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Canadian food retailer Empire Co Ltd said on Monday it would acquire privately held grocer Farm Boy Inc for an enterprise value of $800 million to increase its presence in Ontario.

Ottawa-based Farm Boy, which specializes in “farm-to-table” wholesale, will be acquired from Berkshire Partners, following which it will be set up as a separate company within Empire’s structure.

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“It will be a growth vehicle in urban and suburban markets,” Empire Chief Executive Michael Medline said, adding that he expected earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization to double in five years.

Empire says the deal, which includes 26 Farm Boy locations in the province, will allow it to speed up its growth in markets like Toronto and southwestern Ontario, with new sites and the conversion of some existing Sobeys locations.