DUBLIN, Ireland – Convenience retailer Applegreen has reached an agreement to acquire the trade and certain assets of Columbia, South Carolina-based Brandi Companies, the Irish Independent reports.

Founded in 1974, Brandi Companies has 34 Pitt Stop convenience stores and 11 Burger Kings, and other food offers including Chester’s Chicken, Subway and Blimpie. Applegreen will acquire the group's trade and certain assets for $5.4 million, while an unnamed institutional real estate investor will acquire certain property assets for $70.1 million. The deal is expected to be complete in Q4 this year, at which time Applegreen will enter into a long-term agreement to lease the property assets.

Bob Etchingham, CEO of Applegreen, said the company's first major acquisition in the United States represents a significant milestone for the business. “We believe that this acquisition represents an opportunity to establish a significant presence in this market, while also providing the potential for us to leverage our retail experience in this sector to enhance the current offering. It also represents an ideal platform from which to further pursue our strategy for growth along the East Coast."

Applegreen also operates 13 retail fuel locations in Long Island, New York and Massachusetts.