Operations
The company is best known as a grocer, owning and operating convenience stores (Jr. Food Stores, Tobacco Shoppe) and supermarkets (Houchens Markets, IGA, Save-A-Lot, Mad Butcher). In 2004, Houchens acquired Food Giant supermarkets, which operates stores under the Food Giant, Market Place and Piggly Wiggly name.
In recent years, Houchens Industries has diversified greatly, with acquisitions of a Bowling Green-based construction company, as well as recycling, insurance, cigarette manufacturing, and warehousing.
In 2004, Houchens acquired Hitcents, an Internet marketing and development company founded by two high school students from Bowling Green, and now headquartered at the Western Kentucky University Center for Research and Development (which is itself supported by Houchens Industries).
In 2007, the company sold its Commonwealth Brands subsidiary - the fourth-largest cigarette producer in the United States - to the British company Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, for $1.9 billion. It had acquired the company from its founder Brad Kelley in 2001; it was the first time that Houchens had ever sold one of its acquisitions.
Diversification continued in 2007 when Houchens announced that it would acquire Hilliard Lyons, a full-service stock broker and investment firm based in Louisville, from PNC Financial Services. The sale was completed in March 2008.
In January 2008, Houchens announced that it would acquire 14 convenience stores which sell Shell Oil products from Bowling Green businessman Jerry Browning. The stores are located in Bowling Green and surrounding towns.
In April 2008, Buehler Foods of Jasper, Indiana, signed a letter of intent to sell the company to Houchens.
In July 2008, Houchens acquired juice maker Tampico Beverages.
In January 2010, White's Grocery, in the Tri-Cities, Tennessee area sold their local grocery chain to Houchens.
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