Introduction
The Zuber Issa Petrogas Group acquisition marks a turning point in one of the UK’s most closely followed business stories. After years of joint ventures with his brother Mohsin through EG Group, Zuber is reshaping his empire with a sharper focus on the UK forecourt market.
After leaving his position as co-CEO of EG Group in 2024 to start EG On The Move, he paid £228 million to repurchase the UK forecourts. A few months later, reports surfaced that he was pursuing Petrogas Group, the UK division of Applegreen, in a possible £600 million deal supported by Rabobank.
This purchase demonstrates Zuber Issa’s drive for self-reliance and development. It raises key themes of strategy, deal execution, corporate restructuring, and the future direction of the UK’s energy and convenience retail sector.
Background on Zuber Issa and Related Entities
Zuber Issa is best known as the co-founder of EG Group, a global forecourt and convenience retail giant he built alongside his brother Mohsin. Starting with a single petrol station in Bury, Lancashire, the brothers grew their portfolio into thousands of sites worldwide, adding brands like Starbucks, Subway, and KFC to their network. Zuber earned a reputation as a strategic dealmaker with a focus on scale and expansion.
By 2024, EG Group was under pressure to streamline operations and reduce debt. As part of this restructuring, Zuber stepped away from his role as co-CEO, selling EG Group’s UK forecourt operations to himself in a £228 million deal. This bold move allowed him to form an independent venture, EG On The Move, which would focus solely on the UK fuel and convenience market.
The restructuring marked a clear turning point in Issa’s career. While Mohsin remained tied to Asda and the broader EG Group strategy, Zuber positioned himself to run a leaner, UK-focused business. His shift from global expansion to targeted national growth set the stage for future acquisitions—including the pursuit of Petrogas Group.
Who & What is Petrogas Group?
Petrogas Group UK is a company linked to the forecourt and fuel retail sector. Zuber Vali Issa is identified as a director in the records, indicating a close relationship to the Issa corporate network.Its operations align with the broader convenience and fuel model that has been central to Zuber Issa’s ventures.
The discussion around a “Petrogas Group acquisition” has created some ambiguity. Public references are limited, with some reports tying the deal to Applegreen’s UK arm, which operates a network of forecourts across the country. This overlap has led to speculation that the acquisition could either involve consolidation of Petrogas under EG On The Move, or the takeover of Applegreen’s UK division.
What’s clear is that Petrogas represents a strategic opportunity in the forecourt sector. Whether as an internal consolidation or a broader acquisition move, it aligns closely with Zuber Issa’s aim to strengthen his position in the UK’s petrol station and convenience market.
EG On The Move and Petrogas Group Acquisition
EG On The Move was created in 2024 after Zuber Issa purchased EG Group’s UK forecourts for £228 million. The deal gave him full control of more than 300 petrol stations, marking the start of his independent journey. Since then, the business has expanded quickly, striking partnerships with Co-op for convenience retail and Popeyes for foodservice, making forecourts more than just fuel stops.
By late 2024, reports surfaced that EG On The Move was in talks to acquire Petrogas Group, better known as the UK arm of Irish operator Applegreen. The deal, estimated at around £600 million, aimed to add more than 100 forecourts to Zuber’s growing portfolio. Backed by financing from Rabobank, the move signaled a bold step toward rapid scaling.
Early 2025 reports confirmed the acquisition, but not all assets were included. The agreement kept the focus on UK forecourts by excluding Welcome Break highway services and activities in Northern Ireland.This acquisition underlined Issa’s determination to build a lean, nationally focused network under EG On The Move while separating his path from EG Group’s global model.
Parallel Strategic Transactions (2024–25)
In mid-2024, Zuber Issa made two defining moves that reshaped his role in the UK retail and fuel sector. First, he sold private equity firm TDR Capital his 22.5% share in Asda. The sale increased TDR’s holding to 67.5%, with Mohsin Issa retaining 22.5% and Walmart keeping a 10% minority share. This transaction formally ended Zuber’s direct involvement in the supermarket chain.
At the same time, Zuber acquired EG Group’s remaining UK forecourt business for £228 million, taking full control of hundreds of sites. This move also led to his decision to step down as co-CEO of EG Group, the multinational empire he co-founded. Instead, he focused on building EG On The Move, his new standalone venture.
Together, these deals represented a strategic repositioning for the Issa brothers. While Mohsin concentrated on Asda and the broader EG Group, Zuber pivoted toward a leaner, UK-centric business. Both remained on EG Group’s board, but their operational paths diverged, signaling the beginning of separate business identities within the family empire.
Strategic Rationale Behind the Petrogas Discussions
For Zuber Issa, the pursuit of Petrogas Group was about scaling his new business, EG On The Move, at speed. Adding over 100 forecourts to his existing network would create instant growth and strengthen his position in the UK’s highly competitive fuel and convenience market.
The strategy also builds on existing partnerships. Deals with Co-op for grocery and Popeyes for foodservice have already transformed forecourts into multi-purpose destinations. By bringing Petrogas sites under his control, Zuber could extend these partnerships nationwide, making the model more consistent and attractive to consumers.
Equally important, the acquisition supports Zuber’s shift toward a streamlined, UK-focused operation. While he remains on the board of EG Group, his day-to-day energy is now concentrated on a business he fully controls. This leaner, more agile setup allows him to move faster, innovate more freely, and carve out a distinct identity separate from the global ambitions of EG Group.
Overview of Acquisition Scope & Terms
The Petrogas Group acquisition first surfaced in December 2024, when reports confirmed EG On The Move was in active discussions to buy the UK arm of Applegreen. By January 2025, the deal was confirmed, signaling one of the boldest steps yet in Zuber Issa’s independent business journey.
The agreement, however, did not cover all assets. Key holdings such as the Welcome Break motorway services brand and operations in Northern Ireland were excluded, keeping the focus firmly on UK forecourts. This selective approach allowed Zuber to concentrate on assets that directly supported his growth strategy.
The acquisition was carried out under the umbrella of EG On The Move, with Zuber Issa continuing to lead from the front. While media outlets widely reported on the scope of the transaction, it is important to note that no official financial terms were publicly disclosed at the time.
Reactions & Market Implications
The Petrogas Group acquisition was widely seen by industry experts as the next logical step for EG On The Move. After securing its foundation with the purchase of EG Group’s UK forecourts, the deal reinforced Zuber Issa’s ambition to expand rapidly and dominate the national forecourt market.
Media commentary also highlighted how the move reflected the fragmentation of the Issa brothers’ joint ventures. While Mohsin continued his leadership role at Asda and remained aligned with EG Group’s global strategy, Zuber carved out an independent path with a sharper UK focus.
The impacts are significant across the sector. For EG Group, the transaction clarified leadership and allowed the business to refine its global outlook. For EG On The Move, it meant a larger portfolio of sites and stronger brand leverage. For the UK forecourt market, it marked another step in the ongoing consolidation trend, where forecourts are evolving into convenience-led retail hubs rather than just fuel stations.
Future Outlook
The path ahead for EG On The Move points toward continued growth. Zuber Issa is expected to push for aggressive expansion, combining new acquisitions with strategic partnerships to broaden his reach across the UK forecourt and convenience retail market.
A stronger emphasis on EV charging infrastructure and modern retail formats is also on the horizon. With consumer habits shifting, forecourts are likely to evolve into multi-purpose destinations that blend fuel, food, and convenience with sustainable mobility options.
The Issa brothers’ relationship will remain a factor to watch. While Zuber and Mohsin have separated their core business interests, future developments may show either further disengagement or selective collaboration in overlapping sectors.
Key points to monitor include the formal closure of the Petrogas deal, integration of new sites into EG On The Move’s network, and the market response as competitors adjust their strategies. These will determine how effectively Zuber can position his venture as a dominant player in the next phase of UK forecourt retail.
Conclusion
The Zuber Issa Petrogas Group acquisition captures his strategic pivot from a shared global empire with his brother to an independent, UK-focused venture. By stepping away from Asda and EG Group’s broader leadership, he has reshaped his role to build a business fully under his control.
The acquisition is both symbolic and practical. Symbolic, because it represents a clean break from the Issa brothers’ joint ventures; practical, because it immediately strengthens EG On The Move’s scale and competitive edge in the forecourt sector.
Ultimately, this deal marks the start of a new chapter in Zuber Issa’s business story—one that is more focused, agile, and growth-driven. With Petrogas integrated, EG On The Move stands positioned to play a defining role in the evolution of the UK’s forecourt and convenience retail industry.