Sunoco Inc. (ETP, Stripes, Sunoco, A-Plus)

Sunoco is part of the Energy Transfer family of companies, which is a publicly traded master-limited partnership (MLP) with a diversified portfolio of energy assets. The MLP structure allows for certain tax advantages on petroleum-related business and c-store rent. It has been the catalyst for major acquisitions in recent years, including Energy Transfer Partners’ (ETP) $1.8-billion purchase last year of Corpus Christi, Texas-based Susser Holdings Corp. and its 640-store chain. In the months that followed, ETP bought Aloha Petroleum, a Honolulu-based chain of 100 stores.

Susser Holdings dropped its name and will operate the newly formed chain using the Sunoco brand, a brand that provides national vs. regional recognition. The name change did not thus far affect the company’s retail brands, with Susser’s Stripes convenience-store brand and its popular Laredo Taco Co. foodservice concept remaining for now.

Sunoco is also one of the largest transportation fuel providers with operations located primarily in the East Coast and Midwest regions of the United States, especially the Interstate 95 corridor. The company sells transportation fuels through nearly 5,000 branded retail locations in 24 states and the District of Columbia. The company also owns and operates or franchises about 850 APlus convenience stores in 17 states.

Q2 Update

Following the transition of Susser Holdings Corp. and its Stripes convenience store chain to Sunoco LP, Sam L. Susser, called one of “the most visionary innovators in the c-store industry,” resigned from the Sunoco LP board of directors on May 1, 2015, to be succeeded by Matthew S. Ramsey.

Also departing from Sunoco LP were Rocky Dewbre, who was president and CEO of Susser Petroleum Partners LP, and Mary Sullivan, who was CFO of Susser Holdings and then Sunoco LP.