GPM Investments LLC has closed a deal with private equity firm Sun Capital Partners Inc. to buy Admiral Petroleum Co. and Lemmen Oil Co., two gas store brands. The deal further expands GPM’s footprint in the Midwest region. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

The deal for Admiral includes 161 Admiral-branded and 9 Lemmen-branded convenient stores, all with fuel sales. The target, based in Coopersville, Michigan, was founded in the 1950’s with its first operations beginning in Greenville, Michigan. Admiral touts itself as one of the pioneers of the milk, bread and egg concept in gas stations.

GPM, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, now owns more than 1,000 gas stations across 18 states with the purchase of Admiral. The buyer began its growth phase in August 2013 after acquiring a group of 263 convenient stores, now a part of GPM Southeast, which includes brands: Scotchman, Young’s, Lil’ Cricket, Quick & Easy Everyday Shop & Café, BreadBox, and Cigarette City. Now the buyer looks to further expand GPM Midwest with brands such as Fas Mart, Fas Fuel, Jiffi Stop and Admiral.

Founded in 1995, Sun Capital is a global private equity firm based in Boca Raton, Florida. The PE firm has more than $9.2 billion in capital under management and has invested in more than 300 companies across a variety of industries, including: consumer products and services, food and beverage, industrial, packaging, chemicals, building products, automotive, restaurant and retail. Sun Capital targets companies with between $50 million and $500 million in sales, but also targets companies with up to $1.5 billion in revenues.

Related deals involving the conveince and gas industry include: Cott Corp.'s (NYSE: COT) purchase of S&D Coffee Inc., a coffee provider to U.S. gas stations and convenience stores, for $355 million; and, AllOver Media Inc.'s buying Gas Station Radio, a convenience store audio network.

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