Associated Food Stores
| Company type | Retailers' cooperative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wholesale Distributor |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Headquarters | 1850 West 2100 South Salt Lake City, Utah United States |
Key people | David Rice CEO & President |
| Brands | Macey's, Associated Fresh Market, Dan's Fresh Market, Dick's Fresh Market, Lin's Fresh Market (Utah) |
| Revenue | Increase US$1.6 billion (2007) |
Number of employees | 4,000+ |
| Website | afstores.com |
Associated Food Stores operates as a U.S.-based retailers cooperative, supporting close to 450 independently operated retail supermarkets throughout Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, and Wyoming.
Description
Located at 1850 W 2100 South in Salt Lake City, Utah, Associated Food Stores is under the leadership of CEO David Rice, who took over from Bob Obray in 2022. For the fiscal year 2007, the cooperative achieved sales exceeding US$1.6 billion, positioning it as the fifty-sixth largest grocery retailer in the United States by sales volume. Corporate-owned stores contributed approximately 23% of total revenue.
History
Established in 1940 by Donald P. Lloyd alongside 34 Utah-based retailers, Associated Food Stores was formed to enhance collective purchasing strength and compete effectively with large corporate chains. Initial capital was raised through member investments to create a shared warehouse facility, overcoming opposition from wholesalers and manufacturers. By 1941, membership expanded to 41 stores with sales surpassing $168,000.
Following World War II, the cooperative broadened its reach into Idaho and Montana, focusing on high-turnover products and operational efficiency. By 1950, membership had grown to 264 stores with sales exceeding $9 million and maintaining a net markup of only 2.2% above wholesale costs. During the early 1950s, the cooperative also settled a federal tax dispute.
With the motto "Think Retail," AFS enhanced its offerings by adding produce and frozen food departments and intensified marketing efforts through radio advertising and community sponsorships. By its 25th anniversary in 1965, sales had reached $85 million serving 559 members across the intermountain region. In 1966, the private label Western Family was introduced to provide quality-controlled products.
To address market dynamics, AFS implemented cost equalization policies ensuring equitable service for both large and small members. Leadership transitioned to Gill Warner in 1972; although an expansion into California between 1966 and 1976 was later discontinued, growth persisted with the establishment of a new division in Billings, Montana. Advertising strategies evolved with initiatives such as Thriftway and Bestway targeting various store formats.
By 1990, assets had grown beyond $132 million with sales approaching $680 million. Throughout its development, the company preserved its foundational principles of cooperation and dedication to independent grocers supported by a strong internal culture.
In 1999, AFS acquired the Utah grocery chain Macey's. In August 2017, Macey's broke a seven-decade tradition by opening select stores on Sundays.
In 2009, AFS expanded by acquiring 34 Albertsons locations in Utah from SuperValu Inc., rebranding most as Associated Fresh Market ("Fresh Market"). By mid-2017, only 17 stores continued operating under this brand due to closures or divestitures.
Two Fresh Market outlets located in Murray and Holladay were converted to Macey's in 2017. By 2021, three Macey's stores closed: Logan (400 North), Clinton, and Midvale/Sandy. In 2022, a former Fresh Market store in American Fork was also rebranded as Macey's.
Corporate stores
Associated Food Stores manages 41 corporate retail outlets under five distinct brand names, enhancing its distribution network for independent grocery retailers.
- Macey's represents the largest brand with 23 stores situated throughout the Wasatch Front, Tooele, and Logan regions.
- Notable locations encompass American Fork, Draper, Highland, Lehi, Murray, Ogden, Orem, Provo, Salt Lake City (including Parleys Way and Sugarhouse), Sandy, Spanish Fork, Taylorsville, Tooele, West Jordan, and West Valley City.
- Fresh Market was established following the acquisition of most Albertsons stores in Utah and currently operates six outlets along the Wasatch Front and in Park City.
- Lin's maintains seven stores in southern Utah along with one location in Overton, Nevada.
- Dan's runs two stores within Salt Lake County: Cottonwood Heights and Salt Lake City.
- Dick's operates two locations in Davis County: Bountiful and Centerville.
Other stores
In addition to corporate outlets, Associated Food Stores owns or supplies multiple regional grocery chains:
- Broulim's with 17 stores across Idaho and Wyoming
- Clark's Market operating 10 locations in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah
- Finley's Food Farm with one store in Montana
- Harmons featuring 20 stores throughout Utah
- Kent's Market comprising four locations in Utah
- Lee's Marketplace with nine Utah-based stores
- Peterson's Fresh Market operating a single store in Utah
- Raine's Market with one location in Nevada
- Reams managing six stores in Utah
- Soelberg's Market running two Utah locations
- Ridley's Family Markets overseeing 30 stores across Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming
- Winegar's Market with two Utah outlets
- Stokes Market operating six locations spanning Montana, Utah, and Idaho
Western Family
Before transitioning to Food Club and other brands under Topco, Associated Food Stores served as a key distributor for the Western Family private label owned by Western Family Foods. This collection also included brands such as Better Buy, Shurfine, Shursavings, and Marketchoice.
External links
- Official websites for Associated Foods’ owned or supplied grocery chains: