What does 'Petro Franchise' or 'we' refer to in the Petro Stopping Center Franchise Disclosure Document?
Petro_Stopping_Center Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To simplify the language in this Franchise Disclosure Document, "Petro Franchise" or "we" means Petro Franchise Systems LLC, the franchisor. "You" means the person or entity who buys the franchise. If "you" are a corporation or limited liability company, "you" includes your owners. The term "affiliate" means an entity controlled by, controlling, or under common control with, another entity.
Petro Franchise Systems LLC is a Delaware limited liability company ("Petro Franchise"), formed on August 12, 2008. Petro Franchise's principal place of business is 24601 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145-5634. Our agents for service of process are disclosed in Exhibit A. We conduct business under the names Petro Stopping Centers and Petro.
We have offered franchises for Petro Centers since 2008. Our predecessors offered franchises for travel centers beginning in 1984.
We do not offer franchises in any other type of business and we do not have any other business activities.
PARENTS
Petro Franchise is a wholly owned subsidiary of TravelCenters of America Inc., a Maryland corporation ("TA"). TA has never directly offered franchises of any sort.
Until May 15, 2023, TA was a publicly traded company whose stock was listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. On May 15, 2023, TA and BP Products North America Inc. ("BPPNA") consummated an Agreement and Plan of Merger, such that TA is now a wholly owned subsidiary of BPPNA. BPPNA is a Maryland corporation incorporated on January 3, 1922 and its principal business address is 30 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60606.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 9–14)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Petro Stopping Center Franchise Disclosure Document, the terms "Petro Franchise" or "we" refer to Petro Franchise Systems LLC, the franchisor. The document also clarifies that "you" refers to the person or entity purchasing the franchise, including the owners if the franchisee is a corporation or limited liability company. This definition is provided to simplify the language used throughout the Franchise Disclosure Document. Petro Franchise Systems LLC is a Delaware limited liability company formed on August 12, 2008, and conducts business under the names Petro Stopping Centers and Petro.
This clarification is important for prospective franchisees as it establishes the identity of the franchisor, Petro Franchise Systems LLC, which is the entity granting the franchise and responsible for upholding the obligations outlined in the franchise agreement. Understanding this definition ensures that franchisees know exactly with whom they are entering into a business relationship. It also highlights that the franchisor may use different names (Petro Stopping Centers and Petro) while conducting business, which is useful for recognizing official communications and branding efforts.
Furthermore, the FDD mentions that Petro Franchise Systems LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TravelCenters of America Inc. (TA), which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BP Products North America Inc. (BPPNA). This corporate structure provides additional context about the ownership and affiliations of Petro Franchise, which can be relevant for assessing the stability and resources behind the franchise system. Franchisees should be aware of these relationships as they may influence the franchisor's decisions and support systems.