Festival Foods:
Over 75 Years of Family, Fun & Food
For more than 75 years, Festival Foods has fueled a culture of excellence — from positively impacting communities to ensuring quality products and an exceptional experience. It's a place where customers are guests and associates are family. It's a place where family, fun and food come together. It's a place where the successes of the last 75 years fuel an ongoing passion for the next 75. Take a look:
Timeline
Today
Today
As a family- and employee-owned company, Festival Foods operates 39 grocery stores with a commitment to provide exceptional food and an extraordinary experience for years to come.
2021
2021
Skogen’s Festival Foods Purchases Store in New London, Wisconsin.
Summer 2021
2021
Festival Foods opens a new store location in Greenfield, Wisconsin on July 16.
2021
2021
Festival Foods opens a new location in West Allis, Wisconsin.
2019
2019
Festival Foods opens two new stores in Verona and Hales Corners.
2018
2018
Festival Foods acquires a new location in Mauston.
2017
2017
Festival Foods opens in Portage and Baraboo and acquires two new locations in Eau Claire.
2016
2016
Festival Foods opens the Green Bay – University Ave location.
2016
2016
Festival Foods opens in Somers, Wisconsin.
2016
2016
Festival Foods opens in Madison, Wisconsin.
2016
2016
Festival Foods opens in Menasha, Wisconsin.
2015
2015
Festival Foods opens in Janesville, Wisconsin.
2014
2014
The Festival Foods team grew to over 5,000 associates — and counting.
2014
2014
Festival Foods opens in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.
2014
2014
Festival Foods opens in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.
2013
2013
Festival Foods opens in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
2012
2012
Festival Foods opens in Neenah, Wisconsin.
2011
2011
Festival Foods opens La Crosse Village location in Wisconsin.
2011
2011
Festival Foods opens in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
2010
2010
Festival Foods opens in Suamico, Wisconsin.
2007
2007
Festival Foods held the first annual Turkey Trot – a Thanksgiving Day tradition for runners, walkers and dogs of all ages. Benefiting the local YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs, this community event is the perfect guilt-free solution for eating your weight in mashed potatoes.
2008
2008
Festival Foods opens in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
2007
2007
Festival Foods opens in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
2007
2007
Festival Foods opens Appleton Northland location in Wisconsin.
2006
2006
Festival Foods opens Appleton Darboy location in Wisconsin.
2006
2006
Festival Foods opens La Crosse Copeland location in Wisconsin.
2006
2006
Dave’s son Mark Skogen — a third generation family member — became CEO. Mark continues to serve as Festival Foods President and CEO.
2005
2005
Mark Skogen received the Wisconsin Grocer of the Year award from the Wisconsin Grocers Association.
2005
2005
Festival Foods converts the Skogen’s IGA location in Holmen, Wisconsin to a Festival Foods.
2003
2003
Festival’s Boomerang Principle was born — every business decision made at Festival Foods is based on the question, ‘Will it bring the guest back?’
2003
2003
Festival Foods opens in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
2002
2002
Festival Foods opens in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
2001
2001
Festival Foods opens in De Pere, Wisconsin.
1999
1999
Festival became a Servant Leadership Company. What does that mean? It means associates and management alike work ‘side by side’ to ensure each individual has everything they need to succeed within their position.
1999
1999
The Festival ‘Big Cart’ — the largest shopping cart in the world, standing 12.5 feet high and 18 feet long — made its first appearance.
1998
1998
Festival Foods opens Green Bay East location.
1997
1997
Festival Foods sponsors annual fireworks shows across the state. Today, Festival Foods sponsors an annual fireworks show in 18 cities in Wisconsin.
1995
1995
Festival Foods opens a location on the west side of Green Bay.
1993
1993
Festival Foods introduced Ribs on a Stick — a favorite for tailgate-goers and family dinner alike. Made out of boneless center cut pork loins, they’re split and skewered in plain or marinated varieties and are great on a grill or in the oven.
1993
1993
Festival Foods opens in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
1990
1990
The Skogen family identified a shifting trend in consumer buying habits and decided a change of store format was best for the company’s future. The first Skogen-owned Festival Foods grocery store was opened in Onalaska.
1989
1989
Dave Skogen was named the national IGA Retailer of the Year award.
1987
1987
Adding to a growing number of signature items, the Skogen family created a premium quality blend of lean meats and savory spices researched from the Old World recipes of German sausage makers. This meaty recipe was proudly named Oktoberfest Brats. Smothered with tangy kraut and spicy mustard or sizzling solo in a river of red ketchup – this quickly emerged a brat lover’s brat!
1974-82
1974-82
The company grew to seven Skogen’s IGA stores in Wisconsin and Dave Skogen was named president of the company.
1975
1975
The very first Skogen’s Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) opened in Onalaska’s Center 90 shopping center. Paul’s son, Dave, joined the family business and was committed to operating with a hands-on philosophy.
1946
1946
With only $500 of borrowed money and a lot of enthusiasm, Paul and Jane Skogen opened a 3,000 square foot grocery store that was attached to their house in Onalaska, Wisconsin.