Festival Foods to join Schnuck Markets under new family-owned holding company

October 6, 2025

NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – Festival Foods’ parent company, Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers, Inc., is set to become part of the Schnuck Markets family, following a definitive agreement announced by Schnuck’s newly established holding company, the 1939 Group, Inc.

Per the announcement, the acquisition includes all shares held by CEO Mark Skogen and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) trust.

The acquisition includes 51 Wisconsin-based grocery stores operated by Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers, Inc.

Of those, 42 stores carry the Skogen’s Festival Foods banner, while the remaining nine operate under local names such as Dave’s County Market, Denny’s SuperValu, Don’s Quality Market, Lake Mills Market, Lakewood SuperValu, Super Ron’s Food Center, Thompson’s County Market, Thorp SuperValu and Wittenberg Sentry Foods.

According to the announcement, once the sale is complete, the 1939 Group plans to retain all existing store banners.

“Our family is honored to be entrusted with the Skogen family legacy, one that began serving Wisconsin communities in 1946 and continued for decades under the leadership of Dave and Barb, and later, under Mark as CEO,” Todd Schnuck – chairman and CEO of Schnuck Markets – said. “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.”

Mark Skogen, whose grandparents started the company in 1946, said continuing that legacy has been a privilege.

“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,” he said. “With Schnucks’ shared commitment to nourishing lives, this transition will help expand our impact and continue our tradition of community support across the Midwest.”

Upon completion of the purchase, the announcement states that Schnucks, Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers, Inc. will maintain their existing corporate headquarters and operate as separate, sister companies with shared support by the 1939 Group.