WARREN, Pa. (WENY) – United Refining Company announced Monday it has acquired Acorn Markets, a convenience chain based in Wellsboro.

The 16 former Acorn stores, which are located across the Twin Tiers, will become part of the Kwik Fill/Red Apple convenience store chain immediately.

Kwik Fill will retain all the retail store employees and add new positions in the future.

“Preserving jobs and creating new opportunities in the communities we serve is important to us” added John Cecco, Executive Vice President Operations, “our Kwik Fill/Red Apple brand is well known throughout Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, and this acquisition complements our existing store footprint.”

Jon Mechling, Assistant Vice President for Kwik Fill, said, “We are very excited to begin serving all the current customers and reaching new ones in north central Pennsylvania and New York. We intend to improve and expand the existing products and services that Acorn customers enjoyed by supplementing them with our own popular prepared foods, tradition of customer service, and American-made fuels. In addition, existing customers can take advantage of lower fuel prices with our Kwik Fill loyalty card program and fleet fueling services”.

With the addition of these 16 new stores, United Refining Company sells petroleum products to over 400 stores in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.