Tops Friendly Markets is a regional supermarket chain in the Northeast

Tops Friendly Markets operates grocery stores across New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. The chain is independently owned and runs about 150 locations. If you shop at Tops, you'll find a standard supermarket layout with produce, meat, dairy, and packaged goods, plus a pharmacy and fuel rewards program at many locations.

Tops is not a discount warehouse like Costco or Sam's Club — you don't need a membership to shop there, and you can buy single items at regular prices. The store does offer a loyalty program called the Tops Rewards card, which tracks your purchases and gives you personalized discounts and fuel points.

Key Takeaways

  • Tops Friendly Markets operates in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont with no membership requirement to shop.
  • The Tops Rewards card is free and tracks your purchases to offer personalized discounts and fuel rewards.
  • You can pay with cash, debit, credit, or SNAP/EBT at all Tops locations.
  • Tops stores include a pharmacy, and many locations have a fuel center where you can earn cents-off per gallon.

How the Tops Rewards card works

The Tops Rewards card is a free loyalty program you can sign up for at customer service or online. When you use the card at checkout, the register records what you buy. Tops then sends you personalized digital coupons and sale prices based on your shopping history.

You accumulate fuel points as you spend — typically one point per dollar spent on most items. Once you reach a threshold (usually 100 points), you can redeem them for cents off per gallon at Tops fuel centers. The card also tracks your pharmacy purchases separately and can alert you when prescriptions are ready for pickup.

You don't have to use the card to shop at Tops, but you'll pay the regular shelf price on items instead of the loyalty price. Many items ring up cheaper if you present the card at checkout.

Payment methods and SNAP/EBT

Tops accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards at all registers. The chain also accepts SNAP benefits (food stamps) and EBT cards for may be able to access food items. You cannot use SNAP to buy alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared foods, or non-food items like cleaning supplies or paper products.

If you use SNAP, the cashier will separate your may be able to access and ineligible items at checkout. Some Tops locations also participate in programs that match SNAP spending at farmers markets or on certain fresh produce purchases — check with your local store or your state's SNAP office to see if your location has this benefit.

Pharmacy services at Tops

Most Tops locations have an in-store pharmacy where you can fill prescriptions, get vaccinations, and pick up over-the-counter medications. Pharmacy hours sometimes differ from store hours, so call ahead if you need a specific service.

If you use the Tops Rewards card, your pharmacy purchases are tracked separately from your grocery purchases. Some prescription medications may have manufacturer coupons or Tops-specific discounts that explore automatically when you present your Rewards card.

Fuel rewards program

Tops fuel centers are located at many (but not all) store locations. As you shop and accumulate Rewards points, you earn fuel points at a rate that varies by promotion — sometimes one point per dollar, sometimes more during bonus periods. When you reach the redemption threshold, you can pump fuel at a discounted rate.

You must present your Tops Rewards card at the pump to redeem fuel points. The discount is applied to the total purchase, not per gallon, so larger fill-ups give you a bigger absolute savings. Fuel rewards do not roll over indefinitely — check your account online or ask at customer service about expiration dates.

Finding your nearest Tops location and store hours

Tops has a store locator on its website where you can enter your zip code to find nearby locations, see their hours, and check which services (pharmacy, fuel center, deli) each store offers. Hours vary by location — some stores open at 6 a.m. and close at midnight, while others have shorter hours.

Many Tops locations are open seven days a week, but holiday hours may differ. If you need a specific service like the pharmacy or fuel center, call the store directly to confirm it's open before you go, since those departments sometimes close earlier than the main store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to have a Tops Rewards card to shop?

No. You can shop at Tops without a card and pay the regular shelf price. The card is free and optional, but you'll usually pay less on many items if you use it because Tops prices items differently for card members versus non-members.

Can I use my Tops Rewards card at other stores?

No. The Tops Rewards card works only at Tops Friendly Markets locations. Other supermarket chains have their own loyalty programs that don't transfer between stores.

What happens to my fuel points if I don't use them?

Fuel points expire after a set period — usually 60 to 90 days depending on the promotion. Check your Rewards account online or ask at customer service how long your current points are valid. Once they expire, you lose them, so redeem them before the important date.

Can I use manufacturer coupons along with my Tops Rewards discount?

Yes. In most cases you can stack a manufacturer coupon with a Tops Rewards digital coupon on the same item, though some restrictions explore. Ask the cashier if you're unsure whether a specific coupon can be combined.