We've Grown From a Store, to So Much More
Proudly serving Texans since 1905.
Our Values
Service
At H-E-B, we believe grocery shopping is more than an errand. That’s why it’s our pledge to always go above and beyond. Here, we think like the customer.
Service
At H-E-B, we believe grocery shopping is more than an errand. That’s why it’s our pledge to always go above and beyond. Here, we think like the customer, not about the customer.
Heart
People matter. Here, people are at the heart of every decision made and everything we do – no store cares more.
Heart
People matter. Here, people are at the heart of every decision made and everything we do – no store cares more.
Drive
Competition drives us, but collaboration defines us. A shared spirit drives us to work together and build a company that doesn’t just meet the Customer’s needs, it exceeds them.
Drive
Competition drives us, but collaboration defines us. A shared spirit drives us to work together and build a company that doesn’t just meet the Customer’s needs, it exceeds them.
Innovation
We’re continuously searching for ways to serve our Partners, Customers, and Communities better and make their lives easier. Here, we are relentlessly dissatisfied with the present.
Innovation
We’re continuously searching for ways to serve our Partners, Customers, and Communities better and make their lives easier. Here, we are relentlessly dissatisfied with the present.
Commitment
Here, we don’t need an audience to act with integrity. Because we believe you don’t need permission to do the right thing.
Commitment
Here, we don’t need an audience to act with integrity. Because we believe you don’t need permission to do the right thing.
Our Award-Winning Team
2020
2021
2019
2020
2020
Giving Back to the Community is Our Way of Saying Thanks
We make it a priority to get involved and make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors.
Our Family of Brands
Mi Tienda
A trip to Mi Tienda offers an authentic Mexican grocery-shopping experience. Not only is it stocked with your favorite cuts of meat and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, an in-store tortillaria and bakery serves up fresh-made tortillas and pan dulces daily.
Joe V's Smart Shop
At Joe V’s Smart Shop, our customers know how to shop smart on a budget. The company prides itself on providing shoppers with the low cost healthy ingredients for family meals, without sacrificing quality
Central Market
Calling all Foodies! Our Central Market format is a food lover’s paradise. With aisles full of products and produce from all corners of the world, no truffle is left unturned. Our stores are staffed with experts – from classically trained chefs to sommeliers – and they come with everything you need to not just make dinner, but to make dinner amazing!
H-E-B
Your neighborhood H-E-B is our original and primary format and no two stores are alike. We offer Grocery, Bakery, Deli/Food Service, DrugStore, Produce, Floral, Meat, and Seafood departments. The products sold and the store layouts are tailored to the needs of the Customers in each community.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
By the Numbers
Our History
1905
The First Store
With her first husband in poor health and three small children, Florence Butt recognizes the need to support her family and opens the C.C. Butts Grocery store on November 26th, 1905 with her savings of $60.
1916
Delivery Methods
In 1916, the Model T Ford adds more “horsepower” to our transportation fleet, after Florence and Howard purchase one to make their deliveries even faster and more efficient.
1921
Cash and Carry
In 1921, Howard decides to end the credit delivery policy and change to a cash and carry system, renaming the business the C.C. Butt Cash and Carry.
1926
The Second Store: Del Rio
Eager for expansion after early disapointments, we would double in size when Howard E. Butt opens a second successful store in Del Rio in 1926.
1928
Move to Harlingen
In 1928, we move our company headquarters from Kerrville to Harlingen, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, marking our first major expansion.
At this time, we take the corporate name, The H.E. Butt Grocery Company, reflecting Howard’s impact on and vision for the business.
1930
25th Anniversary
In 1930, we celebrate 25 years in business. At this time, Howard E. Butt, Sr. is 35 years old and President.
We own 17 stores with annual sales exceeding the $2 million mark.
1931
Entry Into Corpus Christi
In 1931, we enter our largest city yet — Corpus Christi — with the purchase of three stores.
1933
Hurricane Destroys Harlingen Warehouse
In 1933, A major coastal hurricane strikes the Rio Grande Valley and it causes extensive damage throughout the Valley to homes and businesses.
Immediately after the storm passes, the Harlingen store re-opens for business, as it is the only store able to serve its patrons.
1934
The H.E. Butt Foundation/Spirit of Giving Begins
At this time, we formalize our Spirit of Giving by beginning to contribute five percent of the company’s pre-tax earnings to charitable causes.
1936
Harlingen Canning Company
In 1936, we move into manufacturing with the purchase of the Harlingen Canning Company.
It begins packaging “Texas grown, Texas packed goods,” processing Texas vegetables and citrus juices in the plant. Its first product for sale in stores is grapefruit juice.
We also open a bakery in Corpus Christi, Texas, to serve all stores.
1938
H-E-B Moves to Austin
In 1938, we break into Longhorn territory with the purchase of three stores in Austin.
1940
Headquarters Move to Corpus Christi
In 1940, we move our headquarters, including offices and warehouses, to Corpus Christi, Texas.
1942
H-E-B Enters San Antonio
In 1942, we open a store on Main Avenue in San Antonio, Texas — the first under the name “H-E-B.” We also install air-conditioning in stores and introduce frozen foods.
1949
First H-E-B Food/Drug Store
On September 27th, 1949, we begin the transition from grocery store to supermarket, with the opening of the first H-E-B Drug Store.
1955
50th Anniversary
In 1955, we celebrate our golden anniversary, 50 years, with 65 retail stores.
1961
H-E-B Purchases First Diesel Truck
In 1961, we purchase our first diesel truck, forty-five years after Florence and Howard Butt upgraded their transportation fleet from a horse and wagon to a Model T Ford.
1964
New Distribution Center in San Antonio
In 1964, we break ground on a new, six-acre distribution center in San Antonio that houses warehouses for Grocery, Produce, Frozen Foods, and more, a new San Antonio Bakery, a Transportation Terminal, and regional offices at the intersection of Loop 410 and Interstate 35.
1966
First H-E-B Truck Roadeo
On August 7th, 1966, H-E-B holds its first Truck Roadeo, allowing H-E-B drivers to show off their skills and safety records.
1971
Charles Becomes President
In 1971, Charles C. Butt succeeds his father, Howard E. Butt, Sr., and becomes President and Chief Executive Officer of H.E. Butt Grocery Company. We have 6,000 employees and $221 million in sales.
1975
70th Anniversary
In 1975, we celebrated our 70th anniversary with 130 stores and over 7,000 employees serving Customers.
1976
San Antonio Milk Plant
In 1976, we open a Milk Plant in San Antonio — the largest of its kind in Texas.
Thanks to the use of two 30,000 gallon silos located next to the center, the milk plant is one of the most modern milk-processing facilities in the world.
1978
San Antonio Meat Plant
On October 27th, 1978, the H-E-B Meat Plant opens in San Antonio as a central receiving, inspection, and processing distribution center for all 146 H-E-B stores.
1980
75th Anniversary & $1 Billion in Sales
In 1980, we reach $1 billion in sales during our 75th anniversary and have 11,000 employees.
1982
New Ice Cream and Photo Plants in San Antonio
In 1982, we open a modern photo processing plant in San Antonio.
1984
Food Bank Program
In 1984, we make a major commitment to feed the hungry.
Rather than simply discard or destroy salvageable, but unsalable products, we sort items and deliver them to food banks in our market areas. This is the start of the H-E-B Food Bank Assistance Program, which delivers millions of pounds of food each year to Texas food banks.
1985
Move to San Antonio
In 1982, we purchase 10 acres of historic property that was formerly the United States Arsenal of San Antonio for its new headquarters and spends three years remodeling and preserving the property, winning national design awards in the preservation process.
With the renovation complete, we move our headquarters into the Arsenal.
1987
New Flour/Tortilla Plant in Corpus Christi
In 1987, we open a plant to manufacture flour and corn tortillas in Corpus Christi.
1987
Video Central
In 1987, we open our first video rental center, H-E-B Video Central, in San Antonio.
1988
H-E-B Enters Houston with Pantry Foods
In 1988, we enter the Houston and northeast Texas markets with a new store format — H-E-B Pantry Foods.
Smaller than regular H-E-B Food/Drug stores, Pantry Foods stores feature four basic departments: Grocery, Health and Beauty, Meat, and Produce.
The first Pantry Foods opened in Columbus, Texas, with additional Pantry Foods stores opening in and around Houston and throughout northeast Texas into the 1990s.
1989
Feast of Sharing Dinners Begin
In 1989, we host two major new events to fight hunger and help the less fortunate at the holidays. From these two initial dinners, one of our most beloved community efforts, the annual Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinners, grows. The tradition continues to this day in cities and communities across Texas and Mexico.
1991
Low Prices Every Day
In the fall of 1991, thousands of Partners work overnight to lower 7,000 prices throughout the store as we introduce our “Low Prices Every Day” philosophy.
1991
H-E-B Goes West
In November 1991, we make our farthest moves west by entering West Texas with store openings in the cities of San Angelo and Abilene, followed by Big Spring in 1992.
1992
Own Brands
In the early 1990s, we launch a “branded products program” to streamline private-label brands into H-E-B brand and H-E-B economy brand products. The program promises that we will be the brand name and the quality of products carrying the H-E-B brand will always equal or exceed that of national brand products.
1994
Central Market Opens
On January 22nd, 1994, Central Market opens in Austin, Texas, on North Lamar. It features shelves of goods from all over the world, produce right from the farm, an ocean of seafood, a European bakery with crusty, rustic breads, delicate pastries and tarts, international meats and cheeses, a coffee mill, and a juice and ice cream bar.
1994
H-E-B Gasoline
In August 1994, we enter the gasoline market, opening an initial three stations at stores in New Braunfels, Victoria, and McAllen to make shopping even more convenient for Customers.
1997
H-E-B Mexico
On February 20, 1997, we expand into Mexico, opening our first store in Monterrey. H-E-B Mexico opens its headquarters, the H-E-B Obispado, in the historic Obispado, or “bishop’s residence,” sector of Monterrey.
1998
Eddie Garcia Mobile Kitchen
In 1998, we unveil the Eddie Garcia Mobile Kitchen, a unique, stand-alone food preparation facility designed to support our Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinners and disaster relief efforts.
2000
H-E-Buddy
2001
H-E-B Enters Houston with Food/Drug Stores
On December 7th, 2001, we open our first new large-format Food/Drug store in the Houston market at Fountainview and Westheimer.
2002
Excellence in Education
In 2002, we launch our “Excellence in Education Awards” in San Antonio in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Administrators as a positive way to support public education in Texas. The Excellence in Education Award Program is the largest monetary award program for educators in Texas, and one of the largest in the United States.
2003
Weslaco Terminal
In 2003, we open a new $4 million, 14,000 square foot Transportation Terminal in Weslaco, Texas.
2003
Retail Excellence Award, Supermarket News
In 2003, we receive the “Retail Excellence Award” from Supermarket News for our merchandising savvy, local marketing initiatives, superior Customer service, and strong community involvement.
2004
H-E-B Plus!
In 2004, we introduce the H-E-B plus! store format in San Juan, Texas. The San Juan H-E-B plus! is 109,000 square feet.
2005
Celebration 100
In 2005, we celebrate our 100th Anniversary all year, focusing on recognition for Partners, service to Communities, and special sales promotions for Customers.
On November 10th, 2004, the Flight to Fight Hunger kicks everything off. A Southwest Airlines plane featuring the H-E-B Celebration 100 logo and stuffed with food makes stops in Houston, Dallas, Austin, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, and San Antonio.
2006
Mi Tienda
On October 4th, 2006, we open Mi Tienda, a fresh, Central Market type of shopping experience for Latino Customers, in Houston.
2007
Weslaco Retail Support Center
In 2007, we open a 408,000 square foot dry grocery warehouse in Weslaco to serve 60 stores south of Corpus Christi and Laredo.
2008
Hurricane Ike
Hurricane Ike, the third most destructive hurricane to ever hit the United States, makes landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast on September 13th, as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 mph, affecting 69 stores.
Over 1,500 Partners from across the state head to Houston to help.
All 69 stores reopen within days of Ike and we launch a statewide campaign to raise donations for evacuees.
2008
Valued Partner Perks Card
In December 2008, we introduce the Valued Partner Perks Card, which offers our Partners 10 percent off all their Own Brand and H-E-B exclusive brand purchases.
2010
Joe V’s Smart Shop
On May 5th, 2010, the first Joe V’s Smart Shop opens in Houston, a small concept store offering discount prices on a narrow assortment of grocery items.
2010
Retailer of the Year
On October 6th, 2010, Progressive Grocer, a leading voice of the grocery industry, names us Retailer of the Year, the trade publication’s highest honor.
2012
Largest Store, SA #32
In April 2012, we open the new SA #32 plus! store in San Antonio. It is our largest store at 185,000 square feet featuring 32 aisles of food, general merchandise, and fun.
2012
Mia's Mirror
On November 2nd, 2012, we open our first Mia’s Mirror boutique store inside SA #45, designed to engage Customers in a fun, guilt-free shopping experience of fashion jewelry and accessories.
2013
Operation Appreciation
2013, we introduce Operation Appreciation, a campaign to honor Veterans, active-duty Service Members, and their Families. We recognize Partners who are Veterans and active-duty Service Members during store and work location ceremonies around Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
2013
Texas Business Hall of Fame
On November 13th, 2013, we become the first company to be inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. To thank Partners for their role in the success of the company, our leaders host a special induction ceremony Friday, November 15th, at the Arsenal to celebrate.
2014
#10 on Top 25 Companies for Culture and Values
On August 22nd, 2014, Glassdoor.com ranks us #10 on its Top 25 Companies for Culture and Values.
2015
#7 on Top 10 Places to Work in the U.S.
On December 10th, 2015, Glassdoor announces its seventh annual Employees’ Choice Awards, honoring the Best Places to Work across the U.S. For companies with 1,000 or more employees, we come in at number 7, with reviews citing our care for Partners as the main reason we are one of the best places to work.
2015
110th Anniversary
In 2015, we celebrate 110 years of serving Texans!
The #since1905 Tour tours from Kerrville to North Texas between March and July and features both a Customer Appreciation event and a Partner Family Fun Day
2015
Partner Stock Plan
To celebrate our 110th Anniversary, we announce that 55,000 Partners would become “Owners,” as part of the Partner Stock Plan – a plan to reward the hard work, dedication, and loyalty of our Partners.
2017
100,000 Strong
In 2017, we surpass 100,000 Partners across Texas and Mexico confirming our position as the largest privately-held employer in the state of Texas and one of the largest privately held retailers in the nation.
2017
Best Places To Work
In 2017, we were again recognized by Glassdoor as one of the best places to work. This honor was combined with the Best Retailer to Work For from Indeed, and Best Workplace for Women from Comparably.
2018
Best Places To Work
In 2018, we are again recognized by Glassdoor as one of the best places to work.
2018
H-E-B and Favor Join Forces
In February of 2018, H-E-B and Favor join forces accelerating our path to becoming a digital retail industry leader in Texas.
