July 26 (Reuters) - Casey's General Stores said

on Friday it would acquire Fikes Wholesale, owner of CEFCO

convenience stores, in an all-cash transaction for $1.15

billion.

Casey's acquisition of Fikes will include 198 retail stores

and a dealer network. It will increase Casey's footprint to

nearly 2,900 stores in the United States, the company said.

The company plans to finance the transaction through balance

sheet cash and bank financing, and expects the deal to close in

the fourth quarter.