At a glance
| Sheetz | Wawa | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1952, Altoona, PA | 1803 as a mill; first store 1964, PA |
| Ownership | Private, family-owned | Private, family and employee owned |
| Main region | Central/western PA, OH, VA, WV, MD, NC, MI | Eastern PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, DC, FL and growing |
| Signature food | MTO burgers, Boom Boom sauce, fryz, quesadillas | Hoagies, Gobbler, mac 'n cheese, soft pretzels |
| Ordering | Touchscreen, app, drive-thru at many stores | Touchscreen, app |
| Loyalty program | My Sheetz Rewardz | Wawa Rewards |
Food
Sheetz leans toward hot, made-to-order fast food: burgers, fries, wings and Tex-Mex. Wawa is best known for its built-to-order hoagies and its seasonal Gobbler sandwich. If you want a burger and loaded fries, Sheetz has the edge. If you want a hoagie, most people pick Wawa.
Coffee
Both run large self-serve coffee bars and espresso drinks. Wawa's coffee has a long-standing reputation and loyal following. Sheetz has a wider selection of sweet MTO drinks, shakes and frozen coffee.
Gas
Both price fuel competitively and both sell grades beyond regular. Sheetz is known for promoting Unleaded 88 (E15). Prices vary by store, so the cheaper chain in your area depends on local competition.
Which is better?
It depends on the order and the region. Sheetz suits people who want hot fast food and a big drink menu at any hour. Wawa suits people who want a hoagie and a quick coffee. In most of their markets they don't overlap much, so the real answer is often "whichever is on your route."
Frequently asked questions
Do Sheetz and Wawa compete in the same areas?
In a few places, including parts of central Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, yes. For the most part their territories are separate.
Is Sheetz bigger than Wawa?
Both run roughly comparable numbers of stores. Wawa operates in more states on the East Coast; Sheetz is expanding west and south.