Save A Lot recognizes 10 Retail Partners at Annual Meeting

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ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 2, 2026--

Save A Lot, one of the largest discount grocery chains in the U.S., today announced the accomplishments of 10 of its Retail Partners, sharing the names of the owners and operators honored at the company’s annual Retail Partner Awards.

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The Rabban Brothers were among 10 Retail Partners honored at this year's annual meeting and food show.

The awards were presented during the Company’s annual meeting and food show for store owners and operators, held in St. Charles, Mo. Awards were given to recognize performance in calendar year 2025 across several major categories, including year-over-year customer and sales growth, Store Managers of the Year, Hometown Hero, Omnichannel Leaders, Outstanding Customer Service, and Retail Partners of the Year. Retail Partners were divided into groups based on store count to ensure recognition across all network sizes.

Award Winners: Sales and Customer Count Growth

Given to stores with the highest year-over-year customer count and sales growth for the full year of 2025.

• Single Store Owner: Lavergne, TN, owned & operated by Dwayne & Greg Smith
• Medium Store Owner (2–6 stores): Greensboro, NC, owned & operated by Jason Bramblett & Patrick Sowers
• Large Store Owner (7+ stores): Russell Springs, KY, owned & operated by Anchor Foods

Award Winners: Omnichannel Leader

This award recognizes stores that excel in app engagement, loyalty signups, e-commerce adoption, and digital strategy.

• Single Store Owner: Rod & Angie Taylor
• Medium Store Owner (2–6 stores): Shannon McPherson
• Large Store Owner (7+ stores): Ascend Grocery

Award Winners: Outstanding Customer Service – Scott Clewis, IT Director Product Delivery

This award honors a Save A Lot Support Center or Distribution Center team member who consistently delivers exceptional service to Retail Partners.

The company is proud to recognize Scott Clewis, IT Director Product Delivery, for his commitment to problem-solving, transparency, and hands‑on partnership. His willingness to support every challenge, provide clear expectations and elevate technology solutions has made him an indispensable resource for Retail Partners nationwide.

Award Winners: Hometown Hero – Al Solanki, Moultrie, GA

The company is honored to recognize Al Solanki, a dedicated Retail Partner whose compassion and selflessness have made him a beloved figure in his community for more than a decade.

Al’s generosity is evident year-round, including his annual Christmas Day tradition of partnering with the Mennonite community in Moultrie to feed the homeless. He sets up a tent in front of his store to offer warm meals, sleeping bags, gloves, socks and essential items to those in need. He also regularly supports local schools and the YMCA with meals, snacks, equipment and financial contributions.

Award Winners: Store Managers of the Year

Given to store managers who exhibit outstanding leadership, operational excellence, customer focus, and team engagement.

• Single Store Owner: Brandon Dial, Lavergne, TN
• Medium Store Owner (2–6 stores): Rosalinda Teneyuque, Saginaw, MI (Al Kessel)
• Large Store Owner (7+ stores): Jorge Aguilar, Denver, CO (Leevers Supermarkets)

Award Winners: Retail Partners of the Year

The Retail Partner of the Year award is given to Retail Partners who demonstrate outstanding results across the business on all metrics (sales, customer count, purchases) as well as demonstrate outstanding community involvement, team engagement and a commitment to the Save A Lot brand image.

• Single Store Owner: Steve Dunn
  • Steve Dunn has operated his Save A Lot since 2019, remaining a dependable, trusted Hometown Grocer despite the evolving competitive landscape. Over the past seven years, he has navigated shifting market dynamics by staying focused on what matters most—creating a safe, clean, fast and friendly shopping experience for his customers. In 2025, his store saw customer count rise more than 4% and sales increase over 3%, a direct reflection of his consistency and care for the community he serves. His ability to meet the needs of a diverse customer base, even as competition comes and goes, is a testament to his resilience and commitment.
• Medium Store Owner (2–6 stores): Sauer Group
  • With more than 45 years of ownership, the Sauer Group continues to set the standard for stable, community‑driven operations. Their growth in both sales and customer count in 2025 reflects their unwavering dedication to their neighborhoods and their commitment to investing in people. The group remains strong supporters of Save A Lot programs and has worked closely to pass savings directly onto their customers. Known for their popular 3‑Day meat sales, they consistently provide quality meal solutions at affordable prices. Their leadership team has spent decades building a strong operational foundation and preparing the next generation to carry their legacy forward. This year’s award is especially meaningful as patriarch Wayne Sauer enters a well‑deserved retirement.
• Large Store Owner (7+ stores): Rabban Brothers
  • For more than three decades, the Rabban Brothers have been among the most respected and dependable operators within the Save A Lot family. Their business is grounded in two defining principles—devotion to family and deep commitment to community—which have shaped their leadership style across all their stores. This past year brought significant challenges, particularly for locations heavily driven by EBT sales. Despite these pressures, they remained steady and solution‑oriented, leaning into merchandising to protect value, strengthen customer experience and maintain momentum. They have been hands‑on leaders in implementing operational best practices, ensuring each location is positioned for long‑term growth.

“These Retail Partners and store leaders demonstrate every day what makes Save A Lot special,” said Bill Mayo, CEO of Save A Lot. “Through operational excellence, meaningful community engagement and a commitment to delivering fresh, full, friendly and clean stores, they drive our brand forward. We are honored to recognize their hard work and leadership across our network.”

About Save A Lot

Founded in 1977, Save A Lot is the largest independently owned and operated discount grocery store chain in the U.S., with approximately 600 stores in 29 states. True to its mission of being a hometown grocer, Save A Lot strives to provide unmatched quality and value to local families. Customers enjoy savings on great tasting, high quality private label brands, national brand products, USDA-inspected meat, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, and other non-food items. For more information visit www.SaveALot.com and follow Save A Lot on Facebook ( facebook.com/savealot ), on X (@savealot), and Instagram (@SaveALotFoodStores), or for more information on becoming a Save A Lot independent retail operator, visit ownasavealot.com

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KEYWORD: MISSOURI NORTH CAROLINA MICHIGAN GEORGIA TENNESSEE KENTUCKY COLORADO UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RETAIL SUPERMARKET FOOD/BEVERAGE

SOURCE: Save A Lot

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PUB: 04/02/2026 03:00 PM/DISC: 04/02/2026 03:00 PM

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