First Montco Sheetz opens across the street from rival Wawa

After years as the dominant convenience store in central and western Pennsylvania, Sheetz is slowly moving into what has historically been Wawa territory in and around Bucks County.

Sheetz opened its first-ever Montgomery County store in Royersford on Feb. 12, directly across the street from rival Wawa. This will be the nearest Sheetz location to Bucks residents across the county line.

The Altoona-based convenience chain, beloved for its touchscreen-order burgers, fries and “MTO” snacks, opened a handful of Lehigh County spots in recent years and is redeveloping a shuttered Rite Aid in Downingtown, Chester County.

“Over the past several years, we have received a significant number of inquiries from Montgomery County residents eager to see our premium convenience brand make its way to their community,” Adam Sheetz, Executive Vice President of Operations for Sheetz, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to bring our all-in-one convenience experience to Montgomery County, while providing quality jobs and serving as a positive force in this community.”

Sheetz operates more than 800 locations across Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland, with all stores open 24/7, 365 days a year.

The company was originally established in 1952 in Altoona, PA and has largely avoided Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware counties, long considered solid Wawa territory. Wawa is of course headquartered in Wawa, Pa., in Delaware County.