Ace Hardware on track to open 170-plus new stores by year’s end
Ace Hardware celebrated a milestone store opening as it continues to expand its footprint.
The world's largest hardware cooperative today marked its 100th new store opening of 2026 and remains on pace to open more than 170 new stores by the end of 2026. The company said its growth reflects strong demand from existing Ace retailers expanding their businesses, independent operators converting to the Ace brand and new entrepreneurs joining the cooperative.
During the past six years, Ace has added more than 1,100 new stores. The company currently operates nearly 5,300 locally-owned stores across all 50 states, and said it continues to invest in innovation, supply chain capabilities, retail support programs and marketing initiatives to help retailers thrives.
[READ MORE: Ace Hardware provides AI assistance to store employees]
"For more than a century, independent Ace retailers have proven that local ownership, personal service and a genuine commitment to their neighbors can not only compete but win against some of the largest and most powerful retailers in the world," said said John Surane, executive VP and chief growth officer at Ace Hardware. “Reaching our 100th new store yet again this year is a powerful reflection of the strength of that model and the confidence entrepreneurs continue to place in Ace."
Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace operates an expansive network of U.S. distribution centers, along with international capabilities in Ningbo, China. The company serves more than 8,950 locally-owned and operated stores around the globe, including nearly 5,300 Ace retail stores in the United States.
In 2026, Ace Hardware was named the No. 1 franchise in the hardware category and among the top-ranked brands overall in Entrepreneur magazine's "Best of the Best" rankings. Ace also climbed to No. 4 overall on Entrepreneur's annual Franchise 500 ranking, maintaining its place among the top-ranked franchises for the fifth consecutive year.
