WinCo Foods is a supermarket chain that was founded in Boise, Idaho by Ralph Ward and Bud Williams. The company was originally named Waremart.
In 1995 the company allowed its employees to purchase company stock through an employee stock ownership plan. Waremart employees have thus had a controlling interest in the company.
By 1991, Waremart was operating 16 stores throughout Idaho, California, and Oregon and had an annual revenue of $300 million.
In 1999 Waremart changed its name to WinCo, which stands for WINning COmpany.
In 2009 the company expanded to Washington, in 2009 to Utah, and in 2011 to Nevada and Arizona.
Today Winco has 89 stores, 14,200 employees and had $4.73 billion in revenue in 2011.
