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GasBuddy
Company typePrivately held company
Founded2000
FounderDustin Coupal and Jason Toews
Headquarters
Boston, MA
Area served
United States, Canada, Australia
ParentUnited Communications Group (UCG)
Websitewww.gasbuddy.com

GasBuddy is a tech company based in Boston, MA[1] that operates apps and websites based around finding cheap gas in an area.[2] They also offer software solutions to convenience store owners via their B2B initiatives (formerly known as OpenStore).[3]

The GasBuddy app is a GPS-based application program for smartphones and tablets which provides prices of nearby gas stations from user-submitted data, as well as through partnerships with other companies and directly from station operators.[4] The app supports Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone.[5]

History

Childhood friends Dustin Coupal (an eye doctor) and Jason Toews (a computer programmer) founded GasBuddy in April 2000 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[6][7] In June 2000, Toews and Coupal launched the collection of GasBuddy websites as a way to serve the public with everything needed for consumers to easily and freely share gas-pricing information. They filed as a Minnesota for-profit corporation in April 2004 as GasBuddy Organization Inc.[8]

In 2009, GasBuddy launched OpenStore with its first convenience store partner, Rutter's, by building the Rutter's app and supporting digital marketing efforts through its custom platform.[9]

Towards the end of 2010, GasBuddy launched its own set of apps that allowed users to input prices via their smartphones.[10]

In March 2013, UCG, a privately held, business-to-business company headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, announced that Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) had acquired GasBuddy.[11] OPIS is a UCG subsidiary established in 1977 as the Oil Express Newsletter and specializing in worldwide petroleum pricing and news for businesses.[12]

On February 10, 2016, IHS acquired OPIS, separating from GasBuddy, which remained with UCG as a subsidiary company.[13]

Initially only available in the United States and Canada, GasBuddy launched in Australia (its first country outside of North America) in March 2016.[14]

On Monday, September 12, 2016, GasBuddy released a completely redesigned app available for iOS and Android devices, the first major re-design of the app since its release in 2010. GasBuddy also unveiled a new logo, and launched GasBuddy for Business, replacing their OpenStore platform.

Overview

GasBuddy operates an app and websites for the public to report and see prices of motor fuel in the United States, Canada, and Australia.[15][16][17] Users report motor fuel prices in their area, which is made available to other visitors. Each entry is timestamped.[16] Data on the website and in app is provided by spotters, stations and relationships with credit card companies.[18]

Registered GasBuddy members are encouraged to input gas price data, with the incentive to earn points that allow them to obtain electronic tickets for entry towards a daily drawing for a $100 prepaid gas card.[19]

Its website offers additional features such as a fuel log book which allows users to record fuel purchases, odometer miles and keep a log of fuel usage.[20]

References

  1. ^ GasBuddy. "GasBuddy Announces Executive Team and Boston Office". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  2. ^ "About Us - GasBuddy.com". www.gasbuddy.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  3. ^ "GasBuddy Business Pages - GasBuddy.com". www.gasbuddy.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  4. ^ "Who/What is GB_Direct?". GasBuddy Help Center. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  5. ^ "GasBuddy Mobile Apps - GasBuddy.com". www.gasbuddy.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  6. ^ http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/08/24/tech/main637984.shtml CBS news
  7. ^ "Creating Apps to Fuel Growth". INC. May 16, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  8. ^ "GasBuddy Organization Inc". Secretary of State - State of Minnesota. Retrieved Oct 10, 2012.
  9. ^ "The Year of the App, Part 1". 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  10. ^ "GasBuddy Turns 15! - GasBuddy Blog". blog.gasbuddy.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  11. ^ "OPIS Acquires GasBuddy". UCG. March 1, 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-12. Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) has acquired GasBuddy, the mobile app and website relied on by more than 26 million motorists to pinpoint the most comprehensive and accurate gasoline prices at service stations and convenience stores across the U.S. and Canada.
  12. ^ "About OPIS". OPIS. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  13. ^ "IHS Completes Acquisition of Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) | IHS Online Newsroom". press.ihs.com. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  14. ^ "GasBuddy, the app which finds you the cheapest petrol launches in Australia today". Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  15. ^ Monson, Kyle (August 25, 2008). "The Top 100 Classic Web Sites", PC Magazine. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  16. ^ a b Hamilton, Anita (2008) "50 Best Websites 2008: GasBuddy", Time. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  17. ^ "GasBuddy find cheap Gas in USA and Canada". theappzine.com.
  18. ^ http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110414005276/en/GasBuddy.com-Teams-Pricelock-Add-Fuel-Price-Protection-Option GasBuddy.com Teams up with Pricelock to Add Fuel-Price Protection Option for Businesses
  19. ^ "Prize Give-Away Information - GasBuddy.com". www.gasbuddy.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  20. ^ "Logbook Expense Records". Retrieved 2011-09-29.(registration required)
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