Englefield Family Business Enters New Era of Growth for Duchess

The Ohio-based family business is leveraging decades of experience as the third generation takes leadership roles and continues the growth of its Duchess c-store, energy and QSR businesses.

Englefield Inc. can trace its roots to 1961 when F.W. Englefield III started the company with three service stations and an office, which he operated out of his basement.

“He started in the oil and fuel business, supplying fuel to dealer-operated locations, and eventually grew that into the convenience store business,” explained Ashley Englefield DeWitt, president of Englefield Retail, and a third-generation member of the family business.

Early business growth

In 1975, Englefield Oil Co., as it was then called, opened the first Duchess c-store in Lancaster, Ohio., and F.W. continued to grow the business from there through a combination of acquisitions and new store builds. His sons, F.W. (Bill) Englefield IV and Ben Englefield, began helping at the stores when they entered high school. When they officially joined the company as adults, F.W. had already significantly grown the Duchess footprint.

The second generation spearheaded the aggressive expansion of Duchess’ footprint in Ohio.

One of their most significant contributions was the completion of a 42-store acquisition from BP in the Columbus market in 2009 that pushed Duchess’ store count over 100.

“This was when BP was getting out of company-operated locations and divesting its AMPM stores,” DeWitt said.

Third generation leadership

Today, Bill and Ben serve as presidents of Englefield Inc. Bill’s son, (Will) Englefield V, now acts as president of Englefield Energy, which houses the company’s fuel division, lubricants and a recently launched propane business. Will also oversees the company’s logistics business and all fuel delivery.

DeWitt, who is Ben’s daughter, oversees the company’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) business in addition to its Duchess c-stores.

The third generation officially stepped into their current roles in September 2025.

“Will and I always joke that we’ve been in and around the business since birth. It was just part of our family conversations growing up,” DeWitt said.

“My grandpa always stressed how important it was to learn every part of the family business so you could really understand how it all worked together,” DeWitt said. The second generation did just that, focusing everything from the stores to the fuel warehouses.

“They both really worked across all parts of the business. They worked in the stores, pumped gas, washed windows, spent time in our distribution company and even remember doing things like digging ditches for tanks. They grew up in the business, learned it from the ground up and worked their way into leadership — and Will and I have really done the same,” DeWitt said. “I feel fortunate that I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside my dad and uncle and learn from them over the years. They’ve given Will and me a great foundation as we’ve stepped into our roles.”

DeWitt’s younger brother, Cody Englefield, now in his 20s, has also begun working with the family business in the construction department, helping with store remodel projects.