Terrible Herbst Oil Co.

Terrible Herbst marked 2019 in two significant ways: growth and celebration of its 60th anniversary. The company added 10 new c-store/gas station sites and 10 new car washes across the four states in which it operates. Sales and foot-traffic also rose by double digits, said Bryan Breeden, vice president of marketing. Other successes in 2019 included a 21% increase in its Unlimited Car Wash loyalty program, and a jump to 83,000 members of the Terrible Herbst Social House app, up from 6,000 in 2018, he said. The company also donated $197,000 and more than 1,200 bicycles to Help of SNV, which supports dozens of charities in Southern Nevada. To mark its 60th anniversary, Terrible's gave away trips and rolled back gasoline prices to 60-cents a gallon at one location per week.

Terrible Herbst operates in Nevada, California, Arizona and Utah. Its 53 car washes are connected to its c-stores. Stores also include a Mrs. Terrible's Gaming Lounge with slot machines owned by sister company JETT gaming. The chain was founded in 1959 by Jerry Herbst, who died in 2018. Sons Ed, Tim and Troy continue to run the businesses. Legend has it that the name comes from a disparaging remark toward Jerry's father, Ed, who opened Martin Oil in Chicago in 1938. Every time he opened a new service station, Jerry said the competition would say, "here comes that terrible Herbst."

The chain is widely known for its mustachioed mascot and giant American flags.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are year-end 2019.