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Fry’s Food Stores co-founder Charles Fry dies at 92

Arizona supermarket chain became part of The Kroger Co.

Russell Redman

January 27, 2020

2 Min Read
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Charles “Chuck” Fry, co-founder of Fry’s Food Stores, now a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., has passed away at age 92.

Fry died in his sleep on Jan. 20 at his home in Paradise Valley, Ariz. He and his older brother Don, who died in 2006, started Fry’s Food Stores in Richmond, Calif., in 1955 and then in 1960 expanded into Arizona, where the Tolleson, Ariz.-based grocery chain now has 122 supermarkets.

Charles Fry-Frys Food Stores-Cofounder.jpgCharles Fry (photo courtesy of The Fry Family)

"The Kroger Co. and Fry’s Food Stores are saddened to hear of the recent passing of Charles ‘Chuck’ Fry on Jan. 20, 2020. Chuck was a visionary in the grocery industry and an inspiration to those around him,” Mike Donnelly, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Kroger, said in a statement. “Fry’s became a market leader in the area’s competitive grocery market, with a strong reputation for quality and fresh products that continues today.”

Fry’s was acquired by Dillon Cos. in 1972, and Charles Fry joined Dillons board of directors. Two-and-a-half years later, he returned to Fry’s as president and oversaw all of the retailer’s stores. Then in 1983, Cincinnati-based Kroger purchased Dillon Cos., bringing the Fry’s banner into a national chain. Fry retired the same year. His sons John, Randy and David used the proceeds from the sale to launch Fry's Electronics, a consumer electronics chain unaffiliated with the grocery banner, in 1985.

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Later on, when Kroger and Fred Meyer merged in 1998, most of the latter’s Smith’s Food & Drug stores in Arizona were rebranded as Fry’s locations.

“We honor Chuck for his dedication to associates and commitment to customer service. His passion and hard work laid the foundation of Fry’s Food Stores,” Donnelly added.

Fry is survived by his wife of 68 years, Alice, as well as his three sons, 10 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. His memorial service is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 27, at Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette, Calif., in the San Francisco Bay Area where Fry’s Food Stores got its start.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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