Key Stats
Annual Revenue: $11.5 billion (2024)
Employees: 34,000+ team members
Store Count: 211 supermarkets across 5 states
Headquarters: Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Ownership: Privately held, family-owned since 1931
Giant Eagle Inc operates as one of the largest privately held supermarket chains in the United States. The company runs stores across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Maryland under the Giant Eagle, Market District, and Giant Eagle Express banners.
Five Pittsburgh-area families founded Giant Eagle in 1931 during the Great Depression. The company grew from small neighborhood grocery stores into a regional powerhouse with pharmacies, fuel stations, and premium store formats. Forbes ranks Giant Eagle among the top 50 largest private companies in America.
In 2025, Giant Eagle sold its GetGo convenience store division to focus on its core supermarket and pharmacy operations. The company continues to invest in store renovations, price reductions, and customer loyalty programs to compete against national retailers.
Giant Eagle History
1918
Joe Goldstein, Joe Porter, and Ben Chait founded Eagle Grocery in Pittsburgh. The chain grew to 125 stores before merging with Kroger in 1928.
1931
OK Grocery merged with Eagle Grocery to form Giant Eagle. Five families united to create the new company during the Great Depression.
1968
Saul Shapira became president of Giant Eagle. Under his leadership, the company expanded across Pittsburgh suburbs and into neighboring states.
1981
Giant Eagle acquired Tamarkin Companies, entering the Ohio market. David Shapira took over as CEO after his father retired.
1997
Giant Eagle purchased Riser Foods for $403 million. This acquisition added 36 stores in the Cleveland area and expanded the Ohio presence.
2006
Giant Eagle launched Market District stores in Pittsburgh. The premium format offers gourmet foods, prepared meals, and upscale shopping experiences.
2018
Giant Eagle acquired Ricker Oil Company, adding 56 convenience stores in Indiana. This marked the largest acquisition for the GetGo division.
2025
Giant Eagle sold GetGo to Alimentation Couche-Tard. The company refocused on supermarket and pharmacy operations with new leadership.
Giant Eagle Co-founders
Joe Goldstein
Founded Eagle Grocery after World War I with partners Porter and Chait. His daughter Frieda married Saul Shapira, connecting two founding families and shaping company leadership for generations.
Joe Porter
Co-founded Eagle Grocery in Pittsburgh alongside Goldstein and Chait. The Porter family remained involved in Giant Eagle operations through board positions and corporate roles.
Ben Chait
Third founding partner of Eagle Grocery. The Chait family helped establish the company rule that only sons or sons-in-law could join the business in early decades.
Hyman Moravitz
Built OK Grocery chain in Turtle Creek with partner Weizenbaum. The 1931 merger with Eagle Grocery created Giant Eagle and united five family ownership groups.
Morris Weizenbaum
Co-founded OK Grocery with Moravitz. Representatives from all five founding families still serve Giant Eagle through board positions and store operations today.
Giant Eagle Competitors
Giant Eagle faces competition from national chains and regional grocers across its five-state operating area. Kroger previously dominated the Pittsburgh market before exiting in 1984 but still competes with Giant Eagle in Columbus and other markets.
| Competitor | Headquarters | Store Type |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Bentonville, Arkansas | Supercenter, grocery |
| Kroger | Cincinnati, Ohio | Supermarket chain |
| Aldi | Batavia, Illinois | Discount grocery |
| Target | Minneapolis, Minnesota | General merchandise, grocery |
| Costco | Issaquah, Washington | Warehouse club |
| Trader Joe’s | Monrovia, California | Specialty grocery |
| Whole Foods | Austin, Texas | Natural, organic grocery |
| Meijer | Walker, Michigan | Supercenter |
| Albertsons | Boise, Idaho | Supermarket chain |
| Shop ‘n Save | St. Louis, Missouri | Regional supermarket |
Giant Eagle Acquisitions
Giant Eagle expanded through strategic acquisitions that strengthened its position in Pennsylvania and Ohio markets. The company pursued both supermarket chains and convenience store operations to build a multi-format retail business.
The 1981 purchase of Tamarkin Companies marked Giant Eagle’s entry into Ohio. Tamarkin operated as a wholesale grocer and retailer in Youngstown, and Giant Eagle converted its Valu King stores to the Giant Eagle name. This acquisition also launched the company’s franchise business model.
Riser Foods became part of Giant Eagle in 1997 for $403 million. The Cleveland-based chain operated 36 stores under the Rini-Rego Stop-n-Shop name. This deal represented the company’s largest acquisition at that time and established Giant Eagle as a major player in the Cleveland market.
Giant Eagle purchased several smaller chains throughout the 1990s and 2000s to fill geographic gaps. The company acquired County Markets and various independent stores to consolidate its regional presence. Many former competitors became Giant Eagle locations after changing ownership.
The convenience store segment grew through the 2018 Ricker Oil Company acquisition. Giant Eagle paid for 56 Ricker’s stores in Indiana along with the wholesale fuels distribution business. This purchase added 800 employees and established GetGo as a leading convenience retailer in the Indianapolis market.
In 2025, Giant Eagle reversed course by selling GetGo to Alimentation Couche-Tard, the parent company of Circle K. The sale of 274 convenience stores allowed Giant Eagle to refocus resources on supermarket operations and pharmacy expansion following the collapse of Rite Aid in Pennsylvania.
Giant Eagle Revenue
Giant Eagle generates approximately $11.5 billion in annual revenue as a privately held company. Supermarket News ranks Giant Eagle 21st among North American food retailers based on sales volume.
Giant Eagle Company Valuation
Giant Eagle remains a privately held corporation with no public market capitalization. Forbes ranked the company 42nd on its 2023 list of largest private companies in America based on estimated revenue and operations.
FAQs
Who owns Giant Eagle?
Five Pittsburgh-area families own Giant Eagle as a private company. The Goldstein, Porter, Chait, Moravitz, and Weizenbaum families founded the company in 1931 and maintain ownership through descendants.
How many Giant Eagle stores exist?
Giant Eagle operates 211 supermarkets across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Maryland. The company also runs 21 Market District premium stores and 8 standalone pharmacies.
Is Giant Eagle only in Pennsylvania?
Giant Eagle operates in five states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Maryland. Most stores are located in western Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio markets.
What happened to Giant Eagle GetGo?
Giant Eagle sold GetGo convenience stores to Alimentation Couche-Tard in 2025. The deal included 274 fuel stations that now operate under Circle K ownership.
When was Giant Eagle founded?
Giant Eagle was founded in 1931 when OK Grocery merged with Eagle Grocery. The company incorporated on August 31, 1931, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.