Cefco stores to become Casey’s in $1.15-billion purchase

Casey’s General Stores, based in Ankeny, IA, agreed to acquire Cefco Convenience Stores owner Fikes Wholesale in an all-cash deal worth about $1.15 billion including the Rockdale location.

The convenience store chain’s acquisition would include 198 retail stores and a dealer network throughout Texas, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi, which will increase Casey’s footprint to nearly 2,900 stores. The transaction also includes a full terminal and a commissary to supply stores in Texas. Rockdale store manager, Tina Carroll, said the transition won’t happen overnight. “They are saying a year or more, but I think they will start implementing the pizza part of the business quicker than that.