office (334)
793-1544About Home Oil Company
"Being a family-owned and operated business, we are able to cooperate with each other and get much more accomplished," said founder Tom Shirley. "We extend that family relationship to our employees and maintain positive self-esteem. Once a policy is established, it gets the attention necessary to see that it is administered properly. Having many people here with a vested interest in the company makes it possible for us to follow through with the promises we make and the policies we set."
Beginnings
Tom Shirley, Home Oil Company founder, left his career with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in 1966 to purchase a Phillips 66 Distributorship in Ashford, Alabama. Initially the company sold approximately 20,000 gallons per month, most of which was diesel fuel for agricultural use. There were two employees in addition to Tom and his wife, Jo. In 1970, Home Oil Company acquired the Pure Oil Distributorship and converted everything to Union 76.
In 1976, Home Oil Company's first computer system was installed, allowing the corporation to become fully automated. At about this time, a new consumer movement was under way. There was less demand for full-service stations and more demand for self-serve gasoline at a lower price.
In 1978, Home Oil Company ventured into the area of retail sales when they purchased a convenience store which also sold self-serve gasoline. After the success of the first convenience store the company converted two closed facilities into thriving stores. Stores #2 and #3 were 'born' into the Home Oil Company family.
With such success, business quickly outgrew the small corporate office in Ashford. With a firm belief and vision of just how big the business would be, the Dothan and Ashford offices were combined into the new corporate office which was built in Cowarts, Alabama. This location between Dothan and Ashford allowed the company easy access to their various stores. The corporate offices were opened concurrently with the fourth convenience store.
HOCO and Hobo Pantry
In early 1983, after building yet another store, the company having decided that it needed its own retail identity, named their convenience/food stores HOCO. In 1984 HOCO's fourth store was acquired from EZ Way Food Store Chain and became the #4 store in the Home Oil Company family.
In 1985, store #8 was built in Samson, Alabama; with the addition of a deli in this store one more facet was added to the services of The HOCO Stores.
During 1988, Home Oil Company decided to re-identify its retail division; their entry into the deli business created an area which needed different marketing. The HOCO Food Store was converted to the The Hobo Pantry and a new image was created. A new store, number twelve, was built to fully utilize and celebrate this new image. This new location was used nationally as a guide for other convenience stores.
Future
As the success continues, Home Oil Company continues to grow. Home Oil Company now owns twenty-six retail outlets and three bulk fuel/lubricants distribution points.