Corporate Office

Helzberg Diamonds Corporate Office

Helzberg Diamonds was founded in 1915 by Morris Helzberg. The first store was located in Kansas City, Missouri.

In 1930, the company develops the Certified Perfect Diamonds Program.

In 1932, the company expands the Kansas City store under the leadership of Morris’s youngest son, Barnett.

By 1959, there were 15 stores and a mail order division.

In 1967, the company launches the famous “I Am Loved” ad campaign.

By 1990, there are 101 stores in 22 states.

In 1995, the company is acquired by Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway.

In 1996, the company launches an ecommerce website.

By 1999, there are 200 stores.

In 2010, the company became the first nationwide jeweler to qualify for membership in the American Gem Society.

Today, Helzberg is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The chain currently operates over 250 stores in the US.

Helzberg Diamonds

Helzberg Diamonds was founded in 1915 by Morris Helzberg. The first store was located in Kansas City, Missouri.

In 1930, the company develops the Certified Perfect Diamonds Program.

In 1932, the company expands the Kansas City store under the leadership of Morris’s youngest son, Barnett.

History

By 1959, there were 15 stores and a mail order division.

In 1967, the company launches the famous “I Am Loved” ad campaign.

By 1990, there are 101 stores in 22 states.

In 1995, the company is acquired by Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway.

In 1996, the company launches an ecommerce website.

By 1999, there are 200 stores.

In 2010, the company became the first nationwide jeweler to qualify for membership in the American Gem Society.

Today, Helzberg is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The chain currently operates over 250 stores in the US.

Pet Supplies Plus Corporate Office

Pet Supplies Plus was founded in Redford, Michigan in 1988 by Harry Shallop and Jack Berry. They designed their stores to be more like grocery stores than your average cramped pet store. Pets were also welcome in the stores. The concept was an instant success.

By 1993, there were 30 stores and Harvey Solway joined the company as the third partner.

In the late 90s, the chain began to franchise and grew even more quickly.

In 2010, the company is acquired by private equity firm Irving Place Capital.

In September 2017, True Leaf Pet significantly expanded the distribution of its popular True Hemp supplement line both online and in bricks and mortar stores, including most Pet Supplies Plus locations.

Pets are allowed to walk through the aisles of the Pet Supplies Plus stores. All stores provide treats, chew toys, and other such products, which are located on low shelves making it easy for dogs to reach them. In addition to offering brand name pet foods, the company also makes their own brand of dog and cat foods under the “Redford” name.

Despite the coronavirus and quarantine, Pet Supplies Plus reported strong mid-year growth in June 2020, with more than 12 new franchises created.

Today, there are more than 490 Pet Supplies Plus stores in 31 US states. Almost all locations offer dog grooming, self-service doggie wash stations, and some locations offer low-cost spay and neuter clinics on certain days of each month. Headquarters are located in Livonia, Michigan.

Pet Supplies Plus

By 1993, there were 30 stores and Harvey Solway joined the company as the third partner.

History

In the late 90s, the chain began to franchise and grew even more quickly.

In 2010, the company is acquired by private equity firm Irving Place Capital.

Despite the coronavirus and quarantine, Pet Supplies Plus reported strong mid-year growth in June 2020, with more than 12 new franchises created.

Jackson Hewitt Corporate Office

Jackson Hewitt began in 1982 when a group of investors bought 6 Mel Jackson’s Tax Service locations.

The company grew slowly until 1986 when they began to franchise. By 1987, they had added 22 new offices.

In 1989, the company partners with Montgomery Ward to open branch locations inside their stores.

In 1992, the company goes public.

In 1994, the company partners with WalMart to begin opening branches inside WalMart and Sam’s Club stores.

In 1996, John Hewitt leaves the company and is replaced as CEO by Keith Alessi.

In 1998, the company is purchased by the Cendant Corporation.

By 1999, there were 3,000 locations.

On April 3, 2007, the US Justice Department announced that the federal government had filed civil injunction suits alleging tax fraud by five corporations owned or partly owned by Farrukh Sohail, a franchisor. On September 28, 2007, the Department of Justice announced that it had reached settlements with each of the defendants in the case. Under the settlement agreements, the majority owner, Farrukh Sohail, of each of the businesses was to be barred from preparing tax returns for five years, and approximately fifteen of Sohail’s employees were permanently banned from preparing taxes other than their own. Jackson Hewitt states that an internal audit showed that none of their corporate employees knew about the scam which led to the filing by the Justice Department.

In 2011, the company was taken off the NYSE after defaulting on its debt. The company eventually filed bankruptcy and emerged as a private company.

CNet offered an unflattering online review stating that Jackson Hewitt’s low filing fee is attractive but that the bare-bones software leaves something to be desired.

Today, Jackson Hewitt is the 3rd largest tax preparation service in the US. The company operates over 6,800 locations.

Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt began in 1982 when a group of investors bought 6 Mel Jackson’s Tax Service locations.

The company grew slowly until 1986 when they began to franchise. By 1987, they had added 22 new offices.

History

In 1989, the company partners with Montgomery Ward to open branch locations inside their stores.

In 1992, the company goes public.

In 1994, the company partners with WalMart to begin opening branches inside WalMart and Sam’s Club stores.

In 1996, John Hewitt leaves the company and is replaced as CEO by Keith Alessi.

In 1998, the company is purchased by the Cendant Corporation.

By 1999, there were 3,000 locations.

In 2011, the company was taken off the NYSE after defaulting on its debt. The company eventually filed bankruptcy and emerged as a private company.

CNet offered an unflattering online review stating that Jackson Hewitt’s low filing fee is attractive but that the bare-bones software leaves something to be desired.

Today, Jackson Hewitt is the 3rd largest tax preparation service in the US. The company operates over 6,800 locations.

Belk Corporate Office

Belk was founded by William Henry Belk in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina. The store was originally called New York Racket and then renamed to Belk Brothers.

In 1908, the company headquarters was moved to Charlotte, where it remains today. A huge flagship store was built where the Bank of America Corporate Center now stands.

In 1921, the Belks begin partnering with the Leggett brothers to open new stores.

In 1952, the company opens its first shopping center in Florida.

In 1956, department store chain Efird is acquired.

In 1988, a new corporate headquarters is constructed in Charlotte.

In 1998, the company consolidates its 112 brands to form Belk Inc.

In 2004, John M. Belk retires as CEO after 50 years of leading the company. He is replaced by Thomas Belk.

In April of 2015, Belk was sold to a private equity firm, Sycamore Partners. Since then, it has laid off more than 200 persons from the corporate office and slashed jobs across the board at all 300 store locations.

In June 2018, the company was listed as one of the three worst employers to work for in North Carolina.

Today, there are over 300 Belk department stores in the US.

Headquarters remain in Charlotte, North Carolina, at this time.

Belk

Belk was founded by William Henry Belk in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina. The store was originally called New York Racket and then renamed to Belk Brothers.

In 1908, the company headquarters was moved to Charlotte, where it remains today. A huge flagship store was built where the Bank of America Corporate Center now stands.

History

In 1921, the Belks begin partnering with the Leggett brothers to open new stores.

In 1952, the company opens its first shopping center in Florida.

In 1956, department store chain Efird is acquired.

In 1988, a new corporate headquarters is constructed in Charlotte.

In 1998, the company consolidates its 112 brands to form Belk Inc.

In 2004, John M. Belk retires as CEO after 50 years of leading the company. He is replaced by Thomas Belk.

In June 2018, the company was listed as one of the three worst employers to work for in North Carolina.

Today, there are over 300 Belk department stores in the US.

Headquarters remain in Charlotte, North Carolina, at this time.

Bally Total Fitness Corporate Office

Bally Total Fitness began in 1983 when Bally Manufacturing purchased Lifecycle and the Health and Tennis Corporation of America. The Bally Health and Tennis Corporation was formed.

By 1987, Bally’s was the largest fitness center chain in the world. The chain acquired American Fitness Centers and Nautilus Fitness Centers.

In 1995, all brands were renamed to Bally Total Fitness.

By 1996, there were 340 fitness centers in the US and Canada.

In 1998, the company went public on the NYSE.

In 2007, the company filed for bankruptcy. The chain was purchased by Harbinger Capital and emerged from bankruptcy.

In 2008, the company again filed for bankruptcy, citing the global economic downturn.

In 2010, the chain was investigated by the Texas attorney general for mailing fake past-due notices to old members in an attempt to get them to re-join the club.

In 2011, the chain sold 171 gyms to LA Fitness.

In 2012, the chain sold 39 gyms to Blast Fitness.

Today, Bally’s operates 60 fitness centers in the US.

Bally Total Fitness

Bally Total Fitness began in 1983 when Bally Manufacturing purchased Lifecycle and the Health and Tennis Corporation of America. The Bally Health and Tennis Corporation was formed.

By 1987, Bally’s was the largest fitness center chain in the world. The chain acquired American Fitness Centers and Nautilus Fitness Centers.

In 1995, all brands were renamed to Bally Total Fitness.

History

By 1996, there were 340 fitness centers in the US and Canada.

In 1998, the company went public on the NYSE.

In 2007, the company filed for bankruptcy. The chain was purchased by Harbinger Capital and emerged from bankruptcy.

In 2008, the company again filed for bankruptcy, citing the global economic downturn.

In 2010, the chain was investigated by the Texas attorney general for mailing fake past-due notices to old members in an attempt to get them to re-join the club.

In 2011, the chain sold 171 gyms to LA Fitness.

In 2012, the chain sold 39 gyms to Blast Fitness.

Today, Bally’s operates 60 fitness centers in the US.