If you’ve ever pushed a cart through the wide, clean aisles of a Market Street or grabbed a quick snack at a United Express, you probably felt that local, West Texas vibe. It’s intentional. The red and black logos, the "Ultimate Service" slogans, and the deep roots in Lubbock make it feel like a family-run operation. But if you’re standing in line wondering who owns United Supermarkets, the answer is a lot more "corporate giant" than "mom-and-pop shop."
Honestly, it’s a bit of a corporate lasagna. Layers upon layers.
The Short Answer: Who Owns United Supermarkets Today?
Right now, United Supermarkets is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albertsons Companies, Inc. That’s the big takeaway. If you want to get technical, they operate as a distinct division known as The United Family. This division isn't just the United stores you see in Amarillo or Wichita Falls; it’s a massive umbrella that covers five different banners:
- United Supermarkets
- Market Street
- Amigos
- Albertsons Market (those New Mexico stores that look like Uniteds but have the big parent name)
- United Express
Basically, while the name on the front of the building says United, the paychecks and the high-level strategy come from Boise, Idaho—the headquarters of Albertsons.
The $385 Million Handshake
The shift from family-owned to corporate-owned didn't happen overnight. For nearly a century, the Snell family ran the show. H.D. Snell opened the first "United Cash Store" way back in 1916 in Sayre, Oklahoma. Eventually, the family moved the base to Lubbock and turned it into a regional powerhouse.
Then came 2013.
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It was a massive year for the grocery industry. In September of that year, the Snell family reached a deal to sell the company to Albertsons LLC. By the time the ink dried in early 2014, Albertsons had shelled out roughly $385 million to take the reins.
Why sell? Success often leads to a crossroads. United had grown so big—nearly 50 stores at the time—that it needed the massive logistics and buying power of a national player to keep prices competitive against monsters like Walmart.
The Kroger Merger That Never Was
If you’ve been following the news lately, you might be confused about whether Kroger owns them now. You aren't alone. In 2022, Kroger announced a blockbuster $24.6 billion plan to buy Albertsons. Had that gone through, United Supermarkets would have officially become a Kroger property.
But the government had other ideas.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several state attorneys general (including those in New Mexico, where United has a heavy presence) sued to block the deal. They argued it would kill competition and drive up prices. After years of legal bickering, the merger officially collapsed in late 2024.
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So, as of early 2026, United Supermarkets remains firmly under the Albertsons banner. They are currently focused on their own internal restructuring rather than joining forces with Kroger. In fact, you might have seen headlines about layoffs at the Lubbock headquarters recently. About 126 positions were cut as the company moves toward new automated operating systems—a classic move for a parent company trying to find $1.5 billion in savings.
Is the "Family" Still There?
It’s a fair question. When a giant buys a local favorite, things usually change.
Albertsons has been surprisingly hands-off with the "United" brand identity, though. They recognized that people in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico are fiercely loyal to the United name. This is why you still see the "The United Family" branding. They kept the regional leadership in Lubbock for a long time to maintain that "Ultimate Service" culture.
However, the "Albertsons Market" stores are a weird middle ground. When the merger happened, Albertsons took their existing stores in places like Carlsbad and Clovis and handed the keys to the United management team. They rebranded them to look like United stores but kept the "Albertsons" name on the sign to avoid confusing people. It's a weird hybrid, but it works for them.
What about the Oklahoma stores?
Here is a fun bit of trivia that trips people up: The United Supermarkets in Oklahoma are NOT the same company. Seriously. If you’re in Altus or Frederick, Oklahoma, and walk into a United, you’re in a store owned by Homeland, which is part of HAC, Inc. The Snell family sold the Oklahoma stores decades ago, and the two companies have nothing to do with each other now. So, while Albertsons owns the Texas/New Mexico "United," a completely different group owns the Oklahoma version.
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What This Means for Your Grocery Bill
Knowing who owns the store is more than just trivia; it affects your wallet. Because United is part of the Albertsons empire, you get access to their "Own Brands" like Signature Select, O Organics, and Lucerne. These are produced at a massive scale, which keeps the price lower than the big national name brands.
On the flip side, being part of a publicly traded company (Albertsons trades under the ticker ACI) means the stores are under constant pressure to perform for Wall Street. This is why we are seeing more self-checkout lanes, more "United Express" convenience stores, and the recent push toward digital coupons through their app.
Actionable Takeaways for United Shoppers
If you want to make the most of the Albertsons-United connection, here is how you play it:
- Use the "United" App, not just the card: The digital coupons are often better than the "in-store" specials. Since they share a backend with Albertsons, the app technology is actually pretty robust now.
- Watch the "Albertsons Market" transition: If you live in New Mexico, keep an eye on your local store's branding. As Albertsons continues to streamline, we may see even more integration of the United "Market Street" concepts into traditional Albertsons locations.
- Check for "Signature Select" Deals: This is the Albertsons house brand. It’s almost always identical to the name brand but usually 20-30% cheaper.
- Leverage Fuel Rewards: The United Express/Albertsons fuel partnership is one of the best perks of this ownership. You can earn points at the grocery store and burn them at the pump, which is a lifesaver when gas prices spike.
The bottom line? The Snell family legacy is still the heart of the company, but the brain and the checkbook belong to Albertsons.