In 1986, John Catsimatidis acquired United Refining as a subsidiary of his Red Apple Group.

URC acquired the rights to use the name Citgo in 2002 when it bought a local gas station and convenience store chain called Country Fair, Inc. in Erie, Pennsylvania which included a license agreement to use "Citgo's brands, trademarks and other forms of identification.

"[4][5] After Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's speech to the United Nations, there were calls to boycott the Citgo brand.

[5] In response, URC began phasing out that brandname,[5] and has been emphasizing that its crude oil supply comes from North America.

[6] United Refining Company distributes its oil through its line of owned-and-operated convenience stores, totaling approximately 375 throughout upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and Northeast Ohio.