Sheetz–Wawa rivalry

In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the convenience store chains Sheetz and Wawa each have distinct and mostly non-overlapping territories. Sheetz primarily keeps its stores in Western Pennsylvania, while Wawa stores are primarily located in the Delaware Valley. This division is strongly apparent in the culture of regional identity in the state, with many Pennsylvanians often strongly preferring one or the other. State politicians in Pennsylvania often make public statements in support of and campaign stops at their preferred convenience store chain.

Origins

Photograph of a Wawa storefront

Sheetz and Wawa stores

Sheetz is headquartered in Altoona, Pennsylvania, while Wawa is based in its namesake community of Wawa, Pennsylvania. During the rise of self-service fuel stations in the 20th century, both companies improved their convenience store offerings to entice motorists to spend money on more than just fuel. Both chains receive high marks in consumer satisfaction, with Wawa being placed first and Sheetz fourth in the 2024 American Customer Satisfaction Index survey of convenience stores, outperforming some fast food chains. Sheetz and Wawa have historically kept their operations in their respective regions. When a store opens near or across the traditional dividing line, it is often local news. An urban legend posits that the two companies have a gentlemen's agreement not to intrude on each other's territory; however, the president of Wawa revealed in 2024 that no such agreement had ever existed. Wawa stores have opened in Central Pennsylvania and have broken ground in Ohio. There are plans to build both a Wawa and a Sheetz at the same intersection in Phoenixville in southeastern Pennsylvania.

As a cultural signifier

The divide between fans of Sheetz and Wawa has been described as the "most heated food rivalry in the country". Amongst Pennsylvanians, the choice of convenience store is a cultural signifier of regional identity. The Spectator described Sheetz as having a "cultural hegemony" in central Pennsylvania, and The New York Times described its fans as having sworn a "fealty" to the store. Likewise, Wawa fans – including Johnny Knoxville – have gotten tattoos of the store logo, demonstrating what Philadelphia magazine called a "cult-like customer devotion". State politicians in Pennsylvania often make public statements in support of and campaign stops at their preferred convenience store chain. In 2020, U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle and lieutenant governor John Fetterman wrote competing op-eds in The Philadelphia Inquirer arguing for the merits of Wawa and Sheetz, respectively, and a year later engaged in a debate on the topic. Some national politicians also take care to visit the convenience store of the region in which they are trying to earn votes. During the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the Kamala Harris campaign appealed to both Sheetz and Wawa voters; vice presidential nominee Tim Walz received rebuke from Eastern Pennsylvanians after mentioning having visited a Sheetz, while the campaign ran ads in Philadelphia with puns on the name "Wawa".

See also

• Eagles–Steelers rivalry – National Football League cross-state rivalry in Pennsylvania
• Flyers–Penguins rivalry – National Hockey League cross-state rivalry in Pennsylvania
• Penn State–Pittsburgh football rivalry – American college football rivalry
• Phillies–Pirates rivalry – Major League Baseball in-state rivalry in Pennsylvania

External links

• New York Times map of Sheetz and Wawa locations
• ArcGIS Web map of Sheetz and Wawa locations
• Phil Edwards, "Why gas stations are at war" on YouTube