Brookshire Brothers and Polk Oil have signed an agreement to operate their respective businesses together, according to the Longview (Texas) News Journal.
The companies will continue to operate as separate entities with Carl Ray Polk, Jr. remaining president of Polk Oil after the merger, all 360 employees of Polk Oil will be welcomed as Brookshire Brothers’ employees, putting the total close to 6,000.
“For the past few months, leaders from Polk Oil and Brookshire Brothers have worked together diligently to plan for the integration of our two companies,” Jerry Johnson, CEO of Brookshire Brothers told the Journal. “We are now focused on implementing that plan and moving forward together to deliver exceptional service and products to our customers. On behalf of our employee owners, we welcome the employees of Polk Oil and Polk’s Pick It Up Stores to the family.”
Polk Oil currently owns 29 convenience stores, 24 independent dealers and three Subway franchises throughout East Texas. In March 2006 the company acquired Land O’ Pines Inc., which owned Okay Food Stores, Larelco and Mr. Payroll. Brookshire Brothers is headquartered in Lufkin, Texas. Founded in 1921 by Austin and Tom Brookshire, the company now owns more than 70 stores in Texas and Louisiana. Bruce Bryant with Brookshire Brothers on Tuesday declined further comment about the merger.
“The Polk family is excited about the opportunity to see our company grow and continue to be part of the community where we began,” said Polk. “I believe this opportunity will bring substantial growth while still allowing the Polk name to continue on.”