Giant Eagle Inc. has finalized its acquisition of Ricker Oil Co., boosting its convenience store and retail fuel business in Indiana.
With the closing of the transaction, announced late yesterday, Giant Eagle adds 56 C-stores and fuel stations under the Ricker’s retail banner in metropolitan Indianapolis and Fort Wayne and across central Indiana. The Pittsburgh-based grocer currently operates seven GetGo Café + Market convenience/fuel locations in central Indiana.
Giant Eagle and Ricker didn’t disclose financial terms when unveiling the agreement in late September. The deal also gives Giant Eagle the Ricker Oil wholesale fuels distribution business, which includes about 80 branded supply accounts in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.
“Today is a very special day because we welcome more than 800 new team members to our Giant Eagle family and begin work to bring together Ricker’s and GetGo into a leading food-first convenience retailer in Indiana,” Giant Eagle President and CEO Laura Karet said in a statement.
Giant Eagle and Ricker haven’t announced any plans to change the Ricker’s or GetGo store experience.
The GetGo Café + Markets stores offer made-to-order foods such as subs, burgers and breakfast sandwiches, among other items. Giant Eagle opened its first GetGo location in the Indianapolis area in October 2015.
“At GetGo, our positioning of taking the ‘cons out of convenience’ means we offer the highest-quality fresh foods, products and services to our customers,” stated Polly Flinn, executive vice president and general manager of GetGo. “Our acquisition of the Ricker’s chain supports this strategy, and we look forward to bringing together the best of both businesses in Indiana.”
Giant Eagle operates about 210 GetGo locations and 200 Giant Eagle supermarkets in western Pennsylvania, Ohio, northern West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.
