QuickChek Being Acquired for $645 Million

On Dec 14, 2020

Whitehouse Station-based QuickChek Corporation is being acquired by Murphy USA in a $645-million all-cash transaction.

QuickChek, founded in 1967 as an extension of Durling Farms, a door-to-door milk and fresh dairy products delivery service that traces its roots to 1888, operates 157 stores located in central and northern New Jersey and the New York metro area, including 89 with fuel. It has approximately 4,450 employees.

“QuickChek and Murphy USA both reflect a family heritage and a strong people culture,” said QuickChek CEO and Chairman Dean Durling. “I am thrilled by Murphy USA’s commitment to honor our legacy and preserve our brand while learning from our business model.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished in making QuickChek what it is today and I am excited about the opportunities for continued growth and success in the next chapter in QuickChek’s journey,” Durling continued. “I know QuickChek’s dedicated employees and valued customers remain in good hands.”

QuickChek operates a best-in-class food and beverage (“F&B”) model with a strong regional brand, offering quick-serve food alongside convenience items; a high-volume fuel offer is included at 89 of its newest stores.

Its industry leading economics are evidenced by robust per-store per-year merchandise sales of $3.5 million, combined merchandise margins of 38% with F&B representing over 50% of the mix, and per-store per-year fuel gallons of 3.8 million. Additionally, QuickChek has a proven history of same-store-sales growth and a rich real estate pipeline to sustain unit growth within its existing footprint.

The acquisition is consistent with Murphy USA’s updated capital allocation strategy, which it announced in October.

“In October we outlined an updated capital allocation strategy and committed to improving our food and beverage offer at existing and future sites,” said Murphy USA President and CEO Andrew Clyde. “This transaction greatly accelerates those efforts and benefits, and is expected to provide reverse synergies across our network, while enhancing future returns on new stores.

“The transaction is also expected to create direct synergies that leverage our enterprise scale and our distinctive capabilities in fuel, tobacco and loyalty. We are excited to join forces with an exceptional and highly engaged team at QuickChek who share Murphy USA’s passion for delivering excellence every day to all our stakeholders,” Clyde said.

The purchase price includes expected tax benefits valued at $20 million for a net after-tax purchase price of $625 million. The transaction will be financed with a combination of cash on hand, existing credit facilities and new debt, and Murphy USA has obtained committed financing from the Royal Bank of Canada.

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