Convenience Store News' exclusive Top 20 Growth Chains report is an annual ranking of the convenience store retailers that added the most locations in the past year.
This year’s ranking is led by a new player that’s building up a sizeable industry presence.
Western Refining tops the sixth-annual ranking.
Smaller acquisitions proved key for this year’s expanders.
Couche-Tard leads the way thanks to Kangaroo Express acquisition.
The annual ranking, now in its sixth year, is based on store count figures provided by TDLinx, a service of Nielsen.
Many on this year’s list got there by gobbling up midsize convenience channel players.
An up-close look at how each company earned its spot on this year’s ranking.
Low interest rates, high multiples and no succession planning are among the contributing factors.
Retailer’s growth is having ripple effect on the c-store industry at large.
Mom-and-pop retailers can survive, but only if they find a competitive differentiator.
Big consolidators and strong regionals put pressure on midsize chains.
The convenience store chain cites loyalty and private-label programs as key pillars of growth.
Big deals, small deals and midsize deals all combined to make for another very active year.
Robust M&A activity again shapes this year’s Convenience Store News Top 20 Growth Chains ranking.