Who Owns Rural King?

What does Rural King own?
Rural King operates over 150 farm and home supply retail stores across 17 states under the Rural King brand. The company also operates specialized divisions including R.K. Guns (firearms and ammunition) and R.K. Tractors (agricultural equipment). The company retails products from major brands including Purina, Carhartt, Ariat, Wrangler, Husqvarna, Milwaukee, Bad Boy Mowers, Smith and Wesson, Mobil 1, and Shell Rotella, but does not own these brands.

Is Rural King publicly traded?
No, Rural King is not publicly traded. The company operates as RK Holdings LLP, a privately held entity owned by the Speer and Melvin families. All growth has been funded through internal cash flow without outside investors or private equity. The company does not publicly disclose financial results.

Who founded Rural King?
Rural King was founded on June 5, 1960, by Kermit Speer and Keith Beaird, two neighboring farmers in Mattoon, Illinois, who sold their farms, pooled their resources, and opened a 7,200-square-foot store in a former implement building. The original store provided essential farm and home supplies to the local agricultural community with just two employees besides the owners.

Where is Rural King headquartered?
Rural King is headquartered in Mattoon, Illinois, USA, where the company was founded in 1960. In June 2026, the company announced a $75 million investment in a new store support center campus in Mattoon, housing leadership and support functions including merchandising, IT, finance, operations, marketing, human resources, and legal. The project will create 100 new full-time jobs and retain 719 existing positions.

How many stores does Rural King have?
Rural King operates over 150 stores across 17 states as of mid-2026, with plans to open 15 new stores in 2026, reaching more than 160 locations across 18 states. The company opened its 150th store in Sebring, Florida, in April 2026. States served include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Who owns Rural King?
Rural King is owned by the Speer and Melvin families and operates as a third-generation, family-owned business under the legal name RK Holdings LLP. Alex Melvin, son of Gary Melvin and great-nephew of founder Kermit Speer, serves as Owner and Chairman. The company has no outside investors or private equity ownership and has funded all growth through internal cash flow since its founding in 1960.