Nash Finch Company
Former American food wholesaler and supermarket operator that merged with Spartan Stores in 2013 to create SpartanNash.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Nash Finch Company was an American food-distribution and retail enterprise whose roots extended to 1885, when Fred Nash opened a small candy and tobacco shop in Devils Lake, Dakota Territory. The business expanded through the involvement of Nash's brothers, Edgar and Willis, and later Harry Finch, who joined the operation in the late nineteenth century. The Nash and Finch businesses developed from local shops and produce activities into a network of wholesale distribution companies serving grocers and other retail customers. The company became formally associated with the Nash Finch name in 1921. Its activities combined wholesale food distribution with direct retailing. Distribution was the larger strategic business: Nash Finch supplied independent supermarkets, corporate grocery chains, military commissaries, military exchanges, and other retail formats. Its service territory eventually covered 36 states and the District of Columbia, as well as selected overseas and U.S.-associated markets including Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Azores, and Egypt. The company provided merchandise and support services for conventional supermarkets, multicultural stores, extreme-value outlets, and military retail systems. Nash Finch also operated or supplied a broad portfolio of store banners. These included Avanza Supermarket, a Hispanic-oriented format; Family Fresh Market, which emphasized organic and natural foods; Econofoods, Family Thrift Center, No Frills Supermarkets, Bag 'N Save, Warehouse Market, SunMart Foods, Piggly Wiggly, Wholesale Food Outlet, and several regional banners. Its private-label program, Our Family, originated in the 1930s and continued after the company became part of SpartanNash. Private-label products, wholesale scale, and distribution services helped Nash Finch compete for independent retailers that lacked the purchasing and logistics capabilities of the largest national chains. The company changed ownership and corporate form several times. In 1976, employees of C.H. Robinson acquired Nash Finch, making it employee-owned. Nash Finch returned to the public markets in 1983, when its shares began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol NAFC. It expanded geographically and operationally through acquisitions and new formats, including M.H. McLean in 1984, Avanza in 2002, Family Fresh Market in 2008, military distribution centers in 2009, and the No Frills and Bag 'N Save chains in 2012. By the early 2010s, the company remained a major U.S. food wholesaler but faced financial pressure. It reported a loss of approximately $93 million by the end of 2012. On July 22, 2013, Spartan Stores announced a stock-based acquisition of Nash Finch valued at approximately $1.3 billion. The transaction closed on November 19, 2013, creating SpartanNash Company. Nash Finch shareholders received 1.2 shares of Spartan Stores stock for each Nash Finch share, and Nash Finch ceased to exist as an independent publicly traded company. Its distribution capabilities, store banners, and Our Family private-label heritage were incorporated into the combined business.
History
Nash Finch's origins date to 1885, when Fred Nash established a candy and tobacco shop in Devils Lake, in the Dakota Territory. Fred later opened another store with his brothers Edgar and Willis in Grand Forks, North Dakota. During the late 1880s, the brothers expanded into fruit distribution. Harry Finch joined the business in 1899 as a lemon sorter, eventually becoming an important partner in the company's development. The enterprise expanded through acquisitions and additional wholesale operations. The Nash brothers acquired a wholesale distributor in Minot, North Dakota, in 1904, while Finch acquired a Grand Forks warehouse. Further expansion continued through 1912. The business also became connected with C.H. Robinson, a produce brokerage company that later acquired the enterprise. In 1919, operations moved to Minneapolis, establishing the Minnesota base that would later be associated with the company. By 1921, the Nash interests and Finch's companies had been consolidated into Nash Finch Company. The business had expanded beyond local retailing into a substantial distribution network, with operations extending into Texas and California and ownership interests in numerous companies. In 1922, Nash Finch began selling Nash's Toasted Coffee and other branded products through its stores. Harry Finch became president in 1926. During the 1930s, the company introduced the Our Family private label, which became one of its enduring commercial assets and was retained by SpartanNash after the merger. Nash Finch broadened its customer base during the 1950s. In addition to independent neighborhood grocers, it began serving larger corporate-owned chains. The company purchased a 17-store supermarket chain in 1954 and opened Warehouse Market, a warehouse-style grocery format, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in 1964. These moves reflected a strategy that combined wholesale scale with direct experimentation in retail formats. In 1976, employees of C.H. Robinson acquired Nash Finch, resulting in employee ownership. The company returned to public ownership in 1983, becoming a Nasdaq-listed company under ticker NAFC. It continued geographic expansion, including the 1984 acquisition of North Carolina-based M.H. McLean, which strengthened its presence in the southeastern United States. The company developed specialized formats in the 2000s. Avanza, a Hispanic-themed grocery concept, opened in 2002. Family Fresh Market followed in 2008 with an emphasis on organic foods. Nash Finch's military business expanded in 2009 through the acquisition of three distribution centers. In 2012, the company acquired No Frills Supermarkets and Bag 'N Save, adding 18 and 12 stores respectively. Nash Finch's final period as an independent company was financially difficult. The company recorded a loss of roughly $93 million by the end of 2012. On July 22, 2013, Spartan Stores announced a proposed merger with Nash Finch. The transaction was structured as a stock swap valued at about $1.3 billion. Each Nash Finch share was to be converted into 1.2 shares of Spartan Stores, with Spartan shareholders expected to own 57.7 percent of the combined company and Nash Finch shareholders 42.3 percent of approximately 38 million outstanding shares. The companies completed the transaction on November 19, 2013, forming SpartanNash Company. Nash Finch consequently became a historical corporate name rather than an independent operating company.
- 2013
Merger creates SpartanNash
[1]Nash Finch merged with Spartan Stores on November 19, ending its independent corporate existence.
- 2008
Family Fresh Market launches
[1]The company introduced Family Fresh Market, a grocery format emphasizing organic foods.
- 2002
Avanza format launches
[1]Nash Finch opened Avanza, a Hispanic-themed grocery store concept.
- 1983
Nash Finch becomes publicly traded
[1]The company returned to the public markets and listed on Nasdaq under the symbol NAFC.
- 1976
Employee ownership begins
[1]Employees of C.H. Robinson acquired Nash Finch, making it an employee-owned company.
- 1964
Warehouse Market opens
[1]Nash Finch opened a warehouse-style grocery store in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
- 1954
Expansion into supermarket operation
[1]The company purchased a 17-store supermarket chain, expanding its direct retail presence.
- 1930
Our Family private label introduced
[1]Nash Finch launched the Our Family store brand, which later remained part of the SpartanNash portfolio.
- 1921
Nash Finch Company is incorporated
[1]The Nash and Finch businesses were consolidated under the Nash Finch Company name.
- 1919
Operations move to Minneapolis
[1]The company relocated its base to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Products and positioning
A broad-line grocery wholesaler and regional supermarket operator serving independent retailers, military customers, and value-oriented and multicultural grocery formats.
Private-label grocery brand · 1930
Our Family
Our Family was Nash Finch's principal store-brand program, introduced during the 1930s. It covered packaged grocery and household food products sold through the company's retail and wholesale network. The label represented Nash Finch's effort to offer a controlled assortment and value proposition to independent grocers and company-operated stores. Following the 2013 merger, the brand continued under SpartanNash.
Multicultural supermarket format · 2002
Avanza Supermarket
Avanza was a Hispanic-themed grocery format introduced by Nash Finch in 2002. It was part of the company's effort to serve specific local and demographic markets through differentiated supermarket concepts rather than relying solely on a conventional grocery model.
Supermarket format · 2008
Family Fresh Market
Family Fresh Market was introduced in 2008 as a store concept with an emphasis on organic foods. The format formed part of Nash Finch's effort to address changing consumer preferences while maintaining a regional supermarket presence.
Value supermarket chain
No Frills Supermarkets
No Frills Supermarkets was one of the regional chains acquired by Nash Finch in 2012. The chain operated 18 stores at the time of the acquisition and expanded Nash Finch's exposure to value-oriented grocery retailing.
Value supermarket chain
Bag 'N Save
Bag 'N Save was acquired by Nash Finch in 2012. It operated 12 stores and complemented the company's portfolio of discount and value-focused grocery formats.
Brand decisions
2013
Merge with Spartan StoresM&ABackground
Nash Finch remained a large food distributor but had reported a loss of approximately $93 million by the end of 2012. Spartan Stores proposed combining the two businesses to create a larger grocery distribution and retail company.
Action taken
The companies agreed to a stock-swap transaction valued at approximately $1.3 billion. Each Nash Finch share was to be converted into 1.2 Spartan Stores shares. The transaction closed on November 19, 2013, creating SpartanNash Company.
Aftermath
Nash Finch ceased operating as an independent public company. Spartan shareholders held 57.7 percent of the combined company, while Nash Finch shareholders held 42.3 percent of approximately 38 million outstanding shares. Estimated integration and transaction-closing costs were approximately $17 million to $18 million for the relevant quarter.
Transaction value. $1.3 billion announced stock-swap value (2013)
Sources1 sources
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