King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc. · Bethpage, NY United States

How's this for a crowning achievement? King Kullen Grocery claims to have been the originator of the supermarket format. Heralding itself as "America's first supermarket," the firm operates about 50 supermarkets, mainly on Long Island, New York, but also on Staten Island. King Kullen also owns four Wild By Nature natural foods stores and offers a line of vitamins and supplements under the same name in some King Kullen stores. Most outlets average about 35,000 sq. ft., but it has a 62,000-sq.-ft. upscale market with features such as ethnic fare, catering, and a Wild By Nature section. Started in a Queens, New York, warehouse in 1930 by Michael Cullen, the firm is owned and operated by Cullen's descendants. To read the full description, subscribe now.