America has a new highest-rated convenience store - and it’s not Buc-ee’s
When it comes to American convenience chains, one has been crowned the greatest of them all—and it may surprise you to hear it’s actually not Buc-ee’s.
During the FIFA Men’s World Cup, revellers from across the globe seemingly discovered the beloved gas station brand—famed for its jaw-dropping food and snack offerings, branded apparel, and oversized locations—for the first time.
Despite its cult status, the American Customer Satisfaction Index does not consider Buc-ee's America’s favourite convenience store.
American Customer Satisfaction Index
New statistics suggest there is another convenience store brand currently rating higher in terms of expectations, perceptions of quality and value, complaints and loyalty.
The study, published on 6 October, said that one company took first place after a five percent improvement on its previous score.
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“[It] connects fuel and convenience purchases to the retailer’s broader mPerks loyalty program, allowing customers to earn and redeem rewards across groceries, merchandise, and fuel,” the report reads.
Other reasons why it has scored so high include Quick ID simplifying earning points at the pump, and continued price investment and new store openings ‘support the brand’s upward movement’.
Meijer ‘highest rated’ convenience store in the US
According to the report, Meijer had the highest satisfaction rate in America.
The business, headquartered in Walker, Michigan, operates out of the state and has outlets in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Founded in 1934, Meijer earned a high score of 82 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index—a four-point increase from 2025.
Buc-ee’s meanwhile dropped from 79 points to 77, a three percent decrease, as per the report.
Speaking to People Magazine about the news, Meijer said: “We are honoured to be recognised by customers as the top convenience store brand in the US.
“Our team puts a lot of effort into making sure visiting our Meijer Express locations is a great experience.”
They continued: “Customers are increasingly looking for value and convenience, and our mPerks rewards program and Meijer Express stations offer both in a format that is easily accessible while fueling up or on the road.
“Meijer appears to be benefiting from a combination of strong value, a broad merchandise offering, and the ability to connect fuel purchases to its larger retail and loyalty ecosystem.”
Other notable convenience store index mentions
Coming in joint-third place on the Index were QuickTrip—a chain which has locations spread out throughout dozens of states—Sheetz and Wawa.
The former maintained its score of 80 from 2025 to 2026, while Sheetz and Wawa each slipped two percent from 82 points.
Kwik Trip fell 6 percent to 79, the study’s ‘steepest decline’; Murphy USA rose one percent to tie Kwik Trip, and Buc-ee’s dropped three percent to tie with Maverik, RaceTrac and Shell, all down by one percent.
Several large networks saw ‘satisfaction slip amid consolidation and rebranding’, as per the study.
This included Cumberland Farms and Sunoco, each of which fell five percent to 71, and Love’s, which dropped five percent to 75.
Chevron declined 4 percent to 73; 7-Eleven edged down one percent to 74, while Fas Mart debuted at 69, the lowest score in the industry.
You can see the full study here.
Ella Scott