Dive Brief:
- Sheetz plans to open 14 new locations in southeast Michigan in 2026 as part of a $500 million investment in the state, according to a company announcement earlier this month.
- This expansion will center on the Detroit metro area, where the retailer currently operates its only four c-stores in Michigan. Among the 11 communities included in the expansion are Eastpointe, Ypsilanti, Warren and Royal Oak.
- The Midwest has been an area of growth for Sheetz the past few years, with the company sharing plans in 2020 to open 50 new stores in Ohio over five years and breaking ground in Michigan in 2024.
Dive Insight:
Sheetz had 69 stores in the Midwest at the start of 2023, according to NACS data. Now, according to its website, it has 138 — 4 in Michigan and 134 in Ohio. Its latest announcement indicates more growth in the region is imminent as Sheetz aims for 1,000 locations.
The company also expects to open a new distribution center in Findlay, Ohio. Officials said in December that the project is on track for a fall 2026 opening. The facility is intended to support Sheetz’s expansion in the area, which presumably includes its Michigan ambitions.
“This is an incredibly exciting year for Sheetz in Michigan,” said Nick Ruffner, public affairs manager for Sheetz. “We can't wait to become part of these communities, and we look forward to serving the specific needs of our neighbors in each of these areas."
Each site is expected to employ about 30 people. Sheetz will share further details about grand opening plans as each site prepares to open.
Sheetz, which operates more than 800 stores in seven states, has also been expanding its on-site amenities like electric vehicle charging. It recently partnered with Ionna to bring its “Rechargeries” to more than 50 sites in Pennsylvania and Ohio and added Driivz EV charging software to its charging stations.
