United States: top convenience stores 2024, by number of stores

The convenience store landscape in the United States continues to evolve, with major players expanding their presence across the country. As of March 2024, 7-Eleven Inc. led the list with an a total of 12,577 stores, following its acquisition of Speedway in 2021. Alimentation Couche-Tard secured the second place with 5,851 locations, highlighting the significant gap between the top two operators and the rest of the field.

Regional distribution and consumer trends

The Southeast of the country dominated the convenience store market with 36,288 outlets, followed closely by the Northeast with 31,497. This regional concentration reflects the industry's overall strength, with a total of 152,396 convenience stores operating nationwide in 2023. However, consumer behavior is adapting to economic pressures, with nearly three-quarters of U.S. shoppers noticing price increases at convenience stores compared to the previous year.

Private labels and revenue growth

The convenience store sector is witnessing shifts in consumer preferences and purchasing patterns. Private label sales in these types of stores, for example, experienced significant growth, particularly in the first quarter of 2022, with a 17 percent increase compared to the previous year. As for the private companies in the sector, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores leading the pack, generating nearly 27 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2023.