LUBBOCK, Texas – United Supermarkets was recognized yesterday as “Texas Family Business of the Year” by the Institute for Family Business at Baylor University. The award was won in the large business category

United was selected for its ownership family’s demonstration of commitment to each other and business continuity, as well as its responsiveness to the needs of United team members, local communities and supporting industries.

“At United we have always tried to adhere to my great-grandfather’s philosophy of ultimate service, community involvement and treating our team members as family. So it’s a great honor to be recognized by an organization that values those qualities as much as we do,” said Gantt Bumstead, co-president of United Supermarkets, and great-grandson of company founder H.D. Snell.

United Supermarkets has remained in the Snell family business since its beginning in 1916 in Sayre, Okla., and is now in its fourth generation of ownership. The company was among 20 award-winning businesses from South, Central and North Texas to be honored at the banquet.

“Starting, owning and operating a family business is the foundation of the American dream,” said J. David Allen, director of the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship at Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business. “It is our privilege to honor the dedicated, hard-working risk-takers in the state of Texas who contribute so much to our economic and social well being.”

United is noted for offering its team members financial assistance for higher education through its popular College Savings Plan, as well as its charitable activities in all 30 markets it serves.

The company’s annual Jacky Pierce Charity Classic golf tournament this year raised more than $150,000 for the 14 United Way organizations serving the United’s trade area. In 2003, SN awarded United its first community service award.

The retailer currently operates 50 stores under three distinct formats: United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos United.

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