How Whole Foods Overcame a Flood and Became a Global Success
In 1981, a catastrophic flood destroyed the only Whole Foods Market in Austin, Texas, leaving the company with no flood insurance and seemingly no way forward. Instead of closing its doors, co-founder John Mackey and his small team worked hand-in-hand with local customers, neighbors, and a forward-thinking banker. Their resilience and community-driven approach helped them rebuild and reopen in just 28 days—a pivotal moment that ultimately fueled Whole Foods’ growth into a leading natural and organic grocery chain, acquired by Amazon for $14 billion in 2017.
