How Many Convenience Stores Are in the U.S.?

Convenience stores have long been a fixture of the U.S. retail landscape, shaping how Americans shop and reshaping expectations around speed, accessibility, and selection. Far beyond corner shops, the modern convenience store sector has become a major economic force, influencing everything from fuel sales to snack trends and community employment.

While their cultural role is well understood, what’s often overlooked is the scale of the industry itself. In this article, we break down the latest data on convenience store counts, ownership patterns, economic impact, and the market forces reshaping this sector.

Total Number of Convenience Stores in the U.S.

According to the latest research, there are 152,255 convenience stores operating across the United States. This represents a slight decrease from last year, i.e., 152,396 stores in 2024, signaling a largely stable but closely watched market.

With an estimated U.S. population of 340 million, there is approximately one convenience store for every 2,233 people nationwide.

Here’s a breakdown of top states by store count:

• Texas — 16,416 stores
• California — 12,169 stores
• Florida — 9,732 stores
• New York — 7,704 stores
• Georgia — 7,053 stores
• Ohio — 5,795 stores
• North Carolina — 5,779 stores
• Michigan — 4,986 stores
• Pennsylvania — 4,819 stores
• Illinois — 4,735 stores

While store counts have held relatively steady, the minor year-over-year dip points to ongoing pressures, including rising costs, market consolidation, and shifting consumer habits.

Ownership Breakdown: Chains vs. Independents

The U.S. convenience store market is divided between two major ownership models: independent retailers and retail chains. According to 2023 data, the independent segment dominated the market, accounting for 71.7% of total convenience store sales, or approximately $722.4 billion.

While independents currently lead in market share, convenience retail chains are projected to see the fastest growth over the next few years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9% between 2023 and 2028.

Independent Retailers:

• Make up over 70% of the market share
• Typically operate as single-store businesses or small local chains
• Strong presence in rural areas and small communities
• Account for most convenience store sales

Major Convenience Store Chains:

• 7-Eleven: 12,600 U.S. stores; 93% franchised; expanded by acquiring over 7,000 stores since 2006
• Circle K (Couche-Tard): 6,158 U.S. stores; 21% franchised; more than 70% of locations from acquisitions
• ampm: 1,020 U.S. stores; 91% franchised; known for strong West Coast presence

Combined, 7-Eleven and Couche-Tard control roughly 12% of the U.S. market. Despite not dominating the market outright, their competitive overlap is notable; nearly half of Circle K stores have a 7-Eleven within a three-mile radius.

Both companies remain aggressive in M&A, with 7-Eleven aiming to grow revenue by 70% through 2030 and Couche-Tard targeting 70% EBITDA growth by 2028. As chains push to scale, the gap between independents and large chains is expected to narrow in the coming years.

Store Types and Services Offered

Out of the 152,255 convenience stores in the U.S., 121,852 stores sell fuel, an increase of 1,791 fuel-selling stores over 2024. Convenience stores handle about 80% sales of motor fuels, making them a critical part of the country’s fueling network.

The market is also segmented by product type:

• Cigarettes & tobacco products (32.1% of sales)
• Foodservice (13.1% CAGR 2023–2028)
• Packaged beverages (cold drinks, bottled water)
• Center store (snacks, packaged goods)
• Low-alcohol beverages (beer, wine coolers, ready-to-drink cocktails)
• Other (lottery, automotive, general merchandise)

Technology Trends in Convenience Stores

The U.S. convenience store industry is rapidly adopting new technologies to improve efficiency, sales, and elevate the customer experience.

Here’s a snapshot of the key trends:

• POS Systems: Modern convenience store POS systems integrate payments, inventory, and data analytics. They improve checkout speed, reduce errors, and help optimize product mix. The global POS market is projected to grow from $3.5 billion in 2023 to $7.2 billion by 2032 (CAGR 8.5%).
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI-powered cameras track customer movement, generate heat maps, and analyze shopper sentiment. Audio analytics monitor employee-customer interactions, detect service issues, and evaluate cashier performance on loyalty offers.
• Contactless and Digital Payments: About 69% of U.S. retail transactions use credit or debit cards, while 5% come from digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. This shift supports faster, frictionless checkouts and is reshaping expectations at both fuel pumps and in-store.
• Self-Checkout and Cashier-less Technology: Self-checkout systems reduce wait times and improve customer flow. Cashier-less technology, inspired by Amazon Go, uses cameras and sensors for grab-and-go shopping and is beginning to appear in select convenience chains.
• Data Analytics and Loyalty Programs: Big data powers personalized promotions and loyalty rewards. Programs like 7-Eleven’s 7Rewards (with 25 million members) help bring repeat visits, and 37% of customers say loyalty programs influence where they shop.
• Digital Transformation and Automation: Mobile ordering, curbside pickup, and real-time delivery tracking improve convenience. Automation now extends to inventory management and customer service, driving operational efficiency.
• Consumer and Operator Insights: 67% of U.S. shoppers visit c-stores at least once a week, and 38% visit twice or more. Top drivers include loyalty programs, ease of payment, and food options. Despite staffing challenges (46% cite this), 58% of operators are optimistic about 2025.

Sales and Economic Outlook

The global convenience store market is on a steady growth path, reaching nearly $1 trillion in 2023 and projected to hit $1.64 trillion by 2028 at a 10.2% CAGR, eventually reaching $2.35 trillion by 2033 with a 7.5% CAGR.

• 58% of c-store operators are optimistic about business in 2025, up from 52% in 2024, while 19% expect a downturn.
• 46% of operators cite hiring and retention as the top business challenge for 2025, ahead of economic conditions/inflation and competition (40.6% each).
• Workforce challenges have been persistent, with 56.4% of respondents saying hiring and retention will have the biggest impact on their business in 2025.
• Tobacco faces major headwinds, with 25.5% of respondents citing reduced smoking and 25% pointing to rising excise taxes as top threats.
• Youth tobacco use reached a 25-year low in 2024, while adult tobacco use remains around 1 in 5 U.S. adults.
• Electric vehicles are projected to have the greatest impact on fuel retailing demand, with 27% of operators listing EVs as the top factor for 2025.
• The U.S. added 12,485 new EV-charging ports in Q2 2024, growing the total ports to 211,382. The Northeast led with 13.2% growth, while California remains the leader with 26.3% of public ports.
• Foodservice equipment upgrades top the list of planned 2025 investments, ahead of frictionless transactions, mobile ordering, and delivery.

Bottom Line

The U.S. convenience store industry plays a major role in the country’s economy, providing much more than just snacks and fuel. While independent stores continue to hold the largest share of the market, chains are expanding quickly through acquisitions and new technologies.

At the same time, challenges like labor shortages, changing customer needs, and the growth of electric vehicles are reshaping the market. Still, with steady sales growth, strong operator confidence, and ongoing improvements, convenience stores are set to remain an important part of American retail in the years ahead.

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