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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 11, 2016
The United Family™ to Acquire 7 Lawrence Bros. Stores
(LUBBOCK, Texas) – The United Family and Lawrence Bros. Company announced today that they have entered into an agreement for United Supermarkets to purchase seven West Texas and New Mexico Lawrence Bros. locations. Lawrence Bros. Company will still own and continue to operate stores in 17 markets.
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.
“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 The United Family™. “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.”
Stores in Breckenridge, Seymour, Clyde and Abilene will reopen as United Supermarkets locations. Stores in Roswell and Ruidoso will adopt the Albertsons Market banner. The Seminole store will reopen as a Super Saver Foods store.
Current store team members will have the opportunity to remain at their existing location. By leveraging synergies of United’s 66-store division, 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.
“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.”
About The United Family®
In its 100th year of operation, United Supermarkets, LLC – d.b.a. The United Family® – is a Texas-based grocery chain with stores in 36 communities in West Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth and New Mexico. A self-distributing company with headquarters in Lubbock and distribution centers in Lubbock and Roanoke, The United Family currently operates 66 stores under five unique banners: United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos, Albertsons Market and United Express, along with ancillary operations R.C. Taylor Distributing, Praters and Llano Logistics. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albertson’s LLC. For more information, please visit www.unitedtexas.com.
About Lawrence Bros. Supermarkets
Lawrence Bros. Supermarkets was founded in 1929 by J.M. and Thelma Lawrence in Sweetwater, Texas. 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 Food Partners (www.https://thefoodpartners.com), a national investment banking firm served as advisor to seller.