Headquarters

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.

AEP Corporate Office

AEP began in 1906 as the American Gas and Electric Company.

In 1917, the company opened the Windsor “super” power plant in Wheeling, WV.

In 1922, the company expanded into Michigan with the acquisition of Indiana and Michigan Electric Company. There were many more such acquisitions in the 1920’s, including American Electric Power Company and the Appalachian Power Company.

In 1958, the company name was changed to American Electric Power.

In 1980, the company headquarters was moved from New York City to Columbus, Ohio where it remains today.

In 1997, the company merged with the Central and South West Corporation.

In 2013, the company had annual revenue of $15.357 billion and employs more than 18,000 persons.

Today, AEP delivers electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. They also operate the largest electricity transmission network in the US at over 39,000 miles.

AEP

AEP began in 1906 as the American Gas and Electric Company.

History

In 1917, the company opened the Windsor “super” power plant in Wheeling, WV.

In 1958, the company name was changed to American Electric Power.

In 1980, the company headquarters was moved from New York City to Columbus, Ohio where it remains today.

In 1997, the company merged with the Central and South West Corporation.

In 2013, the company had annual revenue of $15.357 billion and employs more than 18,000 persons.

Today, AEP delivers electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. They also operate the largest electricity transmission network in the US at over 39,000 miles.

RadioShack Corporate Office

Radio Shack was founded in 1921 by Theodore and Milton Deutschmann. The brothers opened a ham radio shop in downtown Boston.

In 1939, the company issued their first catalog and entered the hi-fi audio market.

In 1954, the company began selling its own products under the Realist brand.

In 1962, after nearly going bankrupt, Radio Shack was purchased by the Tandy Corporation. The company was renamed to Tandy Radio Shack & Leather.

In 1977, the company introduced the TRS-80 personal computer. The product was a huge success.

In 1994, the company introduced a repair shop into their stores.

In 2000, the company dropped Tandy from its name and became just RadioShack.

Today, the company operates over 7000 retails locations worldwide.

RadioShack

Radio Shack was founded in 1921 by Theodore and Milton Deutschmann. The brothers opened a ham radio shop in downtown Boston.

In 1939, the company issued their first catalog and entered the hi-fi audio market.

In 1954, the company began selling its own products under the Realist brand.

History

In 1962, after nearly going bankrupt, Radio Shack was purchased by the Tandy Corporation. The company was renamed to Tandy Radio Shack & Leather.

In 1977, the company introduced the TRS-80 personal computer. The product was a huge success.

In 1994, the company introduced a repair shop into their stores.

In 2000, the company dropped Tandy from its name and became just RadioShack.

Today, the company operates over 7000 retails locations worldwide.

Jamba Juice Corporate Office

Jamba Juice was founded in 1990 as Juice Club, Inc. by Kirk Perron. The first location was in San Luis Obispo, California. Three of Perron’s friends, Joe Vergara, Kevin Peters, and Linda Ozawa Olds, soon joined the venture.

In 1995, the company name was changed to Jamba Juice.

By 1996, there are 30 stores operating in California. These are both company-owned and franchised.

In 1997, the company partnered with Whole Foods and opens Jamba Juice locations inside Whole Foods stores.

In 1998, the company introduces Jambola bread.

In 1999, the company acquired Zuka Juice.

In 2006, Services Acquisition Corporation International purchases Jamba Juice and changes the company name to Jamba, Inc. Jamba is now a publicly traded company.

In 2008, the company begins to introduce wraps, sandwiches, and salads to its menu.

Today, Jamba Juice operates over 860 stores in 26 US states, Canada, the Philippines, and South Korea. About half the stores are corporately owned.

The company is known for introducing new flavors that become quite popular. The trendy new flavors of 2022 are Strawberry Bursting Boba and Sweet Tapioca Boba Pearls.

Jamba Juice, like many other restaurant chains, is having trouble with staffing…or are they? Jamba Juice says that price increases are necessary in order to hire talent but people say that their applications are routinely rejected.

Jamba Juice maintains a corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jamba Juice

In 1995, the company name was changed to Jamba Juice.

History

By 1996, there are 30 stores operating in California. These are both company-owned and franchised.

In 1997, the company partnered with Whole Foods and opens Jamba Juice locations inside Whole Foods stores.

In 1998, the company introduces Jambola bread.

In 1999, the company acquired Zuka Juice.

In 2006, Services Acquisition Corporation International purchases Jamba Juice and changes the company name to Jamba, Inc. Jamba is now a publicly traded company.

In 2008, the company begins to introduce wraps, sandwiches, and salads to its menu.

Today, Jamba Juice operates over 860 stores in 26 US states, Canada, the Philippines, and South Korea. About half the stores are corporately owned.

The company is known for introducing new flavors that become quite popular. The trendy new flavors of 2022 are Strawberry Bursting Boba and Sweet Tapioca Boba Pearls.

Jamba Juice maintains a corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia.

Nike Corporate Office

Nike was founded in 1964 by University of Oregon track athlete Philip Knight and his coach, Bill Bowerman. The company was originally called Blue Ribbon Sports and began as a distributor for Asics.

In 1966, BRS opened its first retail outlet in Santa Monica, California.

In 1971, the company began selling its own line of footwear. The shoes had a distinctive swoosh on the side. The swoosh was trademarked in 1974.

In 1978, the company became Nike, Inc.

By 1980, the company had attained a 50% share of the athletic shoe market. The company went public.

In 1988, the company acquired Cole Haan. Cole Haan was sold in 2013.

In 1994, Bauer Hockey was acquired.

In 2002, the company acquired the Hurley Surf Company.

In 2003, Converse was acquired, followed by Starter and Umbro in 2004. Umbro was eventually sold in 2012.

In 2004, Phil Knight retired as CEO. He was replaced by William Perez.

In September 2018, Nike chose Colin Kaepernick to be the face of Nike in their advertising campaigns, despite protests and threats of a boycott.

The company has been hit with another boycott from conservatives after its decision to not sell the Betsy Ross flag shoe after Kaepernick suggested that the flag was a symbol of racism since slavery was legal when that flag design was made.

Today, Nike is one of the largest suppliers of athletic footwear and apparel in the world. In 2017, the company had annual revenue of $34.35 billion

Nike

Nike was founded in 1964 by University of Oregon track athlete Philip Knight and his coach, Bill Bowerman. The company was originally called Blue Ribbon Sports and began as a distributor for Asics.

In 1966, BRS opened its first retail outlet in Santa Monica, California.

History

In 1971, the company began selling its own line of footwear. The shoes had a distinctive swoosh on the side. The swoosh was trademarked in 1974.

In 1978, the company became Nike, Inc.

By 1980, the company had attained a 50% share of the athletic shoe market. The company went public.

In 1988, the company acquired Cole Haan. Cole Haan was sold in 2013.

In 1994, Bauer Hockey was acquired.

In 2002, the company acquired the Hurley Surf Company.

In 2003, Converse was acquired, followed by Starter and Umbro in 2004. Umbro was eventually sold in 2012.

In 2004, Phil Knight retired as CEO. He was replaced by William Perez.

In September 2018, Nike chose Colin Kaepernick to be the face of Nike in their advertising campaigns, despite protests and threats of a boycott.

Today, Nike is one of the largest suppliers of athletic footwear and apparel in the world. In 2017, the company had annual revenue of $34.35 billion