Jacksons Food Stores celebrated its 50th anniversary on Monday.
The chain began on Aug. 4, 1975, when a college student named John Jackson, at age 20, leased his first location, a Texaco service station in Caldwell, Idaho. He purchased more stores, and as Jacksons Food Stores reaches 50 years, John Jackson has continued to expand. There are now more than 1,400 Jacksons and ExtraMile convenience stores across 10 states.
- Jacksons Food Stores is No. 28 on CSP’s 2025 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count. ExtraMile is No. 8.
“I have said I thought I had the Midas touch after the success of my first service station. The second one cured me of that notion. I understand that the associates we have the privilege of working with every day, providing friendly service to our customers in clean stores, are what gives Jacksons its staying power,” said John Jackson, founder and CEO. “All of us working together as a positive force in our communities, and in our customers’ lives, is the secret sauce to making it to 50 years and will remain the underpinning in getting us through the next 50.”
The chain’s headquarters in Meridian, Idaho, also serves as the home of its philanthropic activities, including supporting youth, civic organizations and other community initiatives in the many areas where Jacksons operate.
The company has grown to include multiple businesses, including Jackson Energy, Capitol Distributing, Jackson Jet Center, Jackson BevCo and ExtraMile. These companies also include John’s family members. John’s sons, Cory and Jeff, act as presidents of Jackson Food Stores and Jackson Jet Center, respectively and Andrea Jackson, John’s sister, president of Jackson BevCo.
And starting on Aug. 4, for every day of the week, Jacksons Food Stores offered customers who use their Let’s Go Rewards membership number products like select brands of 20-ounce soda, Red Bull, Starbursts, Slim Jims, Welch's fruit snacks and more for 50 cents.
“Every day for the last 50 years Jacksons has provided service and products to our valuable customers. Our first thought in celebrating the birthday of our family business was to share our gratitude with customers, giving them meaningful deals to mark the occasion and say thank you for taking this journey with us,” said Cory Jackson, president of Jackson Food Stores.
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