Franchise

Steak ‘n Shake Corporate Office

Steak ‘n Shake was founded by Gus Belt in Normal, Illinois in 1934.

The companies’ original slogan was “In sight must be right,” which referred to Gus’ custom of grinding steaks and tenderloins into ground beef right in front of the customers. This was done to ensure them of the quality of the meat in the “steakburger.”

Gus Belt died in 1954 and ownership of the chain passed to his wife, Edith Belt, until 1969. The company was bought by Longchamps, Inc. in 1969, by Franklin Corporation in 1971, and by E.W. Kelley and Associates in 1981.

Today Steak ‘n Shake is owned by Biglari Holdings.

Steak ‘n Shake has more than 400 company-owned Steak ‘n Shakes and 100 more that are franchised, including 40 in the United Arab Emirates. Typical locations have sit-down restaurants, drive-thru, and front window service, making Steak ‘n Shake a combination of fast-food-to-go and diner-style-sit-down services.

Due to the coronavirus of 2020, Steak N Shake has decided to completely remodel its business practice and elminiate all inhouse or outdoor dining areas permanently.

A few locations are bringing back the old style “car hop” service, where customers wait in their vehicles and are served by a waitress.

Steak 'n Shake

Steak ‘n Shake was founded by Gus Belt in Normal, Illinois in 1934.

History

Today Steak ‘n Shake is owned by Biglari Holdings.

Due to the coronavirus of 2020, Steak N Shake has decided to completely remodel its business practice and elminiate all inhouse or outdoor dining areas permanently.

A few locations are bringing back the old style “car hop” service, where customers wait in their vehicles and are served by a waitress.

Potbelly Sandwich Works Corporate Office

Potbelly Sandwich Works was founded by Peter Hastings in Chicago in 1977 when he started serving lunch to his customers in his antique shop.

In 1996 entrepreneur Bryant Keil bought the successful store and began to expand.

From 1997 to 2002 Potbelly opened 9 sandwich shops in Chicago.

In 2002 Potbelly began to expand, opening shops in Washington, DC in 2002, Michigan, Wisconsin, Baltimore, and Minnesota in 2003, Texas in 2004, Ohio in 2005, and Pennsylvania in 2007.

Today Potbelly has 280 quick-service restaurants that specialize in fresh-made sandwiches in 18 states and Washington, DC. The brand also has a dozen franchised shops in Dubai and other parts of the Middle East.

Potbelly went public in October of 2013, raising $105 million with their IPO. Potbelly had $300 million in revenue in 2013.

After several difficult years due to the Covid Pandemic, Potbelly Sandwich Works snagged a new $25 million loan in February 2023.

Potbelly Sandwich Works maintains a corporate office in Chicago, Illinois.

Potbelly Sandwich Works

Potbelly Sandwich Works was founded by Peter Hastings in Chicago in 1977 when he started serving lunch to his customers in his antique shop.

In 1996 entrepreneur Bryant Keil bought the successful store and began to expand.

History

From 1997 to 2002 Potbelly opened 9 sandwich shops in Chicago.

In 2002 Potbelly began to expand, opening shops in Washington, DC in 2002, Michigan, Wisconsin, Baltimore, and Minnesota in 2003, Texas in 2004, Ohio in 2005, and Pennsylvania in 2007.

Potbelly went public in October of 2013, raising $105 million with their IPO. Potbelly had $300 million in revenue in 2013.

After several difficult years due to the Covid Pandemic, Potbelly Sandwich Works snagged a new $25 million loan in February 2023.

Potbelly Sandwich Works maintains a corporate office in Chicago, Illinois.

Motel 6 Corporate Office

Motel 6 was founded by William Becker and Paul Greene in Santa Barbara, California in 1962.

The partners wanted to build motels with bargain rates and decided on the rate of $6 per night; a rate which would cover building costs, land leases, and janitorial supplies. This $6 rate is the reason for the name “Motel 6.”

To cut costs the brand offered coin-operated black and white television sets instead of the free color televisions offered at more upscale hotels. Motel 6 also had no on-site dining, a model that continues today.

Throughout the 1960’s the Motel 6 model became more popular and the company began to take a small market share away from bigger chains.

By 1980 Motel 6 had 300 locations.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts bought Motel 6 in 1985 and began to move it away from the no-frills approach.

French-based Accor bought the company in 1990 and began franchising in 1994 in order to expand more quickly

In 2000, Motel 6 expanded internationally for the first time with a location in Ontario, Canada.

In 2008, the company began a nationwide overhaul and remodeling of all locations. The newly designed rooms won the Travel and Leisure Design Award in 2010.

The Blackstone Group bought the motel chain in 2012 for $1.9 billion.

In September 2017, immigration attorneys accused Motel 6 desk clerks at two locations in Phoenix, Arizona, of notifying US Immigration when guests checked in only with identification from Mexico. The attorneys said that court records showed that federal immigration agents arrested at least 20 people the Phoenix Motel 6 locations over the course of seven months in 2017. Motel 6 stated that this was an isolated incident at the Phoenix locations and that they did not endorse this practice.

In June 2019 the company settled a class action lawsuit over this practice. Settlement terms included a 3-year agreement to not violate customer privacy and pay $12 million.

Today Motel 6 has more than 1,100 locations in the United States and Canada. Motel 6 also operates extended-stay hotel chain Studio 6, which has about 60 locations. Company headquarters are located in Carrollton, Texas.

Motel 6

Motel 6 was founded by William Becker and Paul Greene in Santa Barbara, California in 1962.

History

Throughout the 1960’s the Motel 6 model became more popular and the company began to take a small market share away from bigger chains.

By 1980 Motel 6 had 300 locations.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts bought Motel 6 in 1985 and began to move it away from the no-frills approach.

French-based Accor bought the company in 1990 and began franchising in 1994 in order to expand more quickly

In 2000, Motel 6 expanded internationally for the first time with a location in Ontario, Canada.

In 2008, the company began a nationwide overhaul and remodeling of all locations. The newly designed rooms won the Travel and Leisure Design Award in 2010.

The Blackstone Group bought the motel chain in 2012 for $1.9 billion.

In June 2019 the company settled a class action lawsuit over this practice. Settlement terms included a 3-year agreement to not violate customer privacy and pay $12 million.

McAlister’s Deli Corporate Office

McAlister’s Deli was founded in 1989 in Oxford, Mississippi by Dr. Don Newcomb, a retired dentist.

The original restaurant was opened in a renovated gas station and some of those original design elements are still incorporated into the design of the restaurants, such as garage door and black and white tile.

Most McAlister’s Delis are owned and operated as independent franchises. Locations vary from single-location family-owned operations to larger multi-unit groups such as JME, Inc., Southern Deli, and The Saxton Group.

The 100-item menu includes deli sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, and catering items such as boxed lunches and sandwich trays.

In August 2020, the company operated a sweepstakes in which 20 customers would receive free food for one year.

McAlister’s Deli has 450 locations in 20 states.

McAlister’s Deli

McAlister’s Deli was founded in 1989 in Oxford, Mississippi by Dr. Don Newcomb, a retired dentist.

History

The 100-item menu includes deli sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, and catering items such as boxed lunches and sandwich trays.

In August 2020, the company operated a sweepstakes in which 20 customers would receive free food for one year.

McAlister’s Deli has 450 locations in 20 states.

1-800-Flowers.com Corporate Office

1-800-Flowers was founded by Granville Semmes and David Snow in 1976. The business went through several transformations and finally prospered when it was sold to Jim McCann, an owner of several flower shops, in 1986.

1-800-Flowers received national attention when it was featured in an ad campaign by AT&T that ran during the 1992 Olympics. The company also advertised on CNN during the Persian Gulf War, a time when the war coverage drew additional viewers to the station.

The company went public on the NASDAQ in 1999 under the ticker symbol: LWS.

In the early 1990’s 1-800-Flowers partnered with CompuServe and AOL, and in 1995 registered the domain www.1800flowers.com

In September of 2007, the company announced a partnership with Martha Stewart Living to produce a line of floral products inspired by Martha Stewart.

In August 2011, the company acquired Flowerama, a floral retailer with 100 locations in 28 states.

The company has acquired numerous companies, including Harry & David, FineStationery.Com, Florists.Com, FruitBouquets.Com, and The Popcorn Factory.

In January 2021, the company announced a revenue growth of 45% in the second quarter.

Today 1-800-Flowers is a floral and gift retailer and distribution company. The company has more than 4,500 employees and had $707 million in revenue in 2012.

1-800-Flowers

History

The company went public on the NASDAQ in 1999 under the ticker symbol: LWS.

In the early 1990’s 1-800-Flowers partnered with CompuServe and AOL, and in 1995 registered the domain www.1800flowers.com

In September of 2007, the company announced a partnership with Martha Stewart Living to produce a line of floral products inspired by Martha Stewart.

In August 2011, the company acquired Flowerama, a floral retailer with 100 locations in 28 states.

The company has acquired numerous companies, including Harry & David, FineStationery.Com, Florists.Com, FruitBouquets.Com, and The Popcorn Factory.

In January 2021, the company announced a revenue growth of 45% in the second quarter.

Today 1-800-Flowers is a floral and gift retailer and distribution company. The company has more than 4,500 employees and had $707 million in revenue in 2012.