Casey’s takes over Minit Marts

By Kathy Feist

Several Minit Mart convenience stores in south KC are turning into Casey’s General Store, a gas station/convenience store well known for its handmade pizza.

Casey’s announced it recently bought 26 Minit Mart locations in the Kansas City area. Those in south Kansas City include 103rd and State Line Road, 75th and State Line Road, and 79th and Wornall Road. The Minit Mart on Holmes and Red Bridge roads was not included in the purchase.

Though the announcement was made June 16, most Minit Marts had already switched products. “We began carrying the Casey’s brand about a month ago,” said Michelle Dodd, manager of the 79th and Wornall location. Despite photos of Casey’s pizza and soda plastered on the front doors, pizza will not be available until the beginning of the year, according to Dodd. The stores must undergo reconstruction to accommodate a pizza oven and kitchen.

The purchases are part of Casey’s expansion plan to add 345 store locations to its chain over a three-year period.
Casey’s General Stores is one of the largest convenience store chains in the country. Casey’s owns more than 2,521 stores across about 15 states, primarily in the Midwest. Its stores, most of which operate in areas with fewer than 5,000 people, offer gasoline, prepared foods such as pizza and donuts, and other food and nonfood items traditionally found in convenience stores.