Penzeys Spices

Penzeys Spices is an independent specialty retailer known for its wide selection of spices, herbs, and seasoning blends, serving both home cooks and culinary professionals across the United States. The company began in 1986 when Bill Penzey Jr. started a small mail-order spice business in Wisconsin. Its early reputation for freshness and variety helped it grow from a catalog operation into a recognized brick-and-mortar retailer, first across the Midwest and then into other regions.

A significant milestone in Penzeys’ history was its expansion beyond mail order to physical stores, which allowed customers to experience its products firsthand. By the late 1990s, the company had also established a strong online presence, making its offerings accessible to a national audience and helping it become a leader among artisanal spice retailers.

As of November 2025, Penzeys operates approximately 60 stores in more than 25 states, with a notable presence in urban and suburban areas, especially throughout the Midwest, Northeast, and select Sunbelt cities. Over the past five years, the company has maintained a stable store count, focusing on optimizing existing locations and pursuing selective infill in established markets rather than aggressive expansion or new market entries. This approach has allowed Penzeys to invest in experiential retail, with stores designed to encourage exploration, sampling, and education around global flavors and cooking techniques.

Penzeys’ business model combines retail stores, catalog sales, and e-commerce, which has helped the company adapt to changes in consumer shopping habits and broader retail trends. Its stores are recognized for generating steady foot traffic in lifestyle centers, urban retail corridors, and destination shopping districts. The brand’s emphasis on community engagement and a flexible approach to store formats has contributed to its credibility and staying power in the specialty retail sector. Privately held and without a franchise program, Penzeys continues to chart its own course, prioritizing customer experience and local engagement at each location.