First central Ohio Sheetz store to open Tuesday, shifting gas station landscape (2024)

Hey Sheetz freakz:The wait is nearly over.

The first Sheetz store in central Ohio will open Tuesdayin Delaware, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a big rollout in the regionbytheAltoona, Pennsylvania-based restaurant, convenience store and gas station company. At least a dozen stores are expected toopen over the next year and 50 stores by 2025.

The move into Columbus comes at the requests of fans, affectionally referred to as Sheetz freakz, saidTravis Sheetz, the company's president and chief operating officer.

"We just think it’s a great opportunity for our brand," he said of the move into Columbus. "Customers have asked for us here."

First central Ohio Sheetz store to open Tuesday, shifting gas station landscape (1)

A look back:Sheetz announces details on its first 14 stores in central Ohio

Sheetz has a number of stores along Interstate 70 in eastern Ohio extending into Pennsylvania, but central Ohio is its farthest push west.

“It’s anaturalextension for us,’’ Sheetzsaid.

First central Ohio Sheetz store to open Tuesday, shifting gas station landscape (2)

What's with the Sheetz obsession?

What is the fascination with the store? After all, it's just a place where drivers can fill up the car and get something to eat. Most convenience stores offer that now.

"It’s just kind of the way we do it," he said. "It’s the culture. It’s the brand. It's technology."

What makes the difference is what goes inside the store, Sheetz said.

"It's one of the things you have to experience, and you have toexperience itover time," Sheetz said. "It’s a bit cultish."

First central Ohio Sheetz store to open Tuesday, shifting gas station landscape (3)

What can you expect at the new Sheetz in Delaware

Shoppers in theDelaware store will be greeted withan area where theycan grab something quick, such as soup, a sandwich or edible cookie dough.

Then there's a kiosk where customers can order froma menu more akin to a typical fast-food restaurant, includingsubs, burgers, pizza andchicken. Orders can be customized down to the sauce and bread.

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Breakfast food can be ordered fordinner; burgers can be ordered forbreakfast.

"That’s something many peopledon’t want to take on," Sheetz said of the expansive menu. "But once you take it on and build that food brand, it's agreat draw."

First central Ohio Sheetz store to open Tuesday, shifting gas station landscape (4)

Beyond that, the store offers coffees, sodas, milkshakes and frozen drinks, a beer cave and restrooms that Travis Sheetz says are as nice as those found in hotels.

A typical Sheetz store will have 30 to 40 seats for those who choose to eat inside. The stores providefree internet access.

Unlike other restaurants that have reduced hours during the pandemic, Sheetz stores have continued to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Technology is critical to the store.Beyond the ordering kiosk, customers can self-scan their purchasesor scan them with an app on their phone. The stores also offer curbside delivery.

Thetechnology already was in the works before the pandemic, but it allowed the company to capitalize on customers' desire to be in and out of stores quickly.

Sheetz to offer competitive fuel rates

Initiallyduring the pandemic, sales of gasoline plummeted, but after that, the company did well, Sheetz said. In many markets where Sheetz operates, it was the only place open, he said.

Sheetz's arrival in central Ohio will bringa big competitor to the region's 651gas stations and convenience stores at a time when gasoline sales remain below pre-pandemic levels.

"They are very formidable," said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for the Oil Price Information Service, whichtracks fuel sales at gasoline stations.

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Speedway, with 85 stores,has the biggest market share in central Ohiowith nearly a third of the sales of gasoline, according to OPIS.Duchess, with 65 stores,is second with 13.5% of the market.

Sheetz is a highly efficient retailer, Kloza said. By that, he means that a typical Sheetz sells four times as much fuel as what would be expected from an averagestore, largely because of the strength of its inside sales.

Sheetz has high shares of markets its operates in, including a 21.8% sharein Pennsylvania,Kloza said. By comparison, Speedway has a 27.3% share in Ohio.

First central Ohio Sheetz store to open Tuesday, shifting gas station landscape (5)

Sheetz Or Wawa? Battle of the brands

Klozacompared Sheetz with another station that has a similar fan base in the East, Wawa.

"Wawa has as much of a cult following that Sheetz has. ... Both are terrific operators," he said.

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Sheetz and Wawa have storesales much stronger than other gas stations, Kloza said.

"A typical Sheetz or Wawa might get many times more profit from prepared food than competitors," he said.

Both stores suffered early during the pandemic, Kloza said.Both are places where customers would stop on the way to work for a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich.

"They kind of lost breakfast in those trips," he said. "They did cater a lot to commuters."

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Insidesales at gas stations vary considerably, Kloza said.

"They range from just a few thousand dollars per month for a kiosk-type store to hundreds of thousands per month for some of the better prepared food folks," Kloza said.

Sheetz to open additional locations in Ohio

The next central Ohio Sheetz store will open in Obetz, followed by stores in New Albany, Circleville, Hilliard, Reynoldsburg and another store in Delaware this summer. This fall, a second store will open in New Albany, along with a store in Groveport and the first stores in Columbus on Stelzer Road and at Westland Mall.

In thewinter, Sheetz plans to open stores in Columbus on North Meadows Boulevard, Roberts Road, Hilliard Rome Road East and Cassady Avenue.

In five years, Sheetz expects to have1,600 or 1,700 employees in central Ohio —30 per store plus other workers to support them.

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Sheetz has received opposition to some of its stores, and backed out of plans to build one in the Worthington Hills area.

Sheetz, which dates to 1952, has about 600 stores, located primarily inOhio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Its current Ohio stores are mostly in Akron, Cleveland and Youngstown.

Travis Sheetz said the buildout in Columbus is especially aggressive, unlike anything the retailer has done before.

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There had been plans before to come to Columbus, but those plans got put on hold while the company expanded in the Carolinas instead, Sheetz said.

First central Ohio Sheetz store to open Tuesday, shifting gas station landscape (6)

Sheetz said he expects low gasoline prices at the new store in Delaware will lure people inside the store to see what that it's like.

"In a new market, you have to build that trust with people. We know that we have to do that here."

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

First central Ohio Sheetz store to open Tuesday, shifting gas station landscape (2024)

FAQs

When did Sheetz start in Ohio? ›

In 1997 the company resumed store expansion, expanding into Ohio by opening a location in the Youngstown area along I-80 in Weathersfield Township, just east of Girard. At that time, touchscreen ordering was introduced. Shortly afterwards, the chain expanded into North Carolina.

Who invented Sheetz gas station? ›

Bob Sheetz founded Sheetz, Inc. in 1952 when he purchased one of his father's five dairy stores located in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Why is Sheetz so popular? ›

Pioneered Made-to-Order

One of the best things about Sheetz is that you can get fresh food made quickly. In 1986, Sheetz coined the term “Made-to-Order” or “MTO” to create an ordering system that would allow for food to be made at the store.

Is Sheetz coming to Ohio? ›

In April 2022, Sheetz announced plans to open 20 new stores in western Ohio in a five-year span. The company has opened seven stores in the Dayton-Springfield area in less than a year. The greater Dayton area's first Sheetz location was the Huber Heights store at 7550 Old Troy Pike, which opened in August 2023.

How much does Sheetz pay in Ohio? ›

Sheetz salaries range between $22,000 to $37,000 per year in Ohio.

Why is Sheets called Sheetz? ›

The company got its future identity when Jerry attended a dairy conference and found two name tags – “Jerry Sheets” and “Jerry Sheetz.” To his wife's surprise, he picked up the tag with the “z,” explaining “I like this one better.” Despite the protests of family members, Jerry went through the then-long process of ...

Who owns Sheetz now? ›

In its stores, Sheetz sells everything from made-to-order salads to freshly baked goods to discount cigarettes. Founded by Bob Sheetz in 1952, the company remains family owned and operated.

Where is the oldest Sheetz located? ›

Back in 1952, Bob Sheetz knew the world was missing something. He had the idea to create a place where people could always find what they needed, turning a normal day into a GREAT one. So he did. It all started in Altoona, PA when Bob Sheetz opened the world's first Sheetz store.

What nationality are the Sheetz family? ›

Americanized form of German Schütz (see Schuetz ).

Why is 88 cheaper than 87 at Sheetz? ›

Higher-end vehicles are designed for higher-octane fuel. Ethanol is a kind of alcohol, usually made from corn, that's used as fuel. Unleaded 87, 89 and 91 are up to 10% ethanol. Unleaded 88 is 15% ethanol, which is why it's cheaper.

What is a Sheetz freak? ›

As you shop more at Sheetz, you'll earn “Yearly Pointz” that count towards your Rewardz level. As you earn pointz, you'll climb the ranks and get more opportunities to save even more! Freak level is the total package: freebiez, top notch gifts, and other special offerz.

Who is bigger, Wawa or Sheetz? ›

The numbers show Wawa with more stores, more employees, a bigger expansion, and more revenue, but Sheetz is far from down and out in this east/west battle. The company — Sheetz — has announced its expansion into Detroit in 2025 and the sky is the limit. “Sheetz run and done” is taking over as they grow.

What competitor is coming to Sheetz in Ohio? ›

Sheetz's expansion has come ahead of competitive convenience store and gas station chain Wawa's planned Ohio stores. Wawa is launching its first stores in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky after 2025, with timeframes and ranges for the number of stores by state yet to be announced.

Will Wawa come to Ohio? ›

The Cincinnati store is the first in Ohio for the Pennsylvania-based Wawa and kicks off an aggressive plan to open 60 stores in the Buckeye State. Wawa expects to open 11 stores in Ohio in 2025, with the Cincinnati location set to open early next year, according to published reports.

What big companies are coming to Ohio? ›

West Coast Coming to Ohio:

Notable companies include Amgen, Bitwise Industries, Crocs, Facebook, Google, Nestle, Protiviti, Quotient, Upstart, Veeva Systems, and Waymo.

How many Sheetz locations are in Ohio? ›

Sheetz by State 2024
State# of Stores
Pennsylvania300
North Carolina113
Virginia99
Ohio72
2 more rows

What is the difference between Sheetz and Wawa? ›

While Sheetz holds almost all of the same products as Wawa, the way they are displayed gives the products more glimmer — colorful slushie machines lining the back of the store, various decorated donuts displayed in- side a shiny glass case, and a milkshake vending machine give Sheetz a special glow.

Can you buy beer at Sheetz in Ohio? ›

PSA for Sheetz Freakz in OH, NC & WV. You can now pick up beer at our drive thru locations.

Is Sheetz coming to Findlay, Ohio? ›

The convenience store, the second to be approved for the company in Findlay, will be 6,132 square feet. Construction could start within six months and the store and station could open by July 2025, Sheetz representatives said. The gas station will have 12 pumps.

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