our story

GB Express' roots date back to 1930, when E.C. Boyles settled in Elkin, NC as an agent for Standard Oil Company (now ExxonMobil). In 1945, Boyles partnered with Phillip Greenwood and named their new venture G&B Oil Company. The partnership lasted for five years until Boyles purchased Greenwood's interest, once again making G&B a family owned company.

Fred Eidson, son-in-law of Boyles, joined the ranks of G&B in 1962. Eidson was charged with overseeing operations and diversifying the growing company. Under the direction of Eidson, G&B purchased the propane division of Carolina Ice and Fuel in Elkin in 1968. This purchase established G&B's presence in the propane industry. Seven years later in 1975, C&J LP Gas in Millers Creek was added as a commissioned agent extending propane service to the residential and agricultural customer base in Wilkes County.

In 1976, Boyles retired from the day to day operations and named Eidson as the company's president.

During the 1980s, G&B purchased the assets of several local oil companies, including; Alberty Oil in Dobson, Arlington and Swaim Oil Companies in Jonesville, Home Oil Company in Sparta and Piedmont Natural Gas' heating oil and gasoline division in Winston-Salem. These purchases expanded our service area to include all of Surry, Alleghany, Forsyth, Wilkes and Yadkin counties.

The increasing popularity of convenience stores in the 1980s, spurred the development of the G&B Food Mart brand. The first gas station to convenience store conversion was completed in 1987. During 1980s, G&B purchased a convenience store in Jonesville and constructed another in East Bend.

In 1990, Jeff Eidson, son of Fred Eidson and grandson of founder E.C. Boyles, was named company president and charged with leading the company into the 21st century. Fred Eidson stepped down as president and became chairman of the board of directors; a position he still holds.

The 1990s brought on a tremendous amount of growth for both divisions of G&B. New offices were constructed in Pilot Mountain, Sparta and Mills River, NC and Wiseman Oil Company in East Bend and Appalachian Energy in Boone were added as commissioned agents, extending our service area into the NC mountain regions.

In 1992, four convenience store were purchased from Run in food Stores. The purchase included stores in Elkin, Mt. Airy, Clemmons and Kernersville.

New convenience stores were also constructed in Jonesville, Granite Falls and Lewisville. These additions brought the convenience store count to 10.

1993 was the inaugural year of the G&B ENERGY CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC at Cedarbrook Country Club. Two hundred golfers participated in the event that raised $15,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Yadkin Valley United Fund. To date the tourney has raised $270,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Yadkin Valley United Fund.

The new millennium brought on some changes at G&B. The delivery division's name was changed to G&B Energy and the G&B Food Mart brand was changed to GB Express. New logos were revealed for both divisions. Commissioned agent Appalachian Energy/Hodges Oil in Boone was purchased just before the 2000 heating season.

2005 Winter - G&B OIL CELEBRATES 75 YEARS AS A FAMILY OWNED COMPANY!

2007 Fall - G&B OIL sells five GB Express locations to WilcoHess, LLC