Greg Hansen admits he probably should have known something was up when he never received a ballot to vote for the 2025 Wisconsin Grocer of the Year awards. As a member of the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) board, he is typically part of the voting process. But with 15 stores to co-own alongside his wife Kari and brother Nick, including the opening of a brand-new location, the missing ballot barely registered.
“I’m always late getting my ballot in anyway,” Greg joked later. “So, I wasn’t really looking for it.”
That oversight turned out to be the first clue in what became a memorable surprise when Greg, Kari, and Nick Hansen were named the 2025 Wisconsin Grocers of the Year. Unlike many awards that follow a clearly visible nomination process, the Hansens did not know they were being considered. As Nick explained, “We just got surprised.”
The WGA arrived in person to surprise the entire leadership team with the award. Nick explained, “We had a whole company meeting with all of our store managers, and they came in and presented.”
With roughly 650 employees across 15 locations, the Hansens were quick to emphasize that the award belongs to far more people than just the three co-owners.
“It’s really a team award,” Kari said. “Our team of 650 is who really earned this.”
The recognition was especially meaningful, as it was the first year the WGA introduced a unique peer-driven element: winners from the previous five years were invited to vote on the next recipient.
“That was really special,” Greg said, reflecting on the process. “It was truly our peers, people who understand the day-to-day challenges of this business.”
Being selected by fellow operators who face the same pressures, staffing challenges, and operational realities added weight to the honor and reinforced the respect the Hansen organization has earned across the state — an honor recognized in February 2025 when they earned a national IGA Retailer of the Year honor. Receiving both state and national honors in the same year offered a rare chance to step back and acknowledge the collective effort happening across every Hansen’s IGA location.
Beyond the surprise presentation, the Hansens attended the formal Wisconsin Grocers Association banquet, held as part of the annual WGA Expo. The event combines education, advocacy, and celebration, bringing together retailers, vendors, and industry partners from across the state. The awards banquet serves as the capstone event.
For the Hansens, being recognized in that setting, surrounded by peers, vendors, and partners, reinforced the significance of the honor. “It’s just a very cool honor,” Nick said. “You don’t get many years like this.”
The Wisconsin Grocers of the Year award builds on a period of sustained momentum for Hansen’s IGA.
Rather than slowing down to celebrate their dual awards, the Hansens continued to focus on growth and opportunity. One of the most significant developments of the past year was the opening of the company’s fifteenth store in Tomah.
The location, acquired as an existing store, offered a strong strategic fit. It sits near other Hansen’s IGA markets, making the transition smoother for vendors, staff, and customers alike.
“We’ve been very well received in the Tomah market,” Kari noted. “A lot of customers were already familiar with our stores.”
Nick added that recent awards likely played a role in building confidence and community support during the transition, helping establish trust in a competitive market.
In addition to retail growth, Hansen’s IGA has continued to earn recognition for its inclusive employment practices. The company was once again acknowledged by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development for its commitment to employing individuals with disabilities.
Hansen’s IGA had previously received an award presented by the governor, and the more recent acknowledgment reinforces a long-standing commitment to creating meaningful, supportive employment opportunities across all locations.
For the Hansens, this recognition aligns closely with their values and reinforces the belief that strong communities are built by investing in people, not just stores.
Today’s success is built on a foundation laid decades earlier by Greg and Nick’s parents, Leo and Rosemary Hansen, who were awarded the IGA Retailers of the Year award in 2008.
Although no longer involved in daily operations, Leo and Rosemary remain active supporters of the business. At 84, they still enjoy visiting stores, connecting with employees, and offering guidance.
“They’re forever grocery store owners,” Nick said. “They’re going to be in the stores offering opinions whether you want them or not.”
Their continued presence serves as a reminder of the values that shaped the company’s culture and continue to guide its growth.
As Hansen’s IGA looks ahead, the company enters the coming year with strong momentum, a growing footprint, statewide recognition for community impact, and national acknowledgment of excellence.