<Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> Menards.com </Td> </Tr> <P> Menard Inc. is a chain of home improvement centers primarily in the Midwestern United States . </P> <P> The privately held company, headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has approximately 300 stores in 14 states: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Kentucky . It is the third largest home improvement chain in the United States, behind The Home Depot and Lowe's . </P> <P> In 1959, John Menard, Jr. began building post-frame buildings to finance his college education . By the end of 1959, Menard found it necessary to hire extra crews, and to purchase more equipment to keep up with demand . After graduating from the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire in 1962, Menard purchased land in Eau Claire and built an office and shop . The company was founded in 1960 and incorporated in 1962 . </P>

How many menards stores are there in the united states