Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee is a major employee-owned grocery retailer based in West Des Moines, Iowa, with deep roots in the Midwest. The company was founded in 1930 by Charles Hyde and David Vredenburg, who opened their first store in Beaconsfield, Iowa. Over the decades, Hy-Vee steadily expanded its reach, adopting its current name in 1952 and transitioning to employee ownership in 1960. These moves set the stage for a culture of local decision-making and long-term stability.

As of November 2025, Hy-Vee operates 285 stores across Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The company’s locations range from conventional supermarkets to large-format stores that incorporate pharmacies, health clinics, fuel stations, and in-store dining. In June 2023, Hy-Vee opened its largest store to date in Gretna, Nebraska, a project that demonstrates the company’s willingness to invest in innovative, high-traffic formats.

Over the past five years, Hy-Vee has accelerated its expansion, particularly in Nebraska and Wisconsin, while continuing to invest in new health-focused retail concepts and digital shopping platforms. The HealthMarket initiative and the presence of in-store dietitians reflect a broader strategy to integrate wellness services alongside traditional grocery offerings. Hy-Vee’s online ordering, curbside pickup, and delivery services have also grown, supporting both suburban and urban markets.

Hy-Vee stands out as one of the largest employee-owned companies in the United States, with approximately 75,000 employees and annual revenue estimated at $13 billion. The company does not franchise and remains privately held by its employees, which helps maintain consistency across its operations. Hy-Vee is actively seeking new sites in its priority growth markets, including Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Kansas, and is open to mixed-use and redevelopment opportunities.

For landlords, brokers, and developers, Hy-Vee’s established reputation, diverse store formats, and ongoing investment in new markets make it a reliable and adaptable anchor tenant. The company’s scale, financial strength, and commitment to evolving retail concepts position it as a key player in the Midwest grocery landscape.