Thorntons LLC
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Gasoline and convenience retail |
| Founded | January 1, 1971 in Clarksville, Indiana, United States |
| Founder | James Thornton |
| Headquarters | Louisville , United States |
Area served | Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee |
| Products | Gasoline, convenience store items, food services, Unleaded15 fuel, E85 fuel |
| Owner | BP |
| Parent | BP |
Thorntons LLC, previously known as Thorntons Inc., is a U.S.-based chain specializing in gasoline and convenience retail, with its main office located in Louisville, Kentucky. The company manages more than 200 outlets, which include conventional fuel and convenience stores, enhanced kitchen-style locations, and Travel Centers. Thorntons operates across six states: Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. Established in 1971 by James Thornton, the company is currently owned by BP.
History
The inaugural Thorntons store was launched in 1971 in Clarksville, Indiana, featuring a kiosk design alongside full-service attendants. During the 1980s, the business transitioned from kiosk formats to convenience store models, growing its presence to over 100 sites.
In 2013, Thorntons introduced a larger store concept that included an expanded food selection at select locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana. This enhanced format was subsequently rolled out to the Chicago metropolitan area by 2016.
Concurrently, Thorntons began offering Unleaded15 fuel, characterized by an octane rating of 88 and containing roughly 15% ethanol. Additionally, certain stations provide E85 fuel options.
The year 2019 marked Thorntons’ acquisition by a partnership between Arclight Capital Partners and BP. In July 2021, BP agreed to purchase ArcLight’s share, finalizing the deal on August 31, 2021. BP maintained the Thorntons brand as a complementary chain alongside its own ampm outlets, ensuring no overlap in market territories between the two brands.