Franchise

Hooters Corporate Office

Hooters was founded in 1983 by 6 businessmen in Clearwater, Florida, Lynn Stewart, Gil DiGiannantonio, Ed Droste, Billy Ranieri, Ken Wimmer, and Dennis Johnson.

Waitresses at Hooters restaurants are primarily young women, usually referred to simply as “Hooters Girls”, whose revealing outfits and “hooters” are played up and are a primary component of the company’s image. The company employs men and women as cooks, hosts (at some franchises), busboys, and managers.

The menu includes hamburgers, sandwiches, steaks, seafood entrees, appetizers, and the restaurant’s specialty, chicken wings. Almost all Hooters restaurants hold alcoholic beverage licenses to sell beer and wine, and where local permits allow, a full liquor bar. Hooters T-shirts, sweatshirts, and various souvenirs and curios are also sold

In 1984, Hugh Connerty bought the company. Connerty was, in turn, bought out by a group of Atlanta investors led by Robert Brooks. Brooks would purchase the majority stake in the company in 2002.

By 1991, there were 50 restaurants in the Atlanta area. By 1993, there were 100 locations.

In 2006, the Hooters Casino Hotel opens in Las Vegas. Robert Brooks dies in 2006 and leaves control of the company to his son, Coby Brooks.

In 2011, Terry Marks replaces Coby Brooks as CEO.

In 2013, the company announced plans to remodel every restaurant in the chain.

Today, there are 420 Hooters restaurants nationwide. About a quarter of them are company-owned and the rest are franchised.

The company is owned by Chanticleer Holdings, an investment firm. Chanticleer plans to do a reverse merger with Sonnet BioTherapies, Inc., in a statement dated October 10, 2019.

Due to the coronavirus, many Hooters were forced to close, but they are slowly reopening, including the Las Vegas Hooters.

Many local franchises band together to create calendars for sale that feature local waitresses in bikinis.

Hooters

Hooters was founded in 1983 by 6 businessmen in Clearwater, Florida, Lynn Stewart, Gil DiGiannantonio, Ed Droste, Billy Ranieri, Ken Wimmer, and Dennis Johnson.

History

In 1984, Hugh Connerty bought the company. Connerty was, in turn, bought out by a group of Atlanta investors led by Robert Brooks. Brooks would purchase the majority stake in the company in 2002.

By 1991, there were 50 restaurants in the Atlanta area. By 1993, there were 100 locations.

In 2006, the Hooters Casino Hotel opens in Las Vegas. Robert Brooks dies in 2006 and leaves control of the company to his son, Coby Brooks.

In 2011, Terry Marks replaces Coby Brooks as CEO.

In 2013, the company announced plans to remodel every restaurant in the chain.

Today, there are 420 Hooters restaurants nationwide. About a quarter of them are company-owned and the rest are franchised.

The company is owned by Chanticleer Holdings, an investment firm. Chanticleer plans to do a reverse merger with Sonnet BioTherapies, Inc., in a statement dated October 10, 2019.

Due to the coronavirus, many Hooters were forced to close, but they are slowly reopening, including the Las Vegas Hooters.

Many local franchises band together to create calendars for sale that feature local waitresses in bikinis.

Del Taco Corporate Office

Del Taco was founded in 1964 by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson. The first restaurant was called Casa Del Taco and was located in Yermo, California.

In 1966, Dick Naugle joined the founders to create Red-E-Food Systems whose purpose was to franchise the Casa Del Taco system. Naugle would leave 5 years later to start his own Mexican fast-food chain.

In 1973, the company dropped “Casa” and became just Del Taco.

In 1976, the company is purchased by a group of investors.

By 1978, there are 100 Del Taco locations. By 1981, there were 350 stores.

In 1988, Del Taco merges with Naugles under the leadership of Anwar Soliman.

In 1990, the management team purchases the company from Soliman. Kevin K. Moriarty is named as CEO.

In 2006, the chain is purchased by Sagittarius Brands, LLC.

In 2008, the 500th restaurant opens in Burbank, California.

The company was acquired by Levi Acquisition and went public on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol TACO in late 2015.

Today, there are over 560 Del Taco restaurants in the US, with 310 corporate locations and 241 franchises.

The company introduced a vegan, meatless taco in early May 2019.

The corporate office is still located in Lake Forest, California.

Del Taco

Del Taco was founded in 1964 by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson. The first restaurant was called Casa Del Taco and was located in Yermo, California.

History

In 1973, the company dropped “Casa” and became just Del Taco.

In 1976, the company is purchased by a group of investors.

By 1978, there are 100 Del Taco locations. By 1981, there were 350 stores.

In 1988, Del Taco merges with Naugles under the leadership of Anwar Soliman.

In 1990, the management team purchases the company from Soliman. Kevin K. Moriarty is named as CEO.

In 2006, the chain is purchased by Sagittarius Brands, LLC.

In 2008, the 500th restaurant opens in Burbank, California.

The company was acquired by Levi Acquisition and went public on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol TACO in late 2015.

Today, there are over 560 Del Taco restaurants in the US, with 310 corporate locations and 241 franchises.

The company introduced a vegan, meatless taco in early May 2019.

The corporate office is still located in Lake Forest, California.

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.

Golden Corral Corporate Office

Golden Corral was founded in 1973 by James Maynard and Bill Carl after they failed multiple times to purchase franchises of other restaurants. The first Golden Corral restaurant was located in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

By 1979, there were over 100 restaurants in the chain.

In 1982, the company acquires Sirloin Stockade, which adds almost 200 more locations.

In 1991, the company launches 7 Metro Market concept restaurants. These markets were double the size of a traditional Golden Corral.

In 1992, the company begins to franchise.

In 1993, the first restaurant outside the US opens in Mexico.

In 1997, the company signs a large franchise agreement with Frisch’s.

In 2003, a Georgia restaurant had to be closed due to a salmonella outbreak.

In 2012, a Wyoming Golden Corral had an outbreak of the norovirus. More than 344 people were sick, with 282 of these being primary cases. The virus got its push from 31 employees who were sick with the virus who worked despite knowing they were sick.

Today, there are nearly 500 Golden Corral restaurants in 41 US states and annual sales estimated to be $1.53 billion.

Golden Corral

By 1979, there were over 100 restaurants in the chain.

History

In 1982, the company acquires Sirloin Stockade, which adds almost 200 more locations.

In 1991, the company launches 7 Metro Market concept restaurants. These markets were double the size of a traditional Golden Corral.

In 1992, the company begins to franchise.

In 1993, the first restaurant outside the US opens in Mexico.

In 1997, the company signs a large franchise agreement with Frisch’s.

In 2003, a Georgia restaurant had to be closed due to a salmonella outbreak.

Today, there are nearly 500 Golden Corral restaurants in 41 US states and annual sales estimated to be $1.53 billion.