Headquarters

Jack in the Box Corporate Office

Jack in the Box began in 1941 as Topsy’s Drive-In. The restaurant were founded by Robert Peterson, a restaurant veteran. The restaurants were eventually renamed to Oscar’s.

In 1947, Peterson purchased rights to an intercom system from an Alaskan business.

In 1951, the first Jack in the Box location was opened in San Diego. It was the first restaurant with an intercom based drive-through system which allowed for faster service.

The concept was an instant success. By 1966, there were over 180 locations in California and the Southwest US.

In 1968, the company was purchased by Ralston Purina. The chain grew rapidly through franchising in the 1970s.

By 1980, the chain was struggling to compete with McDonalds and the marketing strategy was changed to target more affluent customers.

In 1985, Ralston Purina sold the company to its senior management team.

In 1987, the company went public.

Today, there are over 2200 Jack in the Box restaurants, mostly in the Western US. The company also owns the Qdoba Mexican chain.

Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box began in 1941 as Topsy’s Drive-In. The restaurant were founded by Robert Peterson, a restaurant veteran. The restaurants were eventually renamed to Oscar’s.

In 1947, Peterson purchased rights to an intercom system from an Alaskan business.

In 1951, the first Jack in the Box location was opened in San Diego. It was the first restaurant with an intercom based drive-through system which allowed for faster service.

History

The concept was an instant success. By 1966, there were over 180 locations in California and the Southwest US.

In 1968, the company was purchased by Ralston Purina. The chain grew rapidly through franchising in the 1970s.

By 1980, the chain was struggling to compete with McDonalds and the marketing strategy was changed to target more affluent customers.

In 1985, Ralston Purina sold the company to its senior management team.

In 1987, the company went public.

Today, there are over 2200 Jack in the Box restaurants, mostly in the Western US. The company also owns the Qdoba Mexican chain.

Clorox Corporate Office

Clorox dates back to 1913 when 5 entrepreneurs set up the first liquid bleach factory in the US. The company was originally called the Electro-Alkaline company and its first product was Clorox bleach.

The company floundered as consumers did not know what bleach was. William Murray took over the company in 1916. His wife, Anne, began to hand out free samples. The product was an instant success.

In 1928, the company went public as the Clorox Chemical Company.

In 1957, the company was purchased by Procter & Gamble and renamed to The Clorox Company.

In 1967, after a 10 year court battle, the FTC ordered P&G to divest Clorox. The company was spun off in 1969.

In 1999, the company acquired First Brands, makers of Glad, Handi-Wipes and STP.

Today, the company manufactures several products other than Clorox bleach including Brita water filters, Burt’s Bees, Formula 409 and Pine-Sol.

Clorox

The company floundered as consumers did not know what bleach was. William Murray took over the company in 1916. His wife, Anne, began to hand out free samples. The product was an instant success.

In 1928, the company went public as the Clorox Chemical Company.

History

In 1957, the company was purchased by Procter & Gamble and renamed to The Clorox Company.

In 1967, after a 10 year court battle, the FTC ordered P&G to divest Clorox. The company was spun off in 1969.

In 1999, the company acquired First Brands, makers of Glad, Handi-Wipes and STP.

Today, the company manufactures several products other than Clorox bleach including Brita water filters, Burt’s Bees, Formula 409 and Pine-Sol.

PetSmart Corporate Office

PetSmart was founded in 1987 by Jim and Janice Dougherty as PetFood Warehouse. The first two stores were in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 1989, the company name was changed to PetSmart.

In 1992, the 50th store was opened.

In 1993, the company went public.

In 1994, the 100th store is opened. Stores also begin to offer pet training classes.

In 1996, the chain expands to Canada.

In 1998, the 500th store is opened.

In 2002, the first PetsHotel is opened in Phoenix. By 2008, there are 100 PetsHotels.

In 2004, the PetPerks loyalty program is launched.

In 2007, the 1000th location is opened.

Today, there are nearly 1500 PetSmart and 200 PetsHotel locations in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

PetSmart has used their locations as spaces for pet rescue organizations and shelters to offer animals for adoptions, rather than sell animals from breeders. The company also offers free pet supplies, such as cat litter and dog toys, to rescue organizations.

PetSmart Charities Inc. is set to award the Austin Humane Society the first of three grant installments totaling $227,000 to assist in funding the city’s new Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Program.

As of March 12, 2015, PetSmart, Inc. was taken private. PetSmart, Inc. is now a subsidiary of Argos Holdings Inc.

The company acquired online pet supplier Chewy.Com in April 2017 for $3.35 billion.

Annual revenue for the company in 2014 was $6.9 billion. PetSmart employs more than 50,000 persons full time.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the company had originally closed their grooming locations, while leaving the remainder of the store open, but this was only a temporary measure. Petsmart reopened their grooming shops in early April 2020, stating that pet grooming was an essential service since some pet owners were unable to groom their pets themselves.

In an effort to encourage people to stay home during the COVID-19 quarantine, Petsmart also offered 10 percent off all home deliveries of pet products.

Company headquarters remain in Phoenix, Arizona.

PetSmart

PetSmart was founded in 1987 by Jim and Janice Dougherty as PetFood Warehouse. The first two stores were in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 1989, the company name was changed to PetSmart.

History

In 1992, the 50th store was opened.

In 1993, the company went public.

In 1994, the 100th store is opened. Stores also begin to offer pet training classes.

In 1996, the chain expands to Canada.

In 1998, the 500th store is opened.

In 2002, the first PetsHotel is opened in Phoenix. By 2008, there are 100 PetsHotels.

In 2004, the PetPerks loyalty program is launched.

In 2007, the 1000th location is opened.

Today, there are nearly 1500 PetSmart and 200 PetsHotel locations in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

PetSmart Charities Inc. is set to award the Austin Humane Society the first of three grant installments totaling $227,000 to assist in funding the city’s new Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Program.

As of March 12, 2015, PetSmart, Inc. was taken private. PetSmart, Inc. is now a subsidiary of Argos Holdings Inc.

The company acquired online pet supplier Chewy.Com in April 2017 for $3.35 billion.

Annual revenue for the company in 2014 was $6.9 billion. PetSmart employs more than 50,000 persons full time.

In an effort to encourage people to stay home during the COVID-19 quarantine, Petsmart also offered 10 percent off all home deliveries of pet products.

Company headquarters remain in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dairy Queen Corporate Office

Dairy Queen was founded in 1940 by John McCullough and Sheb Noble. The first location was in Joliet, Illinois.

The chain expands quickly through franchising. There are 100 locations by 1947.

In 1949, malts and shakes are added to the menu.

In 1953, the first DQ opens in Canada.

In 1962, the company is renamed to International Dairy Queen, Inc.

In 1972, the company expands to Japan.

In 1987, IDQ acquires Orange Julius.

In 1991, the company expands to Mexico.

In 1998, the company is acquired by Berkshire Hathaway.

In 2001, the first DQ Grill & Chill restaurant is opened in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Today, there are nearly 6,000 Dairy Queen, Orange Julius and Karmelkorn locations worldwide.

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen was founded in 1940 by John McCullough and Sheb Noble. The first location was in Joliet, Illinois.

The chain expands quickly through franchising. There are 100 locations by 1947.

In 1949, malts and shakes are added to the menu.

History

In 1953, the first DQ opens in Canada.

In 1962, the company is renamed to International Dairy Queen, Inc.

In 1972, the company expands to Japan.

In 1987, IDQ acquires Orange Julius.

In 1991, the company expands to Mexico.

In 1998, the company is acquired by Berkshire Hathaway.

In 2001, the first DQ Grill & Chill restaurant is opened in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Today, there are nearly 6,000 Dairy Queen, Orange Julius and Karmelkorn locations worldwide.

Target Corporate Office

Target began in 1902 as the Dayton Dry Goods Company. The company was founded by George Draper Dayton.

In 1938, George died and his son, Nelson took over the multi-million dollar business.

In 1962, the company opened its first Target location. The idea came from John Geisse, who envisioned an upscale discount retailer.

In 1967, the Dayton Corporation was formed and went public.

By 1979, there were 80 Target stores in 11 states.

In 1982, the company expanded to the West Coast with the acquisition of 33 FedMart stores.

In 1990, Marshall Field’s was acquired.

In 2000, the Dayton Hudson Corporation was renamed to the Target Corporation.

In 2011, the company expanded to Canada with the acquisition of 220 Zellers locations.

In March 2019, Target distanced itself designer Mossimo Giannulli, who heads the “Mossimo” clothing line that has been sold in its stores for years, after he and his wife, actress Lori Loughlin, were linked to a college admission cheating scam.

Today, Target is the 2nd largest discount retailer in the US with nearly 1800 locations.

Target

Target began in 1902 as the Dayton Dry Goods Company. The company was founded by George Draper Dayton.

In 1938, George died and his son, Nelson took over the multi-million dollar business.

History

In 1962, the company opened its first Target location. The idea came from John Geisse, who envisioned an upscale discount retailer.

In 1967, the Dayton Corporation was formed and went public.

By 1979, there were 80 Target stores in 11 states.

In 1982, the company expanded to the West Coast with the acquisition of 33 FedMart stores.

In 1990, Marshall Field’s was acquired.

In 2000, the Dayton Hudson Corporation was renamed to the Target Corporation.

In 2011, the company expanded to Canada with the acquisition of 220 Zellers locations.

Today, Target is the 2nd largest discount retailer in the US with nearly 1800 locations.