Take a look inside Menards, the Midwest home-improvement chain owned by Wisconsin's richest billionaire

Talia LakritzMay 29, 2024, 09:45 IST

A Menards store in Wisconsin.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Menards home-improvement stores earned John Menard Jr. his $22.9 billion fortune.
The Midwest chain is different from other stores, with mail-in rebates and no installation services.

If you've spent any time in the Midwest, chances are the "Save big money at Menards" jingle is permanently embedded in your brain.

Menards, the home-improvement chain founded by John Menard Jr., is known for its discounted prices, mail-in rebates, and quirky Midwestern charm. The company helped Menard Jr. achieve billionaire status with a net worth of $22.9 billion, making him the richest person in the state of Wisconsin.

Last year, Menards earned $13.4 billion in revenue, Forbes reported, making it the third-largest home-improvement chain in the US behind Home Depot and Lowe's.

During a recent trip to my hometown in Wisconsin, I accompanied my dad, a frequent Menards shopper, on one of his trips to see what has made it such a successful business.

As the founder of home-improvement retailer Menards, John Menard Jr. is Wisconsin's richest billionaire with a net worth of $22.9 billion.

John Menard Jr. (left) congratulates IndyCar driver Simon Pagenaud on his victory at the 2016 Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis.Khris Hale/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

I visited a Menards store in Milwaukee for the first time.

A Menards store in Wisconsin.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

In the parking lot, Menards pickup trucks were available to rent to bring home large purchases.

A pickup truck available for rent at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

I was surprised to find one-way gates at the entrance to help prevent theft.

The entrance to Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Walking in, I was immediately shocked by how large the store was.

Aisles at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Our first stop was the grocery section, which sold snacks, beverages, and other basics.

The grocery section at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Grocery items at Menards were significantly cheaper than local grocery chains.

Shopping for cereal at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

I came across some unique products I'd never seen before, like Hydrox sandwich cookies.

Snacks at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Menard Jr.'s involvement in racing was evident in the packaging of the locally brewed Sprecher root beer.

Sprecher root beer at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Some aisles also featured photos of Menards race cars.

Race car-themed decor at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The lighting section glowed with lightbulbs, chandeliers, and other fixtures.

The lighting section at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Counters, cabinets, and bathroom vanities looked ready to install.

Bathroom vanities at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The lumberyard was big enough for multiple semi-trucks to load up on supplies.

The lumberyard at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The outdoor-living section sold an impressive array of furniture.

Outdoor items at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

With spring arriving, the garden center was in full bloom.

The garden center at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Menards had a little bit of everything, including shelves of "As Seen On TV" products.

An "As Seen On TV" section at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

It even sold its own swag.

Menards swag.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Another characteristic of shopping at Menards is its mail-in rebate.

A Menards rebate form.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

While I'm not a DIY-er myself, I was impressed by Menards' low prices, huge stock, and unique policies.

The author at Menards.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

I've worked at Costco for 18 years. Here are 10 of the best things I'm seeing on the shelves this month.

Cookies on the Business Insider India website