The history of Johanneson's Inc. goes back a number of years, starting with the creation of the Company in the early 1950's by Thelma & John Johanneson in a small neighborhood supermarket in Fargo, North Dakota. As their store progressed, they purchased a larger store in Bemidji, Minnesota and one of their children, Lance Johanneson, began working with them on a day-to-day basis in the business. They struggled for a number of years at an antiquated, older facility and, in 1962, John Johanneson took a gigantic leap and built a new, modern supermarket across from Bemidji State University. That store later became known as Super John's Supermarket and was very successful.

Over the years as that store progressed, other family members joined the business. Lance Johanneson, Keith Johanneson and Rich Johanneson began to play an active role in the business. Then, in the early 1960's, other stores were purchased in various rural communities in Northern Minnesota. In the early 1970' s, John Johanneson retired from the day-to-day operations of the business, and Keith Johanneson became President of the Company. In the latter part of 2001, "Super John", as he had become known to many, passed away.

The Company's primary supplier of product is SpartanNash, a more than 100 year old value-added wholesale grocery distributor, regional retailer and leading distributor of grocery products to U.S. military commissaries around the world.

The Johanneson Companies have prospered over the years and have grown from a small base of 26 employees to now over 1000 employees, and family members own supermarkets in North Dakota as well as in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The Company's growth over the years includes the corporate headquarters in Bemidji, which houses the executive offices, accounting, trucking, distribution and real estate development. At the present time, the Johanneson Companies' main focus is primarily in the supermarket industry. It has been our pleasure to be part of a team effort and to help create jobs and opportunities for numerous people throughout the past 75 years. We wish to extend a warm welcome to you.

We at the Johanneson Companies are making a commitment to excellence. We will achieve this by promoting a positive working environment and team concept with unparalleled customer satisfaction and product quality as our ultimate goals. By placing personal attention to our employees and customers, we will be creating positive attitudes and company pride throughout our organization. By doing this, we will be able to anticipate changes that the future may bring. The Johanneson Team, committed to excellence, can realize the vision of a progress-oriented company through honest communication and the everyday practice of respect for others.

Our Beliefs

We believe in investing in our communities. The community is our family and it is important to us that we help make them clean, happy, and prosperous places to live.

We believe our customers are the lifeblood of our business and we will continuously strive to provide them with top-notch personal service, a fun and exciting shopping experience, and convenient and modern shopping facilities.

We believe in investing in our employees and will continue to educate them on how to better serve our guest and on the most current trends and technologies. We will provide opportunities for career advancement whenever possible.

We believe in providing quality goods and services. We strive daily to provide our guest with the highest quality and widest variety of items available while maintaining competitive and fair pricing. We will not compromise on quality because a lower price without top quality is of no value to our customers.

We respect diversity in all its forms in both our guest and our employees. We recognize that our communities are enriched by the beliefs, values, and traditions of a variety of cultures.

We believe that when we do something we like we tend to do it better and more productively.

We believe in providing our employee a fun and satisfying work experience.

We believe in a positive working environment and the concept of "team".

We understand that each employee is unique and special and can contribute to the overall success of our business in their own unique way while practicing respect for others.

Together we can make a difference

With the Our Family® program, you can raise money for education - for your school, church or other educational organization. It's easy to do - just save the UPC barcodes from Our Family products. Fill out our simple registration card and get started. Your school, church or organization is free to spend the money any way they want. From new textbooks, band uniforms to computer programs and art supplies there are many ways to support.
Here's how:

During the school year, just save the barcodes from Our Family products. You will earn $25.00 in cash for each bundle of 500 UPC barcodes sent to us. You will find more than 2000 Our Family items with national brand quality, every day, all priced lower than national brands. Our Family has turned the corner into the second century of quality and value, so you'll be assured satisfaction with every purchase. To participate, just complete the registration card and mail it today. You will receive an information packet explaining the details of the program. We will work together in building a better education for our children.

Community Recognition