A History of Success

Stater Bros. begins operation of a construction division. Since then, Stater Bros. Development (as it is currently called) has been responsible for all the planning, supervision and construction of new Stater Bros. Supermarkets and other facilities.

The first Stater Bros. in Orange County opens in Costa Mesa, California.

Stater Bros. relocates its corporate offices and warehouse to Barton Road in Colton, California. This complex continues to grow to meet the needs of the expanding chain.

Stater Bros. opens a Checker Training Center at the Colton offices, which was the first of its kind in the Southern California Supermarket Industry.

Stater Bros. is purchased by Long Beach-based Petrolane Incorporated.

By the end of this decade, Stater Bros. is operating 35 locations and employs over 2,000.

Stater Bros. enters the computer age with the introduction of an automated accounting system.

Scanning is first introduced to Stater Bros. customers.

By the end of this decade, Stater Bros. is operating 82 stores and employs over 5,000.

This is the largest calendar year of growth to date in the history of Stater Bros., with ten supermarket openings during the 12-month period.

Jack H. Brown joins Stater Bros. as President and Chief Executive Officer.

A Bread Distribution Facility is put into operation at the Colton, California complex.

Stater Bros. launches its first television advertising campaign in September of this year.

Petrolane Incorporated sells Stater Bros. to a private investment group and La Cadena Investments, headed by Jack Brown.

Stater Bros. goes public with a stock offering.

A four-month battle for control of Stater Bros. is concluded with La Cadena Investments winning on all issues, and Jack Brown is elected Chairman of the Board.

Stater Bros. becomes a private company.

Stater Bros. institutes a “Family” Service Award Program to recognize employees who have reached milestones in their careers.

Stater Bros. opens its 100th Supermarket in Redlands, California.

Stater Bros. reaches a sales volume in excess of $1 billion.

By the end of this decade, Stater Bros. is operating 101 stores and employs over 7,000.

The Training Center was dedicated and named the “Gerry Pollock Training Center” in honor of Geraldine Pollock, the Training Center Coordinator. At the time of the dedication, Gerry had taught over 10,000 Stater Bros. checkers during 20 years of service.

La Cadena Investments, headed by Jack Brown, becomes sole stockholder of Stater Bros.

Stater Bros. introduces a Service Seafood Department as part of its standard store layout at the opening of the new Stater Bros. Supermarket in Laguna Woods, California.

Stater Bros. first appears on the internet.

Stater Bros. acquires 43 additional Supermarket locations, which includes 33 former Albertsons supermarkets and 10 former Lucky supermarkets. Ten of the new locations are in San Diego County, giving Stater Bros. its first presence in this county. Several of these locations included pharmacies, which were all initially closed. With the space already available, a private company reopened many of these pharmacies over the next few years.

By the end of this decade, Stater Bros. is operating 155 Supermarkets and employs over 14,000.

Stater Bros. is named “Supermarket Retailer of the Year” by Progressive Grocer, a business publication.

Stater Bros. announces plans to build and relocate its entire General Offices and Distribution Center facilities to a 200-acre site that is part of the former Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, California.

For the second time in this decade, Stater Bros. is named “Supermarket Retailer of the Year” by Grocery Headquarters magazine.

Stater Bros. makes the “Fortune 500” list for the first time, as No. 493.

Stater Bros. becomes owner of all the Stater Bros. pharmacies, under the banner of Stater Bros. Super Rx Pharmacy.

Stater Bros. officially opens its new 2.3 million square-foot Corporate Offices and Norton Distribution Center in San Bernardino, California.

The new 1.2 million square-foot Stater Bros. Dry Distribution Center begins operation in February.

The new 700,000 square-foot Stater Bros. Refrigerated Distribution Center begins operation in September. This facility includes multiple temperature zones ranging from 55° F to -20° F.

The 17,000 square-foot Stater Bros. Human Resources Building opens in November.

Stater Bros. Charities, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is established.

Stater Bros. introduces a “Green Waste” composting program in all Supermarket locations.

The 155,000 square-foot Stater Bros. Support Services Building opens in October and completes the move to the new San Bernardino campus.

By the close of this decade, Stater Bros. is operating 167 Supermarkets and employs over 18,000.

Stater Bros. receives “2010 Community Service Award” from America’s Supermarket Industry for exceptional leadership and involvement in the community.

Stater Bros. is recognized by the State of California as a 2010 WRAP (Waste Reduction Awards Program) Winner for eliminating more than 150 million pounds of waste from landfills each year.

Stater Bros. begins its year-long 75th Anniversary Celebration. Stater Bros. is the largest privately-owned Supermarket Chain in Southern California and the largest private employer in both San Bernardino County and Riverside County.

Stater Bros. Supermarkets is rated the best place to shop for groceries in Southern California by a Leading National Consumer Magazine.