The deal for Rouses to buy out LeBlanc’s and its nine grocery stores in the Capital Region is expected to close later this month, bringing the total number of Rouses stores to 54.
Financial terms of the deal, which was announced Saturday, have not been disclosed. There is a lot of similarities in the two family-owned grocery store chains. Rouses was founded 66 years ago in Thibodaux, while LeBlanc’s Food Stores was founded in Gonzales 55 years ago.
“This really is a perfect fit,” says Donny Rouse, managing partner of Rouses Markets, in a prepared statement. “We share very similar values. We have both built our businesses on quality, selection, service and low prices. We are both strong community supporters. We are both dedicated to buying local and supporting local fishermen and farmers.”
LeBlanc’s Food Stores has nine stores total, including five operating as Frais Marche’ in Baton Rouge, Zachary, Duplessis, Gonzales, and Prairieville, and four additional locations in Donaldsonville, Hammond, Plaquemine and Plattenville.
Rouses recently opened a location in Baton Rouge, while a store it opened in Juban Crossing in recent years has been temporarily closed due to the August flood. All LeBlanc’s stores will be rebranded as Rouses following the acquisition. A timeline for the rebrandings has not been released.
