StaffGrowGeneration Corp . (NASDAQ: GRWG) has just announced its seventh acquisition of the year with its purchase of California-based Grassroots Hydroponics. This three-store chain of hydroponic garden centers in Southern California is known for being home to high-volume retail locations in Anza, Lake Elsinore, and Murrieta. With these additions, GrowGen will operate 13 stores in the booming California cultivation market and 39 total retail locations across the country.
“We are pleased to add Grassroots to our growing portfolio, with its strong commercial operations and market position,” said Tony Sullivan, GrowGen’s COO. “We look to acquire best-in-breed hydroponic operations that complement and expand our footprint in mature cannabis markets, and Grassroots delivers a priority region, the critical Southern California market, for GrowGen.”
In November, GrowGen announced third-quarter revenues of $55 million and adjusted EBITDA of $6.6 million, which was the company’s 11th consecutive quarter of record revenues and EBITDA. The company also increased its 2020 revenue guidance to $185 million – $190 million, and adjusted EBITDA to $19.0 million – $20.0 million. It also updated revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2021 to $280 million – $300 million, and $34 million – $36 million, respectively.
Founded in 2008, Grassroots Hydroponics is one of the largest hydroponic operations in Southern California, with annual revenues approaching $20 million. This is GrowGenerations’s second acquisition in the state within a one-month period; in November, GrowGen acquired The GrowBiz, the nation’s third-largest chain of hydroponic garden centers, with stores in Northern California and Oregon.
Upsized Offering
GrowGeneration is also very favored by investors. The company recently upsized its offering from $125 million to $150 million. On Monday, the company completed the offering of an aggregate of 5,750,000 shares at a public offering price of $30.00 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $172.5 million.
The company said it intends to use the net proceeds from this offering primarily to expand its network of hydroponic/garden centers through organic growth and acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. Since 2014, GrowGen has acquired 34 stores and opened 16 new stores. The company said it plans to continue to pursue acquisitions going forward. “We actively evaluate and pursue acquisitions on an ongoing basis, and are focusing on Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Missouri as new markets where we plan to open new operations,” it said in the new prospectus.
