From a single Modesto storefront to a Canadian-owned regional grocery powerhouse
In short: Founded in 1952, The Save Mart Companies evolved from a local California grocer into a multi-banner operator now owned by the Jim Pattison Group. Today, the company manages a complex network of retail stores, distribution centers, and private-label brands across northern California and Nevada, navigating decades of expansion and consolidation.
The Save Mart Companies began in 1952 when its first store opened in Modesto, California. Over the following decades, the business grew through strategic acquisitions and internal development. A major turning point occurred in 1985 when Bob Piccinini purchased the chain and assumed the role of CEO. Under his leadership, the company diversified its operations, launching the warehouse-style FoodMaxx banner in 1986 and partnering to establish the Sunnyside Farms dairy plant in 1988. By 1989, the company had significantly expanded its footprint by acquiring 27 Fry's supermarkets.
The company's growth strategy often involved absorbing existing chains. In 2006, it acquired Albertsons stores across the Central Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area, and northern Nevada, marking its first expansion outside of California. This acquisition also provided the rights to the Lucky brand, which the company subsequently revived. Today, the organization operates a vertically integrated system. This includes Yosemite Wholesale for dry goods, the Save Mart Supermarkets Distribution Center in Roseville, and SMART Refrigerated Transport, a trucking firm that handles logistics for both internal stores and outside retailers.
Despite its growth, the company has faced significant legal and operational challenges. In 2013, it settled with 35 California district attorneys for $2.55 million regarding the improper handling and disposal of hazardous materials like batteries and cleaning products. Additionally, a 2015 U.S. Department of Labor investigation resulted in $277,319 in back pay for workers after the company failed to include bonuses in overtime calculations. Following a 2022 acquisition by Kingswood Capital Management, the company was ultimately sold to the Canadian-based Jim Pattison Group in 2024, continuing its evolution under new ownership.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Save Mart Supermarkets
- Also: Wikidata — Save Mart Supermarkets · CC0
- Also: find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk — SAVE MART SUPERMARKET LTD overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK
- Also: Wikidata — Toyota/Save Mart 350 · CC0
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