How a succession battle over a beloved New England supermarket empire turned ugly

In the summer of 2014, a power struggle unfolded within the beloved New England supermarket empire of Market Basket, featuring a clash between two cousins over control of the company. Artie T. Demoulas, the CEO who had built Market Basket into a prominent New England brand, was ousted by the board in June after a longstanding family feud with his cousin Artie S. Demoulas.

Artie T., known for his generosity and dedication to his employees and customers, refused to leave the company quietly. He garnered widespread support from workers and customers, leading to a boycott of the chain and a surge of public support. After reaching an agreement to sell the majority of the company back to Artie T. and his sisters for $1.6 billion, Artie T. addressed hundreds of workers on Market Basket's headquarters lawn, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support.

However, the victory was short-lived as Artie T. soon found himself embroiled in a new battle, this time facing debt, succession issues, and strained relationships with his sisters. The story of Market Basket's tumultuous history serves as a cautionary tale of the complexities that can arise in family-owned businesses, even in the face of immense success and public adoration.