Employee Owned
For Immediate Release
Contact
Rebecca Kurowski, Communications Manager
Coborn’s, Inc.
320-203-6311
[email protected]
Coborn’s, Inc. announces acquisition of Wisconsin-based Marketplace Foods
Coborn’s expands to western Wisconsin, gaining 400 employees and four grocery stores
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (April 13, 2015) – Coborn’s, Inc. today announced its acquisition of Marketplace Foods, which owns
four grocery/liquor stores in Western Wisconsin.
“By expanding into Wisconsin and adding these four stores into the Coborn’s family, we are experiencing positive,
strategic growth for our company,” said Coborn’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board Chris
Coborn. “Marketplace Foods has a history of solid performance and a culture that is well aligned with our culture at
Coborn’s. These four stores are beautiful – destination shopping experiences – and I’m excited to include them in the
Coborn’s family of stores.”
The four Marketplace Foods stores are located in Hayward, Menomonie, Rice Lake and St. Croix Falls. These stores will
continue to operate as Marketplace Foods, with their current leadership and employee team of more than 400 people.
Coborn’s will share processes, ideas and best practices to strengthen the entire family of stores.
“We know that we have found a good fit with Coborn’s,” said Jason Betchkal, Marketplace Foods Owner. “Our
companies operate with similar values, focusing on appreciating our employees and serving our customers. It’s exciting
to see the benefits that our stores will experience by being a part of a larger family company.”
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About Coborn’s, Inc.
St. Cloud, Minn.-based Coborn’s, Inc. is an employee-owned grocery retailer with 8,400 employees and 52 stores across
Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin under the Coborn’s, Cash Wise Foods and Save-ALot banners. Coborn’s, Inc. also owns CobornsDelivers, an online grocery ordering and home delivery service; and standalone convenience, liquor, video and pharmacy locations. To support its 106 retail locations, Coborn’s, Inc. operates its
own central bakery, dry cleaning facility and grocery distribution center. The company is building two new Cash Wise
stores in North Dakota, set to open in spring and summer of 2015. In 2010, Coborn’s, Inc. was recognized as ‘Family
Business of the Year for Community Service and Philanthropy’ by Minnesota Business magazine. In 2011, Coborn’s, Inc.
was recognized as ‘Independent Retailer of the Year’ by Grocery Headquarters magazine. In 2014, the company’s
president and CEO, Chris Coborn, was named the Grocer of the Year by the N.D. Grocers Association.
About Marketplace Foods
Marketplace Foods was founded by Frank and Doris Betchkal 1977 in Hayward, WI. Leading up to opening his first
Marketplace store, Frank started in the grocery industry as a teenager, working as a bagger in a Racine store. After high
school, he advanced from meat manager to assistant store manager and finally store manager in Milwaukee. In 1970,
Frank began working with Easters in Des Moines, IA, as operations manager.
Today, Marketplace Foods boasts more than 400 employees and four strong stores recognized as grocery destinations.
Marketplace Foods is well-known for giving back to the communities where its stores operate. They are members of the
local Chambers of Commerce and supporters of nonprofit organizations, including food shelves. In 2012, Frank Betchkal
was recognized by the Wisconsin Grocers Association for his outstanding contribution to the grocery industry in
Wisconsin with its Excellence in Operations award.
Frank and Doris have two sons, Jason and John. Their son, Jason, was named president in 2011 and remains in that role.