Kendall Auto Group has bought two central Kenai Peninsula dealerships and will take over their operations.

The auto group, which operates dealerships in Alaska, Idaho and Oregon, being working to acquire Stanley Ford in Kenai and Stanley Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Soldotna about six months ago, said President Dave Blewett.

Kendall closed on the two peninsula dealerships Thursday, he said.

“We’re really excited to be able to keep these dealerships in the peninsula,” Blewett said. “Our whole thing is trying to be as convenient as we can be to our customers.”

Kendall also recently took over the Budget Rent A Car locations in Anchorage, Kenai, Juneau and Fairbanks, Blewett said.

It will take two to three weeks to completely transition the two Stanley dealerships over to Kendall, he said, including things like switching over the phone system and the websites.

Blewett said he is not aware of any employee who did not choose to stay on under the new auto group.

“We pretty much hired everybody that wanted to work,” he said.

Kendall will also begin adding sales and other positions to the two dealerships to meet the demand the company sees on the peninsula, Blewett said.

Reach Megan Pacer at megan.pacer@peninsulaclarion.com.