Pattison Food Group acquires U.S. chain Roth's Fresh Markets

The Pattison Food Group is expanding outside Canada with the acquisition of Oregon-based Roth’s Fresh Markets.

A Pattison release announcing the deal said the nine-store chain would maintain its name and operating structure while “leveraging synergies and other opportunities for business growth provided by the Pattison Food Group.”

The deal is scheduled to take effect Oct. 26, pending regulatory approval.

“Roth’s strong culture and commitment to their customers and communities makes them a great fit for the Pattison Food Group,” said a Pattison spokesperson of the reasons for the deal in an email to Canadian Grocer. “One of the key benefits of having such a diverse family of companies at Pattison Food Group is the expertise and uniqueness that each company brings. We look forward to learning from the team at Roth’s and leveraging synergies and other opportunities for growth.”

Pattison Food Group was only created earlier this year after all of the grocery businesses owned by Pattison were brought under one umbrella. The company said at the time the move was about lowering costs and finding efficiencies, while still allowing each business to operate under its existing management teams.

With 300 stores already across well-known banners such as Save-On-Foods, Buy-Low Foods, Quality Foods and Choice Markets, the deal won’t dramatically increase the retail presence but it does mark the first expansion for the company to the U.S.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Roth’s to the Pattison Food Group family of companies as we embark on our first venture outside of Canada,” said Darrell Jones, president of the Pattison Food Group, in a press release. “Roth’s legacy of a customer-focused shopping experience with the best fresh offering in the market is something all Pattison Food Group companies share, and we are just so thrilled to have these fine folks join our team.”

Roth’s Fresh Markets was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Salem, Ore. Effective Oct. 26, current president Michael Roth—son of founder Orville Roth—will retire from the company with long-time Roth’s executive Tim Jennings taking his place, reporting to Ben Harrack, a senior vice-president at the Pattison Food Group.

“Roth’s will leverage synergies and other opportunities for business growth provided by the Pattison Food Group and we will continue to look for growth opportunities for the Roth’s banner,” said the Pattison spokesperson.