Individual stores are operated by independent franchisees.

Many stores operate from 6am-midnight; however, there are some 24-hour locations in larger urban centres.

The Needs chain has installed gasoline stations at some locations using either the Ultramar Limited, Shell or Sobeys Fast Fuels brands.

The Needs Convenience chain developed from a series of small acquisitions by Sobeys, beginning with the TRA wholesale business in Middleton, Nova Scotia.

The Sobeys-owned Green Gables chain was changed over to Needs by the late 1990s as part of a final effort to consolidate the region's up-scale convenience store market.