Fry’s Food Stores has announced it will spend $260 million to build six stores in metro Phoenix and one in Tucson.

The expansion, which includes additional gas stations and remodeling of existing stores, will create 2,000 full- and part-time jobs. The stores are scheduled to open this summer and fall.

Fry’s has been operating in Arizona since 1960 and has 119 stores and 82 gas stations.

“Fry’s successfully reached this point by closely monitoring the unique needs of this market and evolving to meet the requests of our customers,” said Steve McKinney, Fry’s Food Stores president.

Fry’s will open stores at these Valley locations:

— 2724 S. Signal Butte Road, Mesa,  opening this summer.

— 1311 E . Bell Road, Phoenix, opening this summer to replace a store at Seventh Street and Bell.

— 13830 W. Camelback Road, Litchfield Park, opening this fall.

— 2929 E. Ocotillo Road, Chandler, opening this fall.

— 25401 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria, opening this fall.

— 2800 W. Dove Valley Road, Phoenix, opening this fall.

The Dove Valley Road and Lake Pleasant Parkway stores will feature parking-lot canopies with solar panels to generate electricity and provide shade. The solar panels can cut a store’s energy costs by 20 percent.

All six new stores in Maricopa County will include adjacent gas stations and several amenities, such as Starbucks coffee shops, wine and beer tasting and made-to-order sandwiches.

Fry’s Food Stores, owned by the Kroger Co., is headquartered in Tolleson. The company said it serves about 3 million customers weekly.