Early Life
Charles Clarence Butt was born on February 3, 1938, in San Antonio, Texas. He is the grandson of Florence Butt, who founded the C.C. Butt Grocery Store in Kerrville, Texas, in 1905. His father, Howard Edward Butt Sr., expanded the business. Charles began working in the family business at a young age. He attended the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, earning a bachelor's degree, and later received an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Rise to Success
Butt became the chairman, CEO, and president of H-E-B Grocery Company in 1971. Under his leadership, the company experienced significant growth, expanding its operations in Texas and Mexico. H-E-B now operates over 400 stores. In 2022, H-E-B had $38.9 billion in revenue. Butt has been instrumental in driving the company's success.
Key Business Strategies
H-E-B has focused on several key strategies. The company has expanded its operations and invested in new store formats, including Central Market, H-E-B Plus!, and Mi Tienda. H-E-B has also invested in technology, such as self-checkout kiosks and smartphone apps. Butt has emphasized the importance of customer service and community involvement.
Philanthropy
Butt is known for his philanthropy, with H-E-B donating 5% of its pre-tax profits to charity. Butt has also established several initiatives, including the Charles Butt Foundation and The Holdsworth Center. In 2017, he donated several million dollars to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. In March 2024, Butt donated $500,000 to the State of Texas Agricultural Relief (STAR) Fund.
