The Jim Pattison Group will take over as the majority partner of Quality Foods, a 13-store Vancouver Island grocery chain that employs more than 1,000 people.
Pattison has been a minority partner in the company since 2012. The billionaire businessman also owns Overwaitea Foods and Save-on-Foods among other grocery and food companies. In a statement, he said “business will continue as it has” at Quality Foods.
The shift comes as two of the chain’s founders, Ken Schley and John Briuolo, announced their plans to step away from the company.
Schley, Briuolo and Noel Hayward started Quality Foods in 1982, opening the first store in Qualicum Beach. Hayward will continue leading day-to-day operations for the company.
“This move is the result of a successful long-term plan finally coming together,” Briuolo said in a statement. “And now, with the company in the best position to grow and prosper, it’s the right time to make this change.”
Quality Foods has two stores in Greater Victoria, on Helmcken Road and on Langford Parkway, along with stores in Parksville, Port Alberni, Nanoose Bay, Campbell River, Courtenay, Comox, Powell River and Nanaimo.
The company’s main office and distribution centre are in Errington.
Schley and Briuolo will remain principle landlords of several Quality Foods locations to help in the transition, the company said.
