Whole Foods Market was founded in 1980 by John Mackey and Renee Lawson Hardy in Austin, Texas. The first store was called SaferWay, and it was a small health food store that focused on selling natural and organic foods. In 1981, Mackey and Hardy merged SaferWay with another health food store called Clarksville Natural Grocery, and the resulting company was renamed Whole Foods Market.

Whole Foods Market operates as a chain of upscale grocery stores that focus on selling natural and organic products. The company’s business model is based on offering a wide selection of high-quality products, including fresh produce, meats, seafood, dairy products, baked goods, and prepared foods. Whole Foods Market also offers a variety of services, such as catering, meal planning, and nutrition education. 

https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/