Two will operate as Strack & Van Til and the remaining six will open under its Ultra Foods discount banner. The company plans to continue to expand in the Chicago area, according to company officials.
One location will be newly constructed, and the seven other stores previously operated as Cub Foods supermarkets, which is exiting the Chicago market. All will feature in-store bakeries.
"The [former Cub Foods] in-store bakeries will require extensive renovation, which we'll get started as soon as the stores are open to us," said Jeffrey Naaman, director of bakery for Strack & Van Til.