About Us

Center Independent Energy, L.P. is a regional Shell, Marathon and Sunoco branded fuel distributor headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This distribution company is owned by Doug Friend and Christian Stein who have a long history in the Pittsburgh service station community.

Center Independent Energy, L.P. (CIE) is focused on growing their dealer business by providing superior service, site level marketing and promotions, consulting, equipment upgrades, and aggressive fuel supply contracts. With three generations of gasoline/retail experience, we work with our dealers to review their complete operation. We then work with them designing a business plan for their facility. Our service to our existing customers will allow us to earn the business of new customers. The owners and staff members of CIE and their affiliated company, CIO Stores LLC, have experience with C-Store, Car Wash, Beer & Food Service, Commercial Fueling, and Service Bay operations. This experience is shared to help our customers during routine meetings. Programs and profit centers are constantly being developed for the benefit of both company and dealer operated locations. Today Center Independent Energy, L.P. supplies over 55 retail locations.

Our History

“Dealers Serving Dealers”, is at the core of everything we do at Center Independent Energy. Doug Friend grew up working at his family’s service bay station in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. This facility has been operated by his family for over 80 years. In 1992 Doug purchased his first location, a Sunoco Ultra Service Center in Aliquippa, PA. Around 1994 Doug became active in the Pittsburgh based dealers association, PRARA, and served as their president for many years.

With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Christian Stein has also been a multi-site dealer and has served as a PRARA board member. His background has been used to help our dealers with financing, profit center development, marketing, and construction. Christian and Doug introduced Shell to Pittsburgh motorists and dealers in 2004 via the acquisition of 27 ConocoPhillips retail assets. In 2011 CIE acquired the retail assets of Center Independent Oil Company based in Fayette County, PA. Since 2012 CIE has also been able to offer the Marathon brand to their customers. CIE’s growth of the Marathon brand has been exceptional for both their dealers, Marathon and CIE. In August 2015, CIE added a third branding option for area dealers, Sunoco.