Full Breakdown
Schnuck Markets Acquires Festival Foods: A New Chapter for Wisconsin Grocery
9/16/2025, 8:31:25 PM
Acquisition Announcement
Schnuck Markets, a St. Louis-based supermarket chain, has announced its acquisition of Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers, Inc. This definitive agreement involves the purchase of 100% of the shares, including those held by Mark Skogen, the outgoing CEO, and shares in the employee stock ownership plan. The deal encompasses 51 grocery stores across Wisconsin, with 42 operating under the Festival Foods brand and nine under Hometown Grocers, which includes stores like Dave's County Market and Wittenberg Sentry Foods. The acquisition is expected to close in October 2025.
Corporate Structure and Future Operations
Following the acquisition, Schnuck Markets and Festival Foods will operate under a new entity called the 1939 Group, named after the year the first Schnuck grocery store opened. Despite the merger, both companies will maintain their separate corporate headquarters—Festival Foods in Green Bay and Schnucks in St. Louis. Todd Schnuck will serve as Chairman and CEO of the 1939 Group, which will employ over 19,000 associates across its operations.
Shared Values and Community Commitment
Both Schnuck Markets and Festival Foods emphasize a commitment to community engagement and customer service. Mark Skogen expressed pride in the legacy of Festival Foods, stating, “Our focus has always been on treating every customer like a guest, supporting the growth of our associates... With Schnucks’ shared commitment to nourishing lives, this transition will help expand our impact and continue our tradition of community support across the Midwest.” Todd Schnuck echoed this sentiment, highlighting the shared values between the two companies and the importance of community-focused retail.
Criticism & Opposition
While the acquisition has been largely welcomed, some community members express concerns about the potential loss of local identity and the impact on employee stock ownership. Critics worry that the merger might prioritize corporate interests over community engagement, which has been a hallmark of Festival Foods under the Skogen family.
Official Statements & Responses
In a joint statement, both companies emphasized their commitment to maintaining the existing store names and branding, assuring customers that their shopping experience will remain consistent. Todd Schnuck remarked, “We’re welcoming more than 8,000 associates to our family, unifying two family legacies and redefining what it means to be a regional grocer.”
What's Next
The acquisition is subject to customary review and approval processes, with the closing anticipated for late October 2025. As the transition unfolds, both Schnuck Markets and Festival Foods will focus on integrating their operations while preserving the unique attributes that each brand brings to the communities they serve.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our focus has always been on treating every customer like a guest, supporting the growth of our associates who make that experience possible and giving back to the communities we serve,” — Mark Skogen, Outgoing CEO of Festival Foods
- “Schnucks, Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers share a strikingly similar set of core values, tracing our success to decades of consistently focusing on the communities we serve, the values we share and the ongoing quest for excellence in grocery retail. With this combination, we’re welcoming more than 8,000 associates to our family, unifying two family legacies and redefining what it means to be a regional grocer.” — Todd Schnuck, Chairman and CEO of Schnuck Markets
This acquisition marks a significant shift in the grocery landscape of Wisconsin, with potential implications for both employees and customers as the two companies work to integrate their operations while maintaining their community-focused missions.
