Jernigan Oil sells convenience retail division to Sunoco Retail
Transaction marks a major transition for the Duck Thru brand in Eastern North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia.
Jernigan Oil Company has completed the sale of its convenience retail division to Sunoco Retail, marking a significant milestone for one of the most established family‑owned fuel and retail operators in Eastern North Carolina. The move reflects a strategic decision by Jernigan to focus on expanding its remaining businesses, including propane distribution, commercial fuels, transportation and marina operations.
Founded in 1948, Jernigan Oil has grown over several generations from a farm machinery business into a regional fuel and retail leader. Under the stewardship of the Harrell family, the Duck Thru convenience retail division expanded steadily, beginning with its first store in 1983 and growing into a network of 56 locations recognised across Eastern North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia.
Reflecting on the sale, Michael Harrell, President of Jernigan Oil, said: “My family and I would like to thank our customers for their many years of trust and support. Their loyalty has been the foundation of everything we’ve built, and we are deeply grateful. Most importantly, we want to thank our employees for their sacrifices, hard work, and dedication to Duck Thru Food Stores and Jernigan Oil Company. The strength and success of this company was built by our employees, and I am sincerely thankful for their commitment, pride, and the countless ways they made this journey possible.”
The transition of the Duck Thru network to Sunoco Retail represents both an inflection point for the brand and a moment of renewal for Jernigan Oil as it reinvests in its core operations. The sale concludes a long chapter of family‑led retail growth and opens the door to future expansion across the company’s other business lines.
