Salt Lake City-based Maverik is in the midst of rebranding iconic Iowa convenience store chain Kum & Go.
Founded in 1959 as Hampton Oil Co., it became Kum & Go in the 1970s after co-founder Bill Krause decided the ampersand-linked five-letter name, using his and partner Tony Gentle’s last initials, would make for the most economical signs to hang on their stores. Krause’s family sold the 400-store chain to Utah-based Maverik in August 2023. Now Maverik is in the midst of converting them into Maverik convenience stores.
Here’s what to know about Maverik’s rebrand of Kum & Go locations and when your neighborhood store may change.
Why is Kum & Go rebranding?
Maverik is rebranding Kum & Go locations in order to “bring a consistent experience in new markets for our current customers,” Maverik CEO Crystal Maggelet said in a February statement.
What is Maverik?
Maverik was a chain of about 380 convenience stores before the Kum & Go purchase in 2023. Reuel Call founded Maverik in 1928 after buying two barrels of fuel with money he made renting out roller skates…