Sedano's
Sedano's Supermarket is the largest Hispanic-owned supermarket chain in the United States. It was founded by Rene Sedano in Hialeah, Florida, a Miami suburb, in 1961. The very first Sedano's Supermarket was a 4,000-square-foot (370 m2) store in Hialeah, Florida. Rene Sedano sold the store to Armando Guerra, Sr. because he wanted to return to Cuba. Armando Guerra, Sr. kept the name "Sedano's" and built more supermarkets and later added discount pharmacy stores.
Armando Guerra was a successful businessman in Cuba. During and after the Castro revolution of which culminated in 1959, Guerra had made several investments in the United States including the purchase of the existing Sedano's store in Hialeah, Florida in 1962. In 1971, Guerra brought his son-in-law Manuel Herrán into the small business to help in the daily operations.
Armando Guerra, Sr. died in 1979 and Manuel Herrán took over the reins of the retail grocery company. Herrán led the successful expansion of the chain by bringing in several of his brothers and other relatives into the business. By compensating store managers based primarily on the profitability of the store and by allowing key managers to invest in the business, Herrán was able to attract and retain motivated partners. Armando Guerra, Sr.'s son, Armando Guerra, Jr. became President of Sedano's Pharmacy.
The chain has grown to include more than 30 supermarkets in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange and Osceola counties in Florida. Sedano's has become the largest member of Associated Grocers of Florida, a wholesale grocery food cooperative. While Sedano's success has come primarily from serving their niche of the Hispanic market, they strive to attract all demographic markets. Manuel Herrán's son, Agustin Herrán, is the current President and CEO, and Manuel serves as Chairman of the Board.
Sedano's Pharmacy was sold to Navarro Discount Pharmacies in 2007. Sedano's Supermarkets has plans to open several new grocery stores in the current year, and has recently expanded into the metropolitan Orlando market, replacing the area's Albertsons Supermarket.
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