RaceTrac Opens First North Carolina Store in Monroe, Creates 30 Jobs

RaceTrac launched its first North Carolina convenience store Tuesday in Monroe. The site perches along the U.S. Route 74 corridor, about 20 miles southeast of Charlotte.

A ribbon-cutting happened at 9:30 a.m. at 4060 W. Highway 74. When the clock struck 10 a.m., the first 100 guests lined up at the tent walked away with $20 gift cards for gas or in-store purchases.

RaceTrac owns RaceWay, which does have North Carolina locations.

The grand opening featured food and drink samples from Pepsi and Takis. The Atlanta-based chain awarded tuition assistance to four students at South Piedmont Community College.

Monroe now has 30 new jobs. This opening marks a significant step in the company's expansion after recent launches in Indiana, Ohio, and South Carolina.

Construction of the 6,000-plus-square-foot site ran between $8 million and $11 million. It's now the company's 10th location in North Carolina and 28th throughout the Carolinas.

"We believe the region's vibrant economy and welcoming communities present a tremendous opportunity for our innovative approach to enhance customer accessibility and service while meeting the growing demand for convenient and quality options for fuel and food," said Trey Spivey, real estate vice president, according to C-Store Dive.

The facility sells made-in-store food and beverages. Hot pizza, chicken tenders, sandwiches, salads, and fresh fruit cups fill the menu. A Swirl World frozen yogurt bar stocks many toppings. Coffee fans can pick from six blends of "Crazy Good Coffee" with different add-ins.

The forecourt offers competitive fuel prices. A large rear canopy serves professional drivers and construction vehicles, with lanes built for high-flow diesel and diesel exhaust fluid at the pump.

Family-owned RaceTrac ranks among the largest private companies in the United States. The retailer runs more than 800 stores through RaceTrac and RaceWay brands. More than 10,000 team members work across affiliated companies Metroplex Energy, Energy Dispatch, and Gulf Oil.

RaceTrac sits at No. 17 on CSP's 2025 Top 202 list of U.S. c-store chains by store count. RaceWay holds No. 35.

About 10 RaceWay stores operate in North Carolina. The Monroe location is the first RaceTrac-branded store in the state.