ST. ANN, Mo. — Discount grocer Save A Lot has appointed Bill Mayo as its new chief executive officer, succeeding Fred Boehler, who is stepping back from day-to-day management and transitioning into an advisory role, the company announced Monday.
Mayo, who joined Save A Lot in March 2024 as chief development officer and was promoted to chief operating officer just months later, now takes the helm to guide the chain into its next phase of growth. Before joining Save A Lot, he spent 29 years at Wakefern Food Corp., where he held various leadership roles, including a six-year tenure as Chief Administrative Officer.
“I’m honored to serve alongside our experienced and talented team who work hard every day to deliver outstanding value and quality groceries to neighborhoods across the country,” said Mayo. “I love this brand and what it represents for our retailers and especially our customers. Save A Lot has a unique industry positioning, and we’re poised to deliver a new era of growth.”
Boehler, who joined the board in 2021 and became interim CEO in 2023 before being named permanent chief executive later that year, praised Mayo’s impact.
“As I step back from daily management of the Save A Lot business, I’m confident that Bill is the right leader to help steer the company through to its next phase of growth,” said Boehler. “Bill has played a key role in resetting the company’s go-forward strategy and reclaiming Save A Lot’s value and retail leadership as both a wholesaler and an operator. I will be thrilled to watch the team’s continued success as the initiatives we’ve launched gain momentum.”
Board chair Mike Motz also endorsed the leadership change, thanking Boehler for his service and expressing confidence in Mayo. “The Save A Lot Board of Directors is grateful to Fred for his leadership, first as a member of the Board and more recently as CEO. His continued work as an advisor will be invaluable,” said Motz. “We are also excited to expand our collaboration with Bill, who has demonstrated over the last 18 months strong expertise in both wholesale and retail. He will be a tremendous partner for the Board and for Save A Lot Retail Partners alike.”
Save A Lot is the largest independently owned and operated discount grocery store chain in the U.S., with approximately 700 stores in 30 states. The company is No. 58 on Progressive Grocer’s 2025 PG 100 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America and was recently recognized among the publication’s Outstanding Independent Grocers.
