Surprising brand named one of America’s largest pizza chains – and it’s not Domino’s

A SURPRISING brand is quietly taking the U.S. pizza scene by storm.

The convenience store chain has attracted a loyal customer base in small towns across the Midwest and South.

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Casey’s is the third-largest convenience store in the U.S.[/caption]

Casey’s, headquartered in Iowa, now ranks as the third-largest convenience store chain in the country – and one of the top pizza sellers by sales, according to a report by CNBC.

With 72 per cent of its stores in towns of fewer than 20,000 people, CEO Darren Rebelez told the news channel that Casey’s is focused on serving “underserved” communities.

“There’s literally thousands and thousands of communities in our footprint and around the country that need a Casey’s and don’t have one yet,” Rebelez added. 

Casey’s is famous for its made-from-scratch pizza, including breakfast and taco varieties, selling around 30 million pizzas each year.

The chain even had to backtrack and issue an apology in May after axing its popular BBQ Brisket Pizza.

A statement on Facebook read: “We know it wasn’t just food – it was an identity, a deeply personal connection between you, melted cheese and slow-smoked perfection.

“Thanks to your DMs, TikToks, and general unhinged BBQ devotion – we’re officially bringing it back.”

It should come as little surprise that Casey’s financials are booming.

In its first fiscal quarter quarter, posted on Monday, the company reported a 19.5 per cent rise in net profits compared to the same period last year, while total inside-store sales (excluding gas) grew 14.2 per cent.

Its stock has climbed more than 190 per cent since September 2020.

Casey’s expansion has been a major growth driver.

The company announced in July last year that it had acquired Fikes Wholesale, owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, in a $1.15 billion all-cash-deal – its biggest deal to date. 

The deal boosted Casey’s General Stores’ portfolio by roughly 7 per cent.

The chain is also rapidly expanding in Texas, Alabama and Florida, with multiple new stores under construction and more planned by year’s end.

“Our store growth strategy focuses on both building and acquiring new locations across our footprint, and that includes Texas,” a Casey’s spokesperson told CSP.

Texas already has the most convenience stores of any state – with 16,416 – and Casey’s is adding to that number.

All the new stores are expected to be completed by the end of the year, measuring roughly 4,200 to 4,570 square feet, per the filings.

Alamy

Casey’s General Store, a popular convenience store chain, is well-known for its handmade pizza[/caption]