Legacy Markets Doubles Footprint, Enters South Carolina with Acquisition

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. – April 28, 2026 – Legacy Markets has announced a significant expansion that doubles its operational footprint and marks its official entry into the South Carolina market. The Hendersonville-based company confirmed its acquisition of 10 PowerTrac convenience and liquor stores, bringing its total number of locations to twenty across the Carolinas.

The deal signals a period of substantial change for customers in the Piedmont, SC, area. Legacy Markets plans to rebrand all 10 newly acquired PowerTrac locations under its Triangle Stop banner in the coming months. This transition will introduce a host of changes, from the fuel at the pump to the loyalty programs available to shoppers.

A Strategy of Rapid Regional Growth

This acquisition is the latest and most significant move in an aggressive growth strategy for Legacy Markets, which began its expansion just two years ago. In 2024, the company made its first major play by acquiring the original 10 Triangle Stop Food Stores and the associated JH Reaben Oil Company, establishing a strong presence in western North Carolina's Hendersonville and Brevard communities.

At that time, company leadership expressed ambitious goals for rapid growth throughout the Southeast. This acquisition of the PowerTrac chain validates that strategy, effectively doubling the company's size in a single transaction and extending its reach across state lines into the competitive northwestern South Carolina region.

Legacy Markets has built its strategy on a philosophy of being "fast, friendly, and local," while also aiming to "preserve the legacy" of the businesses it acquires. The company's approach involves integrating established local brands into its growing network, aiming to enhance operations without losing the community connection built by the previous owners. The PowerTrac deal represents a critical step in solidifying its position as a formidable regional player in the convenience retail sector.

New Look, New Fuel: A Transformed Customer Experience

For patrons of the 10 PowerTrac stores, the changes will be noticeable and multifaceted. The most immediate visual change will be the rebranding to the Triangle Stop banner, aligning these locations with Legacy Markets' existing North Carolina stores.

Beyond the new signage, the company is introducing a new fuel partner. The previously unbranded PowerTrac pumps will now feature Marathon-branded fuel. This partnership brings not only a nationally recognized fuel brand but also its associated benefits. Marathon fuel is treated with the STP additive, a mark of quality aimed at improving engine performance.

Perhaps more impactful for regular customers will be the introduction of new loyalty and rewards programs. Shoppers will gain access to the "Marathon ARCO Rewards" program, which boasts over six million members nationwide and offers savings of at least five cents per gallon on fuel, alongside other in-store rewards. This will be complemented by the Triangle Stop smartphone app and loyalty program, which provides additional discounts on fuel and food items.

In its announcement, Legacy Markets highlighted plans for "greatly enhancing the food, beverage, and merchandise programs." While specifics were not detailed, this aligns with broader industry trends where convenience stores are evolving into food destinations. Competitors are increasingly offering fresh and ready-to-eat meals, healthier snack options, and expanded beverage selections to meet the demands of modern consumers, a direction the new Triangle Stop locations are expected to follow.

Consolidation in the Carolinas' Competitive C-Store Market

The Legacy Markets-PowerTrac deal is a microcosm of a larger trend reshaping the American convenience store industry: consolidation. The market in the Carolinas is intensely competitive, featuring national giants like 7-Eleven and Circle K alongside strong regional players such as QuikTrip. In North Carolina alone, the industry has seen steady growth, with the number of businesses increasing by 2.6% annually between 2021 and 2026.

This environment has created significant pressure for smaller, independent operators. Many owners of chains with 10 to 50 locations are finding it advantageous to sell to larger entities that can leverage economies of scale, sophisticated supply chains, and robust technological platforms. Legacy Markets' acquisition fits this pattern, absorbing a successful local chain to build a larger, more resilient regional network.

The global convenience store market is projected to expand significantly in the coming decade, driven by urbanization and consumer demand for speed and accessibility. To remain competitive against larger supermarkets and e-commerce platforms, convenience retailers are focusing on differentiation through localized product assortments, advanced loyalty programs, and an enhanced in-store experience—all elements central to Legacy's announced plans for the former PowerTrac stores.

From Local Success Story to a New Chapter

The acquisition also marks the end of an era for PowerTrac, a business built from the ground up by founders Ankur and Krishna Patel of Piedmont, SC. The couple grew their enterprise from a single store into a network of ten high-volume locations, becoming a notable local success story.

In the official announcement, Legacy Markets CEO Jack Helmick acknowledged their achievement. "I want to congratulate Ankur and Krishna on the successful business they built," he stated. "We are excited to welcome their team members to the Legacy Markets family."

This commitment to retaining existing employees is a key part of Legacy's public-facing strategy, which emphasizes "Employee Growth" and community focus. By bringing PowerTrac's staff into its fold, the company aims for a smooth transition and to maintain the local, friendly service customers have come to expect.

As the rebranding process gets underway in the months ahead, residents in the Piedmont area will witness the transformation of their local PowerTrac stores. The shift represents a change from independent ownership to a structured regional chain, bringing with it the standardized branding and digital platforms of a larger corporation while promising to uphold a philosophy of fast, friendly, and local service.