VPS Midwest Is Officially Part of GPM Investments

RICHMOND, Va. — GPM Investments LLC takes claim to more locations in the Midwest with the closing of its acquisition of VPS Convenience Store Group Inc.'s Midwest division.

The deal, announced in February, includes 161 convenience stores with gasoline sales in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois. GPM will continue to operate these stores under the Village Pantry and Next Door Store brand names.  

"Customers will continue to see great deals on fuel, snacks, beverages and more, and we will also introduce our own loyalty and discount programs," said Bill Reilly, senior vice president of marketing at GPM. "Just like our Road Ranger stores, we will launch our fasCASHBACK fuel discount card at Village Pantry stores in Indiana, a program which is also offered at our Fas Mart and Shore Stop locations."

The fuel discount card lets customers receive discounts on every gallon of fuel purchased, up to 20 cents off per gallon, when they open up an account.

Starting this month, the Village Pantry and Next Door Store locations are also running a GPM-created "Golden Ticket" game that gives one customer a chance to win $10,000.

Richmond-based GPM Investments is one of the largest privately owned companies in the convenience store channel. Earlier this year, GPM began operating eight One Stop Stores that have been rebranded as Scotchman, and 42 Road Ranger convenience stores with gasoline sales and one Subway location.  

Including the Village Pantry and Next Door Stores, GPM now has more than 750 stores in 16 states. GPM operates stores under several brand names including Fas Mart, Shore Stop, Scotchman Stores, Young's, Li'l Cricket and BreadBox.