Market Basket CEO Artie T. Demoulas Ousted After Decade-Long Family Power Struggle
Artie T. Demoulas was removed as Market Basket chief in a Delaware court ruling, ending a ten-year feud with his cousins and the board.
A Delaware Chancery Court affirmed the removal of Artie T. Demoulas as chief executive of Market Basket, concluding a decade-long battle between the CEO and his cousins who control the board. The conflict traces back to a 2014 board vote that sparked employee walkouts, a massive boycott and a $1.6 billion buy-back that restored Demoulas to leadership. After the sale, mounting debt, succession disputes and a hostile board led to his dismissal in 2025, with the board appointing CFO Don Mulligan as acting CEO and later promoting veteran Chuck Casassa.
The ruling found the board’s action lawful, despite Demoulas’s claim it was driven by personal vendettas. He retains a 28% stake and has said he will not pursue further appeals. Market Basket, now with 95 locations, 32,000 staff and $8 billion in revenue, reports business as usual, though some customers note subtle changes in service and pricing.
Why it matters
The case shows how family disputes can reshape leadership of a major regional retailer and affect thousands of workers.
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