Total U.S. C-store count dips in 2025; Texas leads top 10 states by store count

The number of convenience stores in the United States fell slightly in 2025.

There are 151,975 convenience stores operating in the U.S. (as of Dec. 31, 2025), which is down 0.2% (280 stores) compared to the year prior, according to the 2026 NACS/NIQ TDLinx Convenience Industry Store Count. Store count increases were recorded in 22 states, led by Texas (up 88 stores), Georgia (up 39 stores) and Ohio (up 38 stores). New York’s count shrunk the most (down 143 stores), followed by Massachusetts (down 77 stores) and New Jersey (down 61 stores). 

While the overall store count dipped slightly, the number of convenience stores selling fuel increased by 768 stores (0.6%) to 122,620, the highest number in eight years. Convenience stores sell an estimated 80% of the fuel purchased by consumers in the United States. Overall, 80.7% of convenience stores sell fuel.

With the U.S. population at an estimated 343 million according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there is one convenience store per every 2,257 people in the United States.

The convenience-store industry continues to be dominated by smaller operators. Overall, 95,672 stores are owned by a company that has 10 or fewer stores, which represents 63% of the total store count. Companies operating 500-plus stores own 33,810 stores, or 22.2% of the overall total.