Maison Solutions Acquires Arizona-Based Asian Grocer Lee Lee Supermarkets
Maison Solutions Inc. a U.S.-based specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian and international food and merchandise, has acquired Lee Lee Oriental Supermart, Inc., a three-store supermarket chain operating under the name, Lee Lee International Supermarkets, in the greater Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
The company acquired the supermarkets through AZLL, LLC, an Arizona limited liability company and the company’s wholly owned subsidiary. The purchase price of $22.2 million will be paid over a 10-month period and includes $7 million in cash paid immediately at closing on April 8, with the rest paid through a secured note agreement.
“This transaction demonstrates our strategy of expanding by acquisition in geographic locations with large and growing Asian and ethnic populations,” said John Xu, president and chief executive officer of Maison Solutions. “Lee Lee International Supermarkets has an established brand presence in Arizona and is a perfect fit for Maison, giving us a base for further growth in the region.
“The strategic acquisition is expected to add approximately $70 million in annual revenue for us, effectively doubling our current size. We remain committed to future growth through new store openings and acquisitions,” Xu added.
Stores Highlights:
- The Chandler (Phoenix metro area) store comprises more than 52,000 square feet. This market includes a Vietnamese restaurant, a bakery, and a jewelry store.
- The Peoria (Phoenix metro area) store comprises more than 60,000 square feet. This market includes a Vietnamese restaurant, a boba tea store, a jewelry store and a clothing store.
- The Tucson store comprises more than 51,000 square feet. This market includes a Vietnamese restaurant and a BBQ restaurant.
Lee Lee International Supermarkets is the largest international market in Arizona. Its three locations offer products from more than 30 countries and regions, and provide the highest quality product selection available. Founded over 30 years ago, Lee Lee International Supermarkets has won multiple awards for best international supermarket, Asian market and specialty foods.
Maison Solutions Inc. is a U.S.-based specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian food and merchandise, particularly to members of Asian-American communities. The Company is committed to providing Asian fresh produce, meat, seafood, and other daily necessities in a manner that caters to traditional Asian-American family values and cultural norms, while also accounting for the new and faster-paced lifestyle of younger generations and the diverse makeup of the communities in which the company operates. Since its formation in 2019, the company has acquired equity interests in four traditional Asian supermarkets in the Los Angeles area, and has been operating them under the brand name HK Good Fortune.
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DoorDash, Wing Launch Drone Delivery Pilot in US
DoorDash and Wing have launched their drone delivery partnership in the United States, starting in Christiansburg, Va. Select local consumers will be able to order eligible menu items from Wendy’s – the pilot’s first restaurant partner – through the DoorDash marketplace and have them delivered via drone.
This follows the drone delivery pilot program that DoorDash and Wing launched in Australia in 2022 and has since expanded to three locations in Queensland with more than 60 participating merchants, marking the first time that Wing integrated its drone delivery service within another marketplace.
“We are excited to expand our partnership with Wing in the U.S. to integrate drone delivery into DoorDash’s ecosystem,” said Harrison Shih, senior director of DoorDash Labs. “At DoorDash, we are committed to advancing last-mile logistics by building a multi-modal delivery platform that serves all sides of our marketplace. We’re optimistic about the value drone delivery will bring to our platform as we work to offer more efficient, sustainable, and convenient delivery options for consumers.”
“Expanding our partnership with DoorDash and launching in the U.S. is a direct result of the success we’ve seen from our initial collaboration in Australia, where Wing has served tens of thousands of customers via the DoorDash app for over a year now,” said Cosimo Leipold, head of partnerships at Wing. “Wing has now made over 350,000 deliveries across three countries and looking ahead we are focused on providing a fast, affordable and safe service to our partners so they can better serve their customers.
“This moment continues our meaningful expansion of this service in the U.S. and advances our shared goal to better the last-mile delivery ecosystem.”
When DoorDash customers with an eligible address in Christiansburg place a qualifying order in the DoorDash app from the Wendy’s located at 2355 N. Franklin St., they will see the option to have their meal delivered by drone on the checkout page. Once they select drone delivery and place their order, it will be prepared and packaged at the Wendy’s location and delivered via a Wing drone, typically in 30 minutes or less.
Through this partnership, DoorDash aims to provide access to an innovative delivery solution for consumers and merchants, complementary to traditional Dasher-fulfilled orders. The new offering provides a quick and sustainable delivery option for small, short-distanced orders while creating the potential for incremental order growth across the platform.
The pilot will initially be available in Christiansburg with plans to explore other cities later this year.
The drone delivery partnership with Wing was born out of DoorDash Labs, DoorDash’s robotics and automation arm. DoorDash sees automation as a means to develop the right platform solution to satisfy consumer demand, while improving efficiencies within the platform.
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Exclusive: ADF Foods Unveils Truly Indian at Natural Products Expo West
EXCLUSIVE TO GOURMET NEWS
ADF Foods, a fourth-generation, family-owned leader in gourmet frozen and shelf-stable Indian foods, presents a new brand, Truly Indian, that celebrates ADF Foods’ rich culinary legacy while delivering exceptional craftsmanship and quality to the U.S. market.
The unveiling will take place at Natural Products Expo West on Thursday, March 14, at the Truly Indian booth number #524.
“Truly Indian represents a culinary journey dedicated to bringing the best freshly prepared Indian food to your home,” says Bimal Thakkar, CEO of ADF Foods, “With a commitment to quality and a dedication to preserving the rich flavors of India, we are excited to bring the diverse and vibrant tastes of our homeland to American households.”
Truly Indian, the latest addition to the ADF Foods family of brands, embodies this culinary legacy with a commitment to authenticity and artisanal quality. It offers a range of freshly crafted Indian foods, marking an exciting chapter in delivering the Indian food experience to the West.
Established in 1932 as a humble storefront in Mumbai, ADF Foods has evolved into a global producer of over 400 diverse products, serving families in 55 countries. From delectable frozen snacks and meals to robust cooking sauces and shelf-stable ready-to-eat entrees, each product is freshly made in India using time-honored small-batch techniques and artisanal craftsmanship.
With meticulous attention to detail, ADF Foods’ chefs artfully blend fresh, healthy ingredients with the finest Indian spices, ensuring that every Truly Indian dish is bursting with flavor.
Plant-Based Entrees
- Plant-Based Butter Chik’n (Frozen): A plant-based take on the classic flavors of Butter Chicken in a convenient frozen format
Samosas - Vegetable Samosa: A flavorful blend of vegetables encased in a golden, crispy pastry, perfect for sharing. Approximately 80 percent of Indian restaurants in the US feature ADF Foods’ samosas.
- Jumbo Vegetable Samosa: A larger version of the classic samosa, promising an indulgent bite.
Naan - Tandoori Naan: Soft and pillowy naan bread, expertly baked to perfection, ideal for pairing with a variety of dishes.
- Tandoori Garlic Naan: Infused with aromatic garlic, this naan elevates any meal with its bold flavors.
Vegan Cooking Sauces - Butter Chicken Sauce: A luscious, plant-based rendition of the beloved Butter Chicken sauce.
- Tikka Masala Sauce: Rich and aromatic, this vegan Tikka Masala sauce brings t
- he essence of Indian cuisine to your kitchen.
- Madras Curry Sauce: A harmonious blend of spices in a vegan curry sauce, offering a taste of Southern India.
- Vindaloo Sauce: Bold and spicy, this vegan Vindaloo sauce is an invitation to savor the flavors of Goa.
Ready to Eat Meal Pouches, Vegan Entrees - Curried Chickpeas (Chana Masala): Chickpeas simmered in a fragrant curry, creating a hearty and satisfying dish.
- Spiced Lentil & Bean Chili (Dal Makhani): A comforting blend of spiced lentils and beans, offering a true taste of North India.
- Creamed Spinach & Tofu Curry (Palak Tofu Paneer): A creamy and indulgent spinach and tofu curry that’s both nourishing and delicious.
- Potato Pea Curry (Aloo Matar): A classic combination of potatoes and peas in a flavorful curry, reminiscent of home-cooked comfort.
Ready to Eat Meal Pouches, Vegan Rice - Tikka Masala Rice: Fragrant basmati rice paired with the iconic Tikka Masala sauce, creating a convenient and tasty meal.
- Bombay Biryani: Aromatic and flavorful, this vegan Biryani showcases the culinary diversity of India.
Roti Wraps, Indian Street Food - Cottage Cheese & Green Pepper (Paneer Tikka): A fusion of flavors wrapped in a soft roti, capturing the essence of Indian street food.
- Tandoori Spiced Potato (Tandoori Aloo): Spiced potato filling wrapped in a tandoori-flavored roti, offering a satisfying and flavorful bite.
- Cauliflower and Potato (Aloo Gobi): A medley of cauliflower and potato, encased in a soft roti for a handheld delight.
- Cottage Cheese & Biryani (Paneer Biryani): A marriage of paneer and biryani, expertly wrapped in a roti for a convenient and savory treat. For sales inquiries, contact Rasa Kumar, senior vice president, Truly Indian, Rasa@adf-foods.com
Truly Indian is a proud member of the ADF Foods family of brands. Born out of the rich culinary heritage of ADF Foods, Truly Indian is committed to delivering authentic and flavorful Indian foods. With a focus on quality, tradition, and innovation, Truly Indian brings the diverse and popular flavors of India to tables around the world. http://www.trulyindianfoods.com/
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