Rouses acquiring LeBlanc's, expands in Baton Rouge

Rouses Supermarkets said over the weekend that it was acquiring LeBlanc's Food Stores, a family-run company operating nine stores in the Baton Rouge area.

Rouses said it intended to rebrand the stores, currently doing business under the LeBlanc's and Frais Marche banners, under the Rouses name this month.

A purchase price was not disclosed.

LeBlanc's, based in Gonzales, La., is operated by brothers Marcy and Randy LeBlanc, grandsons of the founder of the company technically known as Pay-Less Supermarkets. In a statement, the brothers indicated they were preparing to retire, although Marcy LeBlanc was expected to stay on for several months to assist in the transition. "The continued success of the supermarket operations we built are now with an established company well positioned to compete in today's competitive retail environment," the LeBlanc brothers said.

Rouses, based in Thibodoux, La., expanded to Baton Rogue for the first time last month. 

LeBlanc's primary supplier is Associated Grocers of Baton Rouge. Rouses left that organization several years ago and is now a customer of Associated Wholesale Grocers.