The Surprising Meaning Behind ‘Cub’ In Cub Foods

You’ve likely seen the big red letters for years, but do you actually know what 'Cub' stands for in Cub Foods? As it turns out, this Minnesota grocery staple has a name with a meaning that might just surprise you.

I have to admit, I was today years old when I found out the actual meaning behind this popular Minnesota store's name!

The Land of 10,000 Lakes has been home to some iconic brand names over the years, many of which still call Minnesota home today. We all know that big national retailers like Target, Best Buy, 3M, General Mills, and many others have their roots right here in the North Star State, right?

And so does this familiar brand name. It's a grocery store chain that was founded in Stillwater, Minnesota, back in 1968 and still retains its corporate headquarters there. It has a very simple name-- but do you know what that familiar name actually means?

ALSO INTERESTING: The Best Grocery Store in the U.S. Has Only 10 Locations in MN

I'm talking about the brand name, Cub, as in, Cub food stores. The popular and familiar grocery store chain has been a part of the Gopher State for 55 years, and is still expanding. For instance, a new Cub Foods store opened last year in Rochester, and Cub just rolled out a newly remodeled 'flagship store' in Burnsville, Axios Twin Cities reported.

I'd always just figured that the name 'Cub' was a reference to the abundant wildlife that also calls Minnesota home. That's not a bad guess, seeing as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says that between 13,000 and 18,000 black bears currently make their home here in Minnesota. So cubs ARE somewhat familiar here.

But that's NOT what the Cub means when referencing the Minnesota grocery retailer. According to Grocery.com, the 'cub' in Cub Foods is instead an acronym or abbreviation for the phrase 'Consumers United for Buying,' which refers to Cub having been one of the first whole discount food stores in the U.S. It's also apparently a reference to one of the chain's founders, Culver Davis Jr., whose nickname was also 'Cub,' Wikipedia notes.

Get our free mobile app

Over the years, the Cub Foods chain has been the property of several different owners, but is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of UNFI (United Natural Foods). The store finder page on the Cub website says there are currently 106 Cub food stores here in Minnesota, along with one location in Rockford, Illinois.

Grocery.com also notes that Cub was the grocery chain behind a number of innovations that are common today, including the checkout conveyor system. Who knew?!? Either way, here's a shout-out to another Minnesota store that's still going strong-- and the somewhat hidden meaning behind its name!

Listen to Curt St. John & Samm Adams
Weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5