Tooley Oil Exits Convenience Store Business After Nearly 50 Years

Sacramento's Tooley Oil Sells All Convenience Stores After Nearly 50 Years in Retail
Sacramento-based Tooley Oil Company is exiting the convenience store and car wash business after nearly 50 years, selling its 12 convenience stores—operating mainly under the Mixx Market banner—and seven CleanMixx car washes to an undisclosed buyer. Matrix Capital Markets Group advised on the deal.
Founded in 1978 by Michael "Mick" Tooley, the company will retain its wholesale motor fuels distribution business and plans to use sale proceeds to grow that segment. "After nearly 50 years of our family being in the retail business, this is certainly a bittersweet moment for us," Tooley said.
The exit comes amid rising costs across the convenience retail industry. Direct store operating expenses rose 4.2% industry-wide, while credit and debit card fees hit a record $21.3 billion, according to an NACS April report. Retail expert Dominick Miserandino said smaller operators like Tooley lack the scale to negotiate favorable supplier terms, making it harder to compete with larger chains.
The move follows similar downsizing across the sector, including Circle K closing 80 stores in a 12-week span, EG America consolidating regional banners into Cumberland Farms, Casey's sunsetting the CEFCO brand, and 7-Eleven closing underperforming locations to focus on larger foodservice formats.