Listeria monocytogenes strain EGD-e has been genetically adapted to the quaternary ammonium compound cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and the underlying mutations determined by whole genome sequencing. Adaptation to benzalkonium chloride (BAC), another quaternary ammonium compound, and CTAB was achieved by inactivating mutations in the TetR-regulators FepR and SugR, respectively. This results in the overproduction of the FepA and SugE1E2 efflux pumps, respectively. A strain lacking FepA and SugE1E2 was further adapted to BAC and CTAB and the underlying mutations determined by whole genome sequencing.