Woodman's Markets
| Company type | Employee-owned |
|---|---|
| Industry | Supermarket |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Founder | John Woodman |
| Headquarters | Janesville , United States |
Area served | Wisconsin, Illinois |
Key people | Phil Woodman (President) |
| Products | Bakery, deli, dairy, organic foods, bulk foods, seafood, wine and spirits, pet supplies, fuel stations, online purchasing |
Number of employees | 3,800 (2025) |
| Website | woodmansmarkets |
Woodman's Markets, commonly referred to as Woodman's, is an employee-owned regional supermarket chain based in Janesville, Wisconsin. Established in 1919 by John Woodman as a small produce stand, it has grown to encompass 20 locations throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois as of 2025. Woodman's provides an extensive assortment of products and services, including bakery items, deli selections, dairy products, organic and bulk foods, seafood, wine and spirits, pet supplies, fuel stations, and options for online purchasing.
The company focuses on serving regional communities through a business approach centered on expansive store formats. Many of these stores operate around the clock and feature adjacent fuel stations along with convenience stores. Employing roughly 3,800 team members and generating around $2 billion annually in revenue, Woodman's sustains a significant presence within its market area. Leadership is headed by President Phil Woodman, who guides the company’s strategic growth initiatives.
Since 2010, Woodman's has been consistently featured on the Supermarket News Top 50 Small Chains & Independents list, highlighting its competitive edge and influence in the retail grocery sector.
History
Woodman's Markets originated in 1919 when John Woodman launched a produce stand in Janesville. His son Willard joined the business, and by 1921 they had established an indoor store at the same corner location. The company experienced steady growth, opening a second store in Janesville in 1956. These early outlets were consolidated into a larger single store in 1973. Phil Woodman, Willard's son, became part of management during the 1960s and continues to serve as president. In 1971, the company expanded beyond Janesville with a new store in Beloit. By 1975, Woodman's was the first grocery retailer in Wisconsin to implement UPC scanner technology.
From the late 1970s onwards, Woodman's expanded to 20 stores across Wisconsin and Illinois. The Kenosha store opened in 1997 was recognized as the largest grocery store in the United States at that time. The Rockford location inaugurated in 2001 marked the chain’s initial expansion outside Wisconsin. Remaining family-owned until 1998, Woodman's transitioned to complete employee ownership thereafter. By March 2008, annual sales had reached $1 billion.
At one point, the company held ownership interests in Roundy's, which has since become a major regional competitor.
Store layout and sales model
Woodman's stores are characterized by their large footprints, typically ranging from 200,000 to over 250,000 square feet. These flagship locations are often supported by smaller neighboring outlets. The company pursues a cautious expansion policy by opening new stores every two to three years without taking on debt and refurbishing existing stores between new openings.
The chain's bulk purchasing strategy allows it to offer prices lower than many competitors. While most merchandise is displayed conventionally on shelves, bulk products may be presented in original shipping containers or stacked along aisles.
Woodman's private label brands are supplied by Topco Associates based in Elk Grove Village and include Food Club, Full Circle Market, and That's Smart.
Accepted payment methods encompass cash, checks, Discover Card (which is exclusive to Woodman's), PIN-based debit cards, and EBT benefits. Most locations operate continuously throughout the day and night and include adjacent gas stations open 24 hours with convenience stores that run from early morning until evening. Several sites also provide car wash facilities and multi-bay oil change services with slightly shorter operating hours.
The variety of shopping carts available includes electric-powered carts, oversized carts for large loads, child safety carts, and carts tailored for customers with special needs.
Each store features a sizable liquor outlet housed within the same building but accessible through separate entrances with dedicated checkout lanes; alcohol purchases must be completed separately from groceries and non-alcoholic drinks.
Employee benefits
Despite being an employee-owned company, Woodman's encountered controversy in December 2009 when CEO Phil Woodman discontinued mental health insurance coverage, citing concerns over escalating expenses. This move led to protests advocating for the coverage's restoration.
Locations
Woodman's maintains nineteen store locations throughout Illinois and Wisconsin:
Illinois
- Bloomingdale
- Buffalo Grove
- Carpentersville
- Lakemoor
- North Aurora
- Plainfield (planned)
- Rockford
Wisconsin
- Altoona
- Appleton
- Beloit
- Green Bay
- Janesville
- Kenosha
- Madison (East)
- Madison (West)
- Menomonee Falls
- Oak Creek
- Onalaska
- Racine (under construction)
- Sun Prairie
- Waukesha