EG America continues to embrace innovation across its convenience stores
With a portfolio of ten brands across the US , EG America owns and operates 1500 convenience and fuel stores. A subsidiary of United Kingdom-based EG Group, EG America benefits from being part of one of the world’s leading independent convenience retailers and can draw on an established pedigree of delivering excellent grocery and merchandise, fuel, and food service.
Founded by the Issa family in 2001, and under the leadership of the Issa brothers, EG Group grew to become one of the largest and most dynamic private businesses in the UK. Now an international independent convenience retailer, it employs 38,000 colleagues across 5600 sites in nine countries, serving almost one billion customers annually. The business is regularly recognized for innovation and investment in convenience retail assets, employees and systems. It also partners with premium brands to offer best-in-class products and services. It is committed to delivering a modernized consumer retail experience that exceeds expectations wherever its operations are located. 
Today having a diversified portfolio across three continents – North America, Europe and Australia – EG Group continues to progress its proven strategy to create multi-purpose convenience retail sites across its international estate.
Growth opportunity
The first quarter of 2025 saw exciting developments at EG Group and EG America, as it announced an executive transition plan. Reflecting the growing importance of non-UK markets for the group, Russ Colaco, CEO of EG Group, assumed direct responsibility for EG America, and he will be primarily based in the United States. As Mohsin Issa, CBE, Co-founder of EG Group, confirmed in a press release: “The US market is now the largest region by sales and represents the biggest growth opportunity and where EG needs to have its lead executives based.”
As he transitions, Russ is drawing on the support of previous CEO John Carey, who is becoming a group senior adviser. “EG Group is well-positioned for further success, and I look forward to delivering on our attractive growth opportunities and a strong financial performance moving forward,” commented Russ at the time of the announcement.
Growth story
The timeline of EG Group’s evolution in America comprises bold strategic investments. It first entered the US market in 2018, with a definitive agreement to purchase The Kroger Co.’s 762-site network, at a consideration of $2.15 billion. As part of the transaction, EG Group established its North American headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, under the name EG America (the HQ subsequently moved to Westborough, Massachusetts in 2019). This deal added the brands Turkey Hill, Loaf ‘N Jug, Kwik Shop, Tom Thumb and Quik Stop to the estate, and EG America continues to operate stores under their established banner names.
Later that same year further stores were added to EG America – this time 225 Minit Mart branded convenience retail stores and gas stations and some other related assets from TravelCenters of America LLC.
The acquisition trail continued, with April 2019 welcoming a portfolio of 54 Fastrac Markets (Fastrac) branded convenience retail stores and gas stations, and its wholesale fuel business. Fastrac operated in New York state and was seen as another significant demonstration of EG Group’s firm commitment to growing its presence in the US. Spring 2019 also saw the addition of Certified Oil and its 65+ store locations across Ohio and West Virginia.
But it was October 2019 when the transformative step was undertaken, with the successful acquisition of Cumberland Farms convenience retail stores and fuel stations across seven Northeast states. At this time Cumberland Farms operated approximately 600 convenience retail stores and fuel stations and employed almost 9000 people. Its well-established network provided locations across Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; areas that were not currently served by EG America and were highly complementary to its existing US store footprint.
Retaining the highly regarded Cumberland Farms brand on all the acquired stores, EG America recognized the business’ extraordinary heritage, and acknowledged that this was an area that it wanted to protect, develop and grow.
Overall, Cumberland Farms continues to be an area of expansion for EG America, with new store openings regularly being announced. As recently as June 2025, the company posted on LinkedIn that more Cumberland Farms stores were coming to Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Through an agreement with Neon Marketplace, EG America will lease nine retail sites – six locations in Rhode Island, three in Massachusetts – and will rebrand each to Cumberland Farms. “Expanding EG America’s network of stores and reinforcing the Cumberland Farms brand aligns with our long-term business objectives and supports our commitment to strategic growth, enhanced guest service, and market leadership across the region,” said Russ Colaco in the post. “We look forward to welcoming the current team members of these stores to EG America and continuing to deliver the exceptional value, offers, and convenience our guests have come to expect.”
Continued expansions
Returning to the acquisition strategy, in November 2020, EG America entered into a binding agreement for the acquisition of 18 Schrader Oil locations in Fort Collins, Colorado. Already operating a network of 88 Loaf ‘N Jug convenience stores in Colorado, the combination of Schrader Oil and Loaf ‘N Jug provided an exciting opportunity to invest in the locations and further improve the customer offering. The Schrader Oil sites were rebranded to Loaf ‘N Jug to provide customers with a consistent service and offering across the state.
March 2021 saw another addition – this time in Connecticut, with the acquisition of nine Mercury Fuel Service convenience stores. As it was already operating a network of Cumberland Farms convenience stores in Connecticut, the Mercury sites were rebranded to Cumberland Farms to provide customers with consistency across the network.
Finally in December 2021, EG America added 34 Sprint Fuel and convenience store locations to its network. This acquisition brought two additional states to the EG America portfolio – Georgia and South Carolina. Additionally, the Sprint Kitchen proprietary food service brand was one of the premier food offerings in its market with a wide selection of made-in-store hot food items including fried chicken, pizza, and breakfast options. This complemented EG America’s existing and successful food service proposition across the US.
In just three short years, EG America was overseeing a significant cross-US network of locations designed to fulfil multiple fuel, convenience store and food-to-go options. Split across grocery and merchandise, food service and fuel, the business has now set course to invest and transform its locations, to provide motorists, shoppers and diners with modern, safe, clean and convenient facilities.
Valued team
In grocery and merchandise, in the US, the offering is led by proprietary brands including Cumberland Farms, Minit Mart and Quik Stop with produce sourced directly from its chosen suppliers. This business stream represents 54 percent of gross profit (as of December 2024), closely followed by fuel at 43 percent. Customers looking to refuel can access own-brand fuel at EG America, Cumberland Farms, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf N’ Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Stop, Sprint, Certified Oil, Tom Thumb and Turkey Hill. Furthermore, EG America works in partnership with BP, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, and Phillips 66.
While food service was standing at three percent of gross profit in December 2024, in recent years, this segment’s market offering has grown, underpinned by long-term trends. It continues to expand, with EG America leveraging existing best-in-class brands to provide variety to customers at new and existing locations.
The food service businesses that comprise the EG America estate include prominent third-party brands such as Burger King, Cinnabon, Sbarro, Subway and Taco Johns. It also offers its own proprietary brands including Cumberland Farms, Farmhouse Blend coffee and Farmhouse Kitchen.
What unites these three segments is the drive and passion of the staff, underpinning operations. EG America acknowledges the importance of every member of the team in delivering its ambitious plans across the country. To achieve even higher levels of success, the business is committed to cultivating an inclusive culture by employing self-driven, friendly individuals who appreciate the unique experiences of each other and customers. Wherever they start their career at EG America, there are opportunities for career advancement in retail, operations, and administrative support roles, with a strong tradition of promoting team members from within.
Recently, members of the EG America team were acknowledged for their outstanding efforts, when Convenience Store News announced the winners of its inaugural ‘Category Excellence Awards’ program. This recognizes outstanding collaboration between a retailer category manager and their supplier or distributor partner.
For ‘New Product Launch Excellence’, Kate Weisman, Category Manager, EG America and Home Market Foods were recognized for their innovative Chicken and Waffle RollerBites – this was the best limited-time offer to launch in EG America’s history with Home Market Foods.
For ‘Planogram Excellence’, EG America’s Category Management Team – Brian Ferguson, John Lutz, Kimberly Ross, Mark Kurland, Andrea Annicelli and Josh Perrin and supplier partner McLane Co. Inc. were winners. Following in-depth planogram development sessions, EG America experienced a 12 percent lift in impacted categories over the previous year.
Finally, for ‘Promotion Excellence’, Kimberly Ross, Category Manager, Candy & Packaged Sweets, EG America and The Hershey Co. won for their $5 Meal Deal activation, which grew total confection and packaged beverage category sales during the promotion.
On a wider scale, EG America’s people form an essential part of the EG Group’s ESG strategy and targets. Under the heading Colleagues, they appear beside Planet and Communities, and as part of this latter point, the business undertakes significant charitable contributions. EG America strongly values its partnerships with Disabled American Veterans, American Cancer Society, and the American Red Cross, and thanks to the generosity of customers and efforts of its staff, it has raised millions of dollars over the last several years.
Looking to the future, EG America remains fully committed to creating the US’ preferred ‘one-stop’ destinations. While the wider EG Group’s leadership and strategic organization continues to evolve, its US operations stay focused on providing superior guest experiences, high-quality grocery and fuel products, and supporting the communities where its customers live and work. Under the experienced hand of Russ Colaco and his team, EG America remains steadfast in its purpose – to be the leader of quality, innovation, and customer service in the convenience store sector.