Criterion is one of the leading appliance brands in the USA and worldwide. Especially they are very famous for their refrigerators. They have become part and parcel of many kitchens with their high-quality products of freezers and refrigerators. Most American people trust the brand’s market reputation, rich history, and excellent after-sales service.
However, there are a few Americans who know the actual manufacturer and owner of the Criterion appliances. As a result, we have to face questions like, “Who makes Criterion appliances?”
In short, it is Menards that owns and makes Criterion appliances. Menards is one of the most famous American home appliances manufacturers for different products. After Lowe’s and The Home Depot, they are now the third-largest home improvement manufacturer in the United States.
In this article, we will try to guide you through Criterion appliance manufacturers, market reputation, their history, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Just keep continuing your reading.
What is Criterion?
Before we jump into the question “who makes Criterion appliances?”, I think it’s also necessary to know about them and their products first. Although most American know about the brand, this will only help the newcomers.
Criterion usually manufactures refrigerators and freezers for residential uses. You will find their products across the whole United States. Their versatility, reliability, and innovative design have made Criterion one of the top-rated refrigerator brands worldwide.
Criterion kitchen appliances have become part and parcel of many American and non-American homes. From the large double-door to the standard single-door refrigerators, they are very skilled at supplying all types of freezers and refrigerators for all types of users in the American market.
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Who Makes Criterion Appliances
We already know who makes Criterion Appliances, it’s Menards, an American home improvement company that makes Criterion appliances. According to Forbes, Menards ranks 26th among the largest private companies in the USA and also the 3rd biggest home improvement retail chain company in America.
Only Home Depot and Lowe’s are in front of them regarding sales and store numbers. However, according to their annual reports showcase, they look forward to surpassing the company by 2025. They are currently operating in 15 states of the United States and have 335 stores across these states.
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All About Menards
Menards is a family-owned business that was founded in 1958. It is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and operates over almost 300 home improvement stores in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, etc. Menards is currently considered throughout the whole American home improvement market as the low-cost leader.
| Type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (home improvement) |
| Founded | 1960; 62 years ago |
| Founder | John Menard Jr. |
| Headquarters | Eau Claire, Wisconsin, US |
| Number of locations | 335 Stores And 12 Distribution Centers (As of February 2021) |
| Key people | John Menard Jr. (President) |
| Products | Building materials, hardware,tools, garden supplies,ceiling fans, electrical supplies,home appliances, light fixtures, cabinets, doors, windows, paint, wallpaper,wood stain, plumbing supplies, carpet,toilets, vinyl,groceries, linoleum, automotive, propane |
| Revenue | US$ 10.7 billion (2020) |
| Owner | Menard, Inc. |
| Number of employees | 45,000 (2021) |
| Website | www.menards.com |
With a one-stop shopping experience, most Menards stores also sell name-brand appliances, lawn and garden supplies, pet items, and even groceries. They not only deliver great products to you at reasonable rates but also serve as a useful resource for the community.
By enhancing jobs and economic growth, they always meet the home improvement requirements of business owners, local homeowners, and tenants.
Why is Menards so Successful?
The only Wisconsin company, which is much older than Home Depot and smaller than both Lowe’s and Home Depot, has remained quietly regional & privately held for more than 50+ years and counting.
Besides, the big lettering on Menards sponsorship on race cars, the renowned ‘Save Big Money’ jingle, & the founder’s reputation are audible. John Menard, the founder of Menards can’t avoid public scrutiny, since he appears consistently on Forbes’ yearly list of USA’s billionaires and attends NASCAR races to cheer on his son, Paul who is a race car driver.
Furthermore, Menards’ leadership has avoided media interviews and controls the information the firm distributes. Hardware Retailing like home appliances was one of the media outlets which reached out to the company for more details but did not receive a response.
Is Menards Good Enough?
Menards has always been dedicated to providing the best customer service. Whether it is assisting clients in their designing or calculating their projects with assisting with an order, the Design-It Center, or even answering concerns about products, customers always come first.
The company is always dedicated to customer service and offers a comprehensive assortment of quality, and supplies for all kinds of home improvement needs. Criterion, Masterforce, Midwest Manufacturing, DAKOTATM, Grip Fast, Mastercraft, Tuscany, etc. are just a few of the finest home improvement brands available at Menards.
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Where is Menards Located?
We know Menards’ headquarter is in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA. Their home improvement stores all across America are conveniently located in 15 states. They offer everything to everyone, from the novice do-it-yourselfer to the seasonal contractor. With their simple store Locator, you can easily find your nearest Menards store.
Simply choose your present state and input your city or five-digit ZIP code. Then, choose your desired shop to view its hours, directions, address, and phone number.
All ABout Criterion Appliances
Criterion Appliances first arrived in Pissed Consumer on August 23, 2019. Since that, till now this brand has gained 30 reviews.
In the Appliances and Electronics category, Criterion Appliances is ranked 288th out of 2025. Till now, their total rating is 4.1, and customers are very satisfied with their products and customer service.
However, unlike its independent cooperatives and publicly traded competitors such as True Value and Ace Hardware, the third-largest home improvement company in the United States does not reveal its financial information as a private firm.
Top Benefits of Criterion Appliances
Criterion has established itself as one of the leading home appliance brands in just less than 2 decades. But, what makes Criterion so famous? Are they any good? After researching it, we found the following benefits that make its appliances so popular.
Energy Efficiency
Criterion always uses the latest technology to make their appliances. It includes a modern and innovative insulation system. This system keeps the freezers cold without consuming much energy. Thus, most of their electrical appliances have an energy-efficient rating that cuts your electricity cost considerably.
Affordability
Criterion is known for its affordability. If you compare Criterion appliances with other brands in the market, you will be able to see the difference in their pricing. It makes their home appliances a great choice for people with a low budget.
Widest Range
Whether you want a big one for your family or a small refrigerator for personal use, Criterion has refrigerators for all users. Their widest range of appliances includes chest freezers, drawer freezers, upright freezers, etc. So, you can easily choose from their comprehensive product list to meet your requirements.
Alluring and Modern Design
Last but not the list, Criterion offers the most alluring and modern designs for their products in the market. For example, most of their models include a wire basket which is an exceptional feature. Also, managing different storage parts which makes them user-friendly.
Should you Buy Criterion Appliances?
After reading all of the above sections, we think now you can make a decision on buying Criterion appliances. You know better what you need or not. Just compare them with your requirement and find out your answer.
If you want to know from us, we will also suggest you buy Criterion appliances. They are affordable, long-lasting, have a modern design, and provide high-quality customer service. We did not find any reason not to buy their products.
