Albertsons' United Div. Acquires 7 Lawrence Bros. Stores
United Supermarkets has agreed to acquire seven Lawrence Bros. Co. stores in west Texas and New Mexico. Lawrence Bros. will continue to own and operate 17 of its original 24 locations.
The Texas stores are located in Abilene, Breckenridge, Clyde, Seminole and Seymour. The New Mexico locations include Roswell and Ruidoso. The transitions are scheduled to be complete by early summer. Stores in Breckenridge, Seymour, Clyde and Abilene will reopen as United Supermarkets locations, while the Roswell and Ruidoso stores will be converted to the Albertsons banner. The Seminole store, meanwhile, will reopen as a Super Saver Foods.
“The conversions and remodel of these stores will give the people of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico new and fresh options for their shopping experience,” said Robert Taylor, president of Albertsons' Lubbock, Texas-based United Family division. “Our Lubbock-based distribution center is located within 250 miles of these cities. Since we serve other stores and cities in the area, United is well-positioned to include these new stores efficiently and effectively, translating into great quality and ultimate service for store guests.”
Current store team members will have the opportunity to remain at their existing location. By leveraging synergies of United’s 66-store division, Taylor said there is potential for creating additional jobs in the future.
Taylor and Jay Lawrence, president and CEO of Lawrence Bros., are working together to ensure a smooth transition for team members and store guests. Now in its third generation, the company operates supermarkets, pharmacies, and fuel centers in 24 markets in West Texas and New Mexico, under the Lawrence Bros. and CashSaver Cost-Plus banners.
“The Lawrence Bros. Company wishes the Albertsons/United organization much success in this new venture, and wants to thank the many customers we have served and especially our family of associates we have worked with over many, many years,” said Lawrence. “It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of these seven communities and neighborhoods. We look forward to continuing to serve our remaining 17 markets in Texas under the Lawrence Bros. and CashSaver Cost-Plus banners.”
The Food Partners, a national investment banking firm, served as advisor to seller.
In its 100th year of operation, United Supermarkets LLC – d.b.a. The United Family – serves 36 communities in West Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth and New Mexico. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Albertson’s LLC, the self-distributing chain has distribution centers in Lubbock and Roanoke and operates 66 stores under five banners: United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos, Albertsons Market and United Express. It also operates ancillary operations R.C. Taylor Distributing, Praters and Llano Logistics.