Ace Hardware is an American hardware retailer owned by Ace Stores, Inc. With more than 4,700 stores in the United States, it is the largest hardware store chain in the country. The company was founded in 1924 by Richard Hesse and Oscar Fisher in Chicago, Illinois.
Ace Hardware is a cooperative, meaning that each store is independently owned and operated. However, the company does have a few corporate-owned stores. As of 2019, the majority of Ace Hardware stores are owned by families or individuals.
While Ace doesn’t release detailed information on who owns the most stores, we do know that the majority of stores are family-owned and operated. This is in line with the company’s history as a cooperative. We also know that the company has a few corporate-owned stores.
In conclusion, we can say that the majority of Ace Hardware stores are owned by families or individuals, with a few corporate-owned stores sprinkled in. We don’t have any definitive information on who owns the most stores, but it’s safe to say that it’s a mix of both family-owned and corporate-owned businesses.