Your in-depth resource for everything about Ingles Markets—from its North Carolina roots and private label brands to Milkco dairy operations, fuel centers, and community commitment.
Ingles: A Appalachian Tradition Since 1963
If you’ve traveled through the Southeast, you’ve likely seen the distinctive Ingles sign standing tall in communities from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Georgia countryside. Founded in Asheville, North Carolina, and still headquartered in the region, Ingles Markets has grown into one of the largest employee-owned grocery chains in the Southeast without losing its focus on serving the communities it calls home. With 198 stores across six states, Ingles combines the personalized service of a neighborhood grocer with the scale and selection of a regional powerhouse.
Ingles at a Glance
Founded
1963 by Robert P. Ingle in Asheville, North Carolina [citation:1]
Headquarters
Black Mountain, North Carolina (near Asheville) [citation:1]
Ticker Symbol
NASDAQ: IMKTA (Class A) [citation:1]
Locations
198 stores across 6 southeastern states [citation:1][citation:7]
Ingles Locations by State
As of the company’s most recent SEC filings, Ingles operates 198 supermarkets distributed across the Southeast [citation:7]:
75 stores [citation:7]
65 stores [citation:7]
35 stores [citation:7]
21 stores [citation:7]
1 store [citation:7]
1 store [citation:7]
The company also operates 9 Sav-Mor Foods locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee [citation:1].
The Ingles Story: From One Store to Regional Icon
Robert P. Ingle came from a third-generation grocery family—he had worked in his uncle’s store since age five [citation:1]. After his father closed the family store in 1956, Robert attended the University of Miami and later worked for Colonial Stores [citation:3]. But he had a vision: building larger stores (10,000 square feet) in smaller communities that were being underserved by the big chains [citation:1][citation:3].
In 1963, at age 29, Robert Ingle opened the first Ingles store on Hendersonville Road in Asheville, North Carolina [citation:1]. He joined forces with his mother and sister, using their savings and a mortgage on the family home [citation:1]. Competition was fierce—chains like Winn-Dixie, A&P, and Colonial controlled 93% of the area’s food sales [citation:3]. But Ingle was determined. He cut prices, extended hours (including Sundays and holidays), advertised specials, and ran what he called “a circus” to get people in the door [citation:3].
The strategy worked. Within a year, the first store expanded, and a second location opened on Patton Avenue [citation:1]. Ingles was incorporated in 1965, and by 1967, the company had acquired six Colonial supermarkets [citation:1]. Ingles went public on NASDAQ in 1987 under the symbol IMKTA [citation:1][citation:3].
Today, the Ingle family still owns approximately 50% of the company, with Robert P. Ingle II (the founder’s son) serving as chairman of the board [citation:1]. The founder passed away in 2011, but his vision of serving smaller communities with quality and care lives on [citation:1].
Milkco: The Dairy Behind the Store
One of Ingles’ smartest strategic moves came in 1982, when the company purchased a milk processing plant from Sealtest [citation:1]. Renamed Milkco, Inc., this wholly-owned subsidiary has become a significant business in its own right [citation:3].
What Milkco Produces
- Fresh milk (including organic varieties)
- Fruit juices and fruit drinks
- Bottled water [citation:1][citation:4]
Growth Story
- 1982: 5 million gallons annual production [citation:3]
- Today: Over 60 million gallons annually [citation:3]
- Serves customers in 17 states beyond Ingles stores [citation:1]
Two-thirds of Milkco’s business now comes from food service distributors, grocery warehouses, and independent retailers across 17 states [citation:1]. This vertical integration—owning the supply chain—helps Ingles maintain quality and control costs.
Ingles’ Private Label: Laura Lynn and Harvest Farms
Ingles offers quality private label items across most departments, with two flagship brands [citation:1]:
Laura Lynn
Named after founder Robert Ingle’s daughter, Laura Lynn (now Laura Ingle Sharp), who worked in advertising for the chain starting in the 1970s and has been a board member since 1997 [citation:1][citation:3]. Laura Lynn products are equal or superior to national brands and guaranteed by Ingles Markets [citation:3]. You’ll find this brand across grocery, dairy, and household categories.
Harvest Farms
The company’s natural and organic line, offering everything from pantry staples to fresh items for health-conscious shoppers [citation:1][citation:4].
Other brands include “Ingles Best” for select products and “Quality Choice” for generic pharmacy items (a brand shared with other retailers) [citation:1].
Departments & Services at Ingles
Ingles supermarkets are designed for one-stop shopping convenience, with a wide array of departments [citation:3][citation:4]:
Grocery
Full selection of national brands and private label items [citation:1]
Fresh Meat & Seafood
Quality cuts and custom service [citation:1]
Produce
Fresh fruits and vegetables, including local and organic options [citation:4]
Deli
Prepared foods, party trays, and sliced meats/cheeses [citation:1][citation:4]
Bakery
Fresh bread, cakes, and custom-decorated treats [citation:1]
Dairy & Frozen
Everything from Milkco products to ice cream [citation:1]
Specialty Services
The Ingles Distribution Advantage
Ingles operates its own distribution network, which is key to maintaining freshness and controlling costs [citation:3]:
- 1.65 million square feet of warehouse and distribution facilities near Asheville, NC [citation:1]
- Strategically located between I-40 and Highway 70 for efficient transport [citation:1]
- All stores within 280 miles of the distribution center [citation:1]
- 62% of goods sold are distributed through company facilities; 38% are direct-store deliveries from vendors [citation:1]
- Company-owned fleet: 193 tractors and 751 trailers [citation:1]
- Additional 139,000 square foot warehouse one mile from main facility [citation:1]
This self-distribution model allows Ingles to respond quickly to local needs and maintain consistent quality across all stores.
Real Estate: A Key Part of the Strategy
From the beginning, Ingles invested heavily in real estate. Today [citation:1][citation:3]:
- 163 of 198 stores are either free-standing or anchor shopping centers owned by Ingles [citation:1]
- Two-thirds of real estate is company-owned [citation:3]
- Owns 23 undeveloped sites suitable for future stores or shopping centers [citation:1]
- Owns numerous outparcels and adjacent acreage [citation:1]
This strategy gives Ingles long-term stability and control over its locations, while also generating rental income from shopping center tenants [citation:7].
Savings & Loyalty at Ingles
Ingles Advantage Card
Provides exclusive discounts to cardholders, special event access, and sweepstakes entries [citation:9]. Simply scan your card at checkout to save.
Online Coupons
Digital coupons available on the Ingles website—clip and save on your favorite products [citation:9].
Ingles Gift & Shopping Card
Can be used for groceries and also saves money on gas purchases at any Ingles Gas Express location [citation:9].
Weekly Ad
Check the weekly circular for the best deals on meat, produce, and pantry staples.
Giving Back: Ingles in the Community
Ingles has a long history of supporting the communities where it operates [citation:9]:
- Tools for Schools: A program that gives back to local schools a portion of total sales, which schools can use to purchase computers and supplies [citation:9].
- Ingles Toy Store: In partnership with Eblen Charities’ St. Nicholas Project, Ingles provides toys, games, clothes, and stocking stuffers to needy families in North Carolina [citation:1].
- Hurricane Relief: When Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina in September 2024, Ingles stores became lifelines—some accepting only cash when systems were down, and staff working tirelessly to serve communities in crisis [citation:1][citation:7].
Resilience: Ingles and Hurricane Helene
On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding in western North Carolina, directly impacting Ingles’ headquarters, distribution center, and many stores [citation:1][citation:7].
Immediate Impact:
- Distribution center surrounded by floodwater [citation:1]
- Headquarters lost communication/internet [citation:7]
- All stores unable to process credit/debit cards (cash only) for days [citation:1][citation:7]
- Approximately 80 stores experienced power outages [citation:7]
- Four stores temporarily closed due to damage [citation:7]
Financial Impact:
- $30.4 million in lost inventory [citation:1][citation:7]
- $4.5 million property and equipment damage [citation:1][citation:7]
- $14 million estimated lost sales in final two days of fiscal year [citation:7]
Recovery: The distribution center returned to full operation within two weeks [citation:7]. One damaged store has reopened; the remaining three are expected to reopen in 2025 [citation:7]. Insurance is expected to cover approximately $10 million of the inventory loss and much of the property damage [citation:7].
Sav-Mor Foods: A Different Format
In addition to its namesake stores, Ingles operates 9 locations under the Sav-Mor Foods banner in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee [citation:1][citation:4]. These stores accommodate smaller shopping areas while still carrying dry groceries, dairy, fresh meat, and produce in a modern, accessible environment [citation:1].
Ingles by the Numbers
Supermarkets [citation:1]
Pharmacies [citation:7]
Fuel Centers [citation:7]
Employees [citation:1][citation:5]
Annual Revenue (2021) [citation:1]
States [citation:7]
From a single store in Asheville in 1963 to nearly 200 locations across the Southeast, Ingles Markets has remained true to founder Robert Ingle’s vision: serve smaller communities with quality products, friendly service, and a commitment to value. Whether you’re shopping for Laura Lynn products, filling a prescription, filling your tank at Ingles Gas Express, or grabbing a gallon of milk from the company’s own Milkco plant, Ingles offers a vertically integrated, community-focused alternative to national chains. Through challenges like Hurricane Helene, the company has demonstrated resilience and dedication to the communities it serves. That’s the Ingles way.