History

In 1974, as a mechanic returning from military service, Robert Brandi became a Texaco dealer and operated a two bay service station on Bush River Road in Columbia. As the business flourished, he invested his profits and purchased a site in Ballentine. He built a small convenience store named “The Pitt Stop” and opened in 1980 as the first “Open-Dealer” for Texaco. In 1982 he established Bob Brandi Stations, Inc. Already with two successful operations, a third location was opened in Irmo in 1986. After adding several more locations, the original location was actually purchased from Texaco and remodeled into a Pitt Stop Convenience Store in 1988.

Continuing to grow the Texaco Brand in the Columbia area, additional sites were acquired and in 1991 Brandi Petroleum was formed to operate as a gasoline and fuel wholesale distributor for Texaco. To develop the wholesale business other contracts were signed with independent oil companies and in 1993, Brandi Petroleum became a distributor for Citgo Petroleum as well. With eleven Texaco outlets operating in the Columbia area, the first Citgo Pitt Stop was built in 1994. After acquiring two existing locations in 1998, the eighteenth location was opened as a Hess station on Decker Boulevard.

With the acquisition of seven locations from WrightWay Stores, Inc. in December 1998 Bob Brandi Stations, Inc. entered into a contract to provide quality Pitt Stop representation for ExxonMobil in the Columbia market. For the next couple of years we were busy stabilizing from the growth while upgrading facilities and technology.

In 2001 the company opened eight additional Pitt Stop locations including five sites with Burger King Restaurants. As a new Burger King franchisee, Bob Brandi committed to bringing Burger King back to a strong position in this market area. In 2002 the Texaco brand was replaced by the Shell brand. Over the next few years additional locations were acquired or built. There are several building projects in process for 2010.

Bob Brandi started his business in 1974 with a staff of two. By 1990, with eight C-stores, the company employed about 50 people. By the end of 2001 the staff had grown from 228 to just over 500. In 2010 the company employs over 800 people and operates 31 convenience stores and 20 Burger King restaurants. Bob Brandi and his company are dedicated to providing quality products and outstanding customer service to our patrons all over the Midlands of South Carolina.