Spec’s: Bigger And Better In Texas
The Rydmans never intended to run a beverage retail empire in Texas. While the family today owns and operates 220 Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods stores throughout the Lone Star State—leading a company that boasts more than $2 billion in annual revenue—none of the family members managing the business had plans to work in a drinks store, let alone own one. Of course, when looking back on a decades-long successful career at the helm of one of the largest retailers in Texas, the Rydmans have nothing but pride for the family business.
“We spend every day trying to get better in every facet of what we do,” says Spec’s owner and president John Rydman. “I learn something every day and I’ve been doing this for 53 years.”
John works side by side with his wife, Lindy Rydman, who co-owns the business she inherited from her father, Carroll “Spec” Jackson. John and Lindy’s daughter, Lisa Rydman-Lindsey, now serves as the company’s executive vice president and director of marketing, and Lisa’s sons have also recently joined the fold.
For their incredible run continuing Spec’s robust family legacy, all three were recently named the 2025 Market Watch Leaders Retailers of the Year—Lisa receiving the honor for the first time and John and Lindy claiming the first repeat Retailers of the Year honor in the magazine’s history.
With 220 stores spread across the second-largest state in the U.S., Spec’s has a huge selection of inventory company-wide, spanning more than 58,000 SKUs overall. Most stores carry from 10,000-30,000 SKUs, and the company avoids a cookie cutter format, choosing instead to tailor units to their city and neighborhood. “We have very few stores that look alike,” John says, adding that each retail outlet has its own inventory list and they’re not always the same. The business will add a few more units this year, and also close a couple under-performing stores, and there are plans to add at least five more stores in 2026.
John notes that business has been slower over the last year than some years prior. He points to several factors affecting overall sales, from the economy and recession fears to the general decline in social drinking caused by an increase in health-minded consumers. In addition, he says THC products are stealing sales from alcohol, though he notes that Spec’s currently offers THC items where legal, and that has helped offset other losses.
Spirits overwhelmingly make up the largest share of sales at Spec’s, comprising 70% overall, followed by wine at 13%, beer at 8%, and food and non-alcohol items at 9%. Tequila is the company’s hottest category, led by Don Julio Reposado ($44 a 750-ml.), which John says just recently became the stores’ No.-1 Tequila SKU.
Wine is losing customers at Spec’s, notably to THC products and lower-calorie offerings. The company’s top-selling wines include Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay ($11 a 750-ml.), Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc ($10), Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon ($12), La Marca Prosecco ($13), Highway 12 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17), and La Crema Monterey Chardonnay ($12).
Beer is also declining, as seltzers and THC products are stealing share here, too. Popular beers at Spec’s include labels from Modelo ($19 a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans), Dos Equis ($17 a 12-pack of 12-ounce bottles), Corona ($20 a 12-pack), Michelob Ultra ($30 a 24-pack of 12-ounce cans), Miller Lite ($25 a 24-pack), and Coors Light ($25 a 24-pack).
Along with High Noon, some of Spec’s other top-selling seltzers include Nutrl ($14-$15 an 8-pack of 12-ounce cans) and White Claw ($20 a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans). Top-selling THC products include Pamos ($32 a 750-ml. for the cannabis-infused spirit, $17 a 4-pack of 12-ounce canned Spritzes), Buddi ($10 a 4-pack of 12-ounce canned seltzers), and oHHo ($12 a 4-pack of 12-ounce canned seltzers).—Laura Pelner
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