Ace Hardware is a hardware store chain with locations throughout the United States. The company is owned by Ace Hardware Corporation, which is headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois. There are Ace Hardware stores in all 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ace Hardware stores are typically locally owned and operated. This means that each store is independently owned and operated by a local Ace Hardware dealer.
The Ace Hardware Corporation does not own or operate any of the stores directly. This franchise model allows for local ownership and control, while still providing the benefit of being part of a larger national chain.
The Ace Hardware Corporation provides support to its franchisees in the form of marketing and advertising, store design and layout assistance, training, and product selection guidance. Franchisees also have access to the company’s buying power, which allows them to purchase merchandise at a lower cost than they could on their own.
Local ownership is one of the things that makes Ace Hardware stores unique. It allows for each store to be tailored to the needs of its community. And it provides customers with a level of service that can only come from a locally owned business.