Australian convenience retailers Ampol and Viva have an opportunity to roll out quick-service restaurant (QSR) counters across their high traffic sites and lift non-fuel margins to be in-line with US peers. Foodservice penetration in the US is an aspirational target for the domestic market, but Australian fuel retailers can grow gross profit per store by tapping into the circa 70% gross margins in QSR. QSR store rollout supports Ampol and Viva’s five-year outlook for growing non-fuel earnings, whilst elevated refiner margins are also supportive in the near-term.

We transfer coverage of Viva Energy from Scott Hudson to Craig Woolford. In this report, we address the outlook for its convenience strategy and balance sheet position. We are positive on the refining margin outlook but expect the OTR conversions to be slower and more costly to complete.