Minyard Gets New Management

ELLIOT ZWIEBACH

KELLER, Texas — Minyard Food Stores here will focus on growing sales within its existing footprint, the company told SN last week after it named Ron McDearmon as the company's new president and chief operating officer.

McDearmon took over management of the 18-store chain earlier this month following the resignation of Mike Byars, who joined Minyard in 2005 as part of the investment group that acquired the company in 2004. At that time, Minyard, operated by its founding family, was a 70-store operation.

The company said Byars' departure had been planned since last summer, when Minyard sold 37 stores to Grocers Supply Co., Houston, citing the “tough economic and retail environment.”

Minyard has no plans to sell the remaining chain “at this time,” the company said in the statement.

McDearmon has been with Minyard for 44 years, serving most recently as senior vice president, distribution and strategic product logistics.

In the statement, the company said it is committed to the Dallas-Fort Worth marketplace, and plans to focus on improving customer satisfaction, growing same-store sales and expanding margins.

“The team will re-create the success of the family-owned legacy of Minyard Food Stores,” the company said. “With a smaller chain, our leadership team is able to spend most of its time in the stores with our front-line associates.”