Success Stories
Sheetz’ Midwest Push Starts in Ohio
The Challenge
As part of its plan to expand into the midwestern United States, Sheetz needed to find a site where a user-owned distribution and food preparation facility could be constructed. The company required storage for dry, refrigerated, and frozen goods.
Founded in 1952 in Altoona, Pennsylvania (its headquarters remain located there), Sheetz is a family-owned company that employs more than 25,000 people. Sheetz operates over 685 convenience restaurant stores in six states (including 75+ in Ohio), but has wanted a stronger presence in the Midwest region.
The Solution
Sheetz opted to build a 500,000-square-foot food preparation and distribution facility at the northwest corner of Hancock County along the County Road 99 corridor. The facility is slated for completion in the spring or summer of 2026.
Key factors in choosing Ohio included:
- Joining the thriving food and agribusiness industry that operates in northwest Ohio
- Proximity to and relationships with key partners, which results in faster, more affordable access to every part of the food prep and distribution process
- Ohio’s supply chain and infrastructure advantages make the state stand out among logistical measures
- An ideal midwestern location that makes shipping to customers in most of the United States and Canada easier and more efficient than coastal competitors
- Business-friendly tax laws in Ohio
- Access to a pipeline of highly trained workers
The Results
- Jobs Created: 750
- Total Payroll: $43.5 million
- Total Investment: $150 million
- Economic Impact: The creation of 750 new jobs makes the Sheetz project the largest in the food and agriculture sector for JobsOhio. The employee base in Findlay and Hancock County will be instrumental in fillingconstruction jobs, hiring, and employment at the facility today and into the future. Sheetz has been continually recognized for creating a top workplace for employees and being a staunch community advocate.
- Strategic Advantage: By being situated in northwest Ohio—a location home to many other large companies involved in the food distribution business—the new Sheetz facility will be an ideal launchpad for Sheetz’s westward push.
“Sheetz is thankful for the cooperation and support of all the local, county, and state leaders who have helped make this project possible. We’re excited to bring new opportunities to the area, as we continue to expand throughout the state of Ohio and into Michigan in 2025. Findlay is located in the heart of this new growth area and will play a big role in the future of Sheetz.”
Sheetz President and CEO Travis Sheetz