Pester Marketing Co., the Denver-based owner of the 1st Stop brand of convenience stores and gas stations, acquired 10 convenience stores in North Central Kansas and Hasting, Neb.

R & C Petroleum previously operated the units under the Time Saver brand and increases to 51 the number of stores operated by Pester Marketing. As part of the acquisition, Pester said it plans to convert all 10 stores to the 1st Stop brand.

Pester was founded in the mid-1950s in Iowa, Pester Marketing has owned and operated service stations and stores in Colorado under the Fina, Derby, Pester and Coastal brandssince 1975. In addition to the retail side of the business, the company also is a wholesale supplier of branded and unbranded petroleum products. In addition to gasoline, all 1st Stop stores sell a variety of groceries, snacks, beverages, tobacco products, lottery products and other convenience items.