With so many family-run chains struggling with succession issues, how Wills Group found itself firmly into a fourth generation of family leadership may seem extraordinary. But Van Mitchell, a member of the company’s board of directors since 1997, is familiar with these generational handoffs.
- Wills Group/Dash In is No. 122 on CSP’s2026 Top 202 ranking of convenience-store chains by U.S. store count.
Whether it was the current CEO, president and chairman, Julian Blacklock “Blackie” Wills III; his father Julian Blacklock “Lock” Wills Jr.; or his grandfather, Julian Blacklock “Blackie” Wills Sr., all initially decided not to continue the family legacy, Mitchell said. Each of them took time away to pursue other endeavors before coming back to the family business.
“All have told the story that they made the decision [to return] on their own and never regretted it,” Mitchell said. “But the company has always had good capital. If I could expand a business, I’d be excited.”
Here’s how the leadership history of Wills Group has played out so far.
1926: James Wills (pictured above) and Harold Swann found the company.
1948: Swann dies.
1957: Julia Wills takes over the company after her husband, James Wills, dies.
1961: Julian Blacklock “Blackie” Wills Sr. takes the leadership role
1988: Julian Blacklock “Lock” Wills Jr. becomes president.
2021: Julian Blacklock “Blackie” Wills III takes on the roles of president and COO.
2023: Julian Blacklock “Blackie” Wills III is named president and CEO.
2026: Julian Blacklock “Blackie” Wills III is named chairman of the board, while his father, Julian Blacklock “Lock” Wills Jr., becomes chairman emeritus.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.