Ron Burkle

Ronald Wayne Burkle (born November 12, 1952) is an American businessman. He is the co-founder and managing partner of The Yucaipa Companies, LLC, a private investment firm that specializes in U.S. companies in the distribution, logistics, food, retail, consumer, hospitality, entertainment, sports and light industrial sectors. Yucaipa has executed grocery-chain mergers and acquisitions involving supermarket chains including Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Jurgensen's and once owned stakes in about 35 companies, including the grocery chains A&P and Whole Foods Market before their respective demise and takeover. Burkle's net worth was estimated at US$3.9 billion in March 2026, and ranked 1,072rd globally. Burkle is an activist and fundraiser for the Democratic Party.