Convenience stores are small-scale retail outlets that sell everyday items in small quantities around the clock. These stores are typically found in gas stations and residential areas. According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, there are over 150,000 convenience stores in the United States, showing how popular convenience stores are to Americans. The legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright embraced the idea of convenience stores as a means of decentralizing the distribution of goods in his book The Disappearing City in 1932.

The popularity of convenience stores in the US is an opportunity for investment. Those who are looking for manageable ventures have the option of franchising established convenience store brands or starting a brand of their own. In either case, constructing convenience stores is not an easy task. The shop tries to be as productive and efficient as possible in as small a space as possible. This means that a contractor’s experience will come in handy.

This list features the country’s best convenience store contractors. These firms have plenty of experience in building standalone locations and gas station locations. To come up with the list, our team compiled a list of the convenience store contractors and assessed each one with a set of criteria. We considered the firm’s work history, familiarity with convenience store build-outs, and overall quality of work.

If you are thinking about building a convenience store, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.

Breslin Builders

5525 Polaris Ave., Ste. B, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118

Jack Breslin established Breslin Builders in 1980. Since day one, he envisioned a one-stop-shop for single-source services. The firm offers a broad range of construction services, and operates all over the Las Vegas Valley with a team of trusted professionals and designers. Breslin’s in-house design team handles the majority of its projects. This seamless integration of design and construction is a competitive advantage used to stand out in Nevada’s tight construction market.

Breslin operates in a variety of commercial construction projects, from casinos, warehouses, golf courses, to office spaces. The firm has worked with a lot of convenience store brands from gas station convenience stores to independent stores. Rebel, a gas company, is a long-time client of Breslin. Rebel enlisted the services of Breslin in constructing several convenience stores. These projects go as large as 5,000 square feet.

C. & R. General Contractors, Inc.

2201 Edison Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32204

C. & R. General Contractors is a name that has been synonymous with commercial projects since 2005. Over the years, the firm has completed over 180 projects throughout Florida. Most of these projects are local convenience stores and casual-dining restaurants. Company founder William Norris set up shop with himself and two employees. Today, the firm has over 40 full-time employees affiliated with mechanical, electrical, and petroleum contracting services. Its proficient craftsmanship and friendly customer service acquainted the firm with local businesses, especially quick-service restaurants and convenience stores. The regional chain Cumberland Farms and Northeast Florida chain Daily’s are among the firm’s repeat customers.

Clifton Construction

4324 Wheeler Rd., Martinez, GA 30907

Clifton Construction is one of the southeast’s most prominent general contractors. The firm has built over 700 projects since its establishment in 1987, working on churches, offices, clinics, food chains, and convenience stores, among others. The company was founded by Steve Clifton, an alumnus of Auburn University’s Building Construction program. Under his leadership, the firm has gained a reputation for being comprehensive and eagle-eyed to details.

The firm’s versatility is exemplified by its portfolio. Among the firm’s previous clients are Circle K, Enmarket, Friendly Gus, and Spinx 119. What stands out is the Friendly Gus Convenience Store and Truck Stop in Dublin, Georgia. The convenience store has massive square footage and clean interiors. Clifton made sure to put up their best work to assure the maximum life span of the project. Friendly Gus has clerestory windows, showers, food service area, kitchen, and wood accent walls.

Creighton Construction & Development

900 SW Pine Island Rd., Ste. #202, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Creighton Construction & Development builds commercial establishments nationwide under the leadership of Dan Creighton and Brent Evans. The firm’s versatility matches its ubiquity. The firm’s in-depth experience incorporates commercial construction, project management, and real estate brokerage. Creighton is comfortable in working with different clients across the country. From Fortune 500 companies to independent businesses, clients love Creighton’s services due to clear-cut communication and adaptive problem-solving skills. The firm also works with the best engineering and architectural firms in pursuit of the best possible quality.

Creighton’s portfolio encompasses retail, restaurant, offices, and convenience store projects. One of the firm’s most frequent clients is the international chain 7-Eleven. The firm has dozens of 7-Eleven locations under its belt. These chains span as much as 3,500 square feet and vary in terms of location and specifications.

Embree Group of Companies

4747 Williams Dr., Georgetown, TX 78633

Since 1982, Embree Group of Companies has been serving all of the US and Canada with turnkey construction solutions. Embree offers build-to-suit development, design-build, general construction, and tenant improvements. The firm is divided into three divisions, Embree Asset Group, Embree Construction Group, and Embree Capital Markets Group. The firm’s decades-long history is well-regarded in the industry. The firm often hits the major industry lists, including the Aggie 100 and Engineering News-Record (ENR)’s Top 400. Embree’s company leadership consists of the industry’s prominent construction executives. Company chairman Jim Embree is the top executive of Embree. Jim Embree jumpstarted his career by working as an estimator and purchasing agent for a large builder. He leads a team of over 200 construction professionals, attributing to over 13,000 projects. Along with these projects are department stores, fast-casual restaurants, and convenience stores. The firm’s extent of working on convenience stores touches base with 7-Eleven, Circle K, and Valero Convenience Store.

Fulcrum Construction

1945 The Exchange, Ste. #400, Atlanta, GA 30339

Fulcrum Construction is an established name in retail and commercial construction. Through the years, Fulcrum has completed over 1,500 brick-and-mortar projects. The firm has built boutiques, offices, clinics, specialty stores, and everything in between. The firm has a nationwide reach that is handled through its offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and San Antonio. The firm also has a quick-service remodeling wing called Fulcrum Express. Fulcrum’s forward-thinking mindset is attributed to a four-part formula that involves valuing stakeholders, employees, experience, and a cohesive team-focused approach.

Fulcrum’s foresight and strong business acumen made the firm a local favorite in retail construction. The firm has built 50 7-Eleven locations in California. Each project has a durable infrastructure, cost-effective built, and open store remodels, and ranges from $40,000 to $75,000.

Hardesty + Associates

711 W 17th St., Unit D2, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Known for providing quality work at an affordable price, Hardesty + Associates has built a reputation in all 50 states. The firm has completed over 60,000 projects, amounting to over $700 million in gross revenue. This large-scale operation began in 1991 when William Hardesty founded the company. He anchored the firm with the idea of multi-dimensional general contracting. Hardesty’s multidisciplinary portfolio and strong business network make way for the best possible projects. The firm has over 25,000 subcontractor contacts and a highly-experienced in-house team that travels all over the field. The firm’s emphasis on efficiency makes them a favorite of convenience store brands, one of them being Circle K.

JBC General Contractors

10602 N Tenth St., McAllen TX 78504

Specializing in car dealerships, convenience stores, and retail centers, JBC General Contractors serves the South Texas area. Aside from general contracting, JBC takes care of design planning, material sourcing, project management. The firm was established in 1996 by Kenneth Johnson, Amy Allen Johnson, and Gilbert Ozuna. Kenneth Johnson serves as the Executive Manager of the firm, taking a hands-on approach to construction, banking on his experience as a drilling consultant in oil fields. Amy handles the business end of the company. Gilbert oversees the operations and coordinates with the design and engineering teams.

The firm’s 20-year longevity can be credited to cost-effective construction techniques and tight relationships with suppliers. JBC understands that businesses are built through relations and trust. The firm also knows the necessities of enterprises, which is why JBC aligns with its client’s business goals. The firm has a fast-track timeline and thorough quality control. One of the firm’s frequent clients is Stripes, a local convenience store company.

MEC

7607 Coral Dr., W Melbourne, FL 32904

MEC is an esteemed Central Florida-based design-build company built by a team of engineers and contractors. For over 40 years, the firm has been offering general contracting, civil engineering, and structural engineering services. MEC’s engineering and contracting experience differentiate MEC’s insights from the rest. The firm recognizes the nuances of functional design and the desire of business owners for an optimal budget. MEC balances these two aspects of each project. Due to this, the firm has a high rate of repeat customers.

MEC’s offices in West Melbourne and Orlando are open to serve Brevard County, Orange County, and surrounding communities. The firm’s experience in commercial construction covers convenience stores, retail shops, and offices. American convenience store and gas station chain Wawa is one of MEC’s clients, along with Racetrac, Circle K, Cumberland Farms, and Marathon.

Menemsha

20521 Earl St., Torrance, CA 90503

Menemsha started as a retail and restaurant contractor conceived by the idea of two college friends. Shortly after establishment, the firm ventured into other segments of commercial construction. Founders John Daigle and Tom Speroni developed the flagship Integrated Project Delivery method that is used for better construction solutions. Daigle and Speroni both studied Real Estate and Construction Management at the University of Denver. Menemsha’s scope steadily grew from Los Angles to Boston, and to now nationwide scale. In 2005, Daigle won the Construction Executive of the Year presented by the Construction Financial Management Association.

The firm has completed convenience store projects for 7-Eleven, Kwik Stop, Sheetz, Wawa, Tedeschi Food Shops, and White Hen Pantry, among others.

Petro Construction

2830 Hagers Ct., Ste. B, Denver, NC 28037

Since its establishment more than 30 years ago, Petro Construction’s aim to build gas stations, convenience stores, and commercial projects never waned. Petro’s tunnel vision approach to construction enables the firm to finish projects safely, on-time, and on-budget. Founder David Mozeley began working for his father in the early days of his career. At the age of 18, he built his first gas station. Decades later, he now tallies at over 700 commercial projects. Mozeley and his team’s skill in gas station and convenience store construction is almost second nature. The firm’s selection covers tank installations, consulting, and general construction. When it comes to convenience stores, the firm is knowledgeable in both gas station and standalone convenience stores.

R Carlson & Sons, Inc.

19140 104th Ave., Mokena, IL 60448

R. Carlson and Sons is a family-owned construction company that has provided general contracting and excavation services since 1947. A leader in the commercial construction industry, the firm commits to deliver professional service with fast turnaround and superior workmanship. This reputation for impassioned and quality work enables the firm to work with clients that need a larger program for construction. The firm’s five generations worth of projects include fuel stations, car washes, restaurants, and banks, among countless others. The company has worked with independent firms, small companies, large corporations, and Fortune 500 companies.

In the featured work, the firm partnered with Graham Enterprise to make an elegant convenience store unlike its counterparts. The 5,200 square-foot modern TRIO convenience store was built alongside a newly developed bp fuel station on a one-and-a-quarter-acre lot in McHenry, Illinois. The high-end finishes used in this location is unprecedented within the industry, from the exterior aluminum architectural element to the textured wall at the Beer Cave, to the premium designer plumbing fixtures in the restrooms.

Reliable Construction Services

20 Innovation Ct., Dayton, OH 45414

In the states of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, Reliable Construction Services build gas stations and convenience stores with a laser-focus mindset. The firm is a major supplier of oil equipment and an expert in fuel system construction. The firm also has significant experience in convenience store build-outs. In over 30 years of operations, the firm has completed over 100 convenience stores. The firm includes site evaluation, store design layout, and permitting in its lengthy construction process.

Reliable Construction Services has worked with big-name clients including Gilbarco Veeder-Root, BP, Sunoco, and Shell. United Dairy Farmers, a chain of gas stations and convenience stores, is one of its frequent clients. The convenience store chain is famous for ice cream, dairy products, and coffee.

Shingobee

669 N Medina St., Loretto, MN 55357

Shingobee is a nationally acclaimed commercial construction and development company, providing general contracting and project management since 1980. From two offices in Minnesota, the firm serves convenience store, retail, and commercial clients throughout the upper Midwest. Shingobee has built an award-winning reputation for quality construction and innovative management, with numerous awards received in recent years, including nine National Excellence in Construction Awards from Associated Builders and Contractors.

Shingobee has a footing in many commercial market sectors from retail to hospitality. The firm’s convenience store experience includes about a hundred Holiday Stationstores, new construction and remodels, as well as facilities for Casey’s General Stores, SuperAmerica, BP Stations, Kwik Trip, and others. These convenience stores are one-stop shops with fuel stations, car washes, and automotive service facilities.

Stovall Construction, Inc.

7409 US 287 Hwy., Arlington, TX 76001

A Construction Engineer for an oil and gas company, Jack Stovall decided to come up with his own terms and start his own company in 1970. This decision led to the establishment of a multi-generational contracting firm recognized for restaurant and retail construction. Jack anchored his legacy on honesty and integrity, values continued by his son Jay Stovall and his son-in-law Rob Metzger.

Through the years, the firm has centered its business on quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, and retail stores. Whether by ground-up construction, demolish-and-rebuild, or remodel, the firm understands commercial construction. Stovall oversees the construction from feasibility studies to project close-out. The firm also employs value engineering, quality assurance, and safety planning in its oversight. The firm’s speedy and precise approach attracted names like RaceTrac, 7-Eleven, and Exxon TigerMart.

Turnkey Construction

10755 Sandhill Rd., Dallas TX 75238

Turnkey Construction is a commercial construction expert building all over Texas and Colorado. Founded by Mostafa Setayesh in 1990, the firm is an extension of his expertise as an engineer. He formed Dimension Group Engineering in 1987; he is still the President and CEO. Setayesh’s background in engineering contributed to Turnkey’s keen eye for high quality and cost sensitivity. The firm, then, yields uncompromising quality and efficient results.

The firm is well-versed in convenience stores, restaurants, and retail projects. 7-Eleven, RaceTrac, and gas station convenience stores often enlist the firm for new construction. The firm’s expertise in fuel systems installations also helped the firm to be a crowd favorite.

VET Construction

729 E Seminole Ave., Melbourne, Brevard County FL 32901

VET Construction is a commercial contractor serving the South East region from Louisiana to North Carolina. A veteran-owned enterprise, the firm is founded by a former US Air Force pilot. After piloting an F-4 Phantom Fighter Pilot in Vietnam, Vernon Thomas, Jr. went on to join the construction industry. Thomas carries the meticulous touch he developed while performing his military duties. He has cultivated an expert touch in gas stations and convenience store projects, which he channels through VET Construction. The company has also been lauded for its professionalism and efficiency. The firm’s array of convenience store projects involve both standalone and gas station stores.

About Our Rankings

This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.

Get Bids For Your Build

If you are thinking about building a convenience store, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.