Who Owns Whole Foods Before Amazon?

Whole Foods Market has been providing organic, natural, and specialty foods to its customers since 1978. The company has grown from a small Austin, Texas-based natural grocery store to become the largest natural and organic foods supermarket chain in the United States.

Whole Foods Market was founded by John Mackey and Renee Lawson Hardy. Since its inception, Whole Foods Market has been committed to providing its customers with the highest quality of foods and services.

In 2017, Whole Foods Market was acquired by Amazon for $13.7 billion. This acquisition marked a major shift in the grocery industry, as it was the first time an online retailer had purchased a brick-and-mortar store. Prior to Amazon’s acquisition of the company, Whole Foods Market operated as an independent business owned by private equity investors including The Yucaipa Companies, Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., and MSD Capital.

The Yucaipa Companies

The Yucaipa Companies is a private equity firm founded by billionaire investor Ron Burkle in 1986. Yucaipa invested in Whole Foods Markets in 1992 and became majority owner of the company after acquiring additional shares in 2003.

Leonard Green & Partners

Leonard Green & Partners is a private equity firm founded in 1989 that specializes in leveraged buyouts and growth capital investments across various industries. The firm became an investor in Whole Foods Markets when it acquired part of The Yucaipa Companies’ stake in 2007.

MSD Capital

MSD Capital is an investment firm founded by Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell and his wife Susan Dell that focuses on long-term investments across various industries including real estate, venture capital, natural resources, energy, financial services, technology and media. MSD Capital invested in Whole Food Markets when it acquired part of The Yucaipa Companies’ stake.

Prior to its acquisition by Amazon in 2017, Whole Food Markets was owned by three different private equity firms: The Yucaipa Companies; Leonard Green & Partners; and MSD Capital.

Conclusion

In conclusion , before being acquired by Amazon in 2017 ,Whole Food Markets was owned by three different private equity firms: The Yucaipa Companies; Leonard Green & Partners; and MSD Capital.