Dear Fellow Team Members,

I’d like to share some news with you before it’s announced publicly.  September marked Whole Foods Market’s 43rd anniversary (including 2 years at Safer Way—the precursor to Whole Foods) and I’ve decided that it’s time to begin to transition my role as CEO to the next generation of leadership.  After much thought, it was finally time for me to make the decision to officially retire from Whole Foods Market on September 1, 2022.  It will be exactly eleven months in the future.

In truth, I find it difficult to let go of a company where I’ve helped build, nurture and grow the business for 44 years. Whole Foods was my first company. I often used the parent-child analogy to explain how we relate. Whole Foods is a company I loved as a child.  My goal was to create strong values, an understanding of the greater purpose and love that will allow Whole Foods to succeed and our many interdependent stakeholders.  Every parent must learn to trust their children will carry on the same values they instilled.  For Whole Foods, this time is almost here.

After my retirement, I will be ready for other passions. I am thrilled to announce that Jason Buechel, our Chief Operating Officer, will take over as Chief Executive Officer.  Jason Buechel is an outstanding servant leader who champions Whole Foods’ values and culture. He will be leading the company in the future.  Jason was the person I chose to succeed me as CEO. Amazon leadership also agreed with my choice.

Jason began his Whole Foods career in 2013, as the Chief Information Officer for Global and Vice Presidents. In 2015, he became Executive Vice President. Then he was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2019. Jason is currently responsible for managing all WFM facilities and stores. He also oversees the technology, supply chain, distribution, and Team Member Services.  Jason is one my closest friends and I have great faith that we will be able to continue growing and flourishing under his direction.  Jason has many special characteristics that will allow him to be our next CEO.  He is not only intelligent and has an unusually high level of integrity. Jason is also a servant leader, who lives Whole Foods Core Values as well as Leadership Principles. And he’s a loving and good person.

I’ll continue to work closely with Jason and the E-Team to gradually transition my responsibilities and I intend to devote much of my final year to the thing I love doing most at Whole Foods – visiting stores and connecting with as many of our amazing Team Members as I possibly can.

Reflecting on our company’s past and its impact on the globe, it makes me feel inspired, extremely proud and overwhelmed.  Whole Foods Market’s tremendous success has provided immense value to everyone involved, from our customers and suppliers to our investors.  We have made tens to millions of lives better by working together. It is no exaggeration that Whole Foods Market has had a profound impact on the food choices of many Americans and others around the globe.  It is because of our unique culture, we have been named “100 Best Company to Work For” twenty consecutive years. Whole Foods is more than a supermarket. It is a way to fulfill our higher purpose of feeding people and the environment. I’m proud of how we have helped advance the ways food is produced, grown and sourced.  Whole Foods supported thousands of local companies to start up in its stores. Hundreds of them have gone on to become successful, large-scale food businesses.  While there are so many more of our achievements that I’m proud of, I want to especially recognize the amazing work that our three Foundations have done over the past 20 years—Whole Planet, Whole Kids, and Whole Cities have together positively impacted the lives of several millions of people.

Many people can go their entire lives without ever discovering their higher purpose, but I was lucky enough to discover mine back in 1976 when I was living in a vegetarian co-op named Prana House in Austin–two years before we first opened Safer Way.  Prana opened my eyes to food and allowed me to see the purpose of my life. It has been a blessing to be able to lead a fulfilled life.

It is impossible to describe how grateful I am for the incredible partnership and how much I love Whole Foods and everyone involved in it. While I may retire from Whole Foods one year from now I plan to stay connected so long that my family is still around to assist us.

All of you are very special to me and I wish you all great health.  I am grateful for your efforts.

John