Western Refining/Giant, Mustang, Sundial, Howdy's

Western Refining, one of the nation’s largest independent refiners, continues to grow its convenience-store portfolio through tuck-in acquisitions. The operator in 2015 acquired the former Reay's Ranch stores in Tucson and rebranded them to Giant. Most recently, the company launched an effort to acquire Northern Tier Energy and its SuperAmerica chain.

Western Refining’s retail network features the following store brands: Giant, Mustang, Sundial and Howdy's. On the forecourt, a number of fuel banners dominate, including Conoco, Chevron, Shell, Texaco and Phillips 66, and some fly the Giant private-label flag.

Some stores are located in small towns and on Indian reservations in the Southwest, as well as in metropolitan areas. Products in the store vary by the demographics served. For example, a fresh-food program called Southwest Kitchen is featured in about 30 stores, mostly in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

All locations participate in a loyalty program called Express Rewards launched in 2009 that allows customers to accumulate points for each gallon of fuel and each dollar of merchandise purchased.