Breakdown of Central Pa.’s top convenience stores, including Sheetz, Wawa, Rutter’s and

Convenience stores are no longer just quick spots for gas.

They have evolved with drive-thrus, app ordering, menus of cheesesteaks and burgers, beer and wine sales, and video gaming terminals. They’re securing prime real estate, mostly on busy corners and well-traveled roadways.

Central Pennsylvania’s convenience store market is among the most competitive in the nation, next to Des Moines, Iowa, said Jeffrey Lenard, spokesman for the National Association of Convenience Stores.

More people visit a convenience store each day than any other brick-and-mortar retail location, with about half of the U.S. population buying something at a convenience store every day, according to the NACS.

Here’s a breakdown of the top chains in central Pennsylvania:

7-Eleven

The chain, founded in 1927 as an ice house storefront in Dallas, is now headquartered in Texas.

Number of stores: It operates franchise and licensed stores with a total of more than 71,100 stores in 17 countries.

Expansion plans: In the Harrisburg region, 7-Eleven has proposed new stores in West Hanover Township in Dauphin County and Carlisle in Cumberland County.

What to eat: Slurpees are a given. Otherwise, menus vary by location with hot dogs, taquitos, stuffed waffles and chicken sandwiches.

What to know: The chain is experimenting with new Evolution stores in partnership with Laredo Taco and recently opened its first taco drive-thru in Dallas. In 2018, it acquired 1,030 Sunoco gas stations/convenience stores and is in the process of acquiring Speedway stores.

Royal Farms

Based in Baltimore, the chain dates back to 1959 when its owners expanded their Baltimore area dairy operation into a milk store.

Number of stores: It operates 240 stores across several states, including 19 stores in Pennsylvania.

What to eat: World famous fried chicken, chicken and waffles and bacon egg croissant sandwiches.

What to know: The chicken is so revered, Food & Wine magazine named it the best gas station food in America in 2017.

Rutter’s

The chain dates to 1921 with the start of the family’s dairy but the first stores didn’t open until the 1960s.

Number of stores: Rutter’s operates 78 locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia.

What to eat: Route 30 burgers made between grilled cheese sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks, fried shrimp baskets, whoopie pies and spiked slushies.

Expansion plans: Recently opened a new store in Gap, Lancaster County and this year will invest more than $100 million on new stores and expansions, including new builds in Kutztown, West Virginia and Maryland. It also plans to remodel about 10 stores.

What to know: International Convenience Retailer of the Year in 2014 and Food Service Retailer of the Year. One of the only true convenience stores in the state with video gaming terminals.

Sheetz

Robert “Bob” Sheetz founded the chain in 1952 when he purchased one of his father’s dairy stores in Altoona. By 1983, Sheetz had grown to 100 stores.

Number of stores: It operates 600 store locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina.

What to order: The famed MTO – made-to-order subs – in hundreds of combinations, always best with signature Boom Boom Sauce, app samplers, pizza, coffee and cookies.

Expansion plans: A rapid expansion is underway in Columbus, Ohio where Sheetz plans to open a dozen stores this year. In Pennsylvania it plans to open new stores in Pittsburgh and Scranton.

What to know: Sheetz was a leader in the push for Pennsylvania to allow beer sales at convenience and grocery stores.

Turkey Hill Minit Markets

Started in Lancaster County by Charles and Emerson Frey and now owned by EG America, one of the fastest growing convenience store retailers in the United States, which also operates Cumberland Farms, Kwik Shop and Loaf ‘N Jug, among others.

Number of stores: There are more than 270 Turkey Hill stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.

What to order: Iced tea, Slushys, ice cream novelties, sandwiches such as tuna and chicken salad and hot dogs.

What to know: Turkey Hill Dairy in Conestoga, Lancaster County, maker of Turkey Hill branded ice cream and ice tea, operates independently.

Wawa

Wawa, Inc., a privately held company based in Delaware County, opened its first store in Folsom, Pa. in 1964.

Number of stores: It operates 850 convenience stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C.

What to order: Made-to-order hoagies, coffee, Sizzli breakfast sandwiches and new burgers and fries.

Expansion plans: It has opened a handful of new stores this year including one in Emmaus in the Lehigh Valley as well as stores in Morrisville and Doylestown in Bucks County.

What to know: The chain is named for the Native American word for the Canada Goose. Following in its dairy heritage, Wawa makes and sells its own brand of ice cream.