Today, I will not be discussing a restaurant near me but a whole franchise. As we all know, Sheetz are a big thing in State College as well as the surrounding areas. Just the same, in my hometown and my surrounding area we have a similar location, called Wawa. There is a huge debate and argument that surrounds both stores. Lots of people have various opinions on the Sheetz vs Wawa debate.
Source: Sheetz vs Wawa
The objective of the blog is slightly biased, because I intended to demonstrate and explain why Wawa is better in my opinion of course. I would also like to mention that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and those who have experiences both and feel otherwise is okay. I will simply be demonstrating my passion for a great gas station stop.
I would like to begin by describing in my own words both locations, for starters Sheetz. Sheetz I would consider to be a great location to grab a snack when someone is hungry for greasy food. Some of the items that can found on their menu consists of burger, chicken, pizza, sub sandwiches, wraps, and various fatty sides. They also sell various different types of drinks like coffee, milkshakes and smoothies. Besides what they have on their kiosks, they also contain regular gas station food that could be found in any rest stop. For example, chips, soda, slushies, medicine and so much more.
Since the Wawa vs Sheetz debate is a huge thing of course they must have similarity. For example, on Wawa’s menu there are multiple things they sell alike. Such as, smoothies, coffee, milkshakes, and subs. In the contrary, Wawa is mainly known for their hoagies and sandwiches, they also have pasta, and soups. Wawa is considerably more of a healthier option when it comes to making a truck stop.
In opinion, Wawa is 100% better than Sheetz. It is a much healthier option with great quality food. All the ingredients used to make their famous hoagies are always natural and fresh. The service is also very great, friendly and fast. My experience at a Sheetz was nothing that I would of imagined, for example, I waited a long time to just receive a simple side of fries. There have been multiple occasions, where I find myself getting something for free at a local Wawa. Wawa is just a friendly stop and great place to grab a snack on the go.
Yellow = Wawa Red = Sheetz Source:Google Image
Wawa is also a larger and more established franchies, there are 840 Wawa’s located in the U.S, 236 stores located in Pennsylvania. On the other hand Sheetz only has 600 locations in the U.S, approximately about 100 stores located in Pennsylvania as well. I would like to know everyone’s opinions based on the debate, although I as well completely understand that some have none in their area, but I am still very interested in figuring out your thoughts about the simple debate itself. Would it be possible if the debate and the competition ended?
As someone from New England, it’s all 7/11 and Cumberland Farms up here! Whenever I come to State College (or elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic Region) I shop at both. Sheetz is great as a convenience store, while Wawa has AMAZING Hoagies! We used to get them all the time when we would vacation in Cape-May, NJ! Good stuff all around!
I am from Virginia, where Wawas are not very common, so I have grown up only really experiencing what Sheetz has to offer. However, I don’t necessarily think I have been missing out in any way as I have a hard time noticing any distinct differences between the two. Nevertheless, I definitely have my opinions about other restaurants and places that others might not understand, so I won’t judge people that are passionate about either Wawa or Sheetz!
As an out-of-stater, I honestly can’t tell the difference between the 2. Granted I don’t go to either that much to be able to tell the difference, but it’s just interesting in my opinion to take sides on a gas station. Is it a sort of city pride thing?
To be completely honest, I never really understood this debate because the stores are so similar. I have a Sheetz in my town, but I am rarely even there (except for gas). I have never been to Wawa, so I cannot fairly share an opinion. I will say, however, that I have ordered and enjoyed some healthy options from Sheetz. For example, I often get their grilled chicken sandwich, which is not too greasy. Last time I was there, I even ordered a chicken quesadilla, which was honestly really good. However, I believe you when you say that many of their options are very greasy and too much like typical fast food.
I heard somewhere that the two companies had an agreement not to encroach too much on the other’s “territory” so that there would be less competition locally, so I think this is pretty much a regional divide, but I agree that Wawa is the superior establishment (and not just because I live in the land of yellow dots on the map above). I definitely think that Wawa has a healthier selection like salads and wraps (even though their mac n’ cheese is to die for!) whereas the Sheetzes (Sheetz’s?) I’ve been to have had more of a traditional fast food menu.