Whole
Foods
National chain of
organic supermarkets.
Headquarters:
550 Bowie Street
Austin, TX 78703
Employees: 95,000
CEO: John Mackey
Subsidiary of Amazon
Website:
http://www.wholefoods.com
Career Site
Whole Foods is the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket. The chain has 499 stores in 42 U.S. states, Canada and the United Kingdom. It is owned by Amazon, which acquired the chain in 2017.
The average Whole Foods store has 38,000 square feet and is known for huge selections of fresh produce, meats, seafoods and prepared meals. The company focuses on selling the highest quality foods available with over 2,600 natural and organic products under the Whole Foods Market, 365 Everyday Value and Whole Catch brands.
Shopping at Whole Foods isn't cheap and some have jokingly called the store "Whole Paycheck."
Whole Foods offers discounts on products for Amazon Prime members and also free two-hour delivery to Prime members in certain cities.
Whole Foods had launched a new low-price chain called 365 in 2016 but these stores are being converted to the Whole Foods brand and no new stores will open.
History
Whole Foods Market was founded in Austin,
TX, when three local businessmen decided the natural foods industry
was ready for a supermarket format. The company founders were
John Mackey and Renee Lawson Hardy, owners of Safer Way Natural
Foods, and Craig Weller and Mark Skiles, owners of Clarksville
Natural Grocery. The original Whole Foods Market opened in 1980
with a staff of only 19 people. It was an immediate success.
At the time, there were less than half a dozen natural food supermarkets
in the United States.
The company would go public in 1992.
Whole Foods acquired Wild Oats, a chain
of organic markets, for $565 million in August 2007. Wild Oats
was the company's main competitor operating under four store
names: Wild Oats Marketplace (nationwide), Henry's Farmers Market
(Southern California), Sun Harvest (Texas), and Capers Community
Market (British Columbia).
Whole Foods acquires seven Dominick's stores in the Chicago area in 2014.
Amazon acquired Whole Foods in August 28, 2017 for $13.2 billion.
Benefits
Medical Care Benefits
Available after 400 Service Hours and passing of probationary
period.
Whole Foods Market Enhanced PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
Plan
- Administered by United Health Care.
- No cost to Team Members, after reaching 800 service hours (cost
for additional family coverage).
- Affordable/comprehensive medical and Rx coverage that includes
an average 80/20 in-network option, a deductible, and a Personal
Wellness Account (Health Reimbursement Account).
- Domestic Partner Coverage available.
Personal Wellness Account (Health Care Spending Account)
This account will help the costs of allowable health care expenses
not covered under other plans, including deductibles, co-pays,
and coverage limitations.
- Up to $1,800 annually, based upon years of service.
- Immediate access via a debit card.
Dental Plan
Caring for your teeth is an important part of good health.
Whole Foods Market offers several options for dental coverage.
- Options include DMO, Basic, and Premium Plans.
Vision Plan
Routine eye exams, affordable eyeglasses, and contact lenses
are another part of the health care picture. Whole Foods Market
offers the Vision Service Plan (VSP) to make it easier for you
to get the eye care you need.
- Affordable co-pay plan.
Retirement
401K
Saving for your future is an important part of being a Whole
Foods Team member. All Team Members are eligible after 1000 service
hours and one year of employment.
- Must be 21 and older to participate.
- Team members can defer a percentage of their gross compensation
up to IRS limits.
- Company match to contributions.
Insurance
Life Insurance
To prepare yourself to take care of those who would be left behind
if something happens to you, Whole Foods Market offers different
levels of Life Insurance coverage.
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance is automatically
included if you choose life insurance.
Disability
Will replace a certain percentage of your basic weekly earnings
in the event that you are unable to work, become injured, or
disabled.
- Both short-term and long-term disability offered.
Pre-tax Reimbursement Account
Health Care Spending Account
With this account, you can contribute pre-tax funds from your
paycheck to pay for anticipated, eligible out-of-pocket health
care expenses.
- Available to Team Members and eligible family members.
- Immediate use of funds through a debit card.
Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA)
With this account, you can set aside pre-tax funds to pay for
anticipated day care expenses incurred while you are at work
Whole Foods Discount
20% store discount:
For all purchases made at Whole Foods Market.
- Available on the first day of employment.
- Spouse/partner coverage after probationary period is met.
Pay Programs
Pay for Experience and Performance
- Beginning pay based upon related experience.
- Gainsharing, which averaged an extra .60 per hour last year
for Team Members.
- Team Members are eligible for a Performance Review at 30-45
days, at 6 months of service, and annually thereafter.
- WFM targeted average annual pay increase has been averaging
5% for the past several years (1% higher than the national average).
- Wage structures and "Caps" are reviewed annually.
Paid Time Off
- Paid time off hours can be used
for vacations, holidays, sick and personal days.
- Paid time off hours are earned after passing of a probationary
period, and at specified intervals thereafter.
- Unused benefit hours can roll over year to year and never expire.
Banking
Direct Deposit
- Available from date of employment.
Credit Union
- FAA Eastern Region Federal Credit Union Membership is available
to all Team Members and their families.
- Checking and Savings Accounts, Auto Loans, Home Mortgages,
ATM & Credit Cards, and Web Banking.
- Lifetime membership.
Becoming a Whole Foods Market Stockholder
Stock Purchase Plan
- Full-time Team Members can buy stock through payroll deduction.
- Stock can be purchased at 85% of the market value in the restricted
stock plan, 100% of the market value in the unrestricted stock
plan, or both.
Incentive Stock Option Plan
- Team Members generally receive an option of 200 stock options
for every 6,000 service hours worked.
- Annual Grants are also given to those that hold Team Leader
positions.
Updated December 13, 2019
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