Casey's Will Open 31 New Convenience Stores

The retailer plans to expand its footprint in the Midwest and South by early 2027.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A modern convenience store and gas station building situated on a spacious, sunny roadside lot in the rural Midwest. — Casey's plans to open 31 new convenience stores across the Midwest and South by January 2027, continuing its focus on small-town service. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Casey's has scheduled the opening of 31 new convenience stores across its operating territory by January 2027. This follows the addition of 19 new locations to the company's network since May 2026.

Why it matters

The expansion reinforces the company's strategy of focusing on small towns, as roughly two-thirds of its nearly 3,000 stores serve populations of 20,000 or fewer. This growth trajectory maintains the chain's position as a major U.S. convenience retailer and pizza chain.

Casey's currently operates nearly 3,000 convenience stores across 19 states and ranks as the fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. The company focuses its expansion on regions with populations of 20,000 or fewer.

The players

Casey's

Casey's is the third-largest convenience store retailer in the United States and the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country.

The details

The retailer is executing this growth by adding locations in Midwestern and Southern states including Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Michigan, and Missouri. This builds upon an existing business model established when the first store opened in Boone, Iowa, in 1968.

The first Casey's store opened in Boone, Iowa, in 1968.
The company opened 19 new stores between May 2026 and the present.
Thirteen new locations are scheduled to open in October 2026.
Six new locations are scheduled to open in December 2026.
Nine new locations are scheduled to open in January 2027.

Market Landscape

This aggressive expansion follows the company's long-standing model of prioritizing rural convenience stores serving populations under 20,000. By continuing to saturate the Midwest and South, the firm solidifies its market share against regional and national competitors.

Customers in the specified Midwestern and Southern states may see new local convenience options and expanded food service availability in their towns. The company's continued growth ensures its pizza and convenience products remain accessible in smaller, often underserved markets.

The takeaway

The firm's focus on small-market penetration remains a core pillar of its competitive strategy in the retail landscape. Consumers in these regions should expect a continued increase in local brand presence as the rollout progresses through early 2027.