Raley’s Completes Bashas’ Acquisition, Creates New Business Entity

With the completion of its earlier announced Bashas’ acquisition, this week Raley’s of West Sacramento, Calif., has said the Bashas’ Company will join a newly formed enterprise: The Raley’s Companies. The deal combines Bashas’ with a larger portfolio of retail and technology holdings controlled and managed by The Raley’s Companies.

“As promised, we are committed to preserving and enhancing the existing Bashas’ brands, including AJ’s Fine Foods, Bashas’ Diné Market, Bashas’, Food City and Eddie’s Country Store. Now part of a larger organization, the increased resources will ensure that reinvestment in stores, new store growth, expansion into new markets, enhanced technology and charitable giving is amplified,” said Keith Knopf, president and CEO of The Raley’s Companies, in a statement.

Knopf told the broader organization that all hourly team members in eligible roles working in the distribution center and retail locations in Arizona, New Mexico and Tribal Nations will receive a wage increase in early 2022. He further reaffirmed that the Bashas’ corporate office will remain in Chandler, Ariz., with continued service from its leadership team.

“I am pleased to share Trey Basha will serve as the president of the Bashas’ Operating Company. In addition, Michael Basha will oversee distribution and Johnny Basha will support the Native American Tribal Communities, Real Estate, as well as other administrative responsibilities,” said Knopf.

“We are humbled by the opportunity to assume stewardship of the Bashas’ legacy. As the owner of a multigenerational family business, I, along with my wife Julie, understand the importance of this responsibility,” said Michael Teel, owner and chairman of The Raley’s Companies. “We will be worthy of the Basha family’s trust, the communities’ support and dedication of the nearly 9,000 team members across Arizona, New Mexico and the four Tribal Nations.”

“The Raley’s Companies is a modern, digitally sophisticated retail company born out of proud family legacies and committed to quality offerings, exceptional service and dedicated to serving team members, communities and the planet,” the company said. With more than 90 years in the grocery business, the company now has more than 235 locations. The Raley’s Companies “bridges the divide between the physical and digital retail experience through the operation of Apium Logistics, Fieldera and FieldTrue,” the company added. 

When asked how the larger company will operate, Chief Human Resources Officer Laura Croff said, “The Raley’s Companies organizational structure blends a shared services leadership component, while ensuring dedicated and focused operating company leaders and resources to effectively balance local strategy as well as enterprisewide objectives.”

Led by Knopf, The Raley’s Companies was created to support the operating companies, including Raley’s, Bashas’ and FieldTrue. Other leaders include Jen Warner, administrative officer; Deirdre Zimmermann, customer experience; Laura Croff, human resources; Ken Mueller, financial officer; Craig Benson, information technology; Chelsea Minor, public relations and government affairs; and Helen Singmaster, general counsel.

The Bashas’ Operating Company is led by President Edward “Trey” Basha III. Other leaders include Johnny Basha, planning and real estate; Michael Basha, logistics; Steve Mayer, sales and merchandising; Ralph Woodward, operations; Gregg Tucek, general counsel; and Joe Wisto, controller.

The Raley’s Operating Company is slated to announce its president in January 2022. Other leaders include Paul Gianetto, sales and merchandising; Levi Wingo, operations; Angela Mills-Dixon, human resources; and Lisa Inselman, controller.

Each Operating Company president as well as the enterprise shared services leaders will report to Knopf, who will continue to oversee all long-range planning and strategy for the entire portfolio of companies and will report to Raley’s board of directors.

Knopf also acknowledges the expert counsel and support provided by The Law Offices of Snell & Wilmer, especially Partner Terry Roman, P.C., in bringing the deal to fruition. Lastly, Knopf recognizes The Food Partners, who served as strategic and financial adviser to Raley’s.