OREANDA-NEWS. Imperial Oil Limited ("Imperial") is evaluating the potential transition of its remaining company-owned Esso retail sites to a branded wholesaler operating model. Growth opportunities for the On the Run convenience store brand will also be evaluated.

Under the branded wholesaler operating model, Imperial supplies fuel to independent third parties who own and/or operate the sites in alignment with Esso brand standards.

The majority of Imperial's 1700 Esso-branded retail fuel sites in Canada operate under the branded wholesaler model. The remaining 500 sites are company-owned and will be part of this evaluation.

This evaluation will include a non-binding bid process, which will begin in the coming weeks.

"Esso has a long, successful history as a leading retailer of high-quality fuels," said Brad Merkel, vice president of fuels and lubricants at Imperial. "This evaluation will determine if strategic investments, through new business partnerships, can fuel further growth of the Esso brand in Canada."