Quality Food Centers
An American supermarket chain serving communities in western Washington and northwestern Oregon as a Kroger subsidiary.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
QFC, short for Quality Food Centers, is an American supermarket chain headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, on the east side of the Seattle metropolitan area. The brand operates primarily in western Washington and northwestern Oregon, with a concentration in the Puget Sound and Portland–Vancouver metropolitan regions. The chain is part of The Kroger Co. and is known for operating neighborhood supermarkets with a comparatively upscale assortment, including fresh food, prepared meals, bakery products, organic goods, and conventional grocery staples. The business traces its origins to the mid-1950s. Vern Fortin, a former executive associated with Van de Kamp's Holland Dutch Bakeries and the founder of Vernell's Fine Candies, led the group that opened the first QFC store in 1955 at 6600 Roosevelt Way N.E. in Seattle. The QFC name was adopted in 1963. Around the same period, Jack Croco, who had worked for Albertsons and helped establish that company's early Seattle-area presence, operated a Bellevue grocery store known as Lake Hills Thriftway. Croco merged his operation with QFC in 1960 and remained connected with the company for many years. QFC developed from a local supermarket operator into a regional chain through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. During the 1970s it gained stores after A&P withdrew from the Seattle market. In the 1990s it acquired or absorbed stores associated with Olson's Food Stores, Johnny's Food Centers, Stock Market Grocery Stores, Thriftway operators, Reed's Super Valu, and other independent chains. These transactions extended the chain across additional western Washington counties and helped establish a presence in the Portland metropolitan area. QFC also briefly expanded into Southern California through the acquisition of Hughes Family Markets, although many of those stores were later sold or transferred to other operators. Under Stuart Sloan's leadership in the 1980s, QFC emphasized a more premium supermarket identity and broadened its higher-end product selection. The company went public in 1987. In 1996, Christopher A. Sinclair became chief executive. QFC purchased the Uddenberg grocery business in 1997, adding stores operating under the Thriftway and Stock Market names. Later that year, Portland-based Fred Meyer acquired QFC. Kroger announced its agreement to acquire Fred Meyer in 1998, bringing QFC into the Kroger family after the transaction received regulatory approval the following year. QFC continues to operate as a regional Kroger banner rather than as a separately listed public company. Its stores generally combine full-service supermarket departments with fresh produce, meat and seafood, dairy, bakery, deli, prepared foods, packaged groceries, beverages, household products, and selected premium and organic lines. Store formats vary by neighborhood and site. A prominent large-format location opened in downtown Kirkland in 2019. The original Roosevelt Way store in Seattle closed in 2012 to make way for construction associated with the Roosevelt light rail station. A proposed 2018 rebrand using the name “the Q” was ultimately not adopted. QFC has also been involved in community giving and labor-relations issues. Former owner and chairman Stuart Sloan pledged substantial annual support for the modernization of Seattle Public Schools' T.T. Minor Elementary School during the 1990s, although the administration of the funding generated controversy. Most QFC employees are represented by UFCW Local 3000. In 2023, a National Labor Relations Board judge found that Kroger managers' prohibition on employees wearing Black Lives Matter buttons, following union distribution of the buttons in 2020, violated federal labor law. In 2022, Kroger proposed acquiring Albertsons, a transaction that included a plan to divest many QFC locations to preserve competition. The Federal Trade Commission rejected the proposed merger in 2024, leaving QFC within Kroger's existing portfolio.
History
QFC's history began in Seattle-area grocery retail during the 1950s. A group led by Vern Fortin opened the first store associated with the chain in 1955 at 6600 Roosevelt Way N.E. in Seattle. The business adopted the Quality Food Centers name, commonly shortened to QFC, in 1963. Jack Croco was another important early figure. After working for Albertsons and helping open its first Seattle-area stores, Croco operated Lake Hills Thriftway in Bellevue. That store merged with QFC in 1960, linking Croco's Bellevue operation to the developing chain. Croco remained involved until his death in 1991. QFC expanded beyond its initial stores through both acquisitions and market development. When A&P withdrew from the Seattle region in 1974, QFC took over several locations. In the 1990s it acquired stores from a number of independent operators, including Olson's Food Stores, Johnny's Food Centers, Stock Market Grocery Stores, several Thriftway businesses, and Reed's Super Valu. The Olson's transaction was particularly significant because it brought an established Lynnwood-based chain into QFC's network. QFC also acquired Stock Market Foods locations in Port Hadlock and Port Townsend in 1997 and expanded into the Portland metropolitan area. By the middle of the 1990s, the company had acquired roughly thirty stores from eleven independent grocery chains. It additionally entered Southern California by purchasing Hughes Family Markets, although many Hughes locations were subsequently sold to Ralphs. During Stuart Sloan's tenure in the 1980s, QFC cultivated an upscale supermarket image and increased its emphasis on premium merchandise. The company completed an initial public offering in 1987 after having been sold to Seattle investment firm Sloan, Adkins & Co. in 1986. Christopher A. Sinclair became chief executive in 1996. The following year QFC purchased the Uddenberg grocery company, whose operations included Thriftway and Stock Market stores throughout western Washington. Ownership changed again in late 1997, when Portland-based Fred Meyer acquired QFC. In 1998, Kroger announced an agreement to purchase Fred Meyer, including QFC. The transaction received approval in 1999, making QFC a Kroger subsidiary. Since then, QFC has remained a regional Kroger banner rather than an independently listed company. Its stores continue to serve western Washington and northwestern Oregon, especially the Puget Sound and Portland–Vancouver areas. The chain has periodically adjusted its physical network and brand presentation. The original Roosevelt location operated until 2012, when it closed in connection with construction of Seattle's Roosevelt light rail station. In 2004, a Fred Meyer store at Capitol Hill's Broadway Market in Seattle was replaced by a QFC. QFC opened a large downtown Kirkland store in 2019. A proposal to rename or reposition the chain as “the Q” in 2018 was later abandoned. QFC's community and labor history has also attracted attention. In 1996, former owner and chairman Stuart Sloan promised at least $1 million annually for eight years toward an overhaul of T.T. Minor Elementary School in Seattle. The support financed initiatives including uniforms, smaller classes, and a year-round schedule, although the use of the funds became controversial. QFC workers are primarily represented by UFCW Local 3000. In 2020, Kroger managers prohibited employees from wearing Black Lives Matter buttons distributed by the union; an NLRB judge ruled in 2023 that the prohibition violated federal labor law. In 2022, Kroger proposed acquiring Albertsons. The proposed remedy included divesting most QFC stores, retaining only five, as part of an effort to address competitive concerns. The Federal Trade Commission rejected the merger in 2024. Consequently, QFC remained part of Kroger's existing group of supermarket banners.
- 2024
Albertsons merger rejected
[1]The FTC rejects Kroger's proposed Albertsons acquisition, preventing the planned divestiture of most QFC stores.
- 2019
Downtown Kirkland flagship opens
[1]QFC opens a roughly 50,000-square-foot flagship store in downtown Kirkland.
- 2012
Roosevelt Way store closes
[1]The original Roosevelt location closes for construction associated with the Roosevelt light rail station.
- 1999
QFC becomes part of Kroger
[1]Kroger's acquisition of Fred Meyer is approved, bringing QFC into the Kroger organization.
- 1997
Uddenberg grocery business acquired
[1]QFC acquires Uddenberg, adding stores operating under the Thriftway and Stock Market names.
- 1997
QFC acquired by Fred Meyer
[1]Portland-based Fred Meyer purchases QFC.
- 1996
Christopher A. Sinclair becomes CEO
[1]Christopher A. Sinclair takes over as chief executive.
- 1987
QFC becomes publicly traded
[1]QFC completes an initial public offering.
- 1986
QFC sold to Sloan, Adkins & Co.
[1]The Seattle investment firm acquires QFC before the company's public offering.
- 1974
Stores acquired after A&P exits Seattle
[1]QFC takes over several locations after A&P abandons the Seattle market.
Products and positioning
A neighborhood supermarket chain with an upscale, quality-oriented assortment and emphasis on fresh food, convenience, and customer service.
Grocery department
Fresh produce
QFC supermarkets operate produce departments offering fruits, vegetables, and other fresh foods as a central part of the chain's quality-oriented supermarket proposition. The exact assortment varies by store and season.
Fresh food
Bakery and prepared foods
The chain's bakery, deli, and prepared-food departments provide baked goods, ready-to-eat items, deli products, and meal solutions. These departments support QFC's convenience positioning alongside its conventional grocery assortment.
Packaged and specialty grocery
Organic and premium groceries
QFC developed an upscale identity during the 1980s by expanding premium merchandise. Its stores continue to carry selected organic, natural, specialty, and higher-end grocery products in addition to mainstream supermarket goods.
Private label
Kroger-affiliated private-label products
As a Kroger banner, QFC sells products from Kroger's private-label portfolio alongside national brands. The specific private-label mix can differ by department and store.
Controversies
2023
NLRB ruling over Black Lives Matter buttons
After UFCW Local 3000 distributed Black Lives Matter buttons in 2020, Kroger managers prohibited employees from wearing them. A National Labor Relations Board judge ruled in 2023 that the prohibition violated federal labor law.
1996
Controversy over T.T. Minor school funding
The large charitable commitment associated with Stuart Sloan's support for T.T. Minor Elementary School drew controversy over how the funds were applied.
Marketing campaigns
- 1996T.T. Minor Elementary School support
Seattle, Washington
Former QFC owner and chairman Stuart Sloan pledged at least $1 million per year for eight years to help overhaul T.T. Minor Elementary School, including support for uniforms, smaller classes, and a year-round schedule.
Outcome. The contribution supported school improvements, although the way the money was administered generated controversy.
Brand decisions
2022
Plan QFC divestitures in proposed Albertsons mergerM&ABackground
Kroger proposed acquiring Albertsons and faced concerns that the combined company could reduce competition in local grocery markets.
Action taken
The proposed remedy contemplated divesting all but five of QFC's 59 stores.
Aftermath
The FTC rejected the broader Kroger–Albertsons transaction in 2024, so the proposed QFC divestitures did not proceed.
2018
Reject proposed “the Q” rebrandStrategyBackground
QFC considered changing its public-facing brand identity.
Action taken
The proposed “the Q” rebrand was ultimately not adopted.
Aftermath
The chain continued operating under the QFC name.
1997
Acquire Uddenberg grocery operationsM&ABackground
QFC was expanding across western Washington through acquisitions of local and regional grocery operators.
Action taken
QFC purchased Uddenberg, whose businesses included Thriftway and Stock Market stores.
Aftermath
The transaction increased QFC's store base and regional coverage before the company was acquired by Fred Meyer later that year.
1997
Sell QFC to Fred MeyerM&ABackground
QFC had grown through acquisitions and was operating as a regional supermarket chain.
Action taken
QFC was sold to Portland-based Fred Meyer.
Aftermath
Kroger's subsequent acquisition of Fred Meyer brought QFC into the Kroger group.
Sources2 sources
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