Competition between regional gas station chain, alike Buc-ee’s in Texas or Sheetz and Wawa on the East Coast, reach the peak of fever in recent years. While regional pride plays a role in the growing rivalry among brand fans, the drive to attract customers to stores and make a profit has created passionate advocates from the start.
YouTube User Phil Edwards discovered How gas station chains have evolved and adapted their business strategies to the times. And unsurprisingly, it has never had anything to do with gasoline. Sheetz and Wawa were founded as milk stores in Pennsylvania, becoming chains in the 1960s. However, they didn’t start selling gasoline until much later—1973 for Sheetz and 1996 for Wawa.
The major train station chains do not expect to make the bulk of their revenue through the sale of gasoline. Pumps have always been intended to draw people into stores. But as self-serve and pay-at-the-pump stations became more common, every chain has adopted the model. Edwards notes that food stations are twice as likely to be in states that allow self-serve gas as in states that prohibit it.
Buc-ee’s, Sheetz, and Wawa have set themselves apart from their competitors by offering better amenities and higher quality food inside their convenience stores. Customers are now offered all kinds of branded apparel, 235 feet car wash And a WalMart sized gas station.
