If you’re planning a road trip out of the city anytime soon, you might want to rethink your pit stops.
The latest convenience store rankings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) are officially out.
In a shocking shift for snack lovers, beloved Texas chain Buc-ee’s just took a major tumble in customer rankings.
The new number one convenience store in America
Move over, Beaver Nuggets. America’s favorite convenience store for 2026 is Meijer.
The Michigan-headquartered retailer beat out more than two dozen other stores evaluated by the index to claim the crown.
Meijer currently operates 500 convenience and grocery stores across six Midwestern states. However, they have plans to expand into neighboring Pennsylvania.
This means New Yorkers might soon be just a quick drive away from the nation’s top-rated pit stop.
Meijer received a score of 82 out of 100 on the ACSI. This is a massive improvement from its 2025 score of 76, marking the largest jump in the entire study.
What drove this massive spike in popularity? Customer loyalty. Shoppers saved nearly $200 million through the chain’s mPerks loyalty program, taking advantage of coupons and fuel discounts.
Plus, most Meijer locations boast 24-hour access. They also run about 244 express locations specifically designed for quick, on-the-go needs.
Buc-ee’s and last year’s winners take a hit
Buc-ee’s dropped ranking comes as a massive shock. The chain is famous for its cult following, fresh Texas brisket, and signature “Beaver Nuggets”. Yet, Buc-ee’s found itself all the way down in fourth place.
Here is how the top of the pack looks according to the data:
- First place: Meijer scored an 82.
- Second place: QuikTrip, Sheetz, and Wawa tied with a score of 80.
- Third place: Last year’s winner, Kwik Trip, fell to a 79 and tied with Murphy USA.
- Fourth place: Buc-ee’s tied with Maverik and Pilot, each scoring a 77.
Gas stations are the new fast food
The 2026 rankings were based on 9,475 customer surveys. Shoppers evaluated stores on factors like layout, merchandise, employee courtesy, efficiency, and coffee quality.
Interestingly, customer satisfaction with the convenience store industry as a whole actually dipped 1% to an ACSI score of 75.
Customers noted that store mobile apps are generally not useful, and many gave low scores for bathroom and store cleanliness.
However, the food scene is rapidly changing. Convenience store food sales increased to account for over 28% of total sales.
The report revealed that 15% of prepared-food visits involve consumers choosing a convenience store over a traditional quick-service restaurant.
Retailers are heavily investing in menu expansion and food quality. According to the ACSI, these broader food offerings have successfully expanded the role convenience stores play in consumers’ daily lives.
Don’t miss out! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and now on WhatsApp, too!