Texaco is teaming with Mario and Michael Andretti to
open co-branded gas stations in the Bay Area, according to
Peter Sinton of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Andretti Petroleum
"plans to open as many as 20 outlets in San Francisco and
surrounding counties. Each will feature the well-known
Andretti name in red, white and green signs right below the
Texaco star." Texaco "is planning to offer drivers fast-
food and gourmet coffee and the Andretti Signature Line of
clothing at Andretti SpeedMarts." Groundbreaking is planned
for this summer in San Francisco. Texaco will "sell its
products wholesale" to Andretti Petroleum and "will cover
some" of the $2-3M cost of each location "in exchange for
Andretti's promotion of the Texaco brand." Texaco officials
said the company is teaming with the Andrettis to "boost its
local market share" as it does not own stations in the Bay
Area. Texaco has sponsored the Andretti's "for a decade and
has used them extensively to promote its gasoline and
Havoline motor oils" (Peter Sinton, S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/21).
