Randall’s-Tom Thumb

Randalls-Tom Thumb is a well-established grocery retailer serving Texas, with stores operating as Randalls in Houston and Austin and as Tom Thumb in Dallas-Fort Worth. The company’s history dates back to 1966, when Robert Onstead founded Randalls in Houston. Tom Thumb began even earlier, in 1948, started by J.R. Bost and Robert Cullum in Dallas. Over the decades, both brands grew through a combination of acquisitions and organic expansion, eventually merging in 1992 to form a unified grocery presence across major Texas markets.

A significant milestone came in 2015, when Albertsons Companies acquired Randalls-Tom Thumb as part of its purchase of Safeway Inc. This move integrated the Texas chains into one of the nation’s largest food and drug retailers, giving them access to Albertsons’ capital resources and supply chain capabilities. As of November 2025, Randalls-Tom Thumb operates approximately 83 stores, with a strong footprint in Houston, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

In recent years, the company has focused on selective growth and modernization, targeting high-growth suburbs and urban infill locations. Store remodels and new openings have been prioritized, with several renovations and at least two new stores launched between 2024 and 2025. All real estate decisions are managed through Albertsons’ Southern Division, ensuring a coordinated approach to site selection and development.

Randalls-Tom Thumb continues to operate full-service grocery stores, offering amenities such as in-store pharmacies, fuel centers, and a digital shopping platform. The brand is recognized for its regional credibility and ability to adapt to changing consumer needs, making it a reliable anchor tenant for retail developments in Texas. The company does not franchise its stores, maintaining direct control over operations and brand standards.