Food

Papa Johns Corporate Office

Papa John’s Pizza was founded in 1984 when John Schnatter knocked out a closet to put in a pizza parlor at his father’s tavern in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He sold his 1971 Camaro to purchase some used pizza restaurant equipment. Soon, John’s pizza was so popular, that he was able to rent the adjoining building the following year.

Schnatter also got his Camaro back after offering a reward of $250,000 to whomever still owned the vehicle.

In 1986, the company began selling franchises.

In 1989, the company headquarters was moved to Louisville, Kentucky.

In 1993, the company went public.

In 1996, the 1000th Papa Johns location opens.

In 1998, the company expands into Mexico and Puerto Rico.

In 1999, the 2000th Papa Johns location opens.

In 2013, the company listed annual revenue of $1.439 billion, as well as employing more than 22,000 persons.

As of December 2016, PMQ Pizza Magazine stated that the company was currently the third-largest take-out and pizza delivery restaurant chain in the United States.

In February of 2018, the company and the NFL mutually agreed to end their sponsorship agreement, making Pizza Hut the new official sponsor of the NFL.

While Domino’s Pizza stocks fell in March 2020, Papa Johns stock increased for reasons unknown. Both companies were forced to stop offering dining service and provide pick up or delivery only due to the COVID-19 virus.

Today, Papa John’s is still the 3rd largest take-out and delivery pizza chain in the US. There are currently over 5,000 Papa Johns locations worldwide (over 2,600 in the US).

Papa John's

Schnatter also got his Camaro back after offering a reward of $250,000 to whomever still owned the vehicle.

History

In 1986, the company began selling franchises.

In 1989, the company headquarters was moved to Louisville, Kentucky.

In 1993, the company went public.

In 1996, the 1000th Papa Johns location opens.

In 1998, the company expands into Mexico and Puerto Rico.

In 1999, the 2000th Papa Johns location opens.

In 2013, the company listed annual revenue of $1.439 billion, as well as employing more than 22,000 persons.

As of December 2016, PMQ Pizza Magazine stated that the company was currently the third-largest take-out and pizza delivery restaurant chain in the United States.

In February of 2018, the company and the NFL mutually agreed to end their sponsorship agreement, making Pizza Hut the new official sponsor of the NFL.

Today, Papa John’s is still the 3rd largest take-out and delivery pizza chain in the US. There are currently over 5,000 Papa Johns locations worldwide (over 2,600 in the US).

Safeway Corporate Office

Safeway was originally founded in American Falls, Idaho, when Marion Barton Skaggs purchased his father’s grocery store for $1,089 in 1915. Originally called Skaggs United, Marion enlisted the help of his 5 brothers to help expand the business. In 1925, Skaggs doubled the number of stores when he purchased Sam Seelig’s grocery stores. The name was then changed to Safeway.

By 1926, there were 322 stores in southern California and controlling interest in the company was sold to Merrill Lynch.

In 1927, the company went public. In 1929, the company expanded to Canada.

By 1932, there were 3400 Safeway stores.

In 1959, the first store was opened in Alaska.

In 1986, the company was taken private by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. The company subsequently sold off many of its holdings to pay down assumed debt.

In 1990, the company went public again.

Safeway, like many other grocery chains, is trying to entice customers into shopping online and having them delivered but most customers would rather shop at the stores, according to Forbes.

Today, Safeway has over 900 stores in the United States and 224 stores in Canada. 80% of the stores are located in the Western parts of each country.

Safeway

History

By 1926, there were 322 stores in southern California and controlling interest in the company was sold to Merrill Lynch.

In 1927, the company went public. In 1929, the company expanded to Canada.

By 1932, there were 3400 Safeway stores.

In 1959, the first store was opened in Alaska.

In 1986, the company was taken private by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. The company subsequently sold off many of its holdings to pay down assumed debt.

In 1990, the company went public again.

Safeway, like many other grocery chains, is trying to entice customers into shopping online and having them delivered but most customers would rather shop at the stores, according to Forbes.

Today, Safeway has over 900 stores in the United States and 224 stores in Canada. 80% of the stores are located in the Western parts of each country.

ConAgra Foods Corporate Office

ConAgra was founded in 1919 by Frank Little and Alva Kinney as Nebraska Consolidated Mills (NCM). The company began in Grand Island, Nebraska but moved to Omaha in 1922.

In 1951, the company established their Duncan Hines brand cake mix. In 1956, Duncan Hines was sold to Proctor & Gamble.

In 1971, the business name was changed to ConAgra. The company nearly went bankrupt in the early 1970s.

In 1974, Mike Harper took over as CEO.

In 1980, the company acquired Banquet Foods. The company expanded quickly into the frozen foods business by purchasing RJR Nabisco and Beatrice Foods.

In 2013, Ralcorp was acquired.

Today, ConAgra is one of the largest packaged food companies in the US. They own 100s of brands including Chef Boyardee, La Choy, Hunts, Rotel, Healthy Choice, Slim Jim, Swiss Miss, Marie Callendar’s, Bertolli and many more.

ConAgra Foods

ConAgra was founded in 1919 by Frank Little and Alva Kinney as Nebraska Consolidated Mills (NCM). The company began in Grand Island, Nebraska but moved to Omaha in 1922.

In 1951, the company established their Duncan Hines brand cake mix. In 1956, Duncan Hines was sold to Proctor & Gamble.

In 1971, the business name was changed to ConAgra. The company nearly went bankrupt in the early 1970s.

History

In 1974, Mike Harper took over as CEO.

In 1980, the company acquired Banquet Foods. The company expanded quickly into the frozen foods business by purchasing RJR Nabisco and Beatrice Foods.

In 2013, Ralcorp was acquired.

SodaStream Corporate Office

The SodaStream can trace its roots back to 1903 when Guy Hugh Gilbey, a London gin distiller created a machine for aerating liquids. The machine was sold to upper class families.

In the 1920s, flavored beverages such as sarsaparilla were introduced.

In 1955, the first machine designed for use in the home was introduced.

The 1970s and 80s saw the machine’s popularity rise in the UK. Their slogan “get busy with the fizzy” became a huge success.

In 1985, the company became a subsidiary of Cadbury Schweppes.

In 1998, the company was purchased by Israel based Soda-Club.

In 2010, the company went public under stock symbol SODA.

Today, SodaStream sells their home carbonation machines worldwide. Europe accounts for over 50% of their sales but a recent partnership with WalMart has boosted US sales numbers.

SodaStream

The SodaStream can trace its roots back to 1903 when Guy Hugh Gilbey, a London gin distiller created a machine for aerating liquids. The machine was sold to upper class families.

In the 1920s, flavored beverages such as sarsaparilla were introduced.

In 1955, the first machine designed for use in the home was introduced.

History

The 1970s and 80s saw the machine’s popularity rise in the UK. Their slogan “get busy with the fizzy” became a huge success.

In 1985, the company became a subsidiary of Cadbury Schweppes.

In 1998, the company was purchased by Israel based Soda-Club.

In 2010, the company went public under stock symbol SODA.

Today, SodaStream sells their home carbonation machines worldwide. Europe accounts for over 50% of their sales but a recent partnership with WalMart has boosted US sales numbers.

IHOP Corporate Office

International House of Pancakes or IHOP for short, was founded in 1958 by Al and Jerry Lapin. The first location was in Burbank, California, across the street from what would become the longest standing restaurant.

In 1960, the company begins franchising and in 1961 the company goes public.

In 1973, the acronym IHOP is introduced in their marketing for the first time.

In 1985, the Rooty Tooty Fresh N’ Fruity is introduced. While the main focus of the company is on breakfast, they also offer lunch, dinner, desserts, and appetizers. The company is open on Thanksgiving day and their traditional menu of turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans is a popular item.

In 1992, the 500th IHOP location opens. In 2001, the 1000th IHOP location opens.

In 2007, IHOP’s parent company, DineEquity, successful acquires the Applebee’s chain of restaurants.

In mid-2018 the company tried an advertising campaign pretending to change their name to IHOB (International House of Burgers) This was merely a gimmick to increase attention to their lunch and burger specials.

In December 2018, the company dropped their advertising campaign from the Tucker Carlson Show after the talk show host went on an anti-immigrant rant.

In August 2021, the company began a trial of serving alcohol at select locations.

Today, IHOP operates over 1650 restaurants in the US, mostly franchises. Company headquarters are located in Glendale, California. In 2006, the company had annual revenue of $349.6 million.

IHOP

In 1960, the company begins franchising and in 1961 the company goes public.

History

In 1973, the acronym IHOP is introduced in their marketing for the first time.

In 1992, the 500th IHOP location opens. In 2001, the 1000th IHOP location opens.

In 2007, IHOP’s parent company, DineEquity, successful acquires the Applebee’s chain of restaurants.

In December 2018, the company dropped their advertising campaign from the Tucker Carlson Show after the talk show host went on an anti-immigrant rant.

In August 2021, the company began a trial of serving alcohol at select locations.

Today, IHOP operates over 1650 restaurants in the US, mostly franchises. Company headquarters are located in Glendale, California. In 2006, the company had annual revenue of $349.6 million.