CNBC Marathon dives into the world of convenience stores. One of America’s largest convenience store chains, Wawa, has gained a cultlike following in its home markets of Philadelphia and South Jersey due to its sharp focus on food and customer service. Its revenue is estimated to have more than doubled since 2014, and its workforce has grown nearly 90% since 2016 as it rapidly expands to other areas of the country. So, can the nearly $19 billion convenience chain take on major chains and local players like 7-Eleven, Buc-ee's and Casey's General Stores? America's largest convenience store chain, 7-Eleven, is going through a major transformation. Its new CEO, Stephen Dacus, wants to make its stores more like its Japanese locations where the focus will be on freshly made food. Watch the video to learn more about how parent company Seven & i Holdings is investing billions to give a makeover to the home of the Slurpee and Big Gulp. Casey’s General Stores is the third-largest convenience store chain by size and the fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. Aside from its focus on food service, the company has carved out a niche by going after small towns with populations of 20,000 people or less. Its share price has grown nearly 200% between September 2020 and September 2025. Can the Iowa convenience giant keep its impressive momentum? This CNBC Marathon examines the future of convenience retail and what it will take for the industry’s biggest players to stay ahead. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:10: How Wawa Is Beating Fast Food Companies At Their Own Game (Published October 2025) 10:33: Why U.S. 7-Elevens Are Adopting Japan’s Playbook (October 2025) 19:13: How Casey’s Became One of America’s Biggest Pizza Chains (Published September 2025) Produced by: Natalie Rice Edited by: Mike Heffron, Evan Lee Miller, Nic Golden Henry Additional Camera: Jason Reginato, Emily Park, Mallory Brangan, Gabriel Cortes Senior Director of Video: Tala Hadavi Additional Editing: Isabel Iino Additional Footage: AP Photos & Newsroom, Getty Images, United Dairy Farmers, Wawa, WCAU, 7-Eleven, Casey’s General Stores, Seven & i Holdings Additional Sources: Pitchbook » Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC » Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more. Want to get ahead at work with AI? Sign up for CNBC's new online course, Beyond the Basics: How to Use AI to Supercharge Your Work. Learn advanced AI skills like building custom GPTs and using AI agents to boost your productivity today. Sign up today: https://cnb.cx/4qKBe6H Connect with CNBC News Online Get the latest news: https://www.cnbc.com/ Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC Follow CNBC on Threads: https://cnb.cx/threads Follow CNBC News on X: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC Follow CNBC on WhatsApp: https://cnb.cx/WhatsAppCNBC #CNBC Why Americans Are Obsessed With These Convenience Stores
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Japan does fresh, america does longest shelf life.
One key component that I think was just glossed over is paying employees fairly. Customers are better served by employees that are better paid.
You know these areas of the country are boring AF when gas station food wars are the most interesting thing going on.
Surprised they’re not comparing Wawa to Buc-ees instead of 711. But-ees also has huge cult like following
I don't think it's an obsession, but rather it's just convenient (close by) to where they live.
The Sheetz–Wawa rivalry in PA is probably second to the Eagles vs Steelers rivalry.
I don't have Wawa near me, but my expectations of convenience stores is that they be clean, neat, organized, and clean.
Gas Station Food = NO TIPPING Required. The food is good, fast, and relatively inexpensive. Plus, an entire convenience store full of UnLimited Choices of other food, snack, dessert, and drink options to go with your freshly-made foods.
Our 7 Eleven is gross, never has any of the deals and the employees seem to hate working there.
The convenience part just means that they are making it easier for Americans to become more overweight and unhealthy.
So, when does Private Equity take over Wawa and destroy it????
Is no one going to bring up how all of these convenience stores with their unhealthy food just contribute to the obesity problem in the U.S.A?
I have some feelings on this as an American who left the U.S. and now lives in Italy. A lot of this tries to solve a problem America inflicts on itself, car dependency and bad city design. When food, coffee, groceries, and daily errands are all spread out, chains like Wawa and Casey’s fill the gap. In Italy, convenience usually means mixed-use neighborhoods where those things are already close by, which creates a better daily life and a lot more room for local businesses. I don't have to drive anywhere. Hell... I don't even have a license here.
Japanese convenience stores are decades ahead of anything in the US. Maybe do a story on that so it motivates US stores to do better.
Wawa is truly killing it with their food deals. When we are out and about feeding a family of 4 for under $30 is a great deal.
As a Japanese, I loved Wawa when I went to school in Philly (Temple U) back in the late 80's. Although I know it's bad for my gut health, I loved their Hard Salami and would buy pounds of it (sliced of course) back then 😂 The Wawa I often went to was on Walnut Street in the center of Philly, because my apartent was right across the street 😉
Convenience stores in Asia, especially Japan, are amazing. Why can't Americans have nice things like that?
These stores are way more convenient. If I wanted a bottle of water and a bag of Doritos, I would much rather walk in a 7/11 so I can be in and out than to walk into a huge Walmart or Target and go on a 5 minute walk to the food isle
My only expectation on going to a 7-11 in the US is to be disappointed. And I've never been disappointed. They have nowhere to go but up.
I don't get Buc-ee's. It's about as convenient as a Walmart, and not much smaller.