Headquarters

Leap Wireless Corporate Office

Leap Wireless was founded when it was spun-off from Qualcomm in 1999.

The company was founded to provide no-contract, flexible payment plans. To this end the company founded Cricket Communications, which primarily targets the youth market.

By 2007, Leap reported an operating profit of $102 million and $3.09 billion in service revenue.

In 2010 Leap entered into an agreement with Sprint Nextel which allowed Leap to offer its products and services through Sprint’s 3G network.

In 2013 Leap announced plans to merge with AT&T. In 2014 the merger was approved by the Federal Communications Commission.

Today Leap Wireless, through its subsidiary Cricket Communications, provides wireless voice and data services to 5.3 million customers in 48 states and the District of Columbia.

Leap Wireless

Leap Wireless was founded when it was spun-off from Qualcomm in 1999.

The company was founded to provide no-contract, flexible payment plans. To this end the company founded Cricket Communications, which primarily targets the youth market.

By 2007, Leap reported an operating profit of $102 million and $3.09 billion in service revenue.

History

In 2010 Leap entered into an agreement with Sprint Nextel which allowed Leap to offer its products and services through Sprint’s 3G network.

In 2013 Leap announced plans to merge with AT&T. In 2014 the merger was approved by the Federal Communications Commission.

Today Leap Wireless, through its subsidiary Cricket Communications, provides wireless voice and data services to 5.3 million customers in 48 states and the District of Columbia.

Academy Sports + Outdoors Corporate Office

Academy Sports + Outdoors was founded in 1938 when Arthur Gochman purchased Southern Sales, an army surplus chain of six stores.

Gochman had learned about the retail business from his father, Max Gochman, who owned a surplus retail outlet and a small chain of stores.

In 1973 Gochman changed the name of the company to Academy Corp.

In the 1980s Gochman rebranded the stores as sporting goods megastores.

In 1995 David Gochman, the founder’s son, joined the company. At this time Academy was a $350 million retail chain.

Today Academy Sports + Outdoor has 160 stores in 12 states. The stores carry clothing, shoes, and equipment for sports and outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, and fishing. The company is owned by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.

Academy Sports + Outdoor is #119 on the list of Forbes Largest Private Companies, has 21,000 employees, and had $3.7 billion in revenue in 2012.

The company announced in June 2018 that they had plans for expansion, despite the mounting competition from online retailers like Amazon.

Academy Sports + Outdoor

Academy Sports + Outdoors was founded in 1938 when Arthur Gochman purchased Southern Sales, an army surplus chain of six stores.

Gochman had learned about the retail business from his father, Max Gochman, who owned a surplus retail outlet and a small chain of stores.

History

In 1973 Gochman changed the name of the company to Academy Corp.

In the 1980s Gochman rebranded the stores as sporting goods megastores.

In 1995 David Gochman, the founder’s son, joined the company. At this time Academy was a $350 million retail chain.

Academy Sports + Outdoor is #119 on the list of Forbes Largest Private Companies, has 21,000 employees, and had $3.7 billion in revenue in 2012.

The company announced in June 2018 that they had plans for expansion, despite the mounting competition from online retailers like Amazon.

Trans World Entertainment Corporate Office

Trans World Entertainment was founded in 1972 by Robert Higgins. The company opened its first store, Record Town, the next year.

The company expanded through acquisitions, notably of failing chains Strawberries, Camelot Music, and Wherehouse Entertainment.

Trans World Entertainment went public in 1986, trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol TWMC.

In 2006 Trans World acquired Musicland Group, which owned Sam Goody, Suncoast Motion Picture Company and Media Play.

Today Trans World Entertainment operates 330 F.Y.E., Saturday Matinee, and Suncoast Motion Picture stores, most of which are located in shopping malls. The company also operates e-commerce sites such as fye.com, secondspin.com, and wherehouse.com.

Trans World Entertainment had $393.66 million in revenue in 2013.

Trans World Entertainment

Trans World Entertainment was founded in 1972 by Robert Higgins. The company opened its first store, Record Town, the next year.

The company expanded through acquisitions, notably of failing chains Strawberries, Camelot Music, and Wherehouse Entertainment.

Trans World Entertainment went public in 1986, trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol TWMC.

History

In 2006 Trans World acquired Musicland Group, which owned Sam Goody, Suncoast Motion Picture Company and Media Play.

Trans World Entertainment had $393.66 million in revenue in 2013.

David’s Bridal Corporate Office

David’s Bridal is a chain of clothing stores that specialize in wedding dresses, prom gowns, and formal wear.

David’s Bridal was founded in 1945 by David Reisberg when he opened a bridal boutique in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In 1972 Phillip Youtie bought the store and, over the next 16 years, opened 17 more stores.

In 1990 Youtie teamed up with his childhood friend Steven Erlbaum. Together they incorporated the company and launched the first “David’s Bridal Wearhouse” which was a 12,000 square-foot no-frills bridal store which offered about a 35% discount on wedding gowns.

By 1995 the chain had grown to 36 stores.

Today David’s Bridal is the largest retail chain specializing in bridal gowns with more than 300 stores in 45 U.S. states as well as Puerto Rico, Canada, and the U.K.

David’s Bridal also sells wedding accessories such as veils, shoes, invitations, and gifts.

In November 2018, the company filed for bankruptcy, unexpectedly locking all stores, with many brides unable to retrieve their dresses.

David’s Bridal emerged from bankruptcy less than two years later.

In July 2020, the company came out with matching face masks for brides who want to be safe from the coronavirus.

The chain is owned by private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and maintains headquarters in Conshohocken, Pennslyvania.

David's Bridal

David’s Bridal is a chain of clothing stores that specialize in wedding dresses, prom gowns, and formal wear.

David’s Bridal was founded in 1945 by David Reisberg when he opened a bridal boutique in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

History

In 1972 Phillip Youtie bought the store and, over the next 16 years, opened 17 more stores.

By 1995 the chain had grown to 36 stores.

Today David’s Bridal is the largest retail chain specializing in bridal gowns with more than 300 stores in 45 U.S. states as well as Puerto Rico, Canada, and the U.K.

David’s Bridal also sells wedding accessories such as veils, shoes, invitations, and gifts.

In November 2018, the company filed for bankruptcy, unexpectedly locking all stores, with many brides unable to retrieve their dresses.

David’s Bridal emerged from bankruptcy less than two years later.

In July 2020, the company came out with matching face masks for brides who want to be safe from the coronavirus.

The chain is owned by private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and maintains headquarters in Conshohocken, Pennslyvania.

Joe’s Crab Shack Corporate Office

Joe’s Crab Shack is a chain of beach-themed seafood restaurants.

The first Joe’s Crab Shack opened in Houston, Texas in 1991. In 1994 Landry’s Restaurants, Inc. bought the restaurant and within one year had grown to three locations.

In 2006 Joe’s was sold to J.H. Whitney & Company for $192 million. J.H. Whitney later changed its name to Ignite Restaurant Group.

Today Joe’s Crab Shack is a national chain with 110 restaurants in 28 states. The restaurants have a festive atmosphere and many are on waterfront property with large outdoor patios. Many include features such as playgrounds and arcades.

In June of 2017, the company filed for bankruptcy. Kelly Investment Group has offered $50 million for the chain, but there is no word yet as to whether this offer will be accepted.

While a few locations closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, new locations are being opened in 2021.

The corporate office for Joe’s Crab Shack remains in Houston, Texas.

Joe's Crab Shack

Joe’s Crab Shack is a chain of beach-themed seafood restaurants.

The first Joe’s Crab Shack opened in Houston, Texas in 1991. In 1994 Landry’s Restaurants, Inc. bought the restaurant and within one year had grown to three locations.

History

In 2006 Joe’s was sold to J.H. Whitney & Company for $192 million. J.H. Whitney later changed its name to Ignite Restaurant Group.

In June of 2017, the company filed for bankruptcy. Kelly Investment Group has offered $50 million for the chain, but there is no word yet as to whether this offer will be accepted.

While a few locations closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, new locations are being opened in 2021.

The corporate office for Joe’s Crab Shack remains in Houston, Texas.