Western Refining Grows Retail Network by 31 Stores

EL PASO, Texas — Western Refining Inc. is expanding its footprint in southern Arizona with a 31-store buy.

The convenience stores were previously operated by Reay's Ranch Investors and are being added through lease arrangements. The acquisition brings Western's retail portfolio to 261 locations.

The newly acquired stores will fall under Western's Giant brand and sell various brands of fuel. The conversion of these stores to Western began Jan. 12 and was expected to be completed by Jan. 16.

The added fuel volume of approximately 30 million annual gallons will be supplied by Western's El Paso refinery. These stores will increase Western's overall retail fuel volume by approximately 10 percent and boost merchandise sales by approximately 15 percent.

"The addition of these stores to our retail network is consistent with our strategy to grow retail within the supply reach of our refineries with minimal capital investment. Our retail team has a track record of efficiently integrating new locations into our network and growing sales volumes. We look forward to continuing this with these additions," said Jeff Stevens, Western's president and CEO.

Western Refining Inc. is an independent refining and marketing company headquartered in El Paso. Its retail segment includes retail service stations, convenience stores and unmanned fleet fueling locations in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.

Western also owns the general partner and approximately 66 percent of the limited partnership interest in Western Refining Logistics LP, and the general partner and approximately 39 percent of the limited partnership interest in Northern Tier Energy LP.