Whole Foods Gains Investment

The grandfather of natural-food stores, Whole Foods Market, dodged a bullet this week. Leonard Green & Partners, a private-equity firm, resuscitated the revolutionary chain with a $425 million investment after Whole Foods sold 17 percent of the company to help bolster its withering stock prices. “This investment, combined with our strong cash flow from operations, gives us the financial flexibility to manage through these difficult economic times while continuing to prudently invest in our long-term growth,” Whole Foods Market President, John Mackey said. While the wrath of the financial gods hit banks, Whole Foods still stands.