Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a regional supermarket chain with 114 stores located along the East Coast.

What inspired the founding of your company, and what was its original mission?

In 1916, John and Walter Wegman opened the Rochester Fruit & Vegetable Company, marking the beginning of Wegmans Food Markets. The two brothers then opened a 20,000-square-foot store selling produce, meat, groceries, dairy and bakery products all under one roof, along with a café seating area. When Robert Wegman became president in 1950, he laid the foundation for Wegmans to be not only a great place to shop, but also a great place to work for all.

What were the most significant milestones or turning points in the company’s 50+ years in business?

1916 — Rochester Fruit & Veg. Co.; 1930s — 20,000-square-foot store; 1950s — Robert named president with focus on employee success, buys first truck trailer; 1970s — Add in-store pharmacies, Wegmans Brand products, UPC scanning, Danny named president; 1980s — Employee scholarship program; 1990s — Expand beyond NY, introduce Shoppers Club; 2000s — Colleen named president, #1 on Fortune 100 Best Companies list; 2010s — Organic farm and orchard, mobile app, open PA and VA distribution centers, cheese caves.

How have your core values and vision influenced the way your company operates?

We believe that good people, working toward a common goal, can accomplish anything they set out to do. Our goal is to be the very best at serving the needs of our customers, and every action we take is made with this in mind. But this goal only happens if we fulfill the needs of our own people. That’s why we pledge continuous improvement to our customers and our people, and we make an unwavering commitment: Every Day You Get Our Best.

How has your company adapted to industry changes or economic challenges over the years?

We have continued to innovate and grow by staying true to our core values while embracing new ideas that improve how we serve customers. Our teams are encouraged to experiment, streamline processes, and use technology to enhance both the shopping and workplace experiences. Simultaneously, we’re focused on ensuring successful daily operations through clear communication and effective teamwork. Together, these processes meet today’s needs and build a strong foundation for future growth.

What’s unique about your workplace culture that has contributed to your longevity?

As a family company, we put our people first, live by our values, and take a long-range view of the business. We reinvest profits in programs and benefits that make a difference for our 55,000 employees, including investments in pay and learning, time off for work-life balance, health and well-being, and financial wellness.

What are your company’s top goals for the near future?

Our mission is to help people live healthier, better lives through exceptional food. This includes helping our customers with meal planning both in our stores and digitally through our app and website. We also value building meaningful connections and relationships with our employees, customers and throughout the communities we serve.

What are the key factors that have contributed to your company’s ability to stay competitive?

Wegmans stores have always been special because the company has always believed the right way to run a business is to offer something better. Building on what the first generation of the Wegman family created, the next three generations worked to raise the bar in all areas of the business: opening new and better stores with more products and services, making the company a great place to work, and investing in technology to improve service, save time or lower costs for customers.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal’s In the Lead: Best Legacy Businesses list for 2026. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.