It is with deep sadness that NACS Daily announces the passing of Steve Sheetz, former president, CEO and chairman of the board of Sheetz Inc. Sheetz, who served as NACS 1990–91 chairman, died Sunday night at the age of 77.
Sheetz was founded by Steve’s brother Bob in 1952. The company started with a single store, Sheetz Kwik Shopper, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Steve began working part time with the company in 1961 and joined the company full time in 1969 after earning a B.S. in business management from Penn State University. At the time, the company—now with 817 stores—had just opened its fourth store.
In 1983, Bob Sheetz retired and Steve was named president of Sheetz in 1984, a position he held until being named chairman of the board in 1995, with Stan Sheetz succeeding him as president. Steve continued to serve as chairman until 2013 before transitioning to chairman of CLI Transport. In 2020, he retired as an official Sheetz executive while continuing to serve as chairman of the Family Committee.
Steve’s impact on Sheetz is immense. He played an instrumental role in guiding members of the Sheetz family into the business, helping them apply their skills and talents to support the company’s continued success. During his time as president and CEO, Sheetz introduced Made-to-Order (MTO), entered the fuel business, expanded into new states and created the Sheetz mission of “Total Customer Focus.”
As chairman, Steve pushed the company forward, innovating and reinventing the brand. In 2002, he famously challenged the company to create a new concept that would “put Sheetz as it is known today out of business.” Two years later, that challenge was answered with the opening of the first Sheetz “Convenience Restaurant,” a 10,000-square-foot store—twice the size of a traditional Sheetz—focused on a broad menu of prepared items and “food theater.”
“Above all, Uncle Steve was the center of our family,” said Sheetz President & CEO Travis Sheetz. “We are so deeply grateful for his leadership, vision and steadfast commitment to our employees, customers and communities.”
“Steve’s guidance shaped nearly every aspect of our family business,” said Joe Sheetz, chairman of the Sheetz Board of Directors. “He was a mentor for every leader who has followed him and his vision, wisdom and entrepreneurial spirit will be missed deeply by everyone at Sheetz.”
Steve was extremely active in NACS and was a long-time member of its Board of Directors, including serving as 1990–91 NACS chairman of the board. During his term, NACS expanded its focus on celebrating the industry’s charitable contributions and built out public relations resources that helped elevate the industry’s image. In addition, responding to member demand for more opportunities to view new products and services, NACS leadership decided to hold a full exposition every year with its annual meeting instead of on alternate years—leading to the creation of the annual NACS Show.
Steve also encouraged future Sheetz leaders to be engaged in NACS. Stan Sheetz served as 2003–04 NACS chairman and Joe Sheetz served as 2017–18 NACS chairman. Steve also served as chairman of the NACS Foundation for Education and Research.
“Steve was a true visionary who helped redefine Sheetz and the convenience retailing industry, especially related to the growth of foodservice. When the first Convenience Restaurant opened in 2004, foodservice accounted for only 11.9% of the industry’s in-store sales. Twenty years later, that percentage has more than doubled to 27.7%. Steve did more than reinvent Sheetz; he helped reinvent the industry,” said NACS President and CEO Frank Gleeson.
“One of the most important functions our association can provide is to help us anticipate the future and prepare for it. Identifying future concerns and business issues is built into the mission of NACS as it seeks to enhance members’ business effectiveness and profitability,” Sheetz wrote in his 1990 NACS chairman’s message.
Steve Sheetz was also deeply engaged in community involvement and charitable activities. In 2025, Steve and his wife Nancy stepped forward with new commitments to enhance two signature programs they established at Penn State’s Altoona campus: the Sheetz Fellows Program and the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence. The Fellows Program offers mentorship, special programming and financial support to students with the capacity to lead and serve in the local community and beyond. The Center provides educational and professional opportunities for both students and local citizens.
In recognition of their contributions, Steve and Nancy were named Philanthropists of the Year by Penn State University in 2010.
Steve is survived by his wife, Nancy; their two daughters, Megan Sheetz (Trevor Price) and Nicole Sheetz Frith (Brint Frith); and seven grandchildren.