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Whole Foods has developed a reputation for being a clean-eating grocery store, and today, many consumers don't have to travel too far to find a location. It prides itself on offering the freshest, often locally-sourced foods. The chain got its start in Austin, Texas when, per the company's website, four people came together to take the natural foods industry and grow it into a big-time grocery store format.
The first Whole Foods Market opened up in 1980 after two grocery stores merged into one to create the first Whole Foods. By 1984, the business was ready to expand, and stores were opened in other Texas locations, including Dallas and Houston. From there, the expansion only continued, eventually growing into various states.
Whole Foods set itself apart from other stores by offering natural foods during a time when processed food was so easy to obtain. It gave consumers an alternative to traditional grocery store shelves.
Whole Foods isn't worldwide
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As its expansion grew, Whole Foods began to open other natural foods stores throughout the country. It purchased smaller chains in places such as North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Northern California.
According to Insider, as of 2018, there were more than 470 Whole Foods locations. However, while the company has expanded internationally, it hasn't grown worldwide in the way that some might have expected. The company, which is now owned by Amazon, only operates in three countries: the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods' website reveals that it expanded into Canada in 2002 and the United Kingdom in 2004. It's been nearly 20 years since the brand opened a location in a new country.
Amazon purchased Whole Foods in 2017, and it's unclear if they have plans to expand to an even more global market. For now, North America boasts the majority of Whole Foods locations.
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