Made to Order: The Sheetz Story

by Kenneth Womack

Made to Order: The Sheetz Story traces the fascinating history of Sheetz, Inc., a regional convenience retailer that battled the odds and cemented its name among the ranks of America’s most successful private companies. From its humble dairy store origins in Pennsylvania, Sheetz became a convenience-store giant, amassing hundreds of locations across six states and creating numerous marketing and retail innovations along the way. Made to Order: The Sheetz Story narrates the signal ways in which the company remade itself in the face of dramatically shifting demographics and emerged as a revered and much-beloved retail phenomenon.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Business

150 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2013

About the author

Kenneth Womack is a world-renowned authority on the Beatles and their enduring cultural influence. His latest book project involves a two-volume, full-length biography devoted to famed Beatles producer Sir George Martin.

Womack's Beatles-related books include Long and Winding Roads: The Evolving Artistry of the Beatles (2007), The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles (2009), and The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four (2014).

Womack is also the author of four novels, including John Doe No. 2 and the Dreamland Motel (2010), The Restaurant at the End of the World (2012), Playing the Angel (2013), and I Am Lemonade Lucy! (2019).

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and fun read...especially if you are from Altoona and respect the Sheetz family.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required reading necessary for those who want to understand how capitalism works from the ground up. While Sheetz has been widely successful, it doesn't contain a happy ending. The bigger they've gotten, they had to cut costs back sacrificing quality to remain in the game. Bigger isn't always better, but it's a humbling lesson on understanding American capitalism.

[George Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story by Kenneth Womack about the beginning and growth of the Sheetz stores.
Great pictures and details about the personalities involved in this Sheetz story.
From made to order subs to gas sales to retail icons. An interesting story.

[Bobby Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book detailing the history of the best restaurant and convenience store there is. "Made to Order" details the Sheetz family's journey from a small storefront to a massive operation, complete with a cult following (or, as we like to be called, "Sheetz freakz").

[Eric Dionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - it’s a page turner if you enjoy reading a real-life rags to riches success story; and in particular the constant changes that had to be make in order to continue to thrive through the various developments in society, consumer tastes and technology.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Family Business

Great story about how a family continues to thrive generation to generation; however not without their own struggles and numerous challenges!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of Sheetz from its pre Sheetz days to today. Lots of behind the scenes stories. Tons of photos for the local history fanatics.

[Chris]

Great, readable history of my favorite cnvience restaurant. History starting from a dairy,right on until today.

[Raya · Rating 3 out of 5]

average sheetz freak literature
cool to read about, getting me out of my reading slump 😛