From Dr Pepper to liquid paper, there are lots of things that were invented in Texas. One of our state’s most successful claims to fame is Whole Foods Market; the multi-billion dollar company got its start in Austin with just 19 employees. Learn about the history of the brand and how it grew into a global enterprise:

Now a global enterprise, Whole Foods Market started in Austin, Texas from the ground up (pun intended). Founded by John Mackey and Renee Lawson Hardy of Safer Way Natural Foods and Craig Weller and Mark Skiles of Clarksville Natural Grocery, the original store opened in 1980 with only 19 employees.
Whole Foods Market
The first Whole Foods Market spanned 10,500 square feet - that pales in comparison to the 80,000-square-foot flagship store on North Lamar Boulevard, but at the time, it was massive.
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In 1984, Whole Foods expanded out of Austin for the first time, opening stores in Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, and Palo Alto, California before the decade was up. The company began acquiring other health food brands in the 90s, including Bread & Circus of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Wellspring Grocery of North Carolina, to continue its growth.
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Currently, there are over 500 Whole Foods Market locations across the U.S. The largest among them is the aforementioned flagship store, which also serves as the company headquarters.
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Whole Foods doesn't only exist in America, however. It also has several locations in Canada and London.
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So next time you visit a Whole Foods store - whether in the Lone Star State or elsewhere - be sure to thank Texas. The multi-billion dollar company wouldn't exist without it!
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For more information about Whole Foods Market, please visit the Whole Foods Market website.

Did you know Whole Foods began in Texas? What are some other things that were invented in Texas? Tell us in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for an incredible hike in Austin to take if you ever visit the flagship Whole Foods store.

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Whole Foods Market, 525 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, USA