DALLAS -- 7-Eleven Inc. continued its expansion in the Lone Star State with today's announcement that it acquired 143 Speedy Stop and Tigermarket retail sites from C. L. Thomas Inc. of Victoria, Texas.

The acquisition, which closed on Dec. 31, increases 7-Eleven's footprint in San Antonio, where the country's largest convenience retailer recently purchased 25 stores as part of its acquisition from TETCO Inc. It also adds to 7-Eleven's growing fuel wholesale-delivery business because the acquisition includes gasoline distribution to approximately 150 dealer-operated sites.

"We continue to build our presence in a rapidly growing area of the U.S., along the I-35 corridor from north of Dallas/Fort Worth to the Mexican border," said Stan Reynolds, 7-Eleven's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "We expect to grow to more than 700 7-Eleven stores in Texas from last year's 342 with this and other acquisitions we've made in 2012."

7-Eleven plans to interview and offer qualified employees positions within the company. The chain will remodel and rebrand a significant number of the locations to the 7-Eleven brand this year.

7-Eleven continues to grow its business in the United States through traditional store development, business conversions and acquisitions.