The U.S.’s most-beloved convenience store might surprise you. According to a new survey, it’s Meijer, a Michigan-based grocery store chain operating stores called Meijer Express, that has the heart of the nation. But if you don’t live in or frequent the Midwest, you may never have heard of it.
Regardless, the convenience store came in first in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Over the past year, the chain rose in the rankings by 5% for a score of 82—the largest jump of any other brand in the study.
Second place was a three-way tie between QuikTrip, Sheetz, and Wawa, which all earned a score of 80. Meanwhile, Kwik Trip, which landed in first place in 2025, saw its score drop by 6% for a third place finish (technically a tie for fifth place with Murphy USA) at 79. (Kwik Trip is known as Kwik Star in states where QuikTrip is already established.)
Buc-ee’s, the Texas-based gas station and convenience store with a cult-like following, came in at No. 7. The chain tumbled 3 percentage points to tie with Maverik, Pilot, RaceTrac, and Shell, with a score of 77.
“Convenience stores are asking customers to do more inside the store and more on the app than ever before. Order ahead, scan loyalty cards, redeem offers, pick up food. Customers are willing to engage with all of it,” said Forrest Morgeson, associate professor of marketing at Michigan State University and director of research emeritus at the ACSI, in a press release.
Morgeson explained that as customers are tasked with more, the bar keeps getting raised for convenience stores. “Every new capability is a new expectation. When the app is clunky, the bathroom is neglected, or the store feels disorganized, that shapes how customers judge the entire visit. The industry has figured out what to sell. Now the experience of buying [those goods] has to catch up.”
Meijer, which recently opened new stores in Plymouth Township, Michigan, and Fishers, Indiana, and is set to open a Pittsburgh location in 2027, seems to be doing something right, as customer satisfaction has dipped slightly at convenience stores. Overall, customer satisfaction has dropped by 1% to an ACSI score of 75. Staff courtesy and helpfulness dropped by 1% as well, to a score of 78. And mobile app quality dropped by 5% to a score of 80.
A Meijer spokesperson told Fast Company that the company is “honored to be recognized by customers as the top convenience store brand in the U.S.” The spokesperson continued: “Customers are increasingly looking for value and convenience, and our mPerks rewards program and Meijer Express stations offer both in a format that is easily accessible while fueling up or on the road.
“Our team puts a lot of effort into making sure visiting our Meijer Express locations is a great experience.”
At a time when many Americans complain that customer service is disappearing, Meijer’s ranking seems to prove that shoppers still value businesses that make convenience store shopping actually feel, well, convenient.
According to the chain’s website, Meijer began as a barbershop in Greenville, Michigan, back in 1934 when the business was “guided by a commitment to customers, team members, and community.” The company says those principles remain its “core values” today across its more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, and express locations.