Freedom Fuel Adds 4 Stations as Discounts Narrow to 25 Cents a Gallon
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 7
Freedom Fuel Adds 4 Stations as Discounts Narrow to 25 Cents a Gallon
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 7
Summary
Four new locations lifted Freedom Fuel Network to 29 stations this week, extending a rapid Philadelphia–South Jersey rollout built around gasoline priced 10 to 20 cents below nearby rivals.
Prices that debuted at $3.47 a gallon in early July—about 40 cents below market—have risen to a median $3.89, and analysts say the chain is now only barely profitable as competitors start matching it.
Fuel experts say the earlier deep discounts may have come from cheaper pre-Iran-war inventory, supplier concessions or outside support; one analysis estimated the chain may have forgone up to $360,000 in revenue in its first two weeks.
Public records tie the company to Ravens coach Randy Brown, energy investor Yoni Gontownik and station operators Shamikh and Syed Kazmi, whose businesses have faced repeated lawsuits; one Philadelphia site also faces possible closure over licensing issues.
Trump and the White House have repeatedly praised Freedom Fuel after gas prices topped $4.50 nationally, while the company has disclosed little and denies any subsidy beyond what it calls a patriotic effort to cut pump prices.