All Brands Owned by Empire Company Limited

What does Empire Company own?
Empire Company owns Sobeys Inc., Canada's second-largest grocery chain, which operates approximately 1,500 stores under banners including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Farm Boy, Thrifty Foods, and Longo's (51% stake). The company also holds a significant investment in Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust, which owns many of the properties occupied by Empire's grocery stores.

Is Empire Company publicly traded?
Yes, Empire Company's Class A non-voting shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker EMP.A. However, the Sobey family retains effective control through Sobey Inc., which holds a majority of the voting shares. This dual-class structure means public shareholders have limited influence over corporate governance.

Who founded Empire Company?
Empire Company Limited was incorporated in 1963 as a holding company for the Sobey family's grocery business. The grocery operations trace back to 1907, when J.W. Sobey opened a meat delivery business in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. His son, Frank Sobey, expanded the business into a supermarket chain during the 1920s and 1930s.

Where is Empire Company headquartered?
Empire Company is headquartered in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Canada. The company maintains major operational offices in Mississauga, Ontario, where most day-to-day merchandising, supply chain, and operational management is conducted. Stellarton remains the legal and corporate headquarters.

How many brands does Empire Company own?
Empire Company operates approximately 8 grocery retail banners, including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Farm Boy, Thrifty Foods, and Longo's. The company also operates Voila by Sobeys, an online grocery delivery service. These banners collectively serve approximately 1,500 stores across all ten Canadian provinces.

Who owns Empire Company?
Empire Company is controlled by the Sobey family through Sobey Inc., a private holding company that holds a majority of the voting shares. The Class A non-voting shares (EMP.A) are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and held by institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. The Sobey family has maintained controlling ownership since the company's founding in 1963.

What is Empire Company's revenue?
In fiscal year 2026 (ended May 2, 2026), Empire Company reported sales of CAD $31.95 billion, an increase of 2.2% from CAD $31.28 billion in FY2025. Adjusted EBITDA was CAD $2.5 billion, and adjusted earnings per share was CAD $3.24. Food sales accounted for CAD $30.15 billion, with fuel sales contributing CAD $1.81 billion.