Report comment

MFG service stations are run by Contract Managers/Commission Operators, who run the stores, buy the stock, pay the bills and employ staff.

MFG negotiate prices with their supplier, Booker, which the independent retailer operating the store must use. They get charged a higher price, while MFG pocket the difference. Most of their Commission Operators won't even be aware, as officially they have to pay MFG a percentage of their profit, but MFG already gets a cut of the sales from commissions paid by Booker. This is how Motor Fuel Group has done so well and now owns more UK filling stations than any other company. Malthurst operated in the same way along with others like Rontec.

It's a dire situation for the Commission Operators as they can be given three months notice and they're out the door, along with the staff they employ. If they make a success of the site, MFG will move the goalposts and demand a bigger cut of the profits.