The Cigarette Store Group/Smoker Friendly, et.al.

A handful of acquisitions over the past two years have catapulted The Cigarette Store Corp. to spot No. 28 on CSP's Top 202 list. The company, doing business as Smoker Friendly, operates tobacco outlets with a mix of tobacco stores, cigar lounges, liquor stores and gas stations under brands including Smoker Friendly, Tobacco Depot, Smoke 'N Go, Havana Manor and Gasamat.

In August 2022, the retailer acquired 79 Tobacco Superstores, based in Forrest City, Arkansas. In November, it acquired Collett Enterprises Inc.'s 30 tobacco stores across Indiana and Kentucky.

Investment firm Main Street Capital Corp. made a $51.7 million investment in Smoker Friendly, taking a minority stake in the company, in January 2021. The investor provided the chain a revolving line of credit to support its working capital needs and assist with its acquisition growth strategy.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2023.