Thorntons Inc.

In early 2019, a joint venture between BP and ArcLight Capital Partners acquired longtime family-owned Midwest convenience-store chain Thorntons Inc. Stores remain branded Thorntons.

Thorntons owns and operates stores in six states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida. The Louisville, Ky-based chain, founded in 1971, opened its 200th site in December 2019 in Cicero, Ill. Its portfolio includes three formats: conventional urban c-stores; "pump-and-go" stores with a small diesel canopy, typically in an extra-urban areas; and larger, off-highway travel centers.

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. The chain has been installing food-forward kitchens, with new foodservice offerings such as the BurgerRito, with the ingredients of a hamburger--ground beef, cheese, bacon and more--wrapped as a burrito.

Thornton's has partnered with the Louisville Urban League to open a nonprofit community store, a project designed to kick-start economic development and revitalization of this area.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.