The convenience store industry is a competitive and fast-moving sector, where franchise opportunities often promise business ownership with built-in brand recognition. However, not all franchises operate with transparency and fairness, leaving many investors facing unexpected challenges. Recently, INS Market, a convenience store franchise with over 200 locations across North America, has come under increased scrutiny. Reports from franchisees, industry experts, and legal disputes have raised serious concerns about the company’s business practices, financial transparency, and overall viability as a profitable investment.
INS Market, a convenience store franchise with over 200 locations internationally, has been under increasing scrutiny as franchisees and industry experts raise alarms about its business practices. While the company markets itself as a modern instant gratification store, many investors and store owners report serious financial and operational challenges that should give potential buyers pause.
One of the most pressing concerns is the quality and shelf life of the products supplied by INS Market. Reports indicate that the company frequently provides items that are nearing their expiration dates, which results in increased waste and financial losses for franchisees. Unlike retailers such as Costco, where products typically have a long shelf life, INS Market’s stock rotation policies have raised significant concerns.
INS Market does not provide detailed financial disclosures about franchisee earnings. Without clear and reliable data, potential investors struggle to gauge the true profitability of owning an INS Market franchise.
Their products are often close to expiration—unlike Costco, where items typically have a year of shelf life. This company buys near-expired products at a discount and resells them, leading to significant waste. Their anssurance only covers 30 days, and they count on you not checking the best-before dates on the thousands of items you purchase.
Another major issue is the markup they apply. For example, if gum costs 50 cents at Costco, you might pay 80 cents with this company and have to sell it for $1.25. Overall, expect prices to be 50–70% higher than Costco’s.
They also have a practice of automatically shipping items that are close to expiring, leaving you with no choice. If you’re caught buying from Costco, they may revoke your license. The company has faced numerous legal cases for misleading customers about costs, even with-holding your deposit and all negative things. They often refuse to provide pricing details in writing, claiming it’s confidential, and they lie show some promotional items on sale and say that is regular price. Ask for it in writing all proces they will never not because it is confidential it is becuase you will see how over priced everything is.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to make a profit compared to independent options. Ask realtors who specialize in convenience store sales, and they’ll likely advise you to avoid this company. So many stores are distressed and losing huge money. You will lose your money, health and even when you try reselling you will have to take a huge loss often 50–80,000 and Ins takes big commissions reselling the franchise.
When you buy this franchise they have to give you financial usually you will see they make all their money from marketing, meaning the huge upsells on the close it expired items, the back end deals of close or expired items no place wants and force you to buy huge cases and you will take huge losses. They even charge you for debit transactions you can’t get them 50% cheaper if you get it on your own. Lotto they take huge commissions and cigarettes. It’s a business want to stay clear or just open a independent Convience store not a INS, lots of them for sale just be patient.
I urge you to read some of the comment a lot of other people money is hold a they don’t return it. Call the law society and get a 30 min free consulting call. They have multi lawsuits.
Many franchisees have discovered that they could operate a similar convenience store independently at a lower cost. By avoiding INS Market’s inflated wholesale prices and restrictive policies, store owners could achieve higher profitability on their own. In many cases, franchisees feel trapped, unable to make a profit and unable to sell their store without incurring a major financial hit.
When purchasing a franchise, INS Market is required to provide financial documents detailing the company’s earnings model. However, these documents often reveal that INS Market generates the majority of its revenue from marketing deals rather than from product sales. This means that INS Market benefits more from selling overpriced, near-expired products to franchisees than from actual retail sales to customers. Store owners are essentially locked into a cycle of purchasing overpriced goods with limited profitability while INS Market collects profits on the backend.
Given these issues, industry experts recommend that prospective investors consider opening an independent convenience store instead of purchasing an INS Market franchise. Many independently owned stores are available for sale, allowing business owners to operate with greater flexibility, lower costs, and better control over their inventory. Without the burden of restrictive supplier agreements, excessive markups, and hidden fees, independent store owners can maximize their profits and avoid many of the pitfalls associated with INS Market.
While INS Market presents itself as a modern and convenient franchise opportunity, the reality for many franchisees paints a different picture. Issues related to product quality, excessive pricing, unilateral shipping policies, legal disputes, and financial losses have left many store owners struggling to stay afloat.
Before making a decision, prospective franchisees should read reviews from current and former INS Market store owners, seek legal advice, and carefully analyze the franchise agreement. With so many independent options available, avoiding INS Market may be the best way to protect one’s investment and long-term financial security.