H-E-B no longer just a grocery company

H-E-B's plan to reinvent itself to operate more like a tech company is taking another step by moving into a new hub in Austin. 

The retailer's state-of-the-art, East Austin office will house its growing team of Austin-based H-E-B Digital Partners (employees), as well as the new headquarters for Favor, the Austin-based on-demand delivery company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of H-E-B. Complementing its existing H-E-B Digital team at H-E-B's headquarters in San Antonio, the Eastside Tech Hub further accelerates the retailer's path toward becoming the digital industry leader in Texas.

"Having a shared space like this is crucial to both H-E-B Digital and Favor's rapid growth," said Jag Bath, H-E-B chief digital officer and Favor CEO. "The Eastside Tech Hub enables us to have a strong tech presence in both Austin and San Antonio, while fostering a better connection between our teams across the two cities."

H-E-B offers at least nine private brand lines.

The company says it worked with IA Interior Architects to fully customize the recently renovated warehouse space. The two-story, open office concept offers a variety of dynamic work areas spread throughout the floor plan, including open collaboration areas, individual work spaces and over 50 meeting rooms of varying sizes, equipped with advanced technology and video conferencing capabilities. To foster continued collaboration between its San Antonio and Austin-based Partners, the retailer will provide shuttle rides between the two cities on Wi-Fi enabled buses throughout the work week.

Additionally, the modern office boasts a coffee bar featuring local roasteries, a lounge area, a large events space and a wellness center featuring a rock-climbing wall, curated fitness classes, bike parking and showers. Located at 2416 East Sixth Street, the office space is walking distance to several restaurants, coffee shops, breweries and the 7th Street H-E-B store, which is undergoing a major renovation.

To commemorate the opening of the Eastside Tech Hub, H-E-B and Favor will make $100,000 in charitable gifts to support hundreds of students in Austin and San Antonio via STEM-based summer camps and programs, such as Code2College in Central Texas, the Austin Pre-freshman Engineering Program at Huston-Tillotson University, Video Game Camp at Austin Community College and Youth Code Jam in San Antonio and Austin. 

"As a digital retail leader, this dynamic workplace reflects our commitment to better serve our people and communities. Investing in our schools and children allows us to help build the next generation of technology innovators right here in Texas," said Bath. 

The Eastside Tech Hub will initially house hundreds of Favor team members and H-E-B Digital Partners, with room to grow as both companies continue further investing in their teams to drive digital innovation. H-E-B Digital, in Austin and San Antonio, and Favor are both actively hiring across all areas of expertise, including product management, product design and software engineering. 

H-E-B, with sales of $26 billion, operates 400 stores in Texas and Mexico.