Sponsored By

Cardenas Markets to acquire Rio Ranch Market

Hispanic grocer to expand presence in Southern California

Russell Redman

June 9, 2022

2 Min Read
Rio Ranch Market store banner.png
Rio Ranch Market, based in Fontana, Calif., operates six stores and a warehouse in California.Rio Ranch Market

Hispanic supermarket chain Cardenas Markets has entered an agreement to acquire fellow Latino grocer Rio Ranch Market.

Financial terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed. Ontario, Calif.-based Cardenas said Thursday that its purchase of Rio Ranch Market’s six stores will expand its Southern California footprint. With headquarters in Fontana, Calif., Rio Ranch operates supermarkets in San Bernardino, Riverside, Chino, Perris, Banning and Fontana as well as a warehouse in San Bernardino.

Cardenas_Markets-Montclair_store_1.jpg

The acquisition will expand Cardenas Markets' store count to 65 locations across three Western states.

Overall, Cardenas Markets operates 59 stores under the Cardenas Markets (51 locations), Los Altos Ranch Markets (seven locations) and Cardenas Ranch Markets (one location) banners in California, Nevada and Arizona.

“Cardenas Markets is stronger than ever, and this acquisition further solidifies the company’s position as one of the leading Hispanic supermarket chains in the country,” Cardenas Chairman and CEO Doug Sanders said in a statement. “As we look ahead, we will continue to identify strategic opportunities to grow our business while providing a fresh and authentic shopping trip for our customers.”

Founded in 1983 by two entrepreneurial businessmen, Rio Ranch Markets stores emphasize perishables, including fresh meat, seafood, produce, deli, dairy and bakery deparments. Stores also offer a tortilleria, a cremeria, pizza, hot prepared foods (including authentic Mexican dishes), a juice bar, beer/wine/spirits, center-store groceries, frozen foods, a floral section and general merchandise. Customers, too, can order online and have their groceries delivered via Instacart.

Related:Cardenas Markets is first Hispanic grocer to accept EBT SNAP payments online

No immediate changes are slated for Rio Ranch’s operations of Rio Ranch during the ownership transition period, Cardenas reported. Plans call for the Rio Ranch stores to be integrated into Cardenas’ operations gradually while continuing to serve their communities. The Food Partners (TFP) served as strategic and financial adviser to Rio Ranch Market for the transaction, which is expected to close by the middle of July.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like