Our Heritage

McLane Group founder, Drayton McLane Jr., grew a small grocery business into what is now one of the largest foodservice distributors in the world — McLane Company. By implementing innovative technology and efficient business practices, he expanded the family business into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Drayton McLane Jr. was one of the first to develop and use emerging technology to streamline large-scale supply chain operations.

  • 1894

    1894

    McLane Company established in Cameron, Texas. Headquarters later moved to Temple, Texas.
  • 1978

    1978

    Drayton McLane Jr. becomes CEO of McLane Company and begins to grow the business into a multi-billion dollar operation.
  • 1990

    1990

    McLane Company acquired by Walmart. The McLane IP was used to create grocery distribution operations.
  • 1992

    1992

    Drayton McLane Jr. forms McLane Group, a holding company for assets and buys the Houston Astros professional baseball franchise. Has owned the team for 19 years.
  • 1992

    1992

    McLane Classic Foods established in 1992 as a premiere kettle cook company.
  • 1993

    1993

    Drayton McLane Jr. purchases international distribution operations from Walmart.
  • 1997

    1997

    McLane Group buys international import/export and logistics company.
  • 2001

    2001

    McLane Group purchases Hometown Favorites online grocer for hard-to-find foods and candies.
  • 2004

    2004

    MAT established to help the military solve mission critical challenges with logistics expertise and technology solutions.
  • 2011

    2011

    McLane sells Astros to focus on McLane Group companies and philanthropy efforts.
  • 2012

    2012

    McLane Intelligent Solutions established to expand Managed IT services into a larger geographical market.
  • 2013

    2013

    McLane Group Properties launched to manage real estate investments.
  • 2014

    2014

    McLane creates Sports in Action to manage an iconic Texas sports property.
  • 2015

    2015

    McLane Group purchases McLane Ford of Fredericksburg.
  • 2017

    2017

    McLane Technology Partners created to train soldiers in the Army software and to modernize old computer languages for state agencies.
  • 2019

    2019

    The Lakes at Central Pointe built – office and technology campus that begins national marketing.

The McLane Name at the Forefront of Innovation

The story begins in late 1800s when McLane’s grandfather, Robert McLane opened his first retail grocery business in Cameron, Texas. In 1894, the retail operations shifted into the wholesale grocery business, marking the beginning of McLane Company, Inc. When Robert’s son, Drayton Sr., graduated from college in 1922, he joined the growing family business where he worked for over 60 years.

When Drayton Sr.’s young son, Drayton Jr., turned nine years old, he spent his Saturdays and summers working at McLane Company stacking inventory and sweeping floors. During his teenage years, he worked in many other areas of the business. Drayton Jr. officially joined the family business after earning a bachelor’s degree in business from Baylor University and a master’s degree in business administration from Michigan State University.

In the early years, Drayton Jr. assisted his father in building a strong grocery distribution network that served convenience stores, supermarkets, fast food stores, and family owned business around Texas. They were one of the first to computerize the distribution system, a key move in McLane Company’s success.

Drayton Jr. eventually became president and CEO of McLane Company in 1964 and held this position for thirty years. During his tenure, he moved the company from Cameron to Temple, Texas to take advantage of the central location for distribution. Eighteen distribution centers were built around the United States.

Innovative solutions, along with the McLane family’s enduring standards and unwavering commitment to customer service, allowed the company to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction and profitability. Throughout the following decades, McLane Company accomplished average yearly sales growth of 30% or more.

Sheriff Blaylock: A Family Tradition of
Service and Honesty

While the McLane side of the family was establishing a wholesale grocery network, Sheriff Leonides Leonard Blaylock was keeping law and order in Milam County in Central Texas. The grandfather of Drayton McLane Jr. and great grandfather of Drayton III and Denton McLane, L. L. Blaylock was a kind and fair man who gained the respect of both the citizens and inmates of Milam County. Blaylock moved with his family to Cameron, Texas in 1915 and served as deputy sheriff throughout 1918 to 1935. Today, his memory lives on through the Blaylock family recipe served at restaurants and entertainment complexes around the country. The All-Beef Chili is a signature product at Classic Foods, a McLane Group Company.

Distribution and Retail Pioneers Join Forces
McLane Company and Walmart

The McLane/Walmart association began in the 1980’s when the McLane Company began selling convenience grocery items in the Walmart stores in Central Texas. This grew into a strong business and personal relationship between Drayton McLane Jr. and Sam Walton. There were many similarities between the two companies and their respective owners — both were founded in small town America on strong dedication to customers and employees; both were committed to honesty, integrity, and high ethical standards. It wasn’t surprising the two acclaimed businessmen became personal friends through the years.

In 1990, when Drayton received a call from Sam Walton announcing a trip to Temple, it seemed natural considering their relationship. When he heard David Glass, Walmart’s president and CEO would join them, the meeting became more interesting. The visit started with the usual tour of the local Walmart, but then the unexpected happened. Walton and Glass announced the true meaning of their journey they wanted McLane Company to merge with Walmart.

“My initial reaction was No!” said Drayton. Through the years he had many offers to buy the company and never seriously considered any of the proposals. This time, he talked it over with his family and stakeholders for the company. They decided the deal was a great growth opportunity for the company and the employees.

In 1991, McLane and shareholders sold the company to Sam Walton for 10.4 million shares of Walmart stock and $50 million in cash. He remained with the companies, serving in executive positions until 1993.

McLane Group Founded

Leading the Charge

Through the years, Drayton McLane Jr. has shaped a diverse portfolio within the McLane Group. Currently, the holding company is comprised of several entities within the technology industry, global logistics, and food production. Past ventures range from international distribution to food importing and production. In addition, Mr. McLane has investments in several joint business ventures within the information technology market.

The McLane name is synonymous with a strong commitment to quality and innovation. Drayton McLane Jr. began his career assisting his father in the family business, building a strong grocery distribution network that grew into one of the largest distributors in the world. Today the heritage continues through McLane’s sons Drayton III and Denton, while the family tradition of excellence remains within the collection of McLane companies.

Committed to Investing in Employees,
Customers, and Communities

Committed to Investing in Employees,
Customers, and Communities