Fresh Market CEO out; taps Sobeys veteran as CEO

The Fresh Market’s new chief executive hails from up north.

The upscale specialty grocer announced that it has appointed Jason Potter as CEO, effective March 2. He succeeds Larry Appel, who has resigned. 

Potter is a 26-year veteran of Sobeys Inc., which operates more than 1,500 owned or franchised grocery stores under several banners across Canada as well as 350-plus retail fuel locations.  Most recently, he was executive VP of operations, having previously served as president Sobeys West, Sobeys Atlantic and president of multi-format operations. 

Fresh Market gave no reason for the resignation of Appel, a Winn-Dixie veteran who was appointed president and CEO of the company in fall 2017.

"Jason is a proven executive with significant experience and success in the world of grocery retailing and operational turnarounds,” said Andrew S. Jhawar, chairman of The Fresh Market and senior partner and head of the consumer & retail industry team at Apollo Global Management, which acquired the company in 2016. “He has demonstrated an ability to drive revenue and profit growth through innovation as well as improved operations, merchandising and marketing, which are skills that make him the ideal candidate to lead The Fresh Market's continued turnaround efforts."

The Fresh Market currently operates 159 stores in 22 states.