how they operate, and what sets them apart.

Key takeaways

• The largest gas station chains operate under a mix of business models, from franchised fuel suppliers to fully company-owned c-stores.

• Legacy oil brands like Shell and ExxonMobil still lead by location count, thanks to widespread licensing and long-standing brand equity.

• 7-Eleven has emerged as a major player in fuel retailing, expanding beyond convenience into gas through acquisitions like Speedway.

• Many chains are diversifying beyond fuel, offering foodservice, loyalty apps, and even EV charging to stay competitive.

• Regional brands like Casey’s and Murphy USA stand out with focused strategies, whether it’s made-from-scratch pizza or low-cost, high-volume fuel sales.

1. Shell

• Number of U.S. fueling locations: ~12,000

• Headquarters: Houston, Texas (U.S. operations); global HQ in The Hague, Netherlands

• Parent company: Shell plc (formerly Royal Dutch Shell)

• Business model: Branded fuel supplier and licensee (stations are mostly owned/operated by independent franchisees or wholesalers)

• Primary U.S. brands: Shell

• Other services: Loyalty program (Fuel Rewards), car washes, select locations offer EV charging via Shell Recharge

Shell is the largest fuel brand in the United States, with approximately 12,000 branded gas stations spread across the country. While the company itself doesn’t directly own most of these locations, it licenses the Shell brand to a vast network of independent operators and wholesalers.

This asset-light, franchise-driven model has helped Shell achieve enormous scale without managing retail operations in-house.

2. ExxonMobil

• Number of U.S. fueling locations: ~12,000

• Headquarters: Irving, Texas

• Parent company: Exxon Mobil Corporation

• Business model: Branded fuel supplier and licensee (stations are independently operated under the Exxon or Mobil name)

• Primary U.S. brands: Exxon, Mobil

• Other services: Exxon Mobil Rewards+ loyalty program, Synergy-branded fuels, car washes

Like Shell, ExxonMobil doesn’t directly own most of its retail stations. Instead, it supplies fuel and licenses its Exxon and Mobil brands to independent operators, wholesalers, and regional partners.

Despite increased competition from convenience-focused retailers, ExxonMobil continues to thrive thanks to its long-standing brand equity and massive infrastructure.

3. 7-Eleven Inc.

• Number of U.S. fueling locations: ~8,200

• Headquarters: Irving, Texas

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

• Business model: Mix of company-owned, franchised, and licensed locations; many locations include branded fuel pumps

• Primary U.S. brands: 7-Eleven, Speedway, Stripes

• Other services: 7Rewards loyalty program, Speedy Rewards (Speedway), mobile ordering, delivery, and EV charging at select locations

7-Eleven is the largest convenience store chain in the world. While the company originally built its reputation on c-store convenience, it now operates or supplies fuel to over 8,000 gas station locations across the country—especially after acquiring Speedway and Stripes.

The chain’s growth has come from a convenience-first, fuel-optional model. In fact, many of its urban stores don’t sell gasoline.

4. BP

• Number of U.S. fueling locations: ~8,000

• Headquarters: Houston, Texas (U.S. operations); global HQ in London, United Kingdom

• Parent company: BP plc

• Business model: Branded fuel supplier and licensee (most stations independently owned and operated)

• Primary U.S. brands: BP, Amoco, ampm, Thorntons, TravelCenters of America (TA)

• Other services: BPme Rewards app, convenience retail (ampm and Thorntons), truck stop services (TA), EV charging via BP Pulse

Like other oil majors, BP primarily licenses its fuel brand to independently owned stations. But it’s also expanded its retail footprint by acquiring or partnering with convenience-forward brands like ampm and Thorntons.

Meanwhile, the acquisition of TravelCenters of America (TA) gave BP a foothold in the high-traffic highway and truck stop space, and its investments in EV infrastructure through BP Pulse show a shift toward long-term energy transition planning.

5. Chevron Corporation

• Number of U.S. fueling locations: ~8,000

• Headquarters: San Ramon, California

• Parent company: Chevron Corporation

• Business model: Branded fuel supplier and licensee (stations independently owned and operated)

• Primary U.S. brands: Chevron, Texaco

• Other services: Chevron Techron fuel additives, Texaco-branded fuel, loyalty programs via Chevron and Texaco mobile apps, car washes

The Chevron and Texaco names are backed by a long history in the energy sector, and both are strongly associated with Techron, the company’s proprietary fuel additive designed to improve engine performance and reduce emissions. While Chevron hasn’t leaned as aggressively into c-store innovation as some of its competitors, it remains a top fuel brand.

The company doesn’t directly own most of its gas stations—instead, it supplies fuel and licenses its brands to third-party operators across a large geographic footprint, particularly in the western and southern U.S.

6. Marathon Petroleum

• Number of U.S. fueling locations: 7,740

• Headquarters: Findlay, Ohio

• Parent company: Marathon Petroleum Corporation

• Business model: Branded fuel supplier and licensee (stations independently owned and operated)

• Primary U.S. brands: Marathon, ARCO

• Other services: MakeItCount Rewards program, Marathon fleet cards, low-cost fuel offerings through ARCO, car washes

Marathon Petroleum primarily operates under the Marathon and ARCO brands. While the company once owned Speedway, it sold that arm to 7-Eleven in 2021.

Its ARCO brand—particularly strong on the West Coast—caters to budget-conscious drivers with a no-frills, low-price approach. Meanwhile, Marathon-branded stations are more common across the Midwest and Southeast, often positioned as neighborhood mainstays.

7. Phillips 66

• Number of U.S. fueling locations: ~7,500

• Headquarters: Houston, Texas

• Parent company: Phillips 66 Company

• Business model: Branded fuel supplier and licensee (stations independently owned and operated)

• Primary U.S. brands: Phillips 66, 76, Conoco

• Other services: My Phillips 66 app, KickBack loyalty program, branded credit cards, car washes

Phillips 66 supplies fuel to around 7,500 locations under three legacy brands: Phillips 66, 76, and Conoco. While each retains its own distinct identity, they share centralized supply chains, branding support, and mobile tech infrastructure.

Unlike vertically integrated competitors, Phillips 66 takes a regional-brand approach to expand reach while preserving local loyalty. For example, 76 stations remain especially strong on the West Coast, Conoco is common in the Rockies and Plains, and Phillips 66 is prevalent throughout the Midwest and South.

8. Alimentation Couche-Tard (Circle K)

• Number of U.S. fueling locations: 7,107

• Headquarters: Laval, Québec, Canada (U.S. operations based in Charlotte, North Carolina)

• Parent company: Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

• Business model: Mix of company-owned and franchised stores with branded fuel offerings

• Primary U.S. brands: Circle K, Holiday

• Other services: Circle K Easy Rewards, car washes, foodservice, electric vehicle charging, private-label products

Alimentation Couche-Tard is a global convenience retail powerhouse best known in the U.S. for its Circle K brand. With over 7,000 fueling locations, the company has steadily grown through acquisitions, including Holiday Stationstores and CST Brands (the former Valero retail arm).

Couche-Tard’s model is c-store first, fuel second. The company operates or licenses locations that sell fuel from a mix of sources, but its business strategy hinges on operational efficiency, private-label expansion, and foodservice innovation.

9. Casey’s General Stores

• Number of U.S. fueling locations: ~2,900

• Headquarters: Ankeny, Iowa

• Parent company: Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

• Business model: Mostly company-owned stores that combine fuel sales with made-from-scratch food and convenience retail

• Primary U.S. brands: Casey’s

• Other services: Casey’s Rewards, popular foodservice program (notably pizza), mobile ordering

Unlike most competitors in the top ten, Casey’s stations are corporately owned, giving the company full control over operations, branding, and in-store offerings.

Originally focused on serving small towns, Casey’s built its reputation by offering dependable fuel alongside a full-fledged foodservice operation, including its cult-favorite made-from-scratch pizza.

10. Murphy USA

• Number of U.S. fueling locations: 1,757

• Headquarters: El Dorado, Arkansas

• Parent company: Murphy USA Inc.

• Business model: Primarily company-owned locations, often co-located with Walmart stores; low-overhead, high-volume fuel sales

• Primary U.S. brands: Murphy USA, Murphy Express, QuickChek (c-store acquisition)

• Other services: Murphy Drive Rewards, low-price fuel model, small-format convenience stores, expanding standalone store network

Murphy USA focuses on low-cost fuel sold at high volume, often adjacent to Walmart Supercenters. In addition to its Murphy USA and Murphy Express locations, the company acquired QuickChek in 2021 to strengthen its c-store capabilities and foodservice offerings. 

The chain remains one of the most price-sensitive and fuel-centric chains, relying less on flashy convenience formats and more on volume-driven pricing strategies.

Honorable mentions

These fuel retailers didn’t make the top 10 by total store count, but they remain major players in the U.S. gas station landscape. Many are regional powerhouses or travel center specialists with strong brand identities and loyal customer bases.

• QuikTrip (1,156 stations): Tulsa-based, c-store-first chain known for its clean stores, made-to-order food, and strong regional presence across the Midwest and South.

• Maverik (800 stations): Western U.S. fuel and adventure-themed c-store chain known as “Adventure’s First Stop,” now merged with Kum & Go under the Maverik brand.

• Kwik Trip (800 stations): Upper Midwest chain known for its loyal following, fresh bakery items, and full-service grocery-style convenience stores; operates as Kwik Star in Iowa.

• RaceTrac (750 stations): Southeastern chain offering private-label fuel and foodservice; owns the RaceWay brand.

• Pilot Flying J (750 stations): Major travel center operator catering to long-haul truckers and highway drivers; now part of Berkshire Hathaway with extensive amenities.

• Wawa (750 stations): East Coast favorite combining fuel stations and c-stores with popular food offerings like hoagies and coffee; many urban locations operate without gas.

• Sheetz (680 stations): Mid-Atlantic and Midwest chain offering 24/7 made-to-order food, self-service kiosks, and a quirky brand identity.

• Love’s (644 stations): National network of travel stops focused on long-haul drivers, with full-service amenities, tire care, showers, and branded snacks and drinks.

From fuel to food: How the largest gas station chains adapt

From legacy oil giants to regional c-store legends, the U.S. gas station industry is far more diverse than it looks from the pump. 

While major players like Shell and ExxonMobil continue to dominate through widespread licensing and brand trust, newer models—like Casey’s food-first approach or 7-Eleven’s acquisition strategy—show how convenience and fuel are increasingly intertwined.