Claysburg, PA

Sheetz Operations Support Center Architectural Design

Client: Sheetz, Inc.
Our Role: Architectural Design

Night view of a multi-story office building featuring a glass facade, interior lighting, and landscaped surroundings.

Sheetz needed a new operations support center that could accommodate rapid organizational growth while reflecting the values of a family-owned business rooted in community and employee well-being. The facility had to consolidate multiple departments into a collaborative, flexible workplace, support long-term expansion, and foster an environment that promotes health, daylight, and connection to nature. The project also required integration of specialized functions, including test kitchens, training spaces, data infrastructure, and an on-site early childhood learning center.

GFT designed a modern 115,000-square-foot operations support center that balances robust corporate infrastructure with a people-centered workplace strategy. The architectural expression intentionally integrates modern, traditional, and reclaimed materials by pairing a steel-framed main building with a timber-framed dining pavilion, reflecting both operational efficiency and a lodge-like sense of warmth and community.

The building’s simple, flexible floor plan supports evolving operational needs while encouraging collaboration across departments. Sited between protected wetlands, the facility maximizes access to daylight and views, reinforcing a strong connection between the work environment and the surrounding landscape.

Program elements support daily operations and enable long-term growth. The first-floor houses test kitchens, training spaces, a data center, and a dining pavilion conceived as a lodge-like gathering space that extends into the landscape. Reclaimed wood elements, including lobby wall panels, open stair treads, and flooring, add texture, sustainability, and a sense of continuity throughout shared spaces. Upper levels feature flexible open office environments, conference rooms, and shared collaboration spaces, with capacity for future expansion. An adjacent 13,000-square-foot early childhood learning center provides on-site childcare, supporting employees and reinforcing Sheetz’s commitment to family and workforce investment.

Key Features

Flexible operations that support a center designed to accommodate long-term growth.
Open, collaborative workplace environments with access to daylight and views.
Dining pavilion and amenity spaces that support employee connection and well-being.
Test kitchens, training rooms, and data infrastructure that support operations.
On-site early childhood learning center serving employees’ families.
Campus-style site planning integrated with surrounding natural features.

Outcomes

Consolidates operations into a cohesive, collaborative workplace.
Supports employee well-being through daylight, amenities, and access to nature.
Provides flexibility to accommodate organizational growth over time.
Reinforces company culture through people-centered design strategies.
American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina, 2026, Engineering Excellence Awards, Grand Award for Transportation.
Strengthens long-term investment in employees and the surrounding community.