The United Family Kicks Off Yearlong Centennial Celebration

LUBBOCK, Texas — The United Family, parent company to United Express convenience and fuel locations, as well as United Supermarkets, Market Street, Albertsons Market and Amigos grocery locations, is celebrating its 100th anniversary all this year with a wide variety of activities.

The Lubbock-based company, founded by Henry Dewitt Snell, began as a United Cash Store in Sayre, Okla., in 1916 and has grown into a chain of 66 stores in 36 communities.

The anniversary festivities will kick off Jan. 16, when the company hosts a birthday party at all 66 stores and gives away a total of 100,000 free cupcakes. Also in January, The United Family will launch Shop to Support Schools, a school donation program that will challenge community members to get involved and help improve the futures of local children. 

In April, the company will take a bite out of hunger, donating 100,000 pounds of apples to local food banks across the company’s service areas.

“Reaching our 100th anniversary is a remarkable accomplishment and a true testament to the hard work and dedication of all our team members through the years, as well as our loyal guests in each of our communities,” said Robert Taylor, CEO of The United Family. “Most importantly, this celebration is a tribute to the Snell family because without their vision and leadership, United wouldn’t be the beloved supermarket it is today.”

To express appreciation for the many communities that have supported the company, beginning May 31, The United Family will celebrate 100 Days of Giving, presenting $1,000 to a different local nonprofit for 100 consecutive days, totaling a donation of $100,000. Also during that time, the company will donate 100,000 additional pounds of food to local food banks in June in preparation for fall and winter when donations are needed most.

Lastly, before Thanksgiving, The United Family will spread joy to area children’s hospitals in 12 markets by distributing 1,200 special 100th anniversary stuffed animals.

“With these programs, in addition to dozens of ongoing initiatives, this year will truly be worthy of our 100th anniversary,” said Shelby Crews, senior community relations manager for The United Family. “Giving back to our guests has always been a cornerstone of United Supermarkets, and that emphasis will continue as The United Family enters its next century.”

The United Family remained a family-owned supermarket chain for 98 years until becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albertsons LLC on Dec. 27, 2013. It moved to its current headquarters city of Lubbock in 1956, when Jack Snell, son of company founder H.D. Snell, purchased three Safeway locations.

“The company has been very fortunate for an entire century to have owners as well as leaders who believe in the core value of supporting communities and doing the right thing,” said Taylor. “In honor of that legacy and to kick off our next 100 years, the 100th anniversary of United Supermarkets will be acknowledged and celebrated in each of our 36 communities in Texas and New Mexico.”