Overview

• Directors voted unanimously late Tuesday to remove Demoulas following Sept. 3 and Sept. 9 mediation sessions that failed, then filed a related action in Delaware’s Court of Chancery.
• In court papers, the board accused Demoulas of planning a work stoppage and resisting oversight, describing him as a “dictator,” after placing him on leave in May and firing two loyal executives in July who were later barred from company property.
• Demoulas contests the ouster, with his spokesperson calling the move a “farcical cover up for a coup,” and signaling his intent to return to lead the company.
• Board chair Jay Hachigian told employees and shoppers the chain will not change its operations, profit-sharing, bonuses, or culture, and a new CEO has not yet been named.
• Control dynamics and next steps draw scrutiny as Demoulas holds 28.4% and his three sisters together control roughly 60%, with reporting and analysis pointing to possibilities such as faster expansion or outside investment, and local voices including Rep. Lori Trahan urging preservation of the company’s character.