Houchens Food Group continued its Store Manager Appreciation Awards for the second year, culminating with the announcement of the 2025 HFG Store Manager of the Year.
The company recently hosted 15 lunch banquets divided by region and banner. The events included individual recognition of store managers, as well as a selection of other awards. 
In a statement, HFG said its store managers are “the heart of our operations. They lead with integrity, passion and a commitment to excellence, living out our mission every day while serving their teams and customers with dedication. We are deeply grateful for the impact they make across our stores and communities.”
Store managers “have the most important job but don’t always feel they get credit for all they do,” the company stated.
“They are more than the friendly faces that greet our customers with a smile every day. They are the problem-solvers who ensure the shelves are stocked and the leaders who inspire their teams to deliver exceptional customer service.
“They sacrifice their weekends with their families and are always available when something goes wrong. Most importantly, they are the backbone of our community grocery stores that serve small-town America, where our independent grocers are needed the most.”
Matt Ladnier of Piggly Wiggly in Wiggins, Mississippi, was named the 2025 HFG Store Manager of the Year and received the Jimmy Nichols Golden Shopping Cart Trophy.
In addition to Ladnier, other honorees included:
- Melissa Anderson, IGA, Albany, Kentucky;
- Jessica Chism, Price Less IGA, Radcliff, Kentucky;
- Chris Fortune, Food Giant, Parsons, Tennessee;
- Brett Gentle, Vernon Sav-More, Vernon, Alabama;
- Doug Heise, Bill’s Cash Saver, Atkins, Arkansas;
- Ryan Hinderliter, IGA, Mt. Carmel, Illinois;
- Ben Hogan, Food Giant, Abbeville, Alabama.
- Jennifer Lamance, Price Less IGA, Oak Ridge, Tennessee;
- Adam Myers, Save Mart, McGehee, Arkansas;
- Kim Nolan, Price Less IGA, Russellville, Kentucky;
- John Pendley, Food Giant, Greenville, Kentucky;
- Elsie Roy, IGA, Columbia, Kentucky;
- Tim Weeks, Food Giant, Ripley, Mississippi; and
- Jimmy Winchester, Food Giant, Medina, Tennessee.
[RELATED: HFG Empowering Employee-Owners, Supporting Communities]
2025 HFG Store Manager Awards Program
