Founded as BG Wholesale, Houchens Industries is a 100-percent employee owned company. Its more than 420 grocery, convenience and other retail stores are located in 17 states in the South and in New York. The grocery stores operate under the Save-A-Lot, Houchens Markets, IGA, Foodland, Food Giant, Sureway, Market Place and Piggly Wiggly banners; and the convenience stores operate under the Jr. Food Stores and IGA Express banners. Houchens also owns real estate and recycling companies, insurance agencies, building and highway contractors, a tanning supply wholesaler, a store fixtures manufacturer, a cigarette maker, an investment company and an Internet development business. In 2006, Houchens Industries was listed by Forbes as the 140th-largest private company.