99 Ranch Market Closes Two California Stores, Laying Off 103 Workers

103 employees will lose their jobs when 99 Ranch Market permanently closes two California stores before the end of the year. Tawa Supermarket Inc., the parent company based in Buena Park, filed two Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notices on Monday to announce the cuts. The Chino store at 4024 Grand Ave. will close on Nov. 15, affecting 49 workers. The Pleasanton store at 4299 Rosewood Drive will shut on Dec. 5, impacting 54 staff members.

The company stated that the decision will optimize its store network and allocate resources more effectively to serve customers. In an email, 99 Ranch Market said it remains committed to providing convenient access to Pan-Asian food selections in the Tri-Valley and Chino/Chino Hills areas. The chain already operates other locations in those regions. This move follows a period of national expansion under the direction of siblings Jonson and Alice Chen.

Roger Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant, founded the supermarket in 1984 in Westminster after identifying a gap in the American grocery sector. The first store opened in the San Gabriel Valley, where the chain grew into a local hub for Chinese culinary products. Today, the brand operates more than 60 stores across 11 states, with the majority of its branches located in California. The most recent opening occurred in January in the Summerlin neighborhood of Las Vegas.

Competition among Asian grocers in California has intensified, particularly in the Bay Area. H Mart, a Korean American chain, has expanded its presence with a new East Bay location. The company plans a 100,000-square-foot, two-level store in Fremont that will include a food hall and bar. Jagalchi, a Korean market in Daly City, opened a 75,000-square-foot supermarket last year featuring fresh seafood, a bakery, and sit-down dining. T&T Supermarket, a Canadian chain, opened a 55,000-square-foot store in San Jose in June and plans additional stores in San Francisco and Millbrae.

Other California grocery chains have also adjusted their footprints. Grocery Outlet announced in March that it would close 36 underperforming stores, including six in Southern California. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Tawa Supermarket Inc. in June. The agency alleged the company violated federal law by firing and discriminating against non-Chinese workers based on their national origin. Tawa Supermarket has said the claims are without merit and will fight the lawsuit. No ruling or settlement has been reached on the matter.