David Best Leaves Coborn’s to Become CEO of Cub Foods

(KNSI) – On Tuesday, David Best, Chief Operating Officer of St. Cloud-based grocery chain Coborn’s Incorporated, was named CEO of Stillwater-based supermarket chain Cub Foods.

Best joined the central Minnesota company on January 1st, 2024, where he oversaw the company’s growth strategy and expansion into new categories. This spring, Coborn’s agreed to acquire two Kessler’s Food and Grocery stores in South Dakota.

Best’s first day in his new role will be August 17th. He replaces Andre Persuad, who stepped down in July.

The leadership change comes as Best takes over a company whose profits have been declining. Cub Foods is owned by Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc.

In June, UNFI suffered a cyberattack that left store shelves bare across the Twin Cities and nationwide, with some pharmacies unable to fill prescriptions. The company expects the attack to cost at least $350 million in sales.

Cub also recently announced the closure of its University Avenue location in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood at the end of the month.
The Cub chain is based in Stillwater and has more than 100 stores in Minnesota and Illinois. UNFI has owned the chain since it bought Supervalu in 2018.

Meanwhile, Best’s departure represents the latest in a series of executive changes at Coborn’s. In May, Coborn’s announced the promotion of Emily Coborn Wright to president of the company. In April, Coborn’s unveiled the hiring of former Sprouts Farmers Market executive Tanya Carlson as its next executive vice president of merchandising.

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