The Motley Fool·2025-09-21 12:15Company Overview - Casey's General Stores was founded in 1959 and went public in 1983, operating primarily in the Midwest with 2,895 stores as of July [3][4] - The company has achieved significant stock appreciation, with a 289 times return since 1990, outperforming the S&P 500's 37 times return [4] Business Model - Casey's combines gas stations, convenience stores, and quick-service food effectively, focusing on fresh food offerings, particularly pizza, which has made it the fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. [7][8] - Inside store sales accounted for 27% of total revenues and 63% of total gross profits in the last quarter, highlighting the profitability of its business model [9] Competitive Advantages - The ability to sell fresh food allows Casey's to offer competitive gasoline prices, driving traffic to its stores [10] - The company has vertically integrated its operations, owning major distribution centers and a significant portion of its fuel delivery tankers, which helps streamline costs [11] - Casey's has achieved 6.7% operating margins and a 17.1% return on equity, which are impressive figures for a convenience store business [12] Growth Potential - Despite its past success, Casey's still has growth opportunities, with 75% of towns between 500 and 20,000 residents within 500 miles of its distribution centers lacking a Casey's store [16] - The convenience store industry remains fragmented, allowing Casey's to acquire smaller stores and expand its market share [17] Investment Perspective - Casey's stock is currently trading at 36 times earnings, but long-term investors may find value in its growth potential, with a market cap of over $20 billion [18]