Recession Expansions: Complete List of 2009 U.S. Retail Industry Store Openings

Although reports of store closings have dominated the headlines, the retail industry is neither standing still nor moving backwards. Major chains are still expanding despite a deep retail recession.

This list of 2009 store openings is arranged in descending order, according to the total number of stores each retailer has committed to opening in the 2009 calendar year in the U.S. The most recent additions to the list are indicated with bold lettering. You can also view this 2009 Store Openings list sorted alphabetically. (This list was last updated on 12-14-09):

See also complete 2010 Store Openings list.)

1,000  McDonald's

750  Spirit Halloween (Pop-ups)

554   Walgreens

500  Dollar General

484  Subway

450  Zara (through 2011)

400  GameStop

385  Family Dollar

235  Dollar Tree

200  7-11

140  Papa John's

140  Play N Trade

139  O'Reilly Auto Parts

131  Sonic

120  Chipotle Mexican Grill

120  Chrysler

110  Popeye's (AFC Enterprises)

102  Wireless Zone

100  Edible Arrangements

100  Go Green Station

100  Papa Murphy's

100  Yoshinoya

94    Auntie Anne's

90    AFC Enterprises

90    Freshii

85    Lowe's

85    TJX Stores (TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, A.J. Wright)

84    Auto Zone

80    Panera Bread

75   Aldi Supermarkets

75    Buffalo Wild Wings

75    Gymboree

75    IHOP

75    Target

73    Fastenal

70    Darden

70    Wendy's

69    Sephora

64    Chick-fil-A

64    Jack-in-the-Box

62    Qdoba

60    Pet Smart

60    Smashburger

58    Tractor Supply

57    Bed Bath & Beyond

56    Brown Shoe Co.

56    Kohl's

55    Famous Footwear

55    Vapiano

53    SuperValu

52    Big Lots

52    Hibbett Sports

50    CVS Beauty 360

50    Ross Dress for Less

50    Sprint Boost Mobile

45    Best Buy

44    Forever 21

43    Einstein Bros.

41    Staples

40    Applebee's

40    Aeropostale

40    Arby's

40    Best Buy Mobile

40    Elevation Burger

40    Fashion Metro

40    Foot Locker

40    Marco's Pizza

40    Red Mango

40    Tim Horon's

37    Chili's

35    EZ Money

35    Noodles & Company

35    Ulta

35    Urban Outfitters

33    Maurice

32    PizzaVito

32    Smoothie King

31    Dress Barn

30    American Apparel

30    Beauty 360 (CVS)

30    Eyemart Express

30    Stage Stores (Bealls, Palais Royal, Pebbles)

30    Tasti D-Lite

30    Teavana

25    Hobby Lobby

28    Limited Brands

26    Fresh & Easy

25    Fred's

28    American Eagle

26    Ticket Master

25    Apple

25    Gap

25    Taco Maker

25    True Religion Apparel

24     Publix

24    Winmark Corp. (Music Go Round, Once Upon a Child, Plato's Closet, Play It Again Sports)

23    Sheetz

22     Bealls

22     Esprit (U.S. & worldwide)

22    hhgregg

21     Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

21    Wow Cafe and Wingery

20    Casey’s General Store

20    Charlotte Russe

20    Five Below

20    Ghengis Grill

20    Hermes (Asia & US)

20    Jimmy Jazz

20    Jo-Ann Stores (Asia & US)

20    Nations Rent

18    Discount Tire

18    Kirkland's

18    Talbot's Upscale Outlet

20    Wet Seal

17    Claire's

17    Domino's

17    JC Penney

17    Texas Roadhouse

16     Famous Famiglia

16    Longhorn Steakhouse

16    Williams-Sonoma

15     99c Only

15    Cato

15    Ethan Allen

15    Jos. A. Banks

15    NRGize Lifestyle Cafe

15    Office Depot

14    Golf Galaxy

14    Goody's (Stage Stores)

14    Peet's Coffee & Tea

13    AJ Wright (TJ Maxx)

13     Destination Maternity

13    Maurice’s

10    Rite Aid

13    Roundy's

13    Whole Foods Market

More 2009 Store Openings...

See this 2009 Store Openings list sorted alphabetically.