Corporate Office HQ

Food

Jack in the Box Corporate Office

Jack in the Box began in 1941 as Topsy’s Drive-In.  The restaurant were founded by Robert Peterson, a restaurant veteran.  The restaurants were eventually renamed to Oscar’s.

In 1947, Peterson purchased rights to an intercom system from an Alaskan business.

In 1951, the first Jack in the Box location was opened in San Diego.  It was the first restaurant with an intercom based drive-through system which allowed for faster service.

The concept was an instant success.  By 1966, there were over 180 locations in California and the Southwest US.

In 1968, the company was purchased by Ralston Purina.  The chain grew rapidly through franchising in the 1970s.

By 1980, the chain was struggling to compete with McDonalds and the marketing strategy was changed to target more affluent customers.

In 1985, Ralston Purina sold the company to its senior management team.

In 1987, the company went public.

Today, there are over 2200 Jack in the Box restaurants, mostly in the Western US.  The company also owns the Qdoba Mexican chain.

Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box began in 1941 as Topsy’s Drive-In.  The restaurant were founded by Robert Peterson, a restaurant veteran.  The restaurants were eventually renamed to Oscar’s.

In 1947, Peterson purchased rights to an intercom system from an Alaskan business.

In 1951, the first Jack in the Box location was opened in San Diego.  It was the first restaurant with an intercom based drive-through system which allowed for faster service.

History

The concept was an instant success.  By 1966, there were over 180 locations in California and the Southwest US.

In 1968, the company was purchased by Ralston Purina.  The chain grew rapidly through franchising in the 1970s.

By 1980, the chain was struggling to compete with McDonalds and the marketing strategy was changed to target more affluent customers.

In 1985, Ralston Purina sold the company to its senior management team.

In 1987, the company went public.

Today, there are over 2200 Jack in the Box restaurants, mostly in the Western US.  The company also owns the Qdoba Mexican chain.

Clorox Corporate Office

Clorox dates back to 1913 when 5 entrepreneurs set up the first liquid bleach factory in the US.  The company was originally called  the Electro-Alkaline company and its first product was Clorox bleach.

The company floundered as consumers did not know what bleach was.  William Murray took over the company in 1916.  His wife, Anne, began to hand out free samples.  The product was an instant success.

In 1928, the company went public as the Clorox Chemical Company.

In 1957, the company was purchased by Procter & Gamble and renamed to The Clorox Company.

In 1967, after a 10 year court battle, the FTC ordered P&G to divest Clorox.  The company was spun off in 1969.

In 1999, the company acquired First Brands, makers of Glad, Handi-Wipes and STP.

Today, the company manufactures several products other than Clorox bleach including Brita water filters, Burt’s Bees, Formula 409 and Pine-Sol.

Clorox

Clorox dates back to 1913 when 5 entrepreneurs set up the first liquid bleach factory in the US.  The company was originally called  the Electro-Alkaline company and its first product was Clorox bleach.

The company floundered as consumers did not know what bleach was.  William Murray took over the company in 1916.  His wife, Anne, began to hand out free samples.  The product was an instant success.

In 1928, the company went public as the Clorox Chemical Company.

History

In 1957, the company was purchased by Procter & Gamble and renamed to The Clorox Company.

In 1967, after a 10 year court battle, the FTC ordered P&G to divest Clorox.  The company was spun off in 1969.

In 1999, the company acquired First Brands, makers of Glad, Handi-Wipes and STP.

Today, the company manufactures several products other than Clorox bleach including Brita water filters, Burt’s Bees, Formula 409 and Pine-Sol.

Dairy Queen Corporate Office

Dairy Queen was founded in 1940 by John McCullough and Sheb Noble.  The first location was in Joliet, Illinois.

The chain expands quickly through franchising.  There are 100 locations by 1947.

In 1949, malts and shakes are added to the menu.

In 1953, the first DQ opens in Canada.

In 1962, the company is renamed to International Dairy Queen, Inc.

In 1972, the company expands to Japan.

In 1987, IDQ acquires Orange Julius.

In 1991, the company expands to Mexico.

In 1998, the company is acquired by Berkshire Hathaway.

In 2001, the first DQ Grill & Chill restaurant is opened in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Today, there are nearly 6,000 Dairy Queen, Orange Julius and Karmelkorn locations worldwide.

 

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen was founded in 1940 by John McCullough and Sheb Noble.  The first location was in Joliet, Illinois.

The chain expands quickly through franchising.  There are 100 locations by 1947.

In 1949, malts and shakes are added to the menu.

History

In 1953, the first DQ opens in Canada.

In 1962, the company is renamed to International Dairy Queen, Inc.

In 1972, the company expands to Japan.

In 1987, IDQ acquires Orange Julius.

In 1991, the company expands to Mexico.

In 1998, the company is acquired by Berkshire Hathaway.

In 2001, the first DQ Grill & Chill restaurant is opened in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Today, there are nearly 6,000 Dairy Queen, Orange Julius and Karmelkorn locations worldwide.

 

Giant Eagle Corporate Office

Giant Eagle was founded in 1918 as Eagle Grocery by 3 families: Porter, Chait, and Goldstein/Shapira.

In 1928, they sell the company to Kroger.

In 1931, after their non-compete had elapsed, those 3 families joined the Moravitz and Weizenbaum families to form Giant Eagle.

The company grew steadily in the ’30s and ’40s, despite the Great Depression.

The company expanded to Ohio in the 1980s with the acquisition of Youngstown-based Tamarkin.

In 1991, the Giant Eagle Advantage Card is introduced.

In 2000, the company enters the Columbus, Ohio market.  They expand to Toledo the following year.

By 2008, the company had 23 stores in the Columbus market.

The company is the 49th largest retailer in the US, with annual revenue in 2011 of $9.3 billion and 36,000 full-time employees.

In 2017, the company rolled out a trial program called Food & Wine Fridays, where shoppers would purchase a wine glass and get free wine and food samples on Fridays.

Today, Giant Eagle operates 417 stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland.  They also operate 168 GetGo gas stations.

In March 2023, the company announced that it would replace CEO Laura Karet with long-time Giant Eagle employee Bill Artman. 

Giant Eagle maintains a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Giant Eagle

Giant Eagle was founded in 1918 as Eagle Grocery by 3 families: Porter, Chait, and Goldstein/Shapira.

In 1928, they sell the company to Kroger.

History

In 1931, after their non-compete had elapsed, those 3 families joined the Moravitz and Weizenbaum families to form Giant Eagle.

The company grew steadily in the ’30s and ’40s, despite the Great Depression.

The company expanded to Ohio in the 1980s with the acquisition of Youngstown-based Tamarkin.

In 1991, the Giant Eagle Advantage Card is introduced.

In 2000, the company enters the Columbus, Ohio market.  They expand to Toledo the following year.

By 2008, the company had 23 stores in the Columbus market.

The company is the 49th largest retailer in the US, with annual revenue in 2011 of $9.3 billion and 36,000 full-time employees.

In 2017, the company rolled out a trial program called Food & Wine Fridays, where shoppers would purchase a wine glass and get free wine and food samples on Fridays.

Today, Giant Eagle operates 417 stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland.  They also operate 168 GetGo gas stations.

In March 2023, the company announced that it would replace CEO Laura Karet with long-time Giant Eagle employee Bill Artman. 

Giant Eagle maintains a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Noodles and Company Corporate Office

Noodles & Company was founded in 1995 by Aaron Kennedy as the Noodle Shop Company.  The first restaurant was located in Denver, Colorado.

In 1996, Kennedy opened a second location in Madison, Wisconsin.  The restaurant received a negative review from a local newspaper.  Kennedy decided to revamp the business.

In 1997, after turning the store around, a second location was opened in Madison.

In 1998, there were 5 locations.  By 2000, there were 17 restaurants.

In 2003, the company name was officially changed to Noodles & Company.

Today, there are nearly 350 Noodles & Company locations in 27 states.

 

 

Noodles and Company

Noodles & Company was founded in 1995 by Aaron Kennedy as the Noodle Shop Company.  The first restaurant was located in Denver, Colorado.

In 1996, Kennedy opened a second location in Madison, Wisconsin.  The restaurant received a negative review from a local newspaper.  Kennedy decided to revamp the business.

In 1997, after turning the store around, a second location was opened in Madison.

History

In 1998, there were 5 locations.  By 2000, there were 17 restaurants.

In 2003, the company name was officially changed to Noodles & Company.

Today, there are nearly 350 Noodles & Company locations in 27 states.