Nationwide, there are about 7,900 Chevron-branded gas stations, of which about 1,200 are company-owned or -leased stations. Chevron spokeswoman Marielle Boortz tells GlobeSt.com there are multiple independent buyers for the company's Washington properties, which are located predominantly in the Puget Sound area. The stores will continue to fly the Chevron flag after they are sold.

Boortz says Chevron is still negotiating with the buyers; however, she says Chevron has sent out notices to about 300 gas station employees that they will no longer be employed by the company after Nov. 10, which could mean the stores are in escrow and the sales are scheduled to close on that date. The layoff notices are required by law, says Boortz, adding that she expects the current employees to have the opportunity to stay on under the new owners.

As the sales have not closed, Boortz declined to provide GlobeSt.com with the names of the buyers, the sale prices or the estimated value of the properties. Chevron USA is a division of San Ramon, CA-based ChevronTexaco Corp. Texaco Inc. and Chevron Corp. merged in October 2001.