The Midwest has spoken, and it’s not quietly. Kwik Trip surged 8% in customer satisfaction to claim the top spot in America’s convenience store rankings, ending Wawa’s reign with a decisive score of 84, according to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index study.
The Regional Power Shift
Midwestern values beat Northeast nostalgia in satisfaction battle.
This isn’t just about rankings—it’s about the soul of American road culture. Wawa devotees who’ve spent years evangelizing their hoagie superiority now face an uncomfortable truth: the Midwest faithful were building something better while everyone was arguing about cheesesteaks versus cheese curds.
Wawa and Sheetz now share second place at 82, with Sheetz climbing 4% to finally match their longtime Northeast rival. The shift represents more than regional bragging rights—it signals a fundamental transformation in what Americans expect from their convenience stores.
Food Quality Becomes the Differentiator
Fresh food and community culture separate winners from gas-and-go laggards.
The transformation is stark. While Casey’s General Stores dropped 5% to 75 and ampm languishes at 73, the top performers cracked the code on what Americans actually want: quality food made fresh, not reheated mystery meat.
QuikTrip (80), Buc-ee’s (79), and newcomer Love’s (79) prove this isn’t regional luck—it’s strategic focus on turning pit stops into dining destinations. The industry average remains steady at 76, but the gap between leaders and laggards continues widening.
Digital Integration Drives Loyalty
Mobile apps and rewards programs create measurable satisfaction gaps.
Thirty-four percent of customers now use mobile apps for their convenience store experience, and loyalty program members report consistently higher satisfaction scores. Technology has become table stakes, but execution separates winners from wannabes.
As ACSI Director of Research Emeritus Forrest Morgeson explains, “The brands rising to the top are doing more than just selling coffee and snacks… They’re building communities inside their stores. As in-store sales outpace fuel and digital tools become table stakes, the brands that will win are those that double down on quality, innovation, and authentic connection.”
The New Convenience Store Reality
Community hubs replace quick-stop mentality as industry standard evolves.
The 11-point gap between top and bottom performers reveals a brutal truth: adapt or die. Based on 8,601 customer responses collected between October 2024 and September 2025, the data shows Americans expect more than caffeine and lottery tickets.
They want authentic experiences, consistent quality, and technology that actually works. The convenience store wars have become culture wars—and the Midwest just won.
