Convenience Store Retailers Set Forth 2022 Strategic Plans

Casey’s, Love’s, Murphy USA and more pursuing expansion and new initiatives

SEVERAL CONVENIENCE store retailers entered 2022 with agendas chock full of growth plans and new initiatives. Among them are Casey’s General Stores Inc., Love’s Travel Stops, Murphy USA Inc., Pilot Co., and TravelCenters of America Inc.

On the growth front, El Dorado, Ark.-based Murphy USA plans to deliver up to 45 new stores — including seven QuickChek locations — and 35 raze-and-rebuilds in 2022. Meanwhile, Knoxville, Tenn.-based Pilot’s strategic growth plan calls for the addition of at least 34 locations to its travel center network, consisting of 14 travel centers and at least 20 dealer sites.

In addition to network expansion, Pilot plans to upgrade site amenities and offerings. Key initiatives will include testing new food concepts, facility upgrades, technology enhancements, and introducing new partnerships. The retailer is teaming up with Southern Tire Mart to open 40 new Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J Service Centers across the country.

Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters of America will mark its 50th anniversary this year with continued plans to advance key initiatives to transform its business. Those initiatives include expanding its restaurant options, remodeling sites, opening new travel centers, upgrading technology, growing its franchise base, and bringing alternative energy resources to the marketplace.

Meanwhile, Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s is approaching 2022 with three main goals in mind: private brand and prepared food expansion, increased customer signups for its Casey’s Rewards digital loyalty program, and continued store-count growth.

Love’s 2022 to-do list also includes store-count growth — specifically, adding more than 40 locations, which will also mean more than 3,000 new truck parking spaces and 3,000 new jobs.

The Oklahoma City-based company’s other goals for this year are opening more than 20 Love’s Truck Care and Speedco locations; continuing to enhance the Love’s Connect mobile app with new features; expanding its private label product line; introducing fresh and hot food offerings; and increasing fueling options across the United States through Trillium, a member of the Love’s family of companies that provides alternative and renewable fuel supply.