APlus (or A‑Plus) is an established American convenience store franchise founded in 1985 by Atlantic Petroleum in the northeastern United States. It originated from Atlantic’s retail convenience operations and was later acquired by Sunoco in 1988. The brand is now managed under Sunoco Retail LLC and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

APlus began offering franchise opportunities in 1993. Its franchise system includes full-service convenience stores, both with and without gas stations. APlus stores offer a variety of products including ready-to-eat meals, snacks, beverages, groceries, tobacco items, and branded fuel.

What sets APlus apart is its proprietary in-store programs such as Gulliver’s gourmet coffee and the City Deli hot-food concept. These offerings help the franchise compete effectively by providing fresh, quality food alongside traditional convenience items.

Training

Aplus outlines a comprehensive training structure to prepare franchisees and their staff for successful store operation. The following programs are offered by the franchisor:

1. Initial Training Program: This program is mandatory for the Designated Manager and two other key individuals involved in operating the APLUS Store. It must be completed before the store opens and includes assessments to ensure comprehension. Training may be held at the franchisor’s headquarters, regional office, or online, and while no tuition is charged, travel and related expenses are the franchisee's responsibility.
2. Opening Assistance: A representative from the franchisor assists on-site during the store's opening to guide the staff in understanding APLUS systems and standards. Any additional requested assistance may incur a fee based on the franchisor’s standard rates.
3. Remedial and Additional Training: If a Designated Manager is deemed unqualified or a new manager is appointed, additional or remedial training is required at the franchisee’s cost. Fees apply for attendees beyond the initial three and for any retraining necessitated by staff changes.
4. Ongoing and Enrichment Training: Throughout the agreement term, the franchisor may require participation in additional training sessions or seminars. These sessions are aimed at performance improvement and may be mandated if performance standards are not met. Fees and travel costs for these sessions are also the franchisee’s responsibility.

Territory Protection

Aplus does not offer exclusive territory protection to its franchisees under the standard franchise agreement. Franchisees are granted a right to operate at a specific approved location, but this does not come with any guarantee of exclusivity.

In fact, the franchisor retains the right to establish or authorize other Aplus locations in nearby or even overlapping markets, including through various distribution channels like online platforms. If a franchisee enters into a Development Agreement, they are given the right to develop multiple stores in a designated area; however, even this area is not exclusive.

The franchisor reserves the right to operate or allow others to operate Aplus stores within or near this area, including in locations considered "Captive Markets." Moreover, failure to meet development obligations can lead to the reduction or loss of any territorial privileges granted under the agreement.