As of 2022, Wegmans has 109 stores, mostly in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions. The company has stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware and Washington, D.C. along with a planned expansion into Connecticut.
Wegmans has appeared on Fortune’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list since the list first appeared in 1998. In 2020, the company was ranked at number three on that list, based on an employee survey of satisfaction.
The company’s milestones :
1916 – John Wegman opens the Rochester Fruit & Vegetable Co. His brother, Walter, joins him as a fresh produce pushcart peddler a year later.
1932 – Wegmans introduces refrigerated display windows and vaporized water sprays to keep produce fresh.
1934 – Wegmans runs a catering service and cooking school from its East Main Street store.
1940 – The first frozen, then known as “frosted,” foods appear at Wegmans.
1959 – Wegmans opens a semi-automated Central Bakeshop on Brooks Avenue. The facility still supplies stores today.
1967 – Robert Wegman writes his “I am a Merchant” speech, which becomes framework for company’s success.
1971 – Wegmans becomes the first supermarket chain in New York to offer 24-hour service in some stores.
1972 – The first Wegmans Pharmacy opens at the Lyell Avenue store.
1974 – Wegmans becomes the first grocery chain in New York and third in North America to begin using a laser scanning checkout system to read UPCs.
1979 – Wegmans brand products are introduced across the chain.
1990 – Wegmans introduces Shoppers Club program with discounts on products throughout the store.
1992 – The Wegmans “Food You Feel Good About” program debuts.
1993 – Wegmans begins to Check Out Hunger to raise money for hunger relief.
1994 – Plastic bag recycling initiative begins at Wegmans stores. The company also opens its first Nature’s Marketplace in the Marketplace store.
1996 – First Wegmans’ website launched.
1999 – Wegmans opens its first French pastry shop, the Patisserie, in Pittsford store.
2001 – First Wegmans Menu Magazine is published.
2002 – Wegmans opens its first restaurant, Tastings, at the Pittsford store.
2003 – Wegmans Organic brand products are introduced. Wegmans introduces the Eat Well, Live Well philosophy and other wellness programs for employees.
2005 – Wegmans is recognized as No. 1 on Fortune magazine’s list of “100 Best Companies to Work For.”
2008 – Wegmans removes all tobacco from all of its stores.
2010 – Wegmans mobile app debuts.
2014 – Wegmans opens its first Burger Bar at the Pittsford store. Wegmans opens its Cheese Caves, a building that mimics conditions in Europe.
2018 – Wegmans becomes the first supermarket to partner with Aira to help blind and low vision customers navigate our stores.
2020 – The Wegmans mobile app and website are redesigned, allowing customers to now place orders for pickup and delivery online.
According to democratandchronicle.com; en.wikipedia.; wegmans.com
