Speedway Changes Its Name

The fourth largest company-owned and -operated c-store chain in the country drops SuperAmerica from its name

Less than three months after the company sold 166 SuperAmerica locations, primarily in Minnesota, the fourth largest company-owned and -operated c-store in the U.S. changed its official name to Speedway LLC, dropping SuperAmerica. The new name now reflects the current brand make-up of the company's approximately 1,350 convenience store/gas station locations. The Speedway name is largely recognized by residents in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Kentucky.

“The name change solidifies our identity within the convenience store industry and leverages the inherent strength of our Speedway brand,” explained Tony Kenney, president of Speedway.

Speedway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corp and has been the highest ranked retail gasoline brand United States in terms of overall brand equity in the 2009 and 2010 the EquiTrend Brand Study conducted by Harris Interactive.

In other Speedway news, the company donated $5.6 million to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals — a charity that raises funds for 170 children's hospitals. Speedway supported the Children's Miracle Network since 2001 and to date has raised more than $39 million for the charity.

“We are committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which we have the privilege to operate,” Kenney said. “This tremendous accomplishment simply could not have happened without the sincere care and enthusiasm our employees have for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Helping children in need through our longtime affiliation with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals makes all of us at Speedway very proud. Many of our customers must feel the same, even when they give in nickels and dimes. Clearly, a little change can make a big difference.”

The new total amount of dollars for the 2010 fundraising year breaks all records as the most funds raised from Speedway employees, customers and vendor partners. According to the company, 2010 also marks the second consecutive year that Speedway has increased it fundraising contribution by more than $1 million as compared to the previous year.