ALTOONA, Pa., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/-- Sheetz, Inc. announces that it expects to be the first retailer in the nation to accept MasterCard® International's innovative radio frequency (RF)-based payment option, MasterCard PayPass™ across its entire chain. This technology represents one of the most significant payment advancements in the retail industry, and Sheetz customers can experience the added benefits and convenience of PayPass in 2005. "Sheetz prides itself on being a pioneer in the convenience store industry, and being the first retailer to implement `tap and go' payments across the entire chain is yet another example of our mission to continually improve our customers' shopping experience," said Louie Sheetz, executive vice president of marketing, Sheetz, Inc. "MasterCard PayPass leads the way in the RF-based payment segment, and will provide Sheetz customers with more convenience and time savings at the check-out than ever before." All 305 Sheetz locations will be equipped and ready to accept MasterCard PayPass in-store by March 1st. The system-wide implementation will provide unparalleled convenience to Sheetz customers in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina. MasterCard PayPass cardholders can pay for purchases at Sheetz by simply tapping their PayPass-enabled payment card on a specially equipped terminal that utilizes an RF chip to complete a payment transaction, eliminating the need for customers to hand over their payment card to a merchant, manually swipe it through a reader, or fumble for cash and coins. Moments after the cardholder taps their PayPass-enabled card, account details are communicated to the terminal and then processed through the MasterCard network for clearing and settlement. MasterCard PayPass streamlines Sheetz customers' shopping experience by eliminating the need for customers to sign their payment card receipts for all sales under $25. Currently, more than 80 percent of convenience store transactions are less than $25, meaning that Sheetz customers making a purchase with MasterCard PayPass can save valuable time at their local Sheetz store. "MasterCard is excited to be working with a savvy retailer like Sheetz because they truly understand how PayPass can simplify the customer purchasing experience," said Fred P. Gore, senior vice president, North America Acceptance, MasterCard International. "Consumers today expect convenience, speed and payment flexibility, and with MasterCard PayPass, Sheetz continues to deliver even more convenience to the convenience-store customer." MasterCard PayPass benefits Sheetz customers by providing a quick, easy payment method for purchasing fresh, made to order food, coffee and other Sheetz products, thereby improving the overall shopping experience. With the new payment technology, Sheetz customers can see their purchasing time reduced by an average of 13 percent, according to MasterCard tests. And because the system is simpler and faster than cash and other forms of payment, customers can move more quickly through the checkout process. Sheetz believes that its customers will also appreciate the added security of remaining in control of their payment card during payment transactions. Sheetz customers expect convenience and a quick, pleasant shopping experience, and the company's alliance with MasterCard to deliver the PayPass payment option will enable the market-leading retailer to continue to exceed those expectations. In addition, Sheetz will be expanding PayPass acceptance to all of its stores' gas pumps throughout the spring of 2005. About Sheetz, Inc. Established by Bob Sheetz as a single store in 1952, Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz, Inc. is one of America's fastest-growing, family owned and operated convenience store chains, with fiscal year 2004 revenue exceeding $2.8 billion. The company operates more than 300 convenience locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina, and is ranked 87th on the Forbes list of largest private companies. Sheetz provides an award-winning menu of Made*To*Order subz, sandwiches, saladz and specialty coffeez, which are ordered through unique touch-screen order point terminals. All Sheetz convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information, visit Sheetz on the Web at http://www.sheetz.com/ or call (800) 487-5444. About MasterCard International MasterCard International is a leading global payments solutions company that provides a broad variety of innovative services in support of our global members' credit, deposit access, electronic cash, business-to-business and related payment programs. MasterCard International manages a family of well- known, widely accepted payment cards brands including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus® and serves financial institutions, consumers and businesses in over 210 countries and territories. The MasterCard award- winning Priceless® advertising campaign is now seen in 97 countries and in 47 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. For more information go to http://www.mastercardinternational.com/. source:Sheetz, Inc.