6 Things Kentuckians Don’t Know About Thorntons

Thorntons’ founder was born in Lebanon, Kentucky, but the chain’s first store went up across the state line.

You may have filled up at Thorntons for years without knowing that, or that one Louisville store was set up as a nonprofit.

Here’s what Kentuckians probably don’t know about the chain.

1. BP Ownership

Thorntons has been a BP company since August 31, 2021, when BP took full ownership of the chain.

BP first bought in through a joint venture with ArcLight Capital Partners that closed in February 2019.

If you’re a Thorntons regular, the company behind your store changed in 2021.

BP called the purchase its return to fully owned and operated stores in the United States.

It planned to retain the Thorntons brand.

More than 200 stores in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida came with the deal.

2. First Store in Indiana

Thorntons dates its first ground-up store to 1971, in Clarksville, Indiana.

If you fill up in Kentucky, the chain’s first store was across the state line in Indiana.

Founder James Thornton was born in Lebanon, Kentucky, and his family moved to the Louisville area.

That first Thorntons in Clarksville was a kiosk with a full-service attendant.

In the 1980s, the chain moved from kiosks to convenience stores and grew to more than 100 locations.

3. Unleaded15 and E85

Thorntons sells a branded E15 fuel called Unleaded15, which has an octane rating of 88.

The company’s fuel page calls it Unleaded 88, also known as Unleaded 15 at select locations.

CSP Daily News reported that when Thorntons rolled it out to all 43 Chicago-area stores, the company said it typically costs less than regular unleaded.

Thorntons lists E85, a flex fuel blend of up to 85% ethanol, among its fuels.

Only select locations carry Unleaded15.

The gas-type filter in the Thorntons store locator lists E85, kerosene and Unleaded15, so you can check before you drive over.

4. Nonprofit Community Store

Thorntons opened its first not-for-profit community store in Louisville’s West End in 2021.

If you bought something there when it opened, the profit went to the Louisville Urban League, which planned to reinvest it in community equity and empowerment.

Thorntons said it planned to hire from the neighborhood.

The store would also serve as a local recruitment and training facility for the West End.

The shelves would carry products from local minority-owned businesses, including Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company.

If you want to find it, look for the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center, where the store opened.

5. Truck Stop Services

Thorntons runs travel centers as well as neighborhood convenience stores.

If you haul freight, the store locator’s truck stop filter lists CAT Scale, truck parking and showers.

Thorntons launched its Pro Driver Refreshing Rewards app for professional drivers in late 2021, CSP Daily News reported in April 2022.

At launch, the Pro Driver program offered 5 cents off per gallon of fuel every day.

Each fill-up came with a free dispensed drink, Fizz Freez or coffee.

At launch, you could pick up a card only at truck stops and select high-flow diesel locations.

6. Giant Oil Sale

BP sold 13 Thorntons stores in Columbus, Ohio, and Lexington, Kentucky, to a company called Giant Oil.

The deal had already closed by March 31, 2026.

Giant Oil is a Tampa, Florida-based petroleum marketer that runs the On The Fly convenience-store brand.

CSP Daily News reported that Giant Oil said it had started rebranding all 13 stores as On The Fly.

The Ohio and Kentucky locations join On The Fly’s 120 stores in Indiana, Mississippi, Florida and Pennsylvania.

All converted locations would move to Amoco-branded fuel, a BP brand.

BP said it would keep serving Thorntons guests throughout the Midwest and Florida.

If you live in Lexington or Columbus, a Thorntons near you may now be an On The Fly.

Nugget Ice and Fountain Drinks

Thorntons sent a Nug Truck to two Louisville stores in June 2011, one on Bardstown Road and one on Cane Run Road.

Visitors got free 12-ounce samples of nugget ice.

If you brought in a 12-ounce “Luv the Nug” cup, you got a free fountain fill.

Thorntons described Nugget Nation as a digital community of ice chewers.

CSP Daily News’ 2018 feature said you can chill a fountain drink further with nugget ice and an insulated cup.

Some stores advertise 24 different flavors of fountain drinks.

Thorntons also works with smaller soda makers, including Ale-8-One.

The earnify Rewards App

Thorntons offers earnify, the rewards app BP built to replace its earlier BPme Rewards program.

CSP Daily News reported in advance that the app would be available across the Thorntons network in 2025.

Under earnify, Thorntons says members save 5 cents per gallon every time they refuel.

As of October 2026, registering earns you 250 welcome points and an instant reward, such as a free snack, drink or fuel discount.