OAKDALE, N.Y. — Giunta's Meat Farms has completed its acquisition of King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc., finalizing a deal that brings together two longtime Long Island grocery operators and marks the end of 96 years of ownership by the Cullen family.
The transaction, first announced in July, closed in early October and includes all 24 King Kullen supermarkets and four Wild by Nature natural foods stores located throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
In a joint statement, the family-owned companies said the combination is designed to strengthen their competitive position in the market by increasing buying power and helping to deliver lower prices for customers while maintaining the personalized service for which both retailers are known.
"The acquisition allows Meat Farms to expand its presence in Nassau County while building on King Kullen’s legacy, strong locations, loyal customers, and dedicated employees," the statement said.
Bill Schiffner
The companies also emphasized their commitment to employees, stating that all associates across the King Kullen and Wild by Nature banners are expected to be retained. Existing union agreements will continue to be honored following the transition.
The acquisition represents a significant milestone for King Kullen, which has been owned and operated by the Cullen family since its founding in 1930. The grocer is widely recognized as one of the nation's pioneering supermarket chains and has long been a fixture of the Long Island retail landscape.
While ownership has officially changed hands, the future branding strategy for the acquired stores has yet to be determined. Giunta's Meat Farms said it will evaluate individual locations in the coming months to decide which stores may transition to the Meat Farms banner and which may continue operating under the King Kullen name.
The combined company said it remains focused on serving Long Island shoppers while building on the strengths and legacy of both organizations.
