If you live in St. Louis, you basically grew up with a Schnucks on every other corner. It's the "Friendliest Stores in Town," right? But if you’re trying to pin down an exact number for how many Schnucks stores are there, the answer is actually a bit of a moving target right now.
Most people think it’s just about a hundred shops scattered around Missouri. Honestly, that’s not even half the story anymore. Between recent acquisitions and some high-profile shifts in the Midwest grocery landscape, the footprint of the Schnuck family has exploded in a way that most shoppers haven't quite realized yet.
The Current Count: How Many Schnucks Stores Are There?
As of early 2026, Schnuck Markets, Inc. operates 114 stores under the primary Schnucks banner.
These locations are spread across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. If you’re looking for the brand you know and love—the one with the red-and-blue logo and the Tally robots roaming the aisles—that 114 number is your "true" count.
However, there is a massive asterisk here.
In late 2025, the company made a power move. They formed a new parent entity called 1939 Group, Inc. (named after the year Anna Donovan Schnuck opened the first retail store). This holding company didn't just sit still; it swallowed up Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers.
Because of that deal, the Schnuck family now oversees a total of 164 stores across the Midwest.
Why the Numbers Seem to Keep Changing
Wait, so is it 114 or 164? It depends on who you ask and what you're counting.
- 114: The number of traditional Schnucks-branded supermarkets.
- 51: The number of stores in Wisconsin that fall under the 1939 Group umbrella but keep their own names (like Festival Foods).
- Total Reach: 165 locations if you count the newest "replacement" projects currently breaking ground.
It’s kinda wild to think about how much they’ve grown from a single confectionery in North St. Louis. Today, they are the 13th-largest privately owned grocer in the United States. That’s not just "local success"; that’s a regional empire.
Where Are All These Stores Located?
If you’re driving through the Midwest, you’ll find that Schnucks isn't spread out evenly. They like to dominate specific hubs.
Missouri is the heartland of the operation. With over 70 stores in the Show-Me State alone, they basically own the St. Louis metro area. If you’re in South City or Chesterfield, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a Schnucks.
Illinois comes in second. You’ll find a heavy concentration in the Metro East (think Belleville and Collinsville) and another cluster up north in the Rockford area. In fact, when the Janesville, Wisconsin store closed its doors in September 2025, many of those employees actually transferred to the Rockford locations.
Indiana has a smaller presence, mostly centered around Evansville.
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The Wisconsin Situation
Wisconsin is the new frontier. For years, Schnucks had a lone outpost in Janesville. They eventually pulled the plug on that specific store because the "market evolved," which is corporate-speak for "it wasn't making enough money."
But then came the 1939 Group merger. Suddenly, the family has 51 stores in Wisconsin. They aren't called "Schnucks," though. They operate as:
- Festival Foods (42 locations)
- Dave's County Market
- Wittenberg Sentry Foods
- Lake Mills Market
It’s a clever strategy. They get the buying power of a 160+ store chain without forcing a St. Louis brand onto Wisconsin shoppers who are fiercely loyal to their local labels.
The Death of Eatwell and the Rise of "Fresh"
You might remember a time a couple of years ago when Schnucks tried to get "trendy." They launched a banner called Eatwell Market.
It was their answer to Whole Foods—lots of organic kale, bulk nuts, and "wellness" vibes. It didn't really stick. By mid-2024, they officially scrapped the Eatwell brand. They converted the Chesterfield location back into a traditional Schnucks and closed the other one.
Instead, they're pivoting toward "Schnucks Fresh."
These are smaller-format stores designed for quick trips. A great example is the new Oak Grove Village location in Missouri. It’s a way for them to get into smaller communities where a massive 60,000-square-foot "superstore" just doesn't make sense.
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Modernizing the Old Guard
While they are opening new spots, they are also tearing down the old ones. The Creve Coeur store on Olive Blvd is a classic example. It opened in 1967 and was, frankly, a bit of a time capsule.
The company is currently replacing it with a massive 68,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility in the new Olia Village development. This is the pattern: fewer "tiny" old stores, more "experience" hubs with AI-powered salad bars and "Caper Carts" that let you skip the checkout line entirely.
Is Schnucks Still a Family Business?
Yes. And that’s actually a huge part of why the store count stays stable rather than exploding like an ALDI or a Dollar General.
Todd Schnuck currently sits as Chairman and CEO. They are on their third and fourth generation of family leadership. Because they are privately held, they don't have to answer to Wall Street shareholders who demand 50 new store openings every quarter.
They can afford to be picky.
They reported about $3.1 billion in revenue for 2024. That’s enough to fund a $10 million tech upgrade (which they did) without having to sell out to a national mega-chain like Kroger or Albertsons.
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What This Means for Your Weekly Grocery Run
Knowing how many Schnucks stores are there isn't just a trivia fact; it actually affects your wallet.
Because they’ve grown to over 160 stores under the 1939 Group, they have significantly more leverage when negotiating with suppliers like PepsiCo or Kraft. This "scale" is what allows a regional player to keep prices somewhat competitive with giants like Walmart.
If you’re a regular shopper, keep an eye on the "Schnucks Rewards" app. Since the merger, they’ve been integrating more digital coupons and "flexforce" staffing to keep shelves stocked.
Actionable Insights for Schnucks Shoppers
- Check the Banner: If you're in Wisconsin, your Festival Foods rewards might soon look a lot more like Schnucks rewards. The backend systems are slowly merging.
- The "Fresh" Shift: If you live in a rural area near a major hub, don't be surprised if a "Schnucks Fresh" pops up. They are moving away from the "one size fits all" store model.
- Tech is Coming: If your local store doesn't have the smart carts or the Tally inventory robot yet, it will. The 2024-2025 investment cycle was specifically aimed at rolling these out to the remaining "legacy" stores.
- Store Closures: The company is aggressively auditing underperforming locations. If a store is old and hasn't been remodeled in a decade, it’s likely on the "replace or retire" list.
The landscape of Midwest grocery is changing fast. While the number 114 is the current count for stores with the name on the door, the influence of the Schnuck family is nearly 50% larger than it was just a few years ago.
Next Steps:
To find the specific location nearest you or to see if your local store is slated for one of the 2026 remodels, check the Store Locator on the official Schnucks website and filter by "Services" to see if your branch has the new AI Caper Carts or "Schnucks Now" delivery.