Quick Answer: Walgreens is an American pharmacy store chain headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. It is the second largest pharmacy chain in the United States, behind CVS Pharmacy. Walgreens operated more than 8,700 stores in the U.S. as of March 2025. In addition to pharmacy services, Walgreens also offers photo services. Walgreens was founded in Chicago by Charles Rudolph Walgreen in 1901. On December 31, 2014, Walgreens acquired Switzerland and UK-based Alliance Boots, and formed a new holding company, Walgreens Boots Alliance. Walgreens became a subsidiary of the new company, which retained its Deerfield headquarters and traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol WBA. As of August 2025, Walgreens is owned by private equity firm Sycamore Partners.