WinCo Foods was previously known as Waremart Foods. It changed its storefront name and the corporate name in 1999. “WinCo” stands for “Winning Company,” as is stated by the website, WincoFoods.com. Eighty percent of the company is employee owned.
About WinCo
The beginning of WinCo Foods occurs back to 1967, when Bud Williams and Ralph Ward started a discount-grocery warehouse in Boise, Idaho. They named their store Waremart, and the name stayed the same until 1999. In 1985, the president at the time, Bill Long, purchased a majority interest of WinCo from the Ward family and gave it to the employees so that they had some real stake in the company. Ever since, the company has continued to grow.
The company has fostered their success, it claims, by focusing on very large stores with a wide selection of national brands, but keeping their prices below the competition’s. Employees are said to have seen their employee stock ownership plan grow at an annual compounded growth rate of 21.51%. This makes for an extremely dedicated workforce. In 1998, WinCo was listed as the 266th on Forbes Magazine’s List of the 500 largest privately held companies, and in 2010 it was listed as the 65th on the list. They are considered 29th out of the 50 top grocery retailers, with a 0.6% share of the market.
Stats
Annual Sales: By the end of the fiscal year 2010, the company reached $4.3 billion in total sales.
Employees: WinCo currently has 13,000 employees and is continuing to grow.
Store Locations: Currently there are 75 WinCo Supermarkets located in five states. These are:
- California
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Idaho
- Washington
Corporate Responsibility
WinCo Foods is committed to making the shopping experience greener. For example, they do not put an ad in the paper each week, which also helps save money for their customers. Their newer locations also have skylights to help save electricity. They are currently researching solar power technologies and other ways to reducing their carbon footprint. Other things that they are doing/considering are:
- Implementing energy efficient refrigeration and freezer equipment in their new stores and updating their old stores
- Using light systems with motion sensors so that the lights are only used when needed in certain areas
- Using LED lights wherever possible
Responsible fuel consumption also is a focus of this company. They try to conserve fuel in the best way possible by using a transportation team to plan each trip, using the best route, and a maintenance team to ensure that each truck is kept in top shape. They also use state-of-the-art equipment to make the most out of every gallon of fuel.
Aside from being green, WinCo Foods contributes to the community through its donations. For example, it donates to fundraisers for state-accredited schools nearby WinCo locations. This can be for the entire school or just a group related to the school. You can get information about how to apply for a donation by visiting their website: WinCoFoods.com.
loyal customer at temecula store.However there is a brand of ice cream with the Umpqua label that you discontinued.The flavor name was Bordeaux Cherry.A very popular flavor.I’m utterly stomp why you would let it go. Unfortunatly it was the only flavor in your entire ice cream selection that I liked.Please tell me you are bringing it back. Ken
get rid of those cinnamon cones when you go in the door of the store they make me sick and others or you will be cleaning up the floor
My friends and family just love the Tequila chicken wings/legs; which I believe are a product from Tyson.
Recently we have not been able to find the product in your store in Spokane, WA. This was the only store we could find our favorite appetizer.
We would all love it if you would bring it back to our local market!
Regards,
Allen & Barbra Page
Tigard community would like some help in fighting Walmart from opening a superstore in our neighborhood – right across the street from your Tigard store. We fought it once and was successful. Then Target was going to build in that space. We think this was a BIG scam. Now they are back. The city has issued the permit. Can you help us????
I shop at the Bakersfield store weekly. If you track sales, you can check it out. I have been disheartened last 2 visits. I found Tru Moo Choc milk in 1/2 and gallons replaced by Horchetta(which I will never buy). I have found overripe bananas, No Sweat Baby Rays regular BBQ sauce. And last week, no eggs unless you want 5 dozen. Are you having issues with your computerized reordering system or is it you just don’t care? There are three other grocery stores and a Wal Mart within 2 miles. Just because some of your prices are low doesn’t guarantee you a customer. BTW, I shop at Vons for Code Red because the Pepsi flunky won’t leave any at your store. Just to let you know, Frito Lay is doing a good job marketing product. One major physical issue with the store is that the sewer vents at the front of the store making for an occasional wonderful stink. Since “everything speaks.” the stink is a powerful welcome mat that sets off the visit in a less than desirable way.
LOL This is NOT the WINCO website. If you go to the actual WINCO website they have ads, store locations, coupons, hours, location, etc all available.
It is SAD Rose has had such a bad experience. I love our local WINCO. There are plenty of registers, lots of very good prices, best produce section I have ever seen, and very generous, friendly, helpful employees. Larry you should go to the actual WINCO website to request the ads be E-mailed to you. And Michele the ACTUAL website will be a much better place to research your request to have a store located near you. The website is http://www.wincofoods.com/ . Enjoy
Jim
I am a loyal Winco shopper from CA. Just recently had to relocate to the Charlotte, NC area. This is a beautiful area and is one of the top 10 relocation destinations in the country. However, it has one major fault – grocery options are limited, and prices are incredibly high.
There are 3 primary grocery store chains in this area (Harris Teeter, Food Lion & Walmart), and food costs are outrageously high. Other independents like Whole Foods and Trader Joes have recently come to the area – however, their prices are also at the upper end. The demographics are great for a Winco, and there are several locations currently available to accommodate the square footage typical of a Winco store. What would it take for me to encourage Winco to look into expanding into the Charlotte, NC area? I am a working professional, however, I am willing to spend whatever amount of time is required to support the research needed for Winco to serioiusly consider expansion to this area.
Regards, Michele
If you publish a weeekly or monthly advertisement, please e-mail me a copy. Thank you, Larry
you never put out any adds no sales why not..you must be operated by the marmons from boice
That is one way we keep our prices lower .
Why spend millions a year on print ads?
Word of mouth, and your shopping experience
Works!
Ummmm no, they are employee owned.
you say you are the low price leader..not true lastv week your bananas were 57 cents a lb walmart was 52 cents your dark hershy bar the large one is 2.24 cents walmarts are 197 your sweet potatoes are 116 cents walmart is 89 cents..you dont carry much sugar free foods for diebetics walmart does..there are many things you are higher on…and you never have enough check stands open so its stand and wait rose harris
then why do walmart employees shop at WINCO????
Good question – are they nuts???
But Winco DOES have sugarless things, you need to look harder.