Thorntons LLC

The past year has been one of major changes at Thorntons, a longtime convenience-store brand in the Midwest. In early 2019, the Louisville, Ky.-chain was acquired by a joint venture between BP and ArcLight Capital Partners, and Simon Richards was named CEO. Richards, former head of regional development of BP Products North America, succeeded Matt Thornton, descendant of founder James H. Thornton. Stores remain branded Thorntons.

The year was also marked by growth. In August, the chain opened its largest store, a travel center in Indiana. It was the first to open since ownership changed hands. The travel center has 44 truck parking spaces, seven diesel bays, CAT scales for truck weighing, a Burger King restaurant and showers. More stores and travel centers were added, and in December, the chain's 200th site was opened in Cicero, Ill.

Thorntons owns and operates stores in six states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida. Newer stores have as many as 24 auto fueling positions. Inside, Thorntons stores offer fresh food prepared daily, a wide assortment of beverages including a beer cave, and snacks, candy, groceries and general merchandise. New stores have self-checkout capability.

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