Regional Only multi-location gas station chains near you?

[SC Maintenance]

Buc ees’ is taking over and I’m here for it

Buc-ees is definitely not regional and have a very different business model - more like South of the Border meets syndication. There obviously popular on the interstates but that plan doesn't really work for people every day. Do they have a different model store thats more normal in some places?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Stewie (Stewart Spinx) started his enterprise in 1972 at the corner of Laurens Rd. and E. Washington St. in Greenville, which is where the Spinx Training Academy now is. I pass by there at least once a week when headed downtown. New station across the street sells fuel and typical fare now. The ones with the kitchens have really decent food, and the fried chicken is superb. Seriously. All are pretty clean and well run. They do the discount per gallon for signing up with SpinXtras linked to a bank card etc. We have 3 within the corporate limits of my city and I know all the staff (most are still there) as I used to provide "security" while working the night shift, and would hang out at them often. I fill up there from time to time as all stations around seem to compete within a couple cents of one another, and I have become way less brand specific these days. 93 Premium (which I run in the Passat) used Afton's Hi-Tec detergent additive and was rated a Top Tier fuel. Stickers advertising Hi-Tec on the pumps are now gone, but fuel is still TT.

Stewie now dabbles in real estate, but is still in charge of the whole operation. Where he stepped on his manhood was when he went toe to toe with QT. They had an agreement some years back that if Stewart stayed in his SC sandbox, and didn't expand into GA, QT would stay out of SC. Well, ole Stew, just couldn't resist and opened stations in Toccoa and Carnesville GA. Wasn't long after that, QT came to SC and absolutely crushed Spinx as the number one large chain operated gas station/stores in the state. QT went as far as opening stations right across the street in most cases from an established Spinx location, which was real payback. Spinx really had to step up their game to stay in competition, but didn't quite make it IMHO. QTs are much better in every facet when compared to Spinx, even the bathrooms are much cleaner and smell better. Don't know if there are any Spinx in GA anymore, but do know there is one in Highlands and a couple in Cashiers NC as Mr. Spinx has a big fat sweaty mansion in the Highlands area.

Wow, that is a really awesome history, thank you.

Spinx started building stations here maybe 10 years ago, and there still going. I drive by one daily but never stop - I have never really liked them much for I don't know what reason.

I do prefer QT - and thats where I go when I am at your end of the state. Cola got one a couple years back, as did Orangeburg right off 26. None here yet.

 

[ATex7239]

Buc-ees is definitely not regional and have a very different business model - more like South of the Border meets syndication. There obviously popular on the interstates but that plan doesn't really work for people every day. Do they have a different model store thats more normal in some places?

They were Texas only originally and used to be sparse. But now they are everywhere in the south. When I was a kid growing up the closest one was Waco which is a couple hours away and we’d drive out of our way on road trips just to hit it. They are still further apart than most chain gas stations but that’s merely due to size.

 

[duck__dodgers]

Happening almost everywhere (unless your area is older and zoning laws or no empty land prevent mega-stations).

Better margins on selling widgets and pizza than gasoline, and consolidation as small operators retire, move on.

 

[Cropduster172]

Wawa PA is about 5 miles from me. They're corporate headquarters are there right on Rte.1 North. The original dairy is across the road too. They're privately held...a family I believe. They create the illusion of having the cheapest gas but they don't. Some of the PA ones sell beer and their hoagies, in general, are edible...but the Philly/South Jersey area is a target rich environment for great hoagies and cheesesteaks.

 

[rstcso]

They were Texas only originally and used to be sparse. But now they are everywhere in the south. When I was a kid growing up the closest one was Waco which is a couple hours away and we’d drive out of our way on road trips just to hit it. They are still further apart than most chain gas stations but that’s merely due to size.

Nothing like eating some Buc-cee balls!

 

[shortyb]

Buc-ees is definitely not regional and have a very different business model - more like South of the Border meets syndication. There obviously popular on the interstates but that plan doesn't really work for people every day. Do they have a different model store thats more normal in some places?

When I started seeing the Buc-ees billboards, it instantly brought back memories of those bazillion Pedro ones on I-95S

Spinx started building stations here maybe 10 years ago, and there still going. I drive by one daily but never stop - I have never really liked them much for I don't know what reason.

I do prefer QT - and thats where I go when I am at your end of the state. Cola got one a couple years back, as did Orangeburg right off 26. None here yet.

Always stopped at the one on Broad River Rd. whenever I had to go to the state academy, but the ones deeper into the city were trash and I avoided them like the plague. Which is probably what I would catch by stepping through the doors. Ironically, had a close friend leave management from the Spinx up here to head up 6 stores in the Charleston area, and she says they are pretty nice.

Definately more of a QT fan if I need a Slim Jim to go with my fill-up.

 

[shortyb]

View attachment 292464

Dad is officially a fan of the beaver.

 

[Leo99]

I've seen a couple Sinclair pop up with their cute dinosaur logo. I buy 98% of my gasoline at the Wawa convenience store. I was there yesterday and they were getting a delivery. Just a shiny silver tanker truck filling up the tanks. No idea who makes the fuel. Could change weekly based on the cheapest price they can source.

 

[Cropduster172]

I've seen a couple Sinclair pop up with their cute dinosaur logo. I buy 98% of my gasoline at the Wawa convenience store. I was there yesterday and they were getting a delivery. Just a shiny silver tanker truck filling up the tanks. No idea who makes the fuel. Could change weekly based on the cheapest price they can source.

Their coffee is acceptable for convenience store coffee. I had high hopes for Royal Farms grind to order coffee with those impressive looking machines but found it disappointing.

 

[ATex7239]

I've seen a couple Sinclair pop up with their cute dinosaur logo. I buy 98% of my gasoline at the Wawa convenience store. I was there yesterday and they were getting a delivery. Just a shiny silver tanker truck filling up the tanks. No idea who makes the fuel. Could change weekly based on the cheapest price they can source.

I saw a Sinclair and a CITGO awhile back. Both weren’t in very great areas though. Kinda murdery.

 

[rstcso]

I do prefer QT - and thats where I go when I am at your end of the state. Cola got one a couple years back, as did Orangeburg right off 26. None here yet.

I always used a Shell station which is attached to a Rudy's BBQ, but in the past year, QT opened which is a touch more convenient. Having Top Tier fuel, I switched to using them and QT Pay. I save a minimum of 10 cents/gallon. I used to use the Shell app, but it was hit or miss whether it worked correctly or at all in many locations.

The QT Pay is attached to a credit union account I consider a throw-away. If it gets hacked, there's minimal damage that can. be done.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I've seen a couple Sinclair pop up with their cute dinosaur logo.

Wow, now there is a name I haven't heard in a while. They have been around forever - most here long since closed. There is a historic one in Ridgeland SC they have turned into some sort of museum. Its West off I-95 exit 21. They still have the Sinclair signs and stuff. Its along US 17, which is the old through route pre I-95 - turns into US1 at Florida.

 

[mrsilv04]

Wally's (A Buc-ee's knock-off)

Owned by Wallis Oil, Pacific, MO.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Stewart’s Shops, very common in Northern NY. Mirabito stations have been common in Central NY for a long time, but recently they have expanded into Northern NY.

I grew up in the Mohawk valley so very used to stewards. Now that I'm near Syracuse, we're getting a few Stewarts. I like their ice cream and iced coffees. Mirabito expanded heavily in to this area about 15 years ago. Same with Valero.

 

[walterjay]

Carroll Independent
WAWA
Royal Farms
Sheetz

 

[Pew]

They were Texas only originally and used to be sparse. But now they are everywhere in the south. When I was a kid growing up the closest one was Waco which is a couple hours away and we’d drive out of our way on road trips just to hit it. They are still further apart than most chain gas stations but that’s merely due to size.

I just finally went to a Buc'ees for the first time this weekend in Springfield, MO. Wow.....just wow. I did not expect for it to be what it was when I walked in lol. The brisket sandwich is pretty good...I'd even call it excellent for gas station food.

 

[ATex7239]

I just finally went to a Buc'ees for the first time this weekend in Springfield, MO. Wow.....just wow. I did not expect for it to be what it was when I walked in lol. The brisket sandwich is pretty good...I'd even call it excellent for gas station food.

It’s one of those places that definitely lives up to the hype IMO. I went to a Wawa‘s while in Florida some years back and I was very underwhelmed. Probably mostly due to my contrasting experience with Buc ees’. Lots of good memories for me.

 

[Pew]

It’s one of those places that definitely lives up to the hype IMO. I went to a Wawa‘s while in Florida some years back and I was very underwhelmed. Probably mostly due to my contrasting experience with Buc ees’.

I've been to a wawa in Virginia or Georgia like 8-ish years ago; it reminds me of our 'nice' speedways here. We do have a Wally's ~45 mins south of me that @mrsilv04 posted but I haven't been to it. It looks like a Buc'ees knockoff but my coworker said their brisket sandwich is pretty good there too.

 

[shortyb]

I just finally went to a Buc'ees for the first time this weekend in Springfield, MO. Wow.....just wow. I did not expect for it to be what it was when I walked in lol. The brisket sandwich is pretty good...I'd even call it excellent for gas station food.

Kinda life altering, isn't it? They are like Cracker Barrel and 7-11 had a huge love child. I like the brisket too, but peppered sliced turkey sandwich is the shizz.