Homeland Buys Four Texas Stores

SN STAFF

OKLAHOMA CITY — Homeland Stores here said Friday it has acquired four Super Save Food stores in north Texas from independent owner William "Bill" Kiker.

The stores, which range in size from 25,000 to 39,000 square feet, are located in Weatherford, Sanger, Justin and River Oaks. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“The purchase of these four Super Save Food stores marks our return to the growing north Texas market,” said Homeland’s chief executive officer, Darryl Fitzgerald, in a prepared statement.

“Bill Kiker is respected in our industry as one of the best grocery store operators in the area. His personal involvement in the operations and historic focus on customers has resulted in a loyal following in the community.”

The stores will retain the Super Save Food banner, he said, and will be served by Associated Wholesale Grocers, Kansas City, Kan., which is the parent of Homeland Stores.

“We have been approached several times in the past few years by companies wanting to purchase our stores,” Kiker said. “We would not sell our stores to just any operator. It had to be the right one. These stores have been our life, and we consider the customers part of our family.”

Homeland Stores has expanded its operations in Oklahoma the past five years, primarily through three strategic acquisitions. The company purchased seven Oklahoma stores from Albertsons in 2007, 26 from United Supermarkets and five more stores from Williams Discount Food Stores (formerly Albertsons) in December 2008.