7-Eleven acquires 101 locations in Florida

MIAMI — 7-Eleven Inc. acquired 101 sites in Florida to be added to its network of more than 10,000 locations, according to CSPnet.com.

The convenience store chain purchased Biscayne Petroleum LLC and Everglades Petroleum LLC, staking its claim in the growing Florida market.

“7-Eleven … believes that Florida represents a growing market, and that the acquisition of the assets from these companies supports 7-Eleven’s desire to grow in the fuels and convenience business in Florida,” said Margaret Chabris, director of corporate communications.

In a transaction consisting of 94 controlled real estate locations, seven contracts that are fuel supply only and some related assets, 7-Eleven and its wholly owned subsidiary SEI Fuel Services Inc. purchased the two companies.

Led by Carlos Fontecilla and Arturo Zizold, Biscayne and Everglades owned the majority of the real estate at the acquired sites.

Facilitated by Matrix Capital Markets Group Inc., the acquisition includes c-store assets in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties as well as sites in the city of Naples.

“Having to sell our company was a difficult decision,” said Zizold, CEO of the companies. “We are proud of all that has been accomplished. … We also are pleased to have 7-Eleven and SEI Fuels assume ownership of our sites.”

Several of the acquired sites are currently under consideration for rebranding as 7-Eleven c-stores, and the gas stations will continue to sell Mobil-branded fuel.

 

Mobile auto services increase in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. — Mobile, on-demand car care services are on the rise around the Research Triangle (Triangle) area, according to The News & Observer.

Mobile businesses around the Triangle are providing customers with on-demand services, including carwashes, fuel, auto repair, tire services and more.

“We’re traveling to homes, offices, the side of the road, schools — anywhere you think, we’re fixing cars,” said Robert Koenekamp, founder and CEO of Proficient Auto.

The convenience of auto businesses are “a huge selling point” and are allowing customers to request a service online through a computer or a smartphone.

“A lot of the convenience factor goes along with another consumer behavior, which is the impact our smartphones are having on our lives,” said Scot Wingo, executive chairman of Spiffy, a mobile carwashing and detailing service. “What people really like in this convenience sector is the ability to take out their phone and have it be “a remote control for their life.’”

For Brooks Raiford, president and CEO of the N.C. Technology Association, the convenience of mobile services was a big factor for deciding to purchase tires through Michelin OnSite’s on-demand offerings.

“They came to my office at the appointed time that I picked,” stated Raiford. “I was able to pay online, and they came here and got my keys. And 90 minutes later, I had a new set of tires on our car.”

 

Board votes against wash despite approval recommendation

PEWAUKEE, Wis. — The Pewaukee Village Board voted four to three against a proposal for a new Jilly’s Car Wash to be built around the Meadow Creek Market area, according to the Lake Country Reporter.

The rejection goes against the approval recommendation from the Village of Pewaukee Plan Commission, which unanimously voted in favor of granting a conditional-use permit for the carwash.

Tom Calder, trustee who voted against the carwash, questioned if the property was specified as developable in the original plan for the area and was also concerned about the lack of information regarding the tax impact of the project.

“We’re challenged with budget issues, and a lot of the things that have been approved previously have ended up costing quite a bit more once they’re there, and it’s too late then to do anything about it,” said Pat Nauth, trustee who agreed with Calder regarding the tax issue.

Traffic flow was another concern raised by trustees who voted against the wash proposal.

Jeff Knutson, Pewaukee Village president, stated that he believes the board made a mistake and that the project would have brought a “big tax revenue into the village.”

“I can’t guarantee, but I would say you’d be looking at a half million (dollars) or better of property value there, plus personal property, and to just say no to it is kind of shortsighted,” asserted Knutson.

The proposed carwash would have been the second location for Jilly’s.

 

CST Brands finalizes major acquisition

SAN ANTONIO — CST Brands Inc. finalized its purchase of Flash Foods convenience stores, according to CSPnet.com.

Late last November the company announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the network of Flash Foods c-stores in Florida and Georgia from Jones Co. and its affiliates.

Jimmy Jones, CEO of Flash Foods, confirmed that the chain was up for sale and that CST Brands was the probable buyer earlier that month. However, the purchase agreement was still in the works at that time.

The $425 million transaction is projected to close in the first quarter of 2016, and the acquisition includes: 164 Flash Foods c-stores selling its branded fuel in Georgia and Florida; 21 branded Quick Service Restaurants, including three stand-alone locations; a merchandise distribution company and a 90,000-square-foot distribution center that it operates in Georgia; and the sites’ more than 290 million gallons distributed for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2015.

The acquisition also includes a fuel supply company with access to Colonial and Plantation pipelines, leased storage and a company-owned transportation fleet, distributing fuel to the 164 sites and 10 million gallons to wholesale accounts.

“When we add in the fuel supply, distribution center and great people at Flash Foods, we could not be more excited about this anticipated acquisition and how it will allow us to delight more customers every day in the Georgia and Florida markets,” said Kim Lubel, chairman and CEO of CST Brands.

CST Brands, based in San Antonio, employs about 13,500 workers at approximately 1,900 locations throughout the U.S. and eastern Canada.

 

Drying equipment manufacturer launches new division

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Proto-Vest Inc. announced the launch of its new custom design division, according to a press release.

Proto-Vest’s new development team will leverage its extensive sales and marketing experience to generate innovative outcomes for organizations “focused on improving the quality of their products in the U.S. and around the world.”

The company has 45 years of experience in the carwash industry specializing in industrial drying equipment and aims to set and maintain the standard in noise reduction, customization capabilities and energy efficiency.

Applications worldwide include designing and manufacturing systems for commuter trains, freight liners, buses, motor homes and ocean vessels.

With the addition of its new customization division, Proto-Vest is now expanding its services to specialty manufacturing industries, including automotive manufacturing plants, aerospace, agricultural and pharmaceutical/medical device applications.

The company manufactures systems, solely patented and developed by Proto-Vest, which offer “fully automated drying applications utilizing integrated processing control devices.”