Stater Brothers Gil Salazar: High-Level Summary Company Overview Founded in 1936 with $600 down, Stater Brothers has grown into the largest privately owned supermarket chain in Southern California. Operates 170+ stores, employs 18,000+ people, and serves millions of customers weekly. Recognized as a Top Regional Grocer (2024) and ranked among the Top 20 U.S. employers for job security. Gil Salazar’s Role Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer (CIO) since 2023. Nearly 35 years of IT leadership experience, with more than a decade shaping Stater Brothers’ modernization. Serves on the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the CEO. Key Leadership Achievements Implemented Emerald POS systems, reducing checkout times. Deployed a modern Human Capital Management platform for workforce efficiency. Preparing a company-wide ERP system to streamline finance, HR, and supply chain. Built an Enterprise Data Foundation with cloud data lake, BI dashboards, and data governance. Established a Business Intelligence Center of Excellence (BICOE) to drive analytics and decision-making. Recognition Named a Finalist for the 2025 SoCal ORBIE Awards, honoring technology leadership excellence.

August 23, 2025

Stater Brothers Gil Salazar creates extraordinary Tech experience at Slater Brothers Markets. When Gil Salazar was named Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer in 2023, Stater Brothers sent a strong message: technology and leadership are central to its future. Salazar brings nearly 35 years of IT expertise, including more than a decade guiding Stater Brothers’ modernization efforts.

He leads from the front, ensuring technology works for people, not against them. Under his guidance, the company has:

Implemented the Emerald Point-of-Sale system, speeding up checkouts and improving reliability.
Transitioned to a cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) platform, giving employees smarter scheduling and payroll tools.
Prepared for a full-scale Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation, streamlining operations across finance, supply chain, and HR.
Built an Enterprise Data Foundation that includes a data lake, master data management, and analytics dashboards, enabling leaders to act on real-time insights.

As a result, Stater Brothers doesn’t just manage data—it transforms it into actionable knowledge that drives daily decision-making.

Statistics That Highlight Success

85+ years of service to Southern California communities.
170+ stores in operation with continued expansion.
18,000+ employees, making it one of the Inland Empire’s largest private employers.
Top 20 in U.S. job security rankings among all employers.
Millions of shoppers served weekly with consistent affordability and freshness.
Named a Top Regional Grocer by Progressive Grocer in 2024, with its Chino Preserve store praised as a model for “fresh, local, and healthy” food.
Recognized with multiple workplace awards, emphasizing both customer trust and employee loyalty.
Gil Salazar himself was a 2-year SoCal ORBIE Award finalist, a recognition reserved for technology leaders who deliver measurable impact.

These numbers prove that Stater Brothers thrives because it combines heritage and heart with modern systems and bold leadership.

Stater Brothers – Gil Salazar: Leading Growth, Innovation, and Community

From Roots to Remarkable Growth

Stater Brothers Markets began humbly in 1936 when Cleo and Leo Stater purchased a single grocery store in Yucaipa, California, with just $600 down. Today, the company has grown into the largest privately owned supermarket chain in Southern California, operating more than 170 stores and employing over 18,000 people.

Even more impressive, the chain generates billions in annual revenue while serving millions of customers each week. Stater Brothers holds a commanding presence in communities across the Inland Empire and beyond. In fact, surveys consistently rank the company among the most trusted regional grocers and one of the Top 20 U.S. employers for job security.

This kind of sustained growth and loyalty doesn’t happen by accident—it requires visionary leadership and consistent execution.

Transitioning Heritage into Innovation

I partnered with Gil Salazar and his team on the very beginning of the 2020 COVID Pandemic, where all business process needed to become very agile to address new business models, IT Evolution, Major Incident Management. What makes Salazar stand out is how he bridges Stater Brothers’ traditional strengths with cutting-edge innovation. For instance, while the chain remains famous for its legendary meat departments, fresh produce, and signature Cleo & Leo fried chicken, Salazar ensures customers also enjoy the benefits of digital loyalty programs, faster service lines, and data-powered promotions.

Furthermore, he launched a Business Intelligence Center of Excellence (BICOE) and invested in data governance teams to keep decision-making accurate and forward-looking. This proactive approach means Stater Brothers can pivot quickly—whether adapting to new consumer demands, supply chain challenges, or technology trends.

Why Stater Brothers Impresses Customers and Employees

Stater Brothers succeeds because it delivers on multiple fronts:

Affordability: Everyday low prices make quality groceries accessible to working families.
Freshness: From custom-cut steaks to fresh-cut fruit bars, customers trust the brand for unbeatable quality.
Innovation: Remodeled stores, upgraded checkout systems, and convenient prepared foods keep the shopping experience modern and easy.
Community Connection: Stater Brothers reinvests millions annually into local schools, food banks, and veteran initiatives.
Employee Culture: Tuition reimbursement, open communication, and career ladders make it a company where people build long-term careers.

Every one of these factors reflects deliberate strategy and leadership action.

Gil Salazar’s Lasting Impact

In a competitive grocery landscape dominated by national chains, Gil Salazar ensures Stater Brothers thrives without losing its identity. His leadership pushes the company toward digital transformation, efficiency, and data intelligence—all while keeping the community-first spirit alive.

With Salazar at the helm of technology, Stater Brothers continues to evolve as a grocery powerhouse that is deeply trusted locally and widely admired nationally.

Final Word

The story of Stater Brothers & Gil Salazar is one of heritage meeting innovation. Stater Brothers remains a cornerstone of Southern California life, while Salazar’s leadership ensures it remains agile, customer-centered, and ready for tomorrow.

By combining statistics that prove its impact, technology that powers its growth, and leadership that inspires confidence, Stater Brothers stands tall as a most impressive grocery store—led into the future by Gil Salazar.