Stop-N-Go is one of the early pioneers of the convenience industry having begun operations in February 1963. Stop-N-Go began as a family owned, Madison based business and this ownership structure remains in place today, almost 40 years later.

Growing at a “one store at a time” pace, the company flourished throughout the 1960’s and 70’s positioning itself as neighborhood grocery stores. The company grew to about 60 stores the the late 1970’s with most stores leased, and located within small strip centers. Gasoline was not offered during this time.

By 1980 the convenience industry encountered dramatic changes, the greatest of these changes being the introduction of gasoline at convenience store locations. Very few Stop-N-Go locations were conducive for the addition of gasoline facilities and as such the company found itself at a crossroads. Although the company had been hugely successful, the future looked uncertain. Without a strong entry into the petroleum side of the industry, it would be difficult to remain competitive.

By the mid 1980’s the company had 56 stores and had expanded into northern Illinois. In the late 1980’s the company downsized in order to eliminate unprofitable locations and to adjust their locations to be able to better compete in the gasoline industry. This conversion from a group of neighborhood stores to a C-store chain resulted in the closing and selling off of many locations and the construction of many new facilities.

As the decade of the 1990’s began to embark, the company formed relationships with gasoline suppliers so as to offer to it’s customers “branded” gasoline. For a period of time, some Stop-N-Go locations offered Citgo gasoline, other stores offered Mobil gasoline, still others offered 76 gasoline. This “branding” strategy proved to be successful as Stop-N-Go locations were now serving a new base of customer and per site volumes grew dramatically. Still, by working with three different suppliers, the company lacked a clear distinctive petroleum message. It was then in 1997, Stop-N-Go entered into a supply agreement with Amoco Oil Company, the overall market share leader. The majority of Stop-N-Go locations were converted to Amoco. In 1999 Amoco merged with BP and today 36 of 37 Stop-N-Go gasoline facilities offer Amoco or BP petroleum products. Stop-N-Go and BP/Amoco a strong marketing presence to be sure.

Today…2002…., Stop-N-Go operates 39 full service convenience centers, all equipped with all the products and services today’s busy consumer requires. In addition, all Stop-N-Go locations feature the following: top notch, well trained, courteous and friendly employees, which is the one element of Stop-N-Go’s success that has not changed from that first store opening back in 1963.