The Pantry
Encyclopedia
The Pantry, Inc. is a convenience store
Convenience store
A convenience store, corner store, corner shop, commonly called a bodega in Spanish-speaking areas of the United States, is a small store or shop in a built up area that stocks a range of everyday items such as groceries, toiletries, alcoholic and soft drinks, and may also offer money order and...

 chain based in Cary, North Carolina
Cary, North Carolina
Cary is a large town and suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located almost entirely in Wake County, it is the second largest municipality in that county and the third largest municipality in The Triangle after Raleigh and Durham...

. The Pantry was founded in 1967 by Sam Wornom and Truby Proctor, Jr. The company has been publicly traded since June 1999 and owned by investors since 1987 when then investor Montrose Capital purchased controlling shares from founders Wormon and Proctor. Current chief officers include Edwin J Holman, Chairman and Terrance M Marks, President and CEO. Marks replaced long time former CEO Peter Sodini whom held office since 1996.

It is the leading independently-operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States. The Pantry expanded rapidly during the late 1980s into the 2000s through various acquisitions. In 2008, it was announced that all Pantry stores would be rebranded under its primary operating banner, Kangaroo Express. As of November 1, 2010, the Company operated close to 1,700 stores in thirteen states.

The Kangaroo Express chain offers its own brand of coffee called Bean Street Coffee Company, its own private label on select merchandise known as Celeste, and various promotions. The promotions include "Freeze the Swamp" in Florida, "The Battle for Bean Street" in North Carolina's Triangle Area stores, and "Roo for the Road" value combos across the chain.

In 2009, new CEO Terrance M Marks announced all stores will expand its food service offerings to include fresh fruits, improved sandwiches, and better merchandise. Select stores offer fast food outlets such as Subway and Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is an American chain of fast-food restaurants based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., which serves American-adapted Mexican food. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, other specialty items, and a variety of "Value Menu" items...

.

In 2010 Program FRESH was announced to improve the Bean Street Coffee Service, revamp nearly all Kangaroo Express stores, and add more appealing on-the-go meals and snacks. FRESH is planned to hit all stores by end of 2012.

Acquisitions

  • 1997 - Lil’ Champ, of Jacksonville, Florida
    Jacksonville, Florida
    Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...

    , from Docks de France
    Docks de France
    The Docks de France group is a former French distributor, bought in 1996 by Auchan .-History:* 1904 : Ernest Toulouse creates the Central Docks Company in Tours, France* 1957 : Docks de France settles in the Paris region...

  • 1998 - Quick Stop, of Fayetteville, North Carolina
    Fayetteville, North Carolina
    Fayetteville is a city located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a U.S. Army post located northwest of the city....

  • 1999 - Etna, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina
    Winston-Salem, North Carolina
    Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...

    , from Taylor Oil
  • 1999 - Handy Way Stores, of Crescent City, Florida
    Crescent City, Florida
    Crescent City is a city in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The city is located on two lakes and is part of the Palatka Micropolitan Statistical Area. Crescent Lake lies to the east of town and Lake Stella is located to the west.-Geography:...

    , from Miller Enterprises
  • 2000 - Kangaroo, from Kangaroo Inc.
  • 2000 - On-the-Way Foods, from McKnight Oil
  • 2003 - Golden Gallon, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
    Chattanooga, Tennessee
    Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...

    , from Ahold USA
  • 2005 - D & D Oil Co., of Rome, Georgia
    Rome, Georgia
    Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Rome is the largest city and the county seat of Floyd County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Rome, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Floyd County...

    , operating as Cowboys
  • 2007 - Petro Express
    Petro Express
    Petro Express was a multi-store convenience chain based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their stores were located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and neighboring counties. On January 9, 2007 The Pantry, Inc. of Sanford, North Carolina announced that it would be buying the 66 Petro Express...

    , of Charlotte, North Carolina
    Charlotte, North Carolina
    Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...

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