When Joey and Florence Franco first opened their doors at Jackson and Alum Rock, they also opened their hearts out to the community they joined.  PW Markets was an integral part of the east side of San Jose.
 
“The community really supported dad” says his daughter Joy Belli, executive vice president and corporate secretary of PW Markets.  She remembers working at the store since she was very young.
 
“People still come up to me and say they remember when they had no money for groceries and dad telling them not to worry,‘Pay when you can.' ”
 
 
This philanthropic community compassion has carried over 63 years to a new generations of family members.
 
PW Markets strive to make a difference in its customers’ lives by providing superior quality, selection and service. PW Markets also partners with the local community to support local events and activities that benefit the communities.
 
 
Educating the children of our community is also a goal which PW Markets takes seriously.  PW Markets has been participating in Escrip and last year gave more than $125,000 to the schools of its customers’ choice.  
 
Escrip provides resources to organizations and projects that support children.  Since 1999, millions has been distributed to schools and groups and PW is proud to be an integral part of the local children’s education and future.
 
PW Markets awarded over $23,000 in college scholarships last year.

The History of Joey Franco and PW Markets
"Family, Tradition and Memories, that's what we bring to the table"

Joey Franco emigrated from Italy with his parents in 1921. He began working at an early age "picking prunes", apricots and other fruits in the Santa Clara Valley until he was old enough to work in his cousin's stores - Franco Brothers Markets. By age nineteen, he had worked his way up from stock clerk to store manager. In 1939 Joey married Florence Benzo and started a family.
As the years passed, his dreams of owning his own grocery store grew.

In 1943 Joey's dream was fulfilled by opening his first PW Markets at Jackson and Alum Rock Avenue. Joey bought the store, the name, and went into business for himself and his family. In 1969, he built a 38,000 square foot market in Cupertino, one of the largest in the valley at the time. Expansion continued through the 1970's and 1980's. He opened a produce warehouse to service his growing chain of markets with 6 refrigerated semi trucks. Joey Franco and PW Markets began with $500 and a "hand shake" with Harvey Sorenson of United Grocers. PW Markets was with United Grocers for 40 years. PW joined Unified Western Grocers and is still a current member. Joey served as a director for United Grocers for 15 years. He participated in the California Grocers Association for 40 years. He was a San Jose Rotarian and a member of the St. Claire Club.

Joey did not build this business alone; he did have a little help from his wife, Florence, who was his number one checker and bookkeeper for many years. They were married for 60 years and have 2 daughters, 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Florence passed away in May 2002 followed by Joey in March 2003. Joey credited his stores' success to the employees of PW Markets. He said "without great employees, there would not be a Joey Franco's Markets today"... His legacy lives on through his family and stores. Lee Belli is chief executive officer and his wife, Joey Franco's daughter, Joy Belli serves as executive vice president and corporate secretary. Franco's other daughter, Kathleen Jalalian is vice president and a member of the board of directors. Mike Stigers is PW Markets' president and has been with PW Markets since 1999. The company has nine store and about 900 workers, about 60 percent of them full-time.

What the "PW" stands for has been and will remain a family secret, but looking back over the 60 years of the supermarkets' growth and success, the secret is not keeping its customers away. One of Joey's favorite sayings, "If my family won't eat it, I won't sell it." The number one commitment for PW Markets is to always stay true to the customers by giving them the best quality, service and products from our family to yours.