There are 148,026 convenience stores operating in the United States, according to the 2022 NACS/ NielsenIQ Convenience Industry Store Count. That’s one c-store per every 2,246 people. The total store count as of December 31, 2021, fell 1.5% (-2,862 stores) from 2020’s 150,274 convenience stores. The decline was expected, as industry consolidation continues and the COVID-19 pandemic takes its toll on small operators.