Franchise

Avnet Corporate Office

Avnet was founded in 1921 by Charles Avnet, a Russian immigrant, when he began buying surplus radio parts and reselling them. During the Great Depression, he shifted from retail to wholesale.

In the early 1930’s Avnet began to manufacture car antennas and car radio kits. During World War II Charles Avnet and his son, Lester Avnet, established Avnet Electronic Supply.

In 1960 Avnet acquired British Industries Corporation and went public on the New York Stock Exchange. That year Avnet reached $1 million in net income.

By 1975 the company had earnings of $35 million, and in 1979 reached $1 billion in earnings.

In 1993 Avnet acquired a rival distributor, Hall-Mark Electronics Corporation, for $344.6 million.

During the 1990’s Avnet expanded to Europe through several acquisitions of European companies.

Today Avnet is the world’s largest franchised distributor of electronic components and subsystems. The company has a presence in more than 50 countries, has almost 20,000 employees worldwide, and had $25.7 billion in revenue in 2012.

Avnet, Inc.

Avnet was founded in 1921 by Charles Avnet, a Russian immigrant, when he began buying surplus radio parts and reselling them. During the Great Depression, he shifted from retail to wholesale.

In the early 1930’s Avnet began to manufacture car antennas and car radio kits. During World War II Charles Avnet and his son, Lester Avnet, established Avnet Electronic Supply.

In 1960 Avnet acquired British Industries Corporation and went public on the New York Stock Exchange. That year Avnet reached $1 million in net income.

History

By 1975 the company had earnings of $35 million, and in 1979 reached $1 billion in earnings.

In 1993 Avnet acquired a rival distributor, Hall-Mark Electronics Corporation, for $344.6 million.

During the 1990’s Avnet expanded to Europe through several acquisitions of European companies.

AAMCO Corporate Office

Robert Morgan and Anthony A. Martino founded AAMCO in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The name comes from the initials of Martino’s name plus Co for company. Martino liked this as, not only did it use his initials, but it also placed his business higher in the yellow page rankings of its day, since those were done alphabetically. The original name of the company was AAMCO Auto and Truck Repair. Quickly realizing the complexity and failure rate of automatic transmissions of the times, Martino quickly decided to drop the “Auto and Truck Repair”, and focus solely on transmissions, where the company would stay focused until 2007.

After 2007, the company again realized that, with the modern transmissions of today being more reliable, they should include more car care options. The name of the company is now AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care.

AAMCO is a transmission-repair company that operates as a franchise, with the first franchise opening in New Jersey in 1963.

Morgan and Martino also founded MAACO, an auto body shop franchise. Martino eventually ended his affiliation with AAMCO to manage MAACO.

Morgan was the first CEO of the company and was succeeded by his son, Keith Morgan.

In 2006, American Capital, Ltd. bought AAMCO Transmissions.

In January 2017, American Driveline Systems, the franchiser of the AAMCO and Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care brands, was acquired by Transom Capital Group.

AAMCO ranked near the top in the Entrepreneur site of the top 500 Franchises in America in 2023.

In September 2022, a former black executive of AAMCO filed a discrimination lawsuit.

The company now has more than 500 franchises across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, 5,000 employees, and $450 million in revenue in 2022.

AAMCO

History

AAMCO is a transmission-repair company that operates as a franchise, with the first franchise opening in New Jersey in 1963.

Morgan and Martino also founded MAACO, an auto body shop franchise. Martino eventually ended his affiliation with AAMCO to manage MAACO.

Morgan was the first CEO of the company and was succeeded by his son, Keith Morgan.

In 2006, American Capital, Ltd. bought AAMCO Transmissions.

In January 2017, American Driveline Systems, the franchiser of the AAMCO and Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care brands, was acquired by Transom Capital Group.

AAMCO ranked near the top in the Entrepreneur site of the top 500 Franchises in America in 2023.

In September 2022, a former black executive of AAMCO filed a discrimination lawsuit.

The company now has more than 500 franchises across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, 5,000 employees, and $450 million in revenue in 2022.

Dairy Queen Corporate Office

Dairy Queen has its roots in the 1938 development of soft-serve ice cream by John Fremont McCullough and his son Bradley. They convinced a friend and customer of theirs, Sheb Noble, to serve this new soft-serve in his ice cream store and he sold 1,600 dishes of it within two hours.

The McCulloughs and Noble went on to open the first Dairy Queen in 1940 in Joilet, Illinois.

The company was an early pioneer of the franchise system and used it to open 10 stores by 1941, 100 by 1947, 1,446 by 1950, and 2,600 in 1955.

Dairy Queen became International Dairy Queen Inc. in 1962, known as IDQ.

IDQ bought the Orange Julius chain in 1987.

IDQ was bought by Berkshire Hathaway in 1998.

Today, IDQ is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, a company owned by Warren Buffet.

Today Dairy Queen has 5,700 stores in 19 countries.

Dairy Queen

The McCulloughs and Noble went on to open the first Dairy Queen in 1940 in Joilet, Illinois.

The company was an early pioneer of the franchise system and used it to open 10 stores by 1941, 100 by 1947, 1,446 by 1950, and 2,600 in 1955.

History

Dairy Queen became International Dairy Queen Inc. in 1962, known as IDQ.

IDQ bought the Orange Julius chain in 1987.

IDQ was bought by Berkshire Hathaway in 1998.

Today, IDQ is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, a company owned by Warren Buffet.

Today Dairy Queen has 5,700 stores in 19 countries.

Wendy’s Corporate Office

Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s, loved the KewPee Burgers so much, he decided to make a similar restaurant chain.

Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers was founded in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio. Thomas named the restaurant after his fourth child, Melinda Lou “Wendy” Thomas. The chain features square hamburger patties and Frosties, which are milkshakes thickened with starch. Thomas liked the idea of square burgers that stuck out from the bun. He believed customers would be impressed with the quality of the meat they could see.

In 1970, Thomas opened a second location in Columbus. This location would add the first modern drive-thru window in 1971 that used speakers, rather than waitress on rollerskates.

In 1972, the first franchise is sold.

By 1976, there are 500 restaurants and the company goes public on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol: WEN.

In 1978, the 1000th location opens.

In 1979, Wendy’s was the first chain to introduce a salad bar.

By 1983, there are 2500 locations.

In 1985, the company merges with Tim Hortons.

By 1987, there are 5000 locations.

In 2002, founder Dave Thomas dies.

In 2006, the company headquarters is moved to Dublin, Ohio, where they remain today.

In 2008, the company merged with Triac, owner of Arby’s.

In 2011, the company sold its majority share of Arby’s to the Roark Capital Group due to lackluster sales. The company continues to hold an 18.5% interest in Arby’s.

In 2014, the company decided to close all locations in Russia and begin doing business in India instead, with the first restaurant in Gurgaon.

On May 26, 2016, the company announced that Todd Penegor would replace Emil Brolick as CEO and President. Gunther Plosch will succeed Penegor as CFO.

In July 2016, Wendy’s warned customers that their computer system had been hacked and that customers’ debit card and credit card information was stolen from approximately 1,025 of their restaurants located in the US.

The company is beta-testing a meatless burger made from black beans in an attempt to lure in vegan and vegetarian customers.

In January 2018, the company announced the opening of its 500th international location in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Due to the coronavirus and subsequent quarantine, the parent company of Wendy’s filed for bankruptcy July 1, 2020.

Flynn’s Restaurant Group acquired Wendy’s in March 2021.

In December 2022, Wendy’s stated that it would do a corporate “overhaul” with possible job cuts.

Today, Wendy’s is the third largest hamburger fast food chain in the world with nearly 7000 restaurants worldwide.

Wendy's

Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s, loved the KewPee Burgers so much, he decided to make a similar restaurant chain.

History

In 1970, Thomas opened a second location in Columbus. This location would add the first modern drive-thru window in 1971 that used speakers, rather than waitress on rollerskates.

In 1972, the first franchise is sold.

By 1976, there are 500 restaurants and the company goes public on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol: WEN.

In 1978, the 1000th location opens.

In 1979, Wendy’s was the first chain to introduce a salad bar.

By 1983, there are 2500 locations.

In 1985, the company merges with Tim Hortons.

By 1987, there are 5000 locations.

In 2002, founder Dave Thomas dies.

In 2006, the company headquarters is moved to Dublin, Ohio, where they remain today.

In 2008, the company merged with Triac, owner of Arby’s.

In 2011, the company sold its majority share of Arby’s to the Roark Capital Group due to lackluster sales. The company continues to hold an 18.5% interest in Arby’s.

In 2014, the company decided to close all locations in Russia and begin doing business in India instead, with the first restaurant in Gurgaon.

On May 26, 2016, the company announced that Todd Penegor would replace Emil Brolick as CEO and President. Gunther Plosch will succeed Penegor as CFO.

The company is beta-testing a meatless burger made from black beans in an attempt to lure in vegan and vegetarian customers.

In January 2018, the company announced the opening of its 500th international location in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Due to the coronavirus and subsequent quarantine, the parent company of Wendy’s filed for bankruptcy July 1, 2020.

Flynn’s Restaurant Group acquired Wendy’s in March 2021.

In December 2022, Wendy’s stated that it would do a corporate “overhaul” with possible job cuts.

Today, Wendy’s is the third largest hamburger fast food chain in the world with nearly 7000 restaurants worldwide.

Popeyes Corporate Office

Popeyes was founded by Al Copeland in 1972 as Chicken on the Run. The first restaurant was located in Arabi, Louisiana. After initially losing money, Copeland changed the recipe to a spicier blend and re-opened the restaurant as Popeyes Mighty Good Fried Chicken. Copeland claims that the name he used did not come from Popeye the Sailor cartoon, but rather from the detective from the movie The French Connection, Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle.

The company has changed names several times, from the original Chicken on the Run to Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits to Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken and Biscuits to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, the last name being used since 2008.

By 1990, Copeland Enterprises was in default on more than $391 million. The company filed for bankruptcy. The courts approved a repayment program and the company emerged from bankruptcy in 1992.

The company is best known for its simple meal of fried chicken, a biscuit, and a package of honey, sold in a small basket.

In 1976, the first franchise location opened in Baton Rouge.

By 1986, there were 500 restaurants in the chain.

In 1989, Popeyes merged with Church’s Chicken under the AFC Enterprises umbrella company. AFC sold Church’s Chicken to Arcapita in 2004.

In 2008, founder Al Copeland died.

In early 2017, the company was acquired by Restaurant Brands International for $1.8 billion. The company now operates as a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands.

In early 2018, the company began to offer delivery service in limited areas due to high demand from customers.

In August 2019, the company introduced a new fried chicken sandwich. The product became a viral sensation with nearly all locations selling out quickly. One customer was so angry at his inability to obtain a sandwich that he sued the company of $5,000.

The CEO Jose Cil said that the company greatly underestimated the popularity of their new product and that he never expected it would “break the internet.”

Less than 1 month after being introduced, the company had to stop offering the sandwich due to demand but stated that they expected to reintroduce it next month when they reached new deals with suppliers.

Popeye’s Chicken began selling internationally in 2021, starting new locations in the UK.

Today, the company operates over 2600 restaurants in 40 US states and 22 countries worldwide. They are the second-largest chicken fast-food restaurant in the world, right behind KFC.

In September 2020, the company named Sami Siddiqui as its new CEO.

In October 2023, the company introduced yet another chicken sandwich, this time including a truffle-based sauce. The sandwich is called the Spicy Truff Sandwich and it isn’t getting rave reviews like the original spicy chicken sandwich introduced earlier.

Popeyes maintains a corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia.

Popeyes

History

By 1990, Copeland Enterprises was in default on more than $391 million. The company filed for bankruptcy. The courts approved a repayment program and the company emerged from bankruptcy in 1992.

The company is best known for its simple meal of fried chicken, a biscuit, and a package of honey, sold in a small basket.

In 1976, the first franchise location opened in Baton Rouge.

By 1986, there were 500 restaurants in the chain.

In 1989, Popeyes merged with Church’s Chicken under the AFC Enterprises umbrella company. AFC sold Church’s Chicken to Arcapita in 2004.

In 2008, founder Al Copeland died.

In early 2017, the company was acquired by Restaurant Brands International for $1.8 billion. The company now operates as a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands.

In early 2018, the company began to offer delivery service in limited areas due to high demand from customers.

The CEO Jose Cil said that the company greatly underestimated the popularity of their new product and that he never expected it would “break the internet.”

Popeye’s Chicken began selling internationally in 2021, starting new locations in the UK.

Today, the company operates over 2600 restaurants in 40 US states and 22 countries worldwide. They are the second-largest chicken fast-food restaurant in the world, right behind KFC.

In September 2020, the company named Sami Siddiqui as its new CEO.

Popeyes maintains a corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia.