Nation's Top Convenience Store Chains Ranked: See How GA's Circle K, Buc-ee’s Fared

Food-focused establishments continue to lead the top of the American Customer Satisfaction Index Convenience Store Study, with Georgia-favorite stores like Circle K, Buc-ee’s and Couche Tard faring well.

Overall customer satisfaction with convenience stores remains the same — 76 on a scale of 0 to 100 — but there’s been a major shakeup at the top.

Circle K and Couche Tard, which both have about 400 stores across Georgia, ranked at 76 on the scale this year, and it was the second straight year for Circle K.

Quik Trip, which has nearly 200 Georgia locations, rated an 80 this year and 81 last year.

Kwik Trip, a Wisconsin-based chain that has no locations in Georgia, leads the industry after surging 8 percent to a score of 84.

The convenience store, like many others, focuses on a food-based model to draw in more visitors and cater to a wide range of customer preferences, but it’s the company’s stout commitment to building a positive culture that places a heavy emphasis on the customer experience that is clearly paying off.

Kwik Trip stores are located in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. The company operates under the Kwik Star banner in Iowa, Illinois and South Dakota.

Meanwhile, Wawa placed second with an 82 percent customer satisfaction rating. Wawa, which was last year's leader in customer satisfaction, maintained its existing rating and tied with Sheetz, which improved by 4 percent.

QwikTrip came in third place with a score of 80, followed by Buc-ee's, which fell one point to 79 percent.

Buc-ee's, which has a cult-like following among travelers, has three locations in Georgia, including stores in Brunswick, Calhoun and Warner Robins. It ranked an 80 last year and 79 this year.

The company's website states that “Buc-ee’s Travel Center is a family-focused travel center featuring a wide range of freshly prepared foods, including home-crafted BBQ, custom-made sandwiches, fresh salads and fruits, baked goods, and sweets as well as a unique collection of gifts, housewares, clothing, and weekend getaway gear."

Buc-ee’s locations are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The company claims to have the cleanest restrooms and does not allow 18-wheelers on the property.

Coming in next was ACSI newcomer Love’s, which operates more than 600 travel centers in 42 states, including Georgia. Love's tied with Buc'ee's by receiving a 79 percent customer satisfaction score.

Near the low end of the industry, Iowa-based Casey’s General Stores saw the largest satisfaction decline, down 5 percent to 75 percent. BP dropped 4 percent to 74 percent, tying QuikStop and just ahead of ampm, which finished last with an ACSI score of 73.

“The brands rising to the top are doing more than just selling coffee and snacks. They’re building communities inside their stores," he said in a statement. "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.”

Learn more about the American Customer Satisfaction Index Convenience Store Study.