Stater Bros.

Stater Bros. Markets

Company type	Private
Industry	Supermarket
Founded	August 17, 1936 (1936-08-17) in Yucaipa, California, United States
Founder	Cleo Stater, Leo Stater
Headquarters	San Bernardino, California , United States
Area served	Southern California
Key people	Pete Van Helden (CEO), Greg McNiff (President)
Products	Bakery, dairy, deli, floral, frozen foods, general grocery, liquor, meat, produce, seafood, snacks
Number of employees	18,000 (2015)

Stater Bros. Markets is a privately owned supermarket chain headquartered in San Bernardino, California, operating 171 locations throughout Southern California. Established in Yucaipa on August 17, 1936, by twin siblings Cleo and Leo Stater, the business began with the acquisition of a local grocery store for $600. The company went public in 1964, and by 1968, the Stater brothers had sold their stakes to Petrolane Gas Service. Since 1986, full ownership has been held by Stater Bros. Holdings, a subsidiary of La Cadena Investments, under the leadership of the late chairman and CEO Jack H. Brown.

In 1999, Stater Bros. increased its footprint by purchasing 43 Albertsons and Lucky stores following Albertsons' merger with American Stores, expanding into new territories including the Antelope Valley and San Diego County. The company entered the Fortune 500 list in 2006 at position #493, becoming the first major firm based in the Inland Empire to reach this ranking. That same year marked the beginning of construction for a new 2 million square-foot headquarters at San Bernardino International Airport, relocating from its former site near Colton–Grand Terrace. In 2018, Stater Bros. sold its SuperRX pharmacy division to CVS Pharmacy as part of a strategic business shift.

The supermarket chain offers a wide range of products such as bakery items, dairy, deli selections, floral arrangements, frozen foods, general groceries, liquor, meats, produce, seafood, and snacks. Employing roughly 18,000 people and generating $4.2 billion in revenue as of 2015, Stater Bros. holds a significant position within Southern California’s competitive grocery market under CEO Pete Van Helden and President Greg McNiff.

Stores

Stater Bros.’ locations are predominantly situated within the Inland Empire region, with a strong concentration in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The chain also operates stores in Orange County, eastern parts of Los Angeles County (primarily east of the 710 freeway), northern sections of San Diego County, and northern Los Angeles areas including Santa Clarita and Palmdale. Additional outlets include one store in Ventura County (Simi Valley) and two locations in eastern Kern County (Ridgecrest and Mojave).

Management

Jack H. Brown began his tenure at Stater Bros. in 1981 as president and served as both CEO and president for 35 years, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic direction and expansion. In January 2016, Pete Van Helden took over as president and CEO while Brown assumed the role of Executive Chairman until his death in November 2016. Later that year, Phillip J. Smith—formerly CFO—was named chairman, president, and CEO of Stater Bros. Holdings, continuing the focus on growing market presence and improving financial results.

Slogans

The branding of Stater Bros. Markets has transitioned from the informal tagline "It's our meat that made us famous" to a series of slogans highlighting value and community ties. Prominent examples include "The Eco-Friendly Leader in the Heartland," "The Low-Priced Leader in Your Hometown," and "An American Tradition To Serve Your Family Well." Beginning in 2006, the company embraced the motto "Lowering Prices Everyday to Help You Save on What You Pay!" Presently, the tagline "Fresh. Affordable. Community First" encapsulates its dedication to cost-effectiveness and local market engagement.

Route 66 Rendezvous

Since 1990, Stater Bros. has organized the yearly U.S. Route 66 Rendezvous classic car cruise event. This gathering was put on hold following San Bernardino's bankruptcy in 2012 but was revived in 2014 under the new title "Rendezvous Back to Route 66," demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to community involvement and local presence.