2023 Festival Foods opens a new location in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin in October 2023.
2022 Festival Foods opens a new location in Hartford, Wisconsin in August 2022.
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.
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.
1974-82 The company grew to seven Skogen’s IGA stores in Wisconsin and Dave Skogen was named president of the company.
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 […]
1989 Dave Skogen was named the national IGA Retailer of the Year award.
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.
1993 Festival Foods opens in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
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.
1995 Festival Foods opens a location on the west side of Green Bay.
1997 Festival Foods sponsors annual fireworks shows across the state. Today, Festival Foods sponsors an annual fireworks show in 18 cities in Wisconsin.
1998 Festival Foods opens Green Bay East location.
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.
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.
2001 Festival Foods opens in De Pere, Wisconsin.
2002 Festival Foods opens in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
2003 Festival Foods opens in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
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?’
2005 Festival Foods converts the Skogen’s IGA location in Holmen, Wisconsin to a Festival Foods.
2005 Mark Skogen received the Wisconsin Grocer of the Year award from the Wisconsin Grocers Association.
2006 Dave’s son Mark Skogen — a third generation family member — became CEO. Mark continues to serve as Festival Foods President and CEO.
2006 Festival Foods opens La Crosse Copeland location in Wisconsin.
2006 Festival Foods opens Appleton Darboy location in Wisconsin.
2007 Festival Foods opens Appleton Northland location in Wisconsin.
2007 Festival Foods opens in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
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 Festival Foods opens in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
2010 Festival Foods opens in Suamico, Wisconsin.
2011 Festival Foods opens in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
2011 Festival Foods opens La Crosse Village location in Wisconsin.
2012 Festival Foods opens in Neenah, Wisconsin.
2013 Festival Foods opens in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
2014 Festival Foods opens in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.
2014 Festival Foods opens in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.
2014 The Festival Foods team grew to over 5,000 associates — and counting.
2015 Festival Foods opens in Janesville, Wisconsin.
2016 Festival Foods opens in Madison, Wisconsin.
2016 Festival Foods opens in Menasha, Wisconsin.
2016 Festival Foods opens in Somers, Wisconsin.
2016 Festival Foods opens the Green Bay – University Ave location.
2017 Festival Foods opens in Portage and Baraboo and acquires two new locations in Eau Claire.
2018 Festival Foods acquires a new location in Mauston.
2019 Festival Foods opens two new stores in Verona and Hales Corners.
2021 Festival Foods opens a new location in West Allis, Wisconsin in May 2021.
2021 Festival Foods opens a new store location in Greenfield, Wisconsin on July 16.
2021 Festival Foods opens a new location in New London, Wisconsin in October 2021.
Today As a family- and employee-owned company, Festival Foods operates 41 grocery stores with a commitment to provide exceptional food and an extraordinary experience for years to come.
2021 Festival Foods purchases Trig’s locations in Wausau, Weston and Stevens Point in December 2021.