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Dive Brief:

• The Cigarette Store, doing business as Smoker Friendly, has acquired 54 Low Bob’s Discount Tobacco shops in Indiana from Richmond-Masters Distributors Inc., according to a Monday announcement.
• All 54 locations included in the acquisition will be rebranded to Smoker Friendly stores, and Low Bob’s employees will join Smoker Friendly’s organization, according to the announcement.
• This marks Smoker Friendly’s seventh acquisition in the past four years as the tobacco company and gas station operator continues to expand its footprint around the U.S.

Dive Insight:

With its latest move, Smoker Friendly now operates 344 locations across 13 U.S. states, outpacing well-known c-store retailers like TravelCenters of America, Royal Farms and Parkland USA. The deal also brings Smoker Friendly’s store count in Indiana to 80.

Prior to acquiring Low Bob’s, Smoker Friendly’s most recent acquisitions included its buyout of the 30-store Collett Enterprises chain with locations in Indiana and Kentucky, and the 79-location Tobacco Superstores banner with stores in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, and Kentucky.

“We are fortunate to make this acquisition and strengthen our Smoker Friendly footprint in Indiana,” Smoker Friendly CEO Terry Gallagher said in the announcement.

South Bend, Indiana-based Low Bob’s 54 locations offer tobacco products ranging from lighter fluid and cigarette tubes to nicotine pouches and pipe tobacco. Like Smoker Friendly, Low Bob’s also sells traditional c-store products like beverages, snacks, candy and lottery, and also has a loyalty program where members can earn points and get exclusive deals.

Boulder, Colorado-based Smoker Friendly is licensed by The Cigarette Store, which also operates other tobacco shops, liquor stores and fueling locations under banners such as Tobacco Depot, Smoke ‘N Go, Havana Manor and Gasamat.