Kent Kwik to buy 14-store Florida chain

Dive Brief:

Kent Kwik Convenience Stores, a c-store chain owned by convenience and fuel retailer The Kent Companies, has agreed to buy the Tom Thumb Food Stores chain, according to a Tuesday announcement.
Kent Kwik will take control of Hialeah, Florida-based Tom Thumb’s 14 c-stores and three Subway locations. It was not immediately clear when the deal will close.
The acquisition represents Kent Kwik’s first foray into Florida. The bulk of its locations are currently in Texas, but can be found in Oklahoma, Tennessee and New Mexico.

Dive Insight:

Kent Kwik isn’t the only c-store retailer moving into Florida this year. Although Wawa already has a decent footprint in the state, the retailer is building 15 stores there this year. Wawa’s stores are slated across most of the state, while Kent Kwik’s acquisition is concentrated in South Florida. Both chains will be competing with juggernauts like 7-Eleven and Circle K.

The Tom Thumb Food Stores chain has operated in Florida since 1964, and in addition to traditional c-store fare, also offers Subways in some locations, as well as an array of fresh-baked pastries. It is distinct from the Tom Thumb c-stores owned by EG America and the grocery chain owned by Albertsons.

Tom Thumb Food Stores is expected to continue to operate under its same brand rather than being rebranded by the new ownership.

“Tom Thumb Food Stores have a long history serving the Florida market,” said Bill Kent, owner and chairman of the Kent Companies. “We expect that customers will continue to receive the same great service by the same great employees.”

Midland, Texas-based Kent Kwik currently operates 74 convenience stores, which will increase to 88 once the deal closes. Most of its current locations have drive-thrus where all store offerings can be purchased except for lotto tickets. They also have 28-degree beer caves and a variety of its Kwik Eats fresh food offerings, including fajita and breakfast burritos, parfaits and sausage biscuits.

In addition to its convenience locations, it also has 152 dealer sites, throughout Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and now Florida.