Travelers on Amarillo’s I-27 Will Soon See a Major Store Switch

If you have driven the stretch of Interstate between Amarillo and Canyon, you have probably noticed the immense changes that have occurred over the last few years.

The Texas Department of Transportation is expanding I-27 to three lanes on each side, and construction has been wreaking havoc on commutes. Prime Builders built a huge warehouse near the 2219 exit, and a new storage area opened near McCormick.  Most recently announced was the expansion of Lonestar Electric Supply in Amarillo.

Read More: Lonestar Electric Supply Plans Major Warehouse on Amarillo's I-27

At one point in time, the only place between Amarillo and Canyon to stop was the Buffalo Chip and Eskimo hut, which later changed to The Station (and is now Curby's)

Read More: The Station Transformed: Amarillo Convenience Store's New Chapter

Then came Cefco, a much-needed stop for travelers and truckers alike.  This convenience store brought convenience to that stretch of I-27, and they brought a Sonic along with it. The enormous Cefco opened at 14901 Interstate 27 in 2022.

This is just one of the many changes along I-27, and this convenience store is about to change again.

Why Is Cefco Changing to Casey’s?

Back in November 2024, Casey's General Store acquired 148 Cefco Convenience stores in Texas, and this particular Cefco was one of those stores.  The conversion is finally happening for this store.

Casey's was founded in 1968 in Boone, Iowa. They currently have 2,900 store locations in 19 states.

When Will Cefco to Casey's Transformation Happen in Amarillo?

According to the Texas Licensing Department, the transformation and renovations to the store will begin in January 2026 and will be finished by April 2026.  Soon, that big Cefco sign will say Casey's.

Casey's has a rewards program similar to Cefco's, and Casey's also has its own kitchen, which is famous for their pizza.  What does this mean for Cefco's chicken and tacos?

What Happens to Cefco’s Food Favorites?

According to C-Store Dive, the chicken tenders, tacos, and burritos are a fan favorite and sell well, so they plan on keeping those on the permanent menus.

Will the Sonic Stay Open?

As for the Sonic attached to the current Cefco? That all depends on the franchise agreements.

We reached out to Casey's for more details, but they weren’t able to share much at this time.

I am unable to address all your specifics, but can confirm CEFCO store transitions will be a multi-year process. Unfortunately, there aren’t many details available yet, but please check back later this fall. We look forward to serving more guests in Texas.

For now, a permit has been filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and renovations are expected to begin in January. As for the fate of Sonic and the other Cefco stores in the Texas Panhandle, we’ll have to wait and see.