CStore Decisions celebrated Toot’n Totum as its 37th Chain of the Year on Oct. 7 at Piero’s Italian Cuisine in Las Vegas. Taking place on the second night of the NACS Show, industry peers gathered to recognize and honor the Amarillo, Texas-based retailer.
“As we evaluated chains for the Chain of the Year Award this year, Toot’n Totum really stood out for its operational excellence,” said Erin Del Conte, editor-in-chief of CStore Decisions. “And what truly distinguishes this chain is its drive to innovate through foodservice, through its values-based people-first culture, through technology, through the strength is has built through vertical integration, as well as its state-of-the-art, new-to-industry stores, its commitment to both internal growth and footprint expansion.”
75 Years Strong
Andrew Mitchell, CEO and president of Toot’n Totum and a third-generation member of the family business now helms the company with his wife Dottie that was founded by his grandparents and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025.
Toot’n Totum began in 1950 when Mitchell’s grandparents, Eldon “Lefty” Mitchell and his wife Novie, opened their first c-store on 15th and Washington in Amarillo, Texas. When Lefty passed away in 1955, Novie took the reins. Her entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering work ethic laid the foundation that shaped Toot’n Totum into the success it is today.
In 1996, Novie’s son, Greg Mitchell, as president and CEO, and his wife Julie began to steer the chain’s expansion across the Texas Panhandle via acquisitions. Through their leadership the company began to prioritize vertical integration, expanded into the lube center and car wash business, and moved into new operating areas, including Kansas and Oklahoma in 2015 and New Mexico in 2020. Today, Greg serves as chairman.
Andrew Mitchell, Greg’s son, stepped into the CEO role in 2023.
Over the years, Toot’n Totum has differentiated itself through vertical integration, rapid expansion, foodservice, technology innovation and its reputation as having a people-first culture.
Passing The Torch
Last year’s Chain of the Year Recipient, Stinker Stores, was on site to present the award to Toot’n Totum — a longstanding tradition of the event.
“When I heard Toot’n Totum was receiving this award, I took a lot of pride in the fact that they’re another family-owned business,” said Charley Jones, VP of operations for Stinker Stores. “Hearing your backstory, the perseverance of your whole chain to go through that, keep your core values and have that people-first mindset. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.”
Jones welcomed Andrew Mitchell to the stage to accept the award.
Mitchell said that receiving the award was “kind of like winning the Super Bowl or the World Cup, because honestly, there’s not many awards in the convenience store industry that are given away at this level.”
Mitchell credited the hardworking Toot’n Totum team to the chain’s success, dedicating the award in their honor.
“In our communities, we’re winning awards. We’re winning philanthropy awards, travel center awards, for the things we do in our communities each and every day. But this one was even more special — this one is special because it was noticed by outside people.”
He concluded his speech in typical Toot’n Totum fashion: “Let’s go!”
