Beverages

Southern Glazer’s Corporate Office

Southern Glazer’s, sometimes called Southern Wine and Spirits, was founded in 1968 by Jay Weiss, Harvey Chaplin, and Howard Preuss. The company is the largest wine and spirits distributor in the US, with offices in 35 states. The company’s portfolio is 45 percent wine and 55 percent spirits.

Southern Glazer’s was the first company to offer statewide distribution in California, which had previously had only several small distributors. Originally called Southern Wine and Spirits, the company acquired Glazer’s distributors, and changed the name in early 2016.

The company offers more than 5,000 brands of wine and spirits, has approximately 12,000 full time employees, and annual revenue in 2011 of $9 billion. Southern Glazer’s has more than 1,600 suppliers from around the globe.

Southern Glazers

History

Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill Corporate Office

Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill, originally called Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse, but most often simply called Charlie Brown’s, was founded in 1966 in Warren, New Jersey by three business associates who wanted a restaurant nice enough for business lunches, as well as dinner out with friends or family.

The company operates a chain of steak and seafood restaurants whose specialty dish is prime rib and a special house salad. The company has been sold several times over the years and currently belongs to Praesidian Capital, a private equity firm.

Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill filed for bankruptcy in 2010, forcing the company to close 47 locations. Today, the company has 16 locations in three states and is owned by Praesidian Capital, a private investment firm.

Restaurants are having difficulties with the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, including Charlie Brown’s, which closed several restaurants early in the year in New Jersey.

The company maintains a corporate office in Millburn, New Jersey.

Charlie Brown's Fresh Grill

History

Restaurants are having difficulties with the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, including Charlie Brown’s, which closed several restaurants early in the year in New Jersey.

The company maintains a corporate office in Millburn, New Jersey.

Pizza Ranch Corporate Office

Pizza Ranch was founded in Hull, Iowa, in 1981 by current CEO Ryan Achterhoff. The company operates a chain of fast food restaurants, with the emphasis on pizza.

The company began offering a Tuesday nigh buffet option which proved to be so popular that now all locations offer a buffet everyday. Customers can also order off a menu. The company offers pizza, chicken, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. The company has more than 180 locations in 13 states. It is often a popular choice among conservatives when attending the Iowa caucuses.

Pizza Ranch experienced an outbreak of E.coli in March of 2016, which appeared to come from contaminated desserts. People in 9 states were seriously ill, with several of them being hospitalized with kidney damage.

Pizza Ranch

Pizza Ranch was founded in Hull, Iowa, in 1981 by current CEO Ryan Achterhoff. The company operates a chain of fast food restaurants, with the emphasis on pizza.

History

Happy’s Pizza Corporate Office

Happy’s Pizza was founded by Happy Asker in Detroit, Michigan, in 1994. The company operates a chain of pizza and sandwich shops.

The company opens locations where other pizza restaurants won’t or in places where they have failed. The company now has 95 locations in 6 states, most of them franchised. The menu includes more than just pizza, with sandwiches, salads, chicken, wings, shrimp, and seafood. The main emphasis is on pizza, however.

The founder, Happy Asker, and 5 other shareholders were indicted in 2010 on tax evasion and fraud. Asker was found guilty in July of 2015 and sentenced to 4 years in prison, as well as a fine of $2.5 million. Former COO Maher Bashi was also sentenced to 2 years. John Moran has taken over as new CEO.

Despite the company’s legal problems, new locations continue to open and business has continued.

Happy's Pizza

Happy’s Pizza was founded by Happy Asker in Detroit, Michigan, in 1994. The company operates a chain of pizza and sandwich shops.

History

Despite the company’s legal problems, new locations continue to open and business has continued.

Hungry Howie’s Pizza Corporate Office

Hungry Howie’s Pizza was founded in Taylor, Michigan, in 1973 by James Hearn. Steve Jackson began working for the company first as a delivery boy, then as store manager. The pair decided to become partners in 1983. The company operates a chain of pizza and subway style sandwich restaurants. The company began franchise operations in 1982. From this single location, the company today has more than 575 locations in 21 states.

The company is known for having a unique pizza recipe which uses flavored crusts. This pizza chain is now the 11th largest pizza chain in the US. The company has plans for expansion into other states.

Hearns passed away in 2013. Steve Jackson is now CEO of the chain.

The original location in Taylor, Michigan, is still in operation. The company has their own app, where customers can order directly from their phone and keep track of points earned.

Hungry Howie’s continues to open restaurants in 2020 when many others are closing.

Headquarters for Hungry Howie’s Pizza is located in Madison Heights, Michigan.

Hungry Howie's Pizza

History

Hearns passed away in 2013. Steve Jackson is now CEO of the chain.

The original location in Taylor, Michigan, is still in operation. The company has their own app, where customers can order directly from their phone and keep track of points earned.

Hungry Howie’s continues to open restaurants in 2020 when many others are closing.

Headquarters for Hungry Howie’s Pizza is located in Madison Heights, Michigan.