Sheetz and Wawa rivalry heats up
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A contentious pairing in Berks County in 2018. Photo: MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images
The battle for Pennsylvania gas station supremacy is neck and neck.
The big picture: The Altoona-based Sheetz and Delaware County-based Wawa have been duking it out in the Keystone State for decades, but their rivalry is now spilling into other states, and signs point to a nearly even matchup.
Driving the news: Sheetz and Wawa are tied for the second-highest rated convenience store chain in the country, according to this year's American Customer Satisfaction Index Convenience Store Study.
- Both received customer satisfaction scores of 82 out of 100.
🏪 By the numbers: Wawa has a bigger presence than Sheetz, for now.
- Wawa has over 1,100 stores across 13 states and Washington, D.C., according to data from ScrapeHero.
- Sheetz has over 800 stores across seven states.
Zoom in: Wawa was named the top convenience store in the nation last year, and Sheetz was tied for fifth then.
- Sheetz's made-to-order menu was recently voted "the coolest thing made in Pennsylvania" in the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry's bracket.
What they're saying: "As Sheetz grows its presence in new markets, we're excited to raise the bar and redefine the convenience experience," Sheetz public affairs manager Nick Ruffner told Axios.
- The chain is eyeing 1,000 stores by 2028.
- Wawa did not return a request for comment.
🗺️ Friction point: The battle lines are being drawn across the map.
- Sheetz recently announced plans to move into Downingtown in Chester County, less than 20 miles from Wawa's headquarters.
- Wawa announced plans last month to open several stores in Centre County, just 30 miles from Sheetz's headquarters.
Between the lines: Duquesne University marketing professor Audrey Guskey acknowledged the rivalry is "close to being tied.".
- "Obviously, one is going to win eventually. … Especially when they are starting to infringe on each other's territory."
💭 Ryan's thought bubble: If you are fortunate enough to have a Sheetz and Wawa next to each other, I would grab a coffee at Sheetz and a hoagie at Wawa. Best of both worlds.
🎬 Fun fact: The Sheetz-Wawa conflict is so intense among Pennsylvanians, a documentary was made about it.
Don't forget about other, smaller convenience store chains in Pennsylvania — like Rutter's in Central Pennsylvania and Country Fair in Northwest Pennsylvania — which have their own loyal followings.
The bottom line: Guskey said her students debate the issue with the intensity usually saved for sports.
- "It is fun as a marketer to look at it, but the rivalry, it is a bit shocking how strong people feel."
What do you think? Is the rivalry worth the hype? Is one store that much better than the other?
- Email us at [email protected] to weigh in.