Dive Brief:
- The Raley’s Companies President and CEO Keith Knopf has left the supermarket operator after nearly 11 years working for the company that included more than seven serving as its chief executive, according to a Friday announcement.
- The company, which oversees the Raley’s and Bashas’ supermarket brands, has named Mike Teel, its owner and chairman, to replace Knopf.
- Raley’s made significant advances with Knopf at the helm, including acquiring Bashas’ in 2021, and improving its loyalty and e-commerce capabilities.
Dive Insight:
Knopf began his run as CEO of Raley’s in October 2018, when he was promoted to succeed Teel as chief executive after serving as president. He joined the company in 2015 as chief operating officer following a stint as a senior vice president for department store chain Kohl’s, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Raley’s did not indicate what Knopf’s next move would be now that he has departed the company.
“After eleven fulfilling years of service, I have reached a natural inflection point, and having achieved significant milestones, chosen at this point in time to step away,” Knopf said in a statement. “Serving as President & CEO has been an immense privilege, and I remain deeply proud of what our team has accomplished together. I am grateful for the support and partnership of the Board throughout my tenure.”
Raley’s doubled its store fleet under Knopf through multiple acquisitions, most notably its purchase in 2021 of Arizona-based Bashas’. That deal added more than 100 stores and a distribution center to Raley’s, which created a new business enterprise to oversee its two grocery chains. The Raley’s Companies currently runs approximately 230 stores in seven states and four Tribal Nations under banners including Raley’s, Raley’s O-N-E, Bashas’, Nob Hill Foods, Food City and AJ’s Fine Foods.
Teel praised Knopf for his leadership of the California-based retailer.
“He is leaving us with a strong, capable leadership team, and I am stepping back into this role with confidence in the people and the foundation,” Teel said in a statement. “Our focus remains where it has always been — on our customers, our team members, and the communities we are proud to serve.”
The Raley’s Companies also said on Friday that it has promoted two executives in conjunction with the CEO transition. Tiffanie Burkhalter has become president and CFO, while Jen Warner is now president and chief operations officer.
Burkhalter is adding the position of president after serving as CFO of Raley’s since 2023. Warner, who joined Raley’s as chief administrative officer in 2020, was most recently the company's chief growth and transformation officer.
