Meijer

Meijer stands as a pioneering American supercenter chain that revolutionized retail by combining groceries with general merchandise. Founded in 1934 by Dutch immigrant Hendrik Meijer in Greenville, Michigan, the company began as a modest grocery store during the Great Depression.

The family-operated retailer now serves millions of customers across six Midwestern states with over 500 locations. Meijer employs more than 70,000 team members and generates annual revenues estimated above $19 billion, ranking among America's largest privately held companies.

Corporate headquarters remain in Walker, Michigan, where the Meijer family maintains control through multiple generations. Executive Chairman Hank Meijer leads alongside President and CEO Rick Keyes, the company's first non-family chief executive.

About Meijer

Sector: Retail

Industry: Supercenter / Grocery

CEO: Rick Keyes

Website: meijer.com

Headquarters: Walker, MI

Founded: 1934

Status: Private

Hendrik Meijer

Founder

Fred Meijer

Co-founder (Son)

Meijer History

1934

Hendrik Meijer opened his first grocery store in Greenville, Michigan during the Great Depression with help from his 14-year-old son Fred.

1962

Meijer pioneered the American supercenter concept by opening Thrifty Acres in Grand Rapids, combining grocery shopping with department store merchandise in one 180,000-square-foot location, predating similar formats by Target and other major retailers.

1964

Founder Hendrik Meijer passed away at age 80, and son Fred Meijer assumed leadership, expanding the company throughout the Midwest.

1986

The successful Thrifty Acres stores were officially renamed Meijer, consolidating the brand identity under the family name.

1988

Meijer implemented 24-hour operations in most Michigan and Ohio stores, becoming one of the first supercenters to offer round-the-clock shopping convenience, distinguishing itself from warehouse competitors like Costco.

FAQs

Who owns Meijer?

Meijer remains privately owned by the Meijer family, descendants of founder Hendrik Meijer. The family maintains control through a private holding company structure, with Hank and Doug Meijer serving as executive chairmen.

Is Meijer an American company?

Yes, Meijer is an American company founded in Michigan in 1934. While founder Hendrik Meijer was a Dutch immigrant, the company was established and has always operated exclusively in the United States, competing with major grocery chains like Kroger.

When did Meijer come out?

Meijer was founded in 1934 when Hendrik Meijer opened his first grocery store. The modern supercenter format debuted in 1962 with the launch of Thrifty Acres in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Who made Meijer logo?

The Meijer logo has evolved through multiple redesigns since 1934. The current design features bold uppercase lettering with distinctive yellow parallelograms above the letters, created by the company's internal marketing team and design agencies.