The Brief Story of the Long History of Couch Oil Company

Couch Oil Company began in the fall of 1949, when Carlton Couch began delivering heating oil in Durham out of an Esso station that his father, Oscar Couch, operated. Every day, Carlton loaded his truck at the nearby Pure Oil Company and served his customers in Durham and Orange counties. The Pure Oil Company asked Carlton to operate its plant on Hillsborough Road, which ultimately led to the founding of Couch Oil Company.

Carlton built the company on a commitment to superior customer service, family and community. That commitment enabled the company to expand its service area beyond Durham and into the Triangle. More than 70 years later, that tradition continues with Carlton’s son and current company president, Stephen Couch, as he leads not only Couch Oil Company, but also the 2021 launch of the family’s first retail operation – Couch & Co. Fireplace and Patio.

For more than 70 years, the Couch family has deepened its roots into the Durham area, striving each day to make it’s brands the Comfortable Choice for fuel and fuel-fired products.