Cenex Kum & Go stores to become Cenex Zip Trip

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. — Approximately 30 Cenex Kum & Go convenience stores will be converted to the Cenex Zip Trip brand by the end of June, according to CHS Inc. The affected stores — located in Montana, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota — are owned by CHS and managed by Kum & Go, L.C., through April 30, 2009.

“We are excited about this transition in the management and identification of our Cenex®-branded retail locations,” says Rick Cummings, vice president of refined fuels marketing for CHS. “We continue to leverage the strength of the fast-growing Cenex brand, while expanding the reputable Zip Trip store brand from the Pacific Northwest into new markets. We look forward to working closely with store employees to maximize operational efficiencies and deliver on the Cenex Zip Trip retail store promise of helpful service.”

According to Cummings, all current and future CHS-owned convenience stores will be branded Cenex Zip Trip. Today CHS owns 77 retail stores, located primarily in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, Nebraska and the Dakotas.

“Some local cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin that have an agreement with Kum & Go, L.C., to manage their convenience stores will continue to operate per their current agreement. As a result, about half a dozen locations will continue as Cenex Kum & Go stores,” adds Cummings.

“Kum & Go appreciates the excellent partnership we experienced with CHS over the years. This change will allow for Kum & Go to have a better focus on core markets where we have experienced strong growth. We have a tremendous respect for the CHS team and the Cenex brand,” said Kyle J. Krause, Kum & Go CEO and president.