"What many people don't realize is that the major oil companies own less than 5 percent of gas stations. It's not a high-profit business for most. Most stations are owned by small retailers. These guys are at liberty (within certain legal limits) to set prices at whatever they want. Ever notice how a Mobil station near a freeway often has higher gas prices than one a few miles away? Travelers aren't going to traipse all over the countryside to save three cents per gallon."
they may not own the stations but they franchise their company names which i'm sure come with stipulations.
