Costco Co-Founder Jeff Brotman Passes

Costco announced earlier this week that Co-Founder and Chairman of the company, Jeff Brotman, passed away early Tuesday morning.

The company released a statement on the passing this week, and voiced that the thoughts of its board, management, and employees are with Jeff’s wife and family during this time. 

Jeff first opened Costco in 1983, along with his partner James Sinegal. According to Fortune, Jeff was a key figure in the internationally known company. It was Jeff, who at the time was a Seattle-based attorney, who had the idea of opening a warehouse store that was more than just a business.

“Do the right thing,” Fortune reported was the company’s first motto, and still is moving forward. 

The practices instilled by Jeff and James were integral in connecting its loyal consumers with its brand, and ones that are still upheld by the company. This maintained foundation has now led to 736 Costco warehouses, 225 of which are on international shores.

All of us at Deli Market News extend our deepest condolences to Jeff’s family, as well as those affected by his passing.