Smoker Friendly, which operates a mix of tobacco and convenience stores, has acquired 54 stores from Richmond Master Distributors Inc., doing business as Low Bob’s Discount Tobacco.
Low Bob’s Discount Tobacco is based out of South Bend, Indiana. Its stores across Indiana will be rebranded as Smoker Friendly stores, the Boulder, Colorado-based chain said in a LinkedIn post. Low Bob’s employees have joined Smoker Friendly as part of the acquisition.
“We are very pleased to welcome the Low Bob’s team to the Smoker Friendly family,” Smoker Friendly CEO Terry Gallagher Jr. said. “Pat and Scott Carrico and the Richmond Master team have been longtime friends and leaders in the tobacco outlet channel. We are fortunate to make this acquisition and strengthen our Smoker Friendly footprint in Indiana bringing our store count to 80 in the state.”
Founded in 1947, Richmond Master Distributors is a leader in c-store product distribution, according to its website. Its CEO is Patrick Carrico and its COO is Scott Carrico.
- The Cigarette Store Group/Smoker Friendly is No. 28 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by number of company-owned retail outlets.
“The last 20 years Low Bob’s Discount Tobacco built an outstanding company through the dedication of our hard-working team. This transition will take our retail stores to the next level,” Patrick Carrico said. “Smoker Friendly’s growth and innovation in our industry have shown us our company could not be in better hands. We are happy that Smoker Friendly recognizes the strength of our company and its future potential.”
The Cigarette Store, doing business as Smoker Friendly, was founded in 1991. This is the company’s seventh acquisition in the past four years, bringing its total store count to 344 stores operating in 13 states. Smoker Friendly operates a mix of convenience stores, tobacco stores, cigar lounges, liquor stores and fueling locations under the names Smoker Friendly, Tobacco Depot, Smoke ‘N Go, Havana Manor and Gasamat.
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