Aplus Sunoco

Aplus Sunoco traces its convenience store format to 1985, when Atlantic Petroleum established it after acquiring ARCO's East Coast retail operations. In 1988, Sunoco acquired Atlantic Refining and Marketing Corporation for $513 million and made Aplus its primary convenience retail format. Sunoco's corporate history reaches back to 1886, when Joseph Newton Pew and Edward O. Emerson incorporated the Sun Oil Company of Ohio in Pittsburgh. The company began with natural gas, moved into oil production, operated as Sun Oil Company from 1890 to 1976 and Sun Company Inc. from 1976 to 1998, then became Sunoco, Inc. Sunoco's fuel brand now supplies over 23,000 locations nationwide. Aplus is managed by Sunoco Retail LLC in Dallas, Texas, as part of Sunoco LP, a master limited partnership and subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners LP. Joseph Kim is President and CEO. Aplus began franchising in 1993 and reached more than 800 franchised and company operated stores at its peak across more than 40 states and Puerto Rico. As of January 1, 2025, Sunoco LP operated 76 company owned Aplus stores, mainly in New Jersey and Hawaii under the Aloha Petroleum branding. By the end of 2025, that company owned total had grown to 330 locations, an increase exceeding 300% in one year.

The broader franchise market is projected to grow by USD 565.5 billion at a 10% compound annual growth rate from 2025 to 2030, with total opportunities estimated at USD 930.2 billion. North America is expected to account for 38.9% of that growth. Business format franchises were valued at USD 281.4 billion in 2024. Convenience stores benefit from frequent demand for ready to eat meals, coffee, fresh food and quick shopping. Aplus addresses those needs through Gulliver's gourmet coffee and the City Deli hot food program. Fuel pumps also bring potential store traffic, and Sunoco supplied fuel to 23,830 sites at the end of 2025. That combination connects fuel, convenience retail and food service in one operating model.

The initial franchise fee is listed at $15,000 in the brand's Franchise Disclosure Document, although other sources cite $30,000, so buyers should verify the current FDD. Total investment ranges from $775,000 to $1,886,000. Construction accounts for $360,000 to $1,045,000, while architectural drawings cost $20,000 to $60,500, fixtures and equipment cost $205,000 to $282,000, opening inventory costs $40,000 to $121,000, interior graphics cost $12,000 to $50,000, exterior graphics cost $16,000 to $45,000 and permitting costs $20,000 to $80,000. Other costs include business permits of $2,000 to $11,000, beer and wine permits of $500 to $12,000, technology fees of $990 to $1,800, uniforms of $150 to $1,100, three months of insurance of $3,750 to $6,050, a collateral deposit of $10,000 to $20,000, proprietary items of $1,200 to $4,700 and training travel and lodging of $2,500 to $5,800. Third party sources cite total investments of $229,950 to $1,639,000 or $250,000 to $600,000 including estimated real estate costs. Ongoing fees are a 5% to 6% royalty paid weekly by electronic funds transfer and a 2% advertising contribution. Liquid capital is cited at $125,000 to $250,000. Third party financing sources may cover the franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and payroll. Veterans may receive a franchise fee discount of $1,000 to $8,500. The agreement lasts five years, with one additional five year renewal option.

Aplus stores average 2,400 to 4,100 square feet and combine fuel, packaged goods, fresh food and other services. Products include ready to eat meals, snacks, beverages, groceries and tobacco, along with Gulliver's coffee and City Deli hot food. Services include ATMs, money orders, propane tank exchange, lottery tickets, gift cards, cellular products and prepaid MasterCard. Training systems support franchisees, while Marketing Managers provide business consultation. Franchise Operations support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Area Marketing Managers, Regional Sales Managers and Marketing Development Specialists may assist with real estate, site evaluation, site maps and construction design. Additional support covers category management, tobacco loyalty programs, food service, store schematics, planograms, vendor negotiations, branding, promotions and buying programs. The standard agreement does not provide exclusive territory. Rights apply to an approved location, while Sunoco may authorize additional nearby or overlapping locations. Development Agreements for multi unit operators also do not create exclusive designated areas.

Buyers should request information from the franchisor and interview a statistically meaningful sample of franchisees. Sunoco LP operated 76 company owned retail locations at the end of 2024 and 330 company owned convenience stores by the end of 2025, representing over 300% growth in one fiscal year. The $9.1 billion Parkland Corp. acquisition helped expand the fuel supply network from under 10,000 sites at the end of 2024 to 23,830 by the end of 2025. Aplus stores may reach the upper part of that range in strong markets, but results depend on the site, operator and market. Buyers should compare operator interviews with the latest FDD and audited financial statements.

Sunoco has operated and franchised convenience stores since its 1988 acquisition of Atlantic Petroleum, and Aplus franchising began in 1993. In 2001, Sunoco bought 193 Speedway SuperAmerica stores from Marathon Oil, including 115 in Florida, 62 in South Carolina, 13 in North Carolina and 3 in Georgia. In October 2013, it purchased Mid Atlantic Convenience Stores, a Richmond, Virginia based Circle K franchisee with over 300 stores. The $9.1 billion Parkland Corp. acquisition in 2025 expanded Sunoco LP's fuel supply infrastructure and its platform for Aplus growth. The franchise network covers more than 40 states and Puerto Rico, with concentration along the East Coast from Massachusetts to Florida and additional reach into upstate New York and Ohio. Competitive advantages include Sunoco brand recognition, Sunoco LP's scale, Gulliver's and City Deli programs, and vendor purchasing power across nearly 24,000 supplied sites. The acquisition program exceeding $9 billion shows that CEO Joseph Kim and Sunoco LP are pursuing expansion through scale.

A suitable franchisee may have experience in retail management, multi unit operations or hospitality. Single unit operators are welcome, while the Development Agreement structure supports operators planning several locations. Opportunities are concentrated along the East Coast from Massachusetts to Florida, with additional availability in upstate New York, Ohio and the broader 40 plus state program. High commuter traffic, highway interchange access and unmet food service demand may support stronger store performance. The agreement lasts five years with one additional five year renewal, creating a potential ten year operating period. Liquid capital requirements of $125,000 to $250,000 create a significant entry requirement, and veterans may receive fee reductions of $1,000 to $8,500. Opening time depends on construction, permits and whether the site is converted or built from the ground up. Buyers should model the upper ranges for construction and permitting and include working capital needs.

Aplus Sunoco offers exposure to fuel and convenience retail, Sunoco LP and Energy Transfer Partners LP, and a company pursuing growth through franchising and acquisitions. Sunoco supplied fuel to 23,830 sites at the end of 2025. PeerSense provides due diligence information that includes SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data and comparison tools for investment size, royalty structure, unit growth and territory availability. Aplus combines 137 years of corporate history, a 2025 acquisition program exceeding $9 billion and over 30 years of franchising experience. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm that introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders and does not lend or approve loans.