The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) has released its latest rankings for convenience store chains, and the results may surprise fans of the Texas-based megastore Buc-ee's. While Buc-ee's has cultivated a devoted following for its massive locations and quirky merchandise, it does not top the list when it comes to customer satisfaction.
According to the ACSI's 2024-2025 study, the top spot goes to Meijer, a Midwest retailer better known for its grocery stores than its fuel stations. Meijer operates hundreds of supermarkets across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kentucky, and many of those locations include gas pumps. The company scored 82 out of 100, a five-point improvement from last year, driven by strong customer approval of its rewards program, which reportedly saved shoppers $200 million over the past year.
Meijer's rise to the top is notable, but it didn't win every regional category. In the Midwest, Sheetz edged out Meijer by a single point. Wawa claimed the top spot in both the Northeast and the South, narrowly beating Buc-ee's in the latter region. In the West, Maverik and QuikTrip tied for first place.
The rankings, which surveyed customers on factors like store hours, food quality, layout, cleanliness, merchandise variety, and coffee freshness, included more than two dozen brands. Last year's leader, Kwik Trip, slipped to third place overall after losing six points, the biggest drop of any chain. Love's, Cumberland Farms, and Sunoco each fell five points.
Notably absent from the list are warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club, which offer fuel but require customers to enter the store to purchase food and beverages, unlike traditional convenience stores where the counter is steps from the pump.
For those tracking retail trends, the results come amid broader shifts in consumer preferences. As digital price tags in grocery stores face pushback, convenience store operators are also adapting to changing expectations around pricing and loyalty programs. The ACSI data suggests that rewards and consistent quality are becoming key differentiators in a crowded market.
Political observers might note that regional preferences often mirror broader cultural divides. The Midwest's fondness for Meijer and Kwik Trip, the East Coast's loyalty to Wawa and Sheetz, and the South's affinity for Buc-ee's all point to the importance of local branding. Meanwhile, branding challenges in politics show that name recognition alone doesn't guarantee approval, a lesson that applies equally to retail.
For now, Meijer can claim the title of America's favorite convenience store, even if many drivers outside the Midwest have never pumped gas there. As the ACSI report shows, customer satisfaction is about more than just size or fame—it's about delivering a reliable experience every time.
