AMPM Store is a technology company.
AMPM Store has raised $220K across 1 funding round.
AMPM Store has raised $220K in total across 1 funding round.
ampm is a convenience store chain, not a technology company, owned by bp with over 1,000 locations primarily on the U.S. West Coast, specializing in 24/7 snacks, drinks, and quick-service items.[4][5][7] It serves busy consumers seeking fast access to food like fresh sandwiches, bakery items, coffee, and beverages, solving the problem of on-the-go convenience amid long lines or limited hours through traditional stores and emerging autonomous tech pilots.[2][4][6] Growth momentum includes expansion to around 1,161 U.S. stores, heavy concentration in California (807 locations), and pilots like the ampm asap Grab and Go autonomous store at Chase Center, powered by Verizon 5G and AiFi for cashierless shopping.[2][5][6]
The chain emphasizes speed and variety, with most locations (1,047) focused on in-store shopping, a small number adding delivery (37) or pick-up (17), reflecting cautious adoption of digital enhancements to boost efficiency and customer satisfaction.[5]
ampm launched in 1978 in Southern California as part of ARCO (Atlantic Richfield Company) stations, expanding to states like Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.[4] BP acquired ARCO in 2000, integrating ampm as a key convenience brand alongside others like Amoco and Thorntons; by 2014, it shifted focus to food offerings such as coffee, bakery, sandwiches, and a value line called "ampm Good Stuff," nearing 1,000 stores by 2017.[4] A pivotal moment came with the 2022-2023 pilot of the autonomous ampm asap Grab and Go at San Francisco's Chase Center, now fully operational for events, using computer vision and 5G to enable grab-and-go without checkouts.[2][6] This built early traction in frictionless retail, aligning with bp's No. 7 ranking among U.S. c-store chains by store count.[2]
ampm stands out in the convenience sector through:
(Note: Separate entities like AM/PM Systems provide POS hardware/software support for retailers, but are not the core ampm chain.[1])
ampm rides the frictionless retail trend, deploying autonomous checkout in pilots to meet demands for speed in venues like Chase Center, where fans avoid lines during games.[2][6] Timing aligns with post-2022 labor shortages and 5G maturity, enabling computer vision for real-time inventory and theft prevention amid rising c-store competition.[2][3][6] Market forces favoring it include consumer shifts to grab-and-go (e.g., snacks, beverages) and bp's scale (1,220+ stores), positioning ampm to influence ecosystem adoption of self-service tech without full rollout, strategically enhancing efficiency across its West Coast network.[2][4][5][6] This tests scalable models for traditional retail's digital pivot.
ampm's strategic autonomous pilots signal a pivot toward tech-enhanced convenience, likely expanding selectively to high-traffic sites beyond Chase Center to cut wait times and costs.[2][6] Trends like AI-driven analytics, 5G ubiquity, and hybrid services (more delivery/pick-up) will shape growth, potentially growing its 1,161 stores while testing dine-in expansions.[5] Influence may evolve by inspiring bp's broader portfolio and c-store rivals to adopt similar tech, solidifying its West Coast edge—though full nationwide autonomous scaling remains cautious. This builds on its 1978 roots, proving convenience chains can lead retail innovation.[4][6]
AMPM Store has raised $220K in total across 1 funding round.
AMPM Store's investors include Agility Ventures.
AMPM Store has raised $220K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $220K Seed in March 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2021 | $220K Seed | Agility Ventures |