San Antonio-based H-E-B Grocery Company opened its first store in the DFW metroplex on Wednesday to an overwhelmingly positive response.
Hundreds of people stood in line, wrapped around the building, for the 6 a.m. grand opening of the Frisco H-E-B, amidst fanfare from a high school marching band and cheering crowds.
Chris Sadeghi, a Dallas TV news reporter, said he “couldn’t hear a thing” during the grand opening. Sadeghi wrote on Twitter that he had to “scream and hope” while he reported from inside the store.
DFW area residents have eagerly anticipated the store opening for more than a year. Although DFW has been home to six Central Market stores — owned by H-E-B’s parent company — for more than two decades, the new Frisco store is H-E-B’s first flagship store in the area.
The 118,00 square-foot location is filled with new amenities and innovations, including a BBQ restaurant, a full-service pharmacy with a drive-thru, and a home decor department.
H-E-B is also introducing a new line of DFW sushi options (which includes a DFW Roll) and a new Café Ole coffee blend called Taste of DFW. It is a medium-bodied blend with caramel, chocolate, and pecan flavors.
Several art installations by local artists are featured throughout the store’s adjacent two-acre greenspace. The artwork includes a mosaic bench with tiles decorated by H-E-B partners, teachers, firefighters, kids, and other locals, as well as fruit sculptures, interactive sculptures, and more.
H-E-B is the largest privately held employer in Texas. The new store will employ approximately 750 team members at the new location. More than 85% of the employees were hired locally from the Frisco area, according to the company’s press release.
“Opening our flagship H-E-B format in the DFW area has been an aspirational goal of ours for many years, and the company has a long-term commitment to serve a broad range of customers and communities across North Texas,” said Central Market Division President Stephen Butt.
“H-E-B is a company known for its steadfast commitment to Texas, and we’re excited they’re now a part of our community,” said Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney. “So, let me be the first to say, Frisco, welcome to My H-E-B.”
