Murphy USA, one of the largest convenience store chains in the United States, plans to open about 50 new locations over the next 12 months as it looks to keep up with aggressive expansions by rival chains.

The retailer has 40 new stores under construction and another eight locations where an existing building was demolished and a new property is being built, Galagher Jeff, Murphy USA’s chief financial officer, said during the company’s Thursday conference call. All 48 stores are expected to open within the next 12 months, he said. Murphy USA has opened 24 new locations so far this year.

The convenience store sector is looking to capitalize on consumers’ demand for ready-made food by adding kitchens and selling more items made inside stores, like pizzas, salads and sandwiches, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores. Opening new stores helps juice sales of other higher-margin items. Casey’s General Stores, 7-Eleven, Kwik Trip and Sheetz, among others, have all opened new stores this year or announced plans for expansions.

The El Dorado, Arkansas-based company estimated that its capital expenditures for 2025 will range between $450 million and $500 million, a figure that includes the cost to develop and construct new stores.

Murphy USA’s new locations are a combination of newly constructed buildings and renovations of existing properties. Some new stores will be located in Walmart store parking lots, and others will be freestanding locations. The locations are set to operate under both the Murphy USA and QuickChek brand names.

Murphy USA did not disclose the location of its new stores, and a company spokesperson declined to comment. Murphy USA operated 1,766 stores nationwide as of June 30.

According to CoStar data, Murphy USA has recently opened new stores at the following locations:

• 11755 Beechnut St., Houston
• 11391 Montwood Drive, El Paso, Texas
• 1908 S. Colorado St., Lockhart, Texas
• 6101 Paredes Line Road, Brownsville, Texas
• 2626 Grandview Ave., Odessa, Texas
• 1001 W. Second St., Roswell, New Mexico
• 15055 NW Seventh Ave., Miami
• 604 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Florida
• 1707 S. Pueblo Blvd., Pueblo, Colorado
• 3516 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, Missouri
• 14724 State Highway 38, Marshfield, Missouri
• 2410 Morthland Drive, Valparaiso, Indiana
• 611 Rollie Moore Drive, Harrisburg, Illinois
• 628 Highway 28 Bypass, Anderson, South Carolina