Steve Sheetz, Beloved CEO of a Well-Known Convenience Store, Passes Away at 77

Steve Sheetz; Customers exit the convenience store of a Sheetz gas station in Breezewood, Pennsylvania, US, on Thursday, June 16, 2022.
Credit :

Steve Sheetz/Facebook; Nate Smallwood/Bloomberg via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Former Sheetz president and CEO Steve Sheetz died at age 77, the company announced.
• He led major expansion and innovations like Made-to-Order and fuel offerings across multiple states.
• Family and company leaders praised his vision, mentorship, and lifelong community involvement.

Stephen “Steve” G. Sheetz, the former president and chief executive of the Sheetz convenience store chain, has passed away at the age of 77.

Sheetz, a native of Altoona, Pennsylvania, died on Saturday, January 3, at his home, surrounded by his family. The cause of his death has not been disclosed, as stated by Sheetz Inc.

“Steve’s impact on Sheetz is immense,” the company noted in a statement shared on social media. “He played an instrumental role in guiding members of the Sheetz family into business, helping them apply their skills and talents to support the company’s continued success.”

Steve Sheetz.

Steve Sheetz/Facebook

After graduating from Penn State University in 1969, Sheetz joined the family business. He held various leadership positions over the years and ultimately became president and CEO. Under his guidance, Sheetz transformed from a regional chain into a multi-state enterprise, expanding significantly across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio, while also modernizing its store offerings.

Industry insiders credit Sheetz with broadening the chain’s appeal beyond traditional convenience store fare. The introduction of the company’s Made-to-Order food program became a defining feature, along with an emphasis on quality fuel offerings and technological innovations, including early adoption of mobile apps and loyalty programs.

“Steve’s leadership was marked by an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep care for the people who make this company what it is,” said Travis Sheetz, the current president and CEO. “His commitment to our associates, customers, and communities will continue to guide us.”

The Sheetz gas and food store can be seen for quite some distance as it glows in the dusk of the evening in a rural area near Boyce, Va.

Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty

Joe Sheetz, chairman of the Sheetz Board of Directors, remarked, “Steve’s guidance shaped nearly every aspect of our family business. He was a mentor for every leader who has followed him, and his vision, wisdom, and entrepreneurial spirit will be deeply missed by everyone at Sheetz.”

Beyond his role in business, Steve was actively engaged in his community, serving on multiple local boards and supporting initiatives in education, health care, and veterans’ services. He believed that corporate success should lead to community benefits.

Steve Sheetz is survived by his wife, two daughters, Megan Sheetz and Nicole Sheetz Frith, and seven grandchildren. The Sheetz company remains privately held and is headquartered in Altoona, operating more than 800 stores and employing approximately 27,000 people.