STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Convenience-store retailer Sheetz Inc. opened its second new restaurant/grocery concept store on September 28 in State College, Pa. This location focuses on the food and beverage and does not offer fuel.

“We are proud to open the second Sheetz restaurant concept at Penn State, my alma mater,” said Ryan Sheetz, Director of Brand for Sheetz. “At Sheetz, we are constantly reinventing ourselves and bringing innovation to our industry. This new restaurant concept is just one example of how Sheetz will continue to push the envelope this year.”

As with the only other fuel-free location companywide, located at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va., this new concept will have a heavy focus on Sheetz’ traditional Made-to-Order (MTO) selections, sandwiches and salads, prepared food and bakery items, and the newly launched Sheetz Bros. Coffee.

The 5,000-square-foot location will be open 24/7, can accommodate 144 people with indoor and outdoor seating and offers a Sheetz “beer cave.”

The Pugh Street store will create 35 to 40 jobs for the area.

During the grand opening event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., activities included a ribbon cutting and celebration featuring free self-serve coffee, fountain drinks and samples as well as games, music and prizes. Giveaways include z cards and Sheetz Swag winners with the grand prize of a tailgate package featuring a tent, Yeti cooler, grill and chairs. Additionally, during the week of the grand opening, the company will donate 15% of any menu item ordered on Sheetz’ signature MTO screens, up to $10,000, to Thon, a Penn State student-run fundraising effort aimed at raising awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer.

At 6 p.m. on October 5, Sheetz will present a check to the representatives of Thon, awarding the donations raised from the weeklong grand opening event. Also, the company will announce the winner of the tailgate package and five $100 Z-cards.

To continue the momentum around the opening, Sheetz will launch a Shwipe &d Win campaign that will run from October 9 through November 9. This promotion will give entrants the opportunity to win prizes such as an Xbox, Beats by Dre Headphones‎, Beats Pill Portable Speaker an iPad mini and more. The company will announce a winner every Monday during the contest period.

As with every grand opening, Sheetz will make a donation of $2,500 to Special Olympics Pennsylvania, a cause that is valued by the company and employees.

Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz is one of America’s fastest growing family-owned and operated convenience store chains, with more than $6.9 billion in revenue and more than 16,000 employees. The company operates more than 500 locations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina.