VPS Fills Its Breadbox in Greater Knoxville

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- VPS Convenience Store Group is expanding its Tennessee footprint with the acquisition of the 17-store BreadBox group, located in the Knoxville, Tenn., area.

With this deal, VPS now operates 435 convenience stores in eight states, including 34 locations in middle and eastern Tennessee.

"We are excited to expand our presence into middle Tennessee by acquiring these stores that have such a rich history in their respective communities," said VPS Chairman and CEO Jeff Turpin. "BreadBox is a great fit with our current brands. Customers can expect a seamless transition with no interruption in service as we integrate these locations into our family of stores."

The BreadBox stores offer Shell and ConocoPhillips premium fuels. Several of the locations have quick-service restaurants, including Godfather's Pizza, Quiznos, Subway and KFC/Taco Bell.

The stores are well-known in their communities for a strong commitment to supporting local schools through the BreadBox Partners At Local Schools (PALS) program.

VPS first entered the Volunteer State with its January 2011 acquisition of 22 convenience stores in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. Those stores, formerly APPCO Convenience Stores, now operate under its Scotchman brand.

Wilmington, N.C.- based VPS Convenience Store Group operates stores under six brand names -- Scotchman, Village Pantry, Li’L Cricket, Young's, Next Door Stores and Everyday Shops. The stores are spread throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

VPS is an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners Inc.