Franchise

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.

Arby’s Corporate Office

Arby’s was founded in 1964 in Boardman, Ohio by Forrest and Leroy Raffel. The Raffel’s owned a restaurant equipment business and saw a need for a fast food chain that served something other than hamburgers. The first restaurant served roast beef sandwiches, chips, and soda.

The brothers originally wanted to call their restaurant “Big Tex” but discovered the name was taken, so they settled for their initial’s of R.B and came up with Arby’s.

In 1965, the first franchise opened in Akron, Ohio.

In 1968, the first restaurants were opened outside of Ohio in Pittsburgh and Detroit.

Arby’s expanded at a store per week pace during the 1970s. New menu items like the Beef N’ Cheddar and Jamocha Shakes were also added.

By 1981, there were 1000 locations.

In 1984, Southeastern Public Service Company purchased Arby’s.

In 1991, the company became the first fast food restaurants to offer a “lite” menu, offering a menu of sandwiches and salads under 300 calories and nearly fat-free.

In 1997, the company sold all 354 company-owned restaurants to its largest franchisee.

In 2002, Arby’s purchased Sybia, Inc, its 2nd largest franchisee.

In 2005, Arby’s purchased RTM Restaurant Group, its largest franchisee.

In early 2017 the company returned to Kuwait with two franchises. Also in 2017, the company announced that they would acquire Buffalo Wild Wings for $2.4 billion.

In October of 2017, the company announced that they would be selling Elk meat burgers in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana for a limited time. The popularity of this product has hunters angry, stating that elk and deer should remain free-range animals and not become a domesticated food source.

Arby’s was recently ranked the #3 fast food restaurant chain by QSR Magazine, in a survey done in March 2019. The magazine noted that this might be more about their humorous commercials than food quality.

In February 2021, more than 100 people became sick with food poisoning after eating at one local Arby’s in Springfield, Illinois.

Today, Arby’s owns over 1000 restaurants with an additional 2400 franchise locations. The restaurants are located in the US, Canada, Russia and the UAE.

Arby's

The brothers originally wanted to call their restaurant “Big Tex” but discovered the name was taken, so they settled for their initial’s of R.B and came up with Arby’s.

History

In 1965, the first franchise opened in Akron, Ohio.

In 1968, the first restaurants were opened outside of Ohio in Pittsburgh and Detroit.

Arby’s expanded at a store per week pace during the 1970s. New menu items like the Beef N’ Cheddar and Jamocha Shakes were also added.

By 1981, there were 1000 locations.

In 1984, Southeastern Public Service Company purchased Arby’s.

In 1991, the company became the first fast food restaurants to offer a “lite” menu, offering a menu of sandwiches and salads under 300 calories and nearly fat-free.

In 1997, the company sold all 354 company-owned restaurants to its largest franchisee.

In 2002, Arby’s purchased Sybia, Inc, its 2nd largest franchisee.

In 2005, Arby’s purchased RTM Restaurant Group, its largest franchisee.

In early 2017 the company returned to Kuwait with two franchises. Also in 2017, the company announced that they would acquire Buffalo Wild Wings for $2.4 billion.

In February 2021, more than 100 people became sick with food poisoning after eating at one local Arby’s in Springfield, Illinois.

Today, Arby’s owns over 1000 restaurants with an additional 2400 franchise locations. The restaurants are located in the US, Canada, Russia and the UAE.

Mattress Firm Corporate Office

Mattress Firm was founded in 1986 by Steve Fendrich, Harry Roberts and Paul Stork in Houston, Texas. The first store was a success and the company grew quickly through both corporately owned and franchise locations.

Fendrich left Mattress Firm in 2001. He rejoined the company in 2010.

By 2002, there were 250 corporately owned locations.

In 2010, co-founder Harry Roberts and his brother Charlie rejoined Mattress Firm. They are helping expand the franchise department.

In 2011, the company went public.

In 2012, the company acquired competitors Mattress Giant and Mattress Xpress.

Today, Mattress Firm is the largest bedding retailer in the US. The company currently operates over 1100 locations in 28 states.

The company filed for bankruptcy in October 2018. Longtime CEO Steve Stagner resigned in March 2018 and he was replaced by John Eck, former head of Univision, in May 2019.

The company successfully emerged from bankruptcy in late November 2018.

Mattress Firm

Fendrich left Mattress Firm in 2001. He rejoined the company in 2010.

History

By 2002, there were 250 corporately owned locations.

In 2010, co-founder Harry Roberts and his brother Charlie rejoined Mattress Firm. They are helping expand the franchise department.

In 2011, the company went public.

In 2012, the company acquired competitors Mattress Giant and Mattress Xpress.

Today, Mattress Firm is the largest bedding retailer in the US. The company currently operates over 1100 locations in 28 states.

The company filed for bankruptcy in October 2018. Longtime CEO Steve Stagner resigned in March 2018 and he was replaced by John Eck, former head of Univision, in May 2019.

The company successfully emerged from bankruptcy in late November 2018.

Burger King Corporate Office

Burger King began in 1953 in Jacksonville, Florida as Insta-Burger King. The company was founded by Keith J. Kramer and Matthew Burns.

In 1957, the Whopper is introduced.

The company was purchased by David Edgerton and James McLamore in 1959 and renamed to Burger King.

By 1967, there were over 250 Burger King locations and the company was purchased by the Pillsbury Company.

In 1975, the company introduces drive-thru windows.

In 1989, Grand Metropolitan PLC acquired Pillsbury and Burger King.

In 1997, Grand Metropolitan merges with Guinness & Co to form Diageo PLC.

In 2002, the Burger King is purchased from Diageo by Texas Pacific, Bain Capital, and Goldman Sachs.

In 2006, the company goes public.

In 2010, Burger King is acquired by 3G Capital and taken private.

The company rolled out “Mood Meals” designed to compete with McDonald’s Happy Meals on May 1, 2019. Mood Meals include slogans like DGAF and Pissed Off.

Today, Burger King is one of the largest fast food chains in the world. There are over 15,000 restaurants in 100 countries. Burger King introduced their vegetarian burger, called The Impossible Whopper, at the end of April 2019.

A video that has gone viral shows a Florida Burger King employee cleaning a table with a dirty floor mop. Burger King’s response was that this practice was “unacceptable.”

In July 2020, a judge dismissed a class action lawsuit in which vegans say they were deceived by the company’s calim regarding the non-meat Impossible Burger and were horrified to discover that they were cooked on the same grill as regular burgers.

In 2015, the company had an estimated annual revenue of $4.05 billion and employs more than 35,000 persons. Company headquarters is located in Miami, Florida.

Burger King

Burger King began in 1953 in Jacksonville, Florida as Insta-Burger King. The company was founded by Keith J. Kramer and Matthew Burns.

In 1957, the Whopper is introduced.

History

The company was purchased by David Edgerton and James McLamore in 1959 and renamed to Burger King.

By 1967, there were over 250 Burger King locations and the company was purchased by the Pillsbury Company.

In 1975, the company introduces drive-thru windows.

In 1989, Grand Metropolitan PLC acquired Pillsbury and Burger King.

In 1997, Grand Metropolitan merges with Guinness & Co to form Diageo PLC.

In 2002, the Burger King is purchased from Diageo by Texas Pacific, Bain Capital, and Goldman Sachs.

In 2006, the company goes public.

In 2010, Burger King is acquired by 3G Capital and taken private.

The company rolled out “Mood Meals” designed to compete with McDonald’s Happy Meals on May 1, 2019. Mood Meals include slogans like DGAF and Pissed Off.

A video that has gone viral shows a Florida Burger King employee cleaning a table with a dirty floor mop. Burger King’s response was that this practice was “unacceptable.”

In 2015, the company had an estimated annual revenue of $4.05 billion and employs more than 35,000 persons. Company headquarters is located in Miami, Florida.

McDonalds Corporate Office

McDonald’s began in 1940 when Richard and Maurice McDonald opened a restaurant in San Bernardino, California.

In 1948, the brothers introduced the Speedee Service System, similar to the White Castle plan, which was the beginning of “fast food”.

In 1955, Ray Kroc opened the 9th location (a franchise). Kroc would later purchase the company from the brothers.

The original mascot was a chef wearing a large chef’s hat. This was replaced by the golden arches everyone knows today in 1962.

While the current organization credits Ray Kroc with the “founding” of the company in 1955, McDonald’s already had 8 locations when Kroc came to work for the company. Kroc later purchased the McDonald brothers’ equity in the company and began work on the company’s worldwide reach. Kroc was recorded as being an aggressive business partner, driving the McDonald brothers out of the industry.

In 1965, the company went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol MD.

In 1967, Ronald McDonald was created as the company mascot.

The chain mostly sells hamburgers, fries, and drinks, however, it also offers chicken sandwiches and strips, fish burgers, wraps, salads, and vegetarian items, such as black bean “burgers”. The company is well known for its children’s meals, which they call “Happy Meals”. Along with Happy Meals, most restaurants offer children friendly playgrounds, indoor or outdoor, and occasionally, both.

Starting in 2009, the company began offering free Wi-Fi to its customers. McDonald’s restaurants are found in 120 countries and territories around the world and serve 68 million customers each day. At the end of 2016, the company operates 36,899 restaurants worldwide and employs more than 375,000 people. The company saw huge earnings in the first quarter of 2019, mainly due to a new menu item, Donut Stixs, and the ability to add bacon as a side to any order.

At the same time, the company announced that it would be reducing the number of items on their Late Night menu.

McDonald’s restaurants around the globe are phasing out plastic straws in exchange for paper ones. This has caused the old plastic straws to suddenly become “collectors” items on eBay, some selling for as much as $1300.

Yahoo listed McDonald’s as #1 on its list of America’s Most Hated Food Chains list of 2020.

In August 2021, a Russian woman sued McDonald’s stating that their advertisements for hamburgers were so enticing that she broke her vows during the Lent period.

Today, the company is the world’s largest hamburger chain. There are over 33,000 locations in 119 countries worldwide. McDonald’s corporate office is located in Oak Brook, Illinois.

McDonalds

McDonald’s began in 1940 when Richard and Maurice McDonald opened a restaurant in San Bernardino, California.

In 1948, the brothers introduced the Speedee Service System, similar to the White Castle plan, which was the beginning of “fast food”.

History

In 1955, Ray Kroc opened the 9th location (a franchise). Kroc would later purchase the company from the brothers.

The original mascot was a chef wearing a large chef’s hat. This was replaced by the golden arches everyone knows today in 1962.

In 1965, the company went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol MD.

In 1967, Ronald McDonald was created as the company mascot.

At the same time, the company announced that it would be reducing the number of items on their Late Night menu.

Yahoo listed McDonald’s as #1 on its list of America’s Most Hated Food Chains list of 2020.

In August 2021, a Russian woman sued McDonald’s stating that their advertisements for hamburgers were so enticing that she broke her vows during the Lent period.

Today, the company is the world’s largest hamburger chain. There are over 33,000 locations in 119 countries worldwide. McDonald’s corporate office is located in Oak Brook, Illinois.