In 2026, Franger Gas proudly celebrates 80 years of serving homes, farms, businesses, and communities throughout northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
Reaching 80 years in business is something we do not take lightly. It represents generations of hard work, trusted relationships, loyal customers, dedicated employees, and a commitment to doing business the right way. Since 1946, Franger Gas has continued to grow while staying true to the values that built the company from the very beginning: dependable service, honest pricing, and personal customer care.
As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on where we started, how the propane industry has evolved, and what continues to make Franger Gas different today.
80 Years of Family-Owned Service
Franger Gas was founded in 1946 after Edward Franger returned home from serving in the United States Navy during World War II. Alongside relative John Foster, he started Franger Bottled Gas Company to help meet the growing demand for propane appliances and heating fuel as families across the country settled back into civilian life.
At the time, propane was becoming an increasingly important fuel source for American homes. Following wartime petroleum shortages, many homeowners turned to propane-powered appliances, furnaces, water heaters, and cooking equipment. As returning veterans built homes and raised families, demand for reliable home heating and fuel delivery grew rapidly throughout Indiana and Michigan.
In 1950, Edward Franger and John Foster divided the business to focus on separate specialties. Mr. Franger concentrated on fuel delivery and bulk gas operations while Mr. Foster focused on appliance sales and service. Soon after, land was purchased on Old Ft. Wayne Road (now County Road 10) in Elkhart, Indiana, where the Franger Gas plant was built and the company officially became known as Franger Gas.
What started as a small local business would steadily grow into one of the region’s trusted propane providers.
Growing Alongside the Communities We Serve
As propane usage expanded throughout the Midwest, Franger Gas grew right alongside it.
Additional bulk plants were opened in Plymouth and Akron, Indiana, helping the company better serve residential, agricultural, and commercial accounts across the region. During this period, propane quickly became essential not only for home heating, but also for farming operations, grain drying, irrigation systems, forklifts, manufacturing facilities, and commercial equipment.
Residential propane tanks became increasingly common as homeowners adopted propane furnaces and water heaters. Farmers relied on propane during harvest seasons, and businesses across Elkhart County turned to propane-powered forklifts and equipment to support growing manufacturing operations.
As demand increased, Franger Gas expanded into wholesale fuel distribution and acquired one of the largest propane transport trucks in Indiana at the time. This growth allowed the company to purchase fuel directly from major refineries in Chicago and Toledo while supplying additional propane marketers throughout Indiana, southwest Michigan, and western Ohio.
Even as the propane industry changed over the decades, Franger Gas remained focused on adapting and investing in ways that better served local families, farms, and businesses.
In the 1970s, the company expanded into Michigan with the construction of a bulk plant in Jones, Michigan, serving customers in Union, Vandalia, Cassopolis, Three Rivers, and surrounding communities. In 2016, Franger Gas continued its growth through the merger with AllPro Gas in Goshen, Indiana.
Today, Franger Gas provides residential and commercial propane delivery, agricultural fuel solutions, wholesale supply, propane tank installation, and dependable energy services throughout the region.
Investing in Reliable Fuel Supply
One of the defining moments in recent company history came during the propane supply disruptions of 2013 and 2014.
A combination of severe winter weather and heavy grain-drying demand created widespread shortages throughout Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. Many fuel terminals across the region experienced long delays and limited availability, creating major challenges for suppliers and homeowners alike.
When the pipeline-fed propane terminal in Milford, Indiana announced it would no longer supply propane, Franger Gas recognized the importance of securing long-term fuel access for the communities it serves.
To help strengthen regional supply, Franger Gas partnered with a trusted supplier to develop the Mentone Propane Rail Terminal in Mentone, Indiana.
While smaller than some large-scale terminals, the Mentone terminal quickly became known for efficiency, reliability, and fast loading times. The facility continues to play an important role in helping transportation companies and fuel providers throughout the area maintain access to propane during periods of high demand.
That investment reflects a philosophy that has guided Franger Gas for decades: continue improving today so local families and businesses can count on reliable service tomorrow.
Family-Owned Values Still Matter
Over the years, the propane industry has changed significantly. Technology has advanced. Customer expectations have evolved. Large national corporations and out-of-state call centers have become increasingly common throughout the industry.
But one thing has remained consistent at Franger Gas: relationships still matter.
As a family-owned company, Franger Gas believes people deserve to speak with real employees who understand the local communities they serve. Many customers have trusted Franger Gas for generations, and the company continues to take pride in providing service that feels personal, responsive, and dependable.
That commitment to personal service continues to set Franger Gas apart today.
Large Enough to Serve, Small Enough to Care
Eighty years after its founding, Franger Gas continues investing in equipment, technology, infrastructure, safety, and service to better support residential, commercial, agricultural, and wholesale fuel customers throughout the region.
While much has changed since 1946, the company’s mission remains the same: provide dependable propane delivery and exceptional customer care while treating people like neighbors.
From home heating and propane tank installation to commercial fuel support and agricultural energy needs, Franger Gas remains committed to helping customers stay safe, warm, and prepared year-round.
We are proud to continue serving the same communities where this company began — and we remain grateful for every customer who has allowed Franger Gas to be part of their home, farm, business, and family story.
Thank you for trusting Franger Gas throughout the past 80 years. We look forward to serving our communities for generations to come.
Contact Franger Gas Today
Whether you need residential propane delivery, commercial propane service, propane tank installation, or dependable fuel support, the Franger Gas team is here to help.
Contact Franger Gas today to learn more about becoming a customer.