Fastrip

What Fastrip does

Fastrip Food Stores Inc. is a privately held convenience store and fuel retailer founded in 1968 in Bakersfield, California. The company operates 55 stores across California and Arizona plus 24 additional standalone Fastrip fueling stations across Arizona, California, and Nevada, totaling 79 fueling locations. Of the 55 stores, approximately 47 are leased to independent operators who own their inventory and receive a 1-cent-per-gallon commission on gasoline sales, while Fastrip provides buildings, equipment, District and Merchandise Managers, and a Director of Stores for operational support. The remaining company-operated stores and the 79-site fueling network together produce Fastrip's revenue.

The retail format targets individual consumers and commuters seeking 24/7 access to fuel, groceries, snacks, beverages, tobacco, and ancillary services. Differentiated offerings include Guzzler fountain drinks (a registered private label in three sizes with up to 16 flavors), Kern Coffee (a private-label coffee program with up to 15 flavors including cappuccino and hot chocolate), ICEE frozen carbonated beverages, Berkeley Farms and Alta Dena dairy, and 28-degree beer caves present in 35 of 55 stores. Payment infrastructure supports cash, cards, SNAP/EBT (at all locations), WIC vouchers from California and Arizona (at select locations), and EMV Tap to Pay contactless. The technology stack is otherwise standard for the segment — there is no proprietary platform, mobile app, or AI/ML capability disclosed.

Revenue is generated through four streams: (1) retail merchandise sales (groceries, snacks, beverages, tobacco, alcohol), (2) fuel and gasoline sales at all 79 fueling locations, (3) lease operator fees from independently operated stores ($120,000–$180,000 startup investment per operator), and (4) ancillary services including lottery/lotto, ATM fees, propane exchanges, and Primo Water refills. Pricing follows standard unit-pricing with weekly promotions on beverages and snacks. Marketing is community-driven, centered on local sponsorships, MDA fundraising ($70,000+ raised historically, $50,000+ in recent years), school certificate programs, customer appreciation days, and a 2024 partnership with the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance (CFCA) and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) for the 24/7 Day first-responder recognition initiative. Corporate giving exceeds $500,000 over more than 40 years.

Name

Fastrip

Legal name

Fastrip Food Stores Inc.

Website

https://fastrip.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Fastrip is a privately held convenience store and fuel retailer founded in 1968 in Bakersfield, California, operating 55 stores and 24 additional fueling stations across California, Arizona, and Nevada, serving consumers and commuters with fuel, groceries, private-label beverages, and convenience items.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Convenience Store and Fuel Retail

NAICS

Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores (45711), Convenience Retailers (445131)

SIC

Retail-Convenience Stores (5412), Retail-Auto Dealers & Gasoline Stations (5500)

akta.pro primary industry

Forecourt Convenience Stores (Fuel-Integrated) (CRAHABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fuel Stations with Convenience Retail (Forecourt C-Stores) (CRANAJAB), Non-Fuel Retail & Ancillary Forecourt Services (Car Wash, Auto Care, ATM/Lottery, Parcel Lockers) (EUALAIAJ)

Keywords

• Convenience store chain
• Fuel and gasoline retail
• Snack and beverage retail
• Lease operator convenience
• Private label beverages

Headquarters

HQ city

Bakersfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail merchandise sales: Fastrip earns revenue through retail sales of groceries, snacks, beverages, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and other convenience store items at their store locations.
2. Fuel/Gasoline sales: Fastrip operates fueling stations at all 55 store locations plus 24 additional fueling stations. Revenue generated from gasoline and diesel sales, with lease operators receiving a 1-cent-per-gallon commission on all gasoline sales.
3. Lease operator fees: Fastrip operates both company stores and lease stores. Lease operators pay to lease stores and own their inventory. Fastrip provides buildings, equipment, and business support through District Managers, Merchandise Managers, and Director of Stores.
4. Ancillary services: Revenue from lottery/lotto services, ATM fees, propane exchanges, and other convenience services offered at store locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fastrip operates a regional chain of 55 convenience stores integrated with gasoline/diesel fueling across California and Arizona, plus 24 additional fueling stations in Nevada, Arizona, and California. The core offering combines fuel sales with grocery items, snacks, beverages (including private-label Guzzler fountain drinks and Kern Coffee), tobacco products, alcoholic beverages (35 beer caves at 28°F), and ancillary services such as lottery, ATM, propane, water refill, and SNAP/EBT/WIC acceptance. The company runs a hybrid model of company-owned and independently leased operator stores.

Product overview

Fastrip Food Stores operates 55 convenience stores across California and Arizona, with a total of 79 fueling locations (including 24 additional fueling stations in Nevada). The company's core offering combines gasoline/diesel fuel sales with a full-range convenience store. Product portfolio includes Fastrip-branded proprietary drinks (Guzzler fountain drinks in three sizes, Kern Coffee with up to 15 flavors, ICEE frozen beverages), groceries and dairy (Berkeley Farms, Alta Dena dairy products), alcoholic beverages with 35 beer caves, tobacco products, and essential grocery staples. Services include SNAP/EBT and WIC acceptance, lottery, ATM, propane refills, Primo Water dispensers, and 24/7 ice sales. The business model features both company-owned and lease stores, with some locations operated by independent lease operators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Guzzler: Fastrip's proprietary fountain drink brand featuring Guzzler, Super Guzzler, and Double Guzzler sizes with up to 16 flavors including Pepsi-Cola, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, Coca-Cola, and Sprite.
• Kern Coffee

Products and services

• Fastrip Food Stores (Convenience Store Chain) A network of 55 convenience stores across California and Arizona providing 24-hour access to groceries, snacks, beverages, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and ancillary services.
• Fastrip Fuel/Fueling Stations Gasoline and diesel fuel stations at 55 stores with Fastrip fuel plus 24 additional standalone fueling stations across California, Arizona, and Nevada, totaling 79 fueling locations.
• Guzzler Fountain Drinks Fastrip's proprietary brand of fountain drinks available in Guzzler, Super Guzzler, and Double Guzzler sizes with up to 16 flavor options including Pepsi-Cola, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, Coca-Cola, and Sprite.
• Kern Coffee Fastrip's private-label coffee brand offering regular coffee, decaf, flavored creamers, half-and-half, cappuccino, and hot chocolate with up to 15 different flavors.
• ICEE Frozen Beverages ICEE frozen carbonated beverages served at beverage islands in Fastrip stores.
• Beer Caves Cold-storage caves installed in 35 of Fastrip's 55 stores that maintain beer at 28°F for the coldest available beer in served markets.
• Fastrip Lease Operator Program A business opportunity program where independent operators lease Fastrip stores with startup investment of $120,000–$180,000 in cash. Lease operators own their inventory, collect sales profits, receive a 1-cent-per-gallon commission on gasoline sales, while Fastrip provides the building, equipment, and ongoing operational support.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• California Fuels & Convenience Alliance (CFCA)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 July 2024Fastrip partners with CFCA for 24/7 Day on July 24, a nationwide initiative recognizing first responders, medical personnel, and American Red Cross volunteers who work around the clock. Fastrip offers free fountain drinks or coffee to eligible first responders during this 2-day event.
• National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 July 2024Fastrip partners with NACS for 24/7 Day on July 24, a nationwide convenience store industry initiative honoring first responders and medical personnel who serve communities 24/7. The partnership allows Fastrip to participate in a coordinated industry-wide recognition event.
• Berkeley FarmsminorOthersBerkeley Farms dairy products are offered at most Fastrip locations in gallon, half-gallon, quart, and pint sizes as part of the grocery and dairy offerings.
• Alta DenaminorOthersAlta Dena dairy products are offered at most Fastrip locations alongside Berkeley Farms products, providing variety in dairy selection.
• Primo WaterminorOthersFastrip stores feature Primo Water self-service refill stations, offering filtered water dispensers for customer convenience at many locations.
• Blue RhinominorOthersSome Fastrip locations feature Blue Rhino Propane exchanges or refill programs for customer propane needs.
• ICEEminorOthersFastrip proudly serves ICEE frozen carbonated beverages, offering customers frozen drink options at beverage islands in stores.
• Brownie BakerminorOthersBrownie Baker brand muffins and pastries are offered at Fastrip locations alongside Kern Coffee as bakery items.
• Bon AppetitminorOthersBon Appetit brand muffins and Danish pastries are available at Fastrip stores to complement coffee and hot drink offerings.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Royal Farms: Royal Farms is a privately held Mid-Atlantic fuel-plus-convenience chain known for differentiated food and proprietary brand items akin to Fastrip's Guzzler and Kern Coffee private labels. Comparable on differentiation strategy though geographically distinct.
• Pilot Flying J (Berkshire Hathaway): Pilot Flying J is a US travel center / convenience chain focused on highway and interstate service. Different segment from Fastrip's neighborhood trade area, but comparable fuel-retail format and Berkshire-backed acquisition currency for any Southern California/Arizona consolidation.

Broad incumbents

• 7-Eleven (Seven & i Holdings): 7-Eleven is the largest US convenience retailer with a dense California presence and a fully integrated fuel-plus-store model. While the categories and operating hours match, 7-Eleven operates at massive scale and offers proprietary digital/loyalty infrastructure Fastrip lacks, making it the dominant category incumbent.
• Circle K (Alimentation Couche-Tard): Circle K is one of the largest fuel-and-convenience networks globally with hundreds of California and Arizona locations. Directly comparable on core format and customer base; represents a global acquirer of regional chains and a primary competitive threat to Fastrip's expansion ambitions.
• GPM Investments (ARKO Corp): ARKO/GPM is a publicly traded c-store roll-up aggregator with hundreds of stores across smaller US markets; comparable on culture and operator economics, and a likely acquirer or competitor to Fastrip's regional model.

Direct peers

• QuikTrip: QuikTrip is a large privately held fuel-plus-convenience chain with a strong Western US presence, similar emphasis on clean stores, beer cave formats, and competitive pricing on beverage and snack categories. Comparable operating model and customer base.
• RaceTrac: RaceTrac is a privately held fuel-and-convenience chain with broad US store base, similar focus on high-volume flagship-format stores, comparable core assortment, and similar absence of public-market disclosure. Comparable on size, format, and growth-oriented operator mindset.
• ARCO / ampm: ARCO's ampm banner operates fuel-and-convenience stores heavily concentrated in California and the broader West Coast, directly overlapping Fastrip's core geography and fuel-plus-store model. Comparable on size and competitive set, and a primary regional competitor for fuel-side traffic.
• Maverik (formerly Kum & Go): Maverik operates a Western- and Midwestern-US fuel plus convenience store chain, recently incorporating Kum & Go, with comparable store count and a similar rural/underserved-market strategy. Highly comparable operating playbook and customer demographic, and a known industry roll-up acquirer.
• Chevron ExtraMile: Chevron-branded ExtraMile stores combine forecourt fuel sales with full convenience retail at company-branded stations across California and the wider West. Directly competitive for the same commuter/fuel-customer segment in overlapping geographies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fastripfs

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fastrip