TULSA, Okla. -- Owners of the Americar location in North Syracuse, N.Y., reached a deal with Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, making the operation a Thrifty Car Rental franchise.

The location, operated by Kris Tucci and Patrick Tucci Jr. of R.A.C. Holdings Inc., is two miles from Hancock International Airport. The Tucci family has run an independent car rental operation in the Syracuse area for 35 years.

In addition to a fleet of DaimlerChrysler vehicles, Thrifty Syracuse now offers high-top conversion vans, SUVs like the Mercury Mountaineer and other vehicles.

DTG also announced the opening of a new Thrifty franchise in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Located downtown, the new facility is owned and operated by franchisees Sarkis and Patricia Kasarjian. The operation specializes in local rentals and insurance replacement business.

The Kasarjians are Thrifty alumni, having previously owned the Thrifty franchise in San Luis Obispo from 1988 through 1991. They sold the franchise in 1992 to pursue other business opportunities. The couple later opened an automotive repair shop with their son, Nicholas, and decided to sign back on with Thrifty Car Rental when the franchise became available again.

"We're glad to have the Kasarjians back on board with Thrifty, and look forward to many more years with them in San Luis Obispo," said Jeff Cerefice, vice president of U.S. franchise operations. "We are also very lucky to welcome strong independent operators like the Tucci family into the Thrifty fold, with more than 30 years under their belts in the Syracuse community."

In the past year, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group has pursued a growth strategy of acquiring franchises and converting them to corporate operations in key U.S. and Canadian markets. However, the company continues to add franchisees to its Thrifty Car Rental brand in smaller markets. In the past 12 months, Thrifty has sold franchises in more than 20 new markets in 14 U.S. states.