HEB Grocery Company, LP (aka H-E-B Grocery Stores or simply H-E-B) is a privately held San Antonio, Texas-based supermarket chain with more than 315 stores throughout Texas and northern Mexico.The company also operates Central Market, an upscale organic and fine foods retailer.H-E-B ranked No. 12 on Forbes' 2011 list of "America's Largest Private Companies." H-E-B was named Retailer of the Year in 2010 by Progressive Grocer. Supermarket News ranked H-E-B No. 13 in the 2008 "Top 75 North American Food Retailers." Based on 2010 revenues, H-E-B is the twenty-fifth largest retailer in the United States. It donates 5 percent of pre-tax profits to charity.
History
The company was founded on November 26, 1905 when Florence Butt opened the C.C. Butt Grocery Store on the ground floor of her family home in Kerrville, Texas. In 1919, Howard Edward Butt, Florence's youngest son, took over the store upon his return from World War I. Shortly after becoming owner of his mother's small store, Howard tried four expansions into Central Texas, including one in Junction, all of which failed. Finally in 1927, Howard launched a successful second store in Del Rio, Texas, followed by the purchase of three grocery stores in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The first initials of Howard E. Butt became the name of the store.Charles, the youngest son of Howard E. Butt, became president of the H.E. Butt Grocery Company in 1971. As of 2010, Charles Butt is chairman and CEO of HEB Grocery Company, LP, having grown the business from annual sales of $250 million in 1971 to $13 billion in 2006. In 2010, Craig Boyan was named H-E-B's President and COO. In 2003, the company was #14 on Forbes' list of largest privately held companies; H-E-B is also the largest privately held company in Texas.