Criterion refrigerators are owned and sold exclusively by Menards, the American home improvement retailer, which created Criterion as its house brand for appliances in the early 2000s.
Menards launched the Criterion refrigerator line in 2004, and the brand has since grown into one of the more recognized store brand appliance lines sold in the United States.
Criterion refrigerators are assembled through Menards own supply arrangements rather than through a single outside manufacturer, similar to how other large retailers manage private label appliance lines.
Because Criterion is exclusive to Menards, the refrigerators are only available for purchase at Menards stores and through the company website, unlike national brands sold across multiple retailers.
| Brand Owner | Menards |
| Launched | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Eau Claire, Wisconsin |
| Business Model | Exclusive retailer house brand |
| Main Products | Refrigerators, freezers, and other kitchen appliances |
| Sold Through | Menards stores and Menards.com |
Table of Contents
Who Owns Criterion Appliances?
Criterion is owned by Menards, a privately held home improvement retail chain headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Menards created Criterion specifically as an exclusive house brand, giving the retailer a private label alternative to national appliance brands sold by competitors like Home Depot and Lowes.
Menards is the third largest home improvement retail chain in the United States, operating hundreds of stores across the Midwest and surrounding regions, as noted on TheKeyFact.com.
Where Are Criterion Refrigerators Made?
Criterion refrigerators are produced through Menards own manufacturing and sourcing arrangements, a structure the company has used to keep pricing competitive against national appliance brands.
Menards has stated that Criterion appliances are assembled through its own domestic operations, though the retailer does not always publicly detail every component supplier involved in production.
This private label approach is similar to how other large retailers, including Costway and various home improvement chains, manage exclusive appliance lines without owning a fully independent national manufacturing brand.
What Refrigerators Does Criterion Make?
The Criterion lineup includes top freezer, bottom freezer, and side by side refrigerators, along with chest freezers and compact refrigeration options.
Since its 2004 launch, Criterion has grown enough to be counted among the top selling refrigerator brands in the United States, competing directly with established names like Whirlpool, LG, and GE on price.
How Does Criterion Compare to National Brands?
Criterion refrigerators are generally priced below comparable models from major national brands, reflecting the cost advantages of a retailer owned house brand without third party markup.
National brands typically offer broader nationwide service networks and wider retail availability, while Criterion is limited specifically to Menards stores and its online store.
Is Criterion Really Good or Worth It?
Criterion refrigerators generally receive positive reviews for value, with buyers frequently citing solid basic performance at a price well below comparable national brand models.
Because Criterion is exclusive to Menards, buyers benefit from the retailer own customer service and return policies, which some shoppers find more straightforward than manufacturer specific warranty processes.
The tradeoff for many buyers is more limited feature sets on entry level models compared with premium national brands, along with availability restricted to Menards specifically.
For budget conscious shoppers who already frequent Menards for other home improvement needs, Criterion is generally considered solid value for a basic, dependable refrigerator.
Criterion Warranty and Customer Support
Criterion refrigerators typically carry a standard limited warranty covering manufacturing defects for a set period after purchase.
Customer support and warranty claims are handled directly through Menards, consistent with the retailer management of its other house brand product lines.
Where Can You Buy Criterion Refrigerators?
Criterion refrigerators are sold exclusively through Menards stores and Menards.com, and are not available through any other retailer.
For a broader look at the full Criterion appliance lineup, see Who Makes Criterion Appliances, and for a comparison with another private label refrigerator brand, see Who Makes Costway Refrigerators.
How Has Criterion Grown Since 2004?
Criterion started as a modest house brand refrigerator line and has since expanded into a much broader appliance category covering multiple refrigerator styles and freezer options.
Menards has continued growing the Criterion lineup over two decades, using customer feedback and pricing pressure from national brands to shape which features and sizes stay in the catalog.
This steady growth has helped Criterion reach a position among the top selling refrigerator brands in the country, an impressive result for a brand sold through only one retail chain.
The brand continued success reflects a broader trend of large retailers building credible private label appliance lines rather than relying solely on national manufacturer partnerships.
Shoppers comparing Criterion against national brands should check exact energy usage and warranty length side by side, since these details vary more between individual models than the overall brand reputation might suggest.
Visiting a physical Menards location to see the refrigerator in person before buying is also a good idea, since finish and interior layout can look different in photos than in the actual showroom unit.
Overall, Criterion remains a strong choice for Menards regulars who want a dependable, budget friendly refrigerator without shopping around at multiple stores.
Keeping the Menards purchase receipt handy is especially important for warranty claims, since support is routed through the retailer rather than a separate national manufacturer.
Regional store inventory can also vary, so calling ahead to confirm a specific Criterion model is in stock can save an unnecessary trip.
Menards periodic rebate promotions can also meaningfully lower the effective price on Criterion appliances, making it worth checking current sales before finalizing a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criterion Refrigerators
Who makes Criterion refrigerators?
Menards owns and manufactures Criterion refrigerators as its exclusive house brand, launched in 2004.
Is Criterion only sold at Menards?
Yes, Criterion refrigerators are sold exclusively through Menards stores and its website, and are not available through any other retailer.
Are Criterion refrigerators made in the USA?
Menards states that Criterion appliances are assembled through its own domestic operations, though the company does not disclose every specific supplier involved in production.
Is Criterion a good refrigerator brand?
Criterion is generally well regarded for offering solid value and dependable basic performance at a price below comparable national brand refrigerators. More background is available on Wikipedia and directly from CriterionAppliances.com.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.