Corporate Office HQ

Headquarters

Conn’s Home Plus Corporate Office

Conn’s began in 1934 when Carol Washington Conn, Sr. purchased a plumbing company and named it Conns Plumbing and Heating.

In 1937, the company began selling gas ranges and refrigerators.

In 1940, a physical store was opened on Pearl Street in Beaumont, Texas.

In 1959, a second store was opened on 11th Street.

In 1964, Conn Credit Corporation was founded to help consumers finance their purchases from Conns.

In 1966, C.W. Conn Jr. took over as company president and CEO.  The company operated 4 stores at this time.

The company expanded under his leadership and eventually went public on the NASDAQ in 2003 under the ticker symbol CONN. In 2019, the company had $1.544 billion in revenue.

Today, the company has 161 retail locations that sell electronics, furniture, and appliances.

In August 2020, Conn’s stated that there was a computer glitch which caused robocalls to credit customers warning them of overdue payments. Some customers stated that new charges appeared on their accounts as well. 

While profits have been lower for Conn’s due to the coronavirus, the stock has soared in November 2020.

Conn’s maintain’s a corporate office in The Woodlands, Texas.

Conns

Conn’s began in 1934 when Carol Washington Conn, Sr. purchased a plumbing company and named it Conns Plumbing and Heating.

In 1937, the company began selling gas ranges and refrigerators.

History

In 1940, a physical store was opened on Pearl Street in Beaumont, Texas.

In 1959, a second store was opened on 11th Street.

In 1964, Conn Credit Corporation was founded to help consumers finance their purchases from Conns.

In 1966, C.W. Conn Jr. took over as company president and CEO.  The company operated 4 stores at this time.

The company expanded under his leadership and eventually went public on the NASDAQ in 2003 under the ticker symbol CONN. In 2019, the company had $1.544 billion in revenue.

Today, the company has 161 retail locations that sell electronics, furniture, and appliances.

In August 2020, Conn’s stated that there was a computer glitch which caused robocalls to credit customers warning them of overdue payments. Some customers stated that new charges appeared on their accounts as well. 

While profits have been lower for Conn’s due to the coronavirus, the stock has soared in November 2020.

Conn’s maintain’s a corporate office in The Woodlands, Texas.

Pilot Flying J Corporate Office

pilot 1

The first Pilot station was opened by James (Jimmy) Haslam II in 1958 in Gate City, Virginia.

In 1965, Marathon Oil purchases half of Pilot and provides them with $4 million to expand.  By 1973, there are 50 locations.

In 1976, Pilot opens their first convenience store.  The following year, the company acquires Lonas Oil Co. and converts their locations to convenience stores.

By 1981, there are 100 Pilot locations.

In 1988, the company buys back Marathon Oil’s shares. pilot 2

In 2001, Pilot and Marathon join forces again to form Pilot Travel Centers.  In 2003, the company acquires Williams Travel Centers.

In 2006, the first Canadian location is opened.  In 2008, the company buys Marathon’s shares back for a second time.

In 2010, Pilot buys Flying J’s travel stations from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and Pilot Flying J is formed. pilot 3

Pilot Flying J currently operates over 550 truck stops, convenience stores and restaurants in the US and Canada.

As of 2015, Pilot Flying J is the leading seller of over the road diesel fuel in America. The company is also the largest Travel Center in the US while holding the third place position as a provider of fast food franchises.

In October 2017, the Berkshire-Hathway company purchased a 38.6% share of the company, with plans to increase their share to 80% by the end of 2023. The Haslam family will continue to run the day to day operations.

In January 2020, the company announced that it would rebrand itself and change its name to simply Pilot Company. 

In December 2023, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway company and the Haslam family, which owns 20 percent of Pilot, accused each other of manipulating profit numbers. 

Pilot Flying J maintains a corporate office in Knoxville, Tennessee.

pilot 5

Pilot Flying J

pilot 1

The first Pilot station was opened by James (Jimmy) Haslam II in 1958 in Gate City, Virginia.

In 1965, Marathon Oil purchases half of Pilot and provides them with $4 million to expand.  By 1973, there are 50 locations.

History

In 1976, Pilot opens their first convenience store.  The following year, the company acquires Lonas Oil Co. and converts their locations to convenience stores.

By 1981, there are 100 Pilot locations.

In 1988, the company buys back Marathon Oil’s shares. pilot 2

In 2001, Pilot and Marathon join forces again to form Pilot Travel Centers.  In 2003, the company acquires Williams Travel Centers.

In 2006, the first Canadian location is opened.  In 2008, the company buys Marathon’s shares back for a second time.

In 2010, Pilot buys Flying J’s travel stations from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and Pilot Flying J is formed. pilot 3

Pilot Flying J currently operates over 550 truck stops, convenience stores and restaurants in the US and Canada.

As of 2015, Pilot Flying J is the leading seller of over the road diesel fuel in America. The company is also the largest Travel Center in the US while holding the third place position as a provider of fast food franchises.

In October 2017, the Berkshire-Hathway company purchased a 38.6% share of the company, with plans to increase their share to 80% by the end of 2023. The Haslam family will continue to run the day to day operations.

In January 2020, the company announced that it would rebrand itself and change its name to simply Pilot Company. 

In December 2023, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway company and the Haslam family, which owns 20 percent of Pilot, accused each other of manipulating profit numbers. 

Pilot Flying J maintains a corporate office in Knoxville, Tennessee.

pilot 5

Forever 21 Corporate Office

21 1

Forever 21 was founded in 1984 by current CEO Do Won Chang and his wife Jin. Sook Chang  The store was originally called Fashion 21 and targeted middle-aged women.  Today, the company’s focus is more on younger women. The first store, located in Los Angeles, is still in operation today. 21 4

In 1989, the company opened their 11th store.  It was their first location inside a shopping mall.

In 1995, the first location outside of California was opened in Miami, FL.

By 1997, there were 40 stores.  21 2

In 2010, the company opened its flagship two-story, 85,000 square foot store at the Los Cerritos Center.  The company also expanded to the UK.

Forever 21 currently operates over 723 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The company had annual revenue in 2016 of $4.4 billion.

In late August 2019, the company stated that it was considering filing for bankruptcy to restructure its debts.

21 3

Forever 21

21 1

Forever 21 was founded in 1984 by current CEO Do Won Chang and his wife Jin. Sook Chang  The store was originally called Fashion 21 and targeted middle-aged women.  Today, the company’s focus is more on younger women. The first store, located in Los Angeles, is still in operation today. 21 4

In 1989, the company opened their 11th store.  It was their first location inside a shopping mall.

History

In 1995, the first location outside of California was opened in Miami, FL.

By 1997, there were 40 stores.  21 2

In 2010, the company opened its flagship two-story, 85,000 square foot store at the Los Cerritos Center.  The company also expanded to the UK.

Forever 21 currently operates over 723 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The company had annual revenue in 2016 of $4.4 billion.

In late August 2019, the company stated that it was considering filing for bankruptcy to restructure its debts.

21 3

Best Western Corporate Office

 

BW 1

 

Best Western was founded in 1946 by hotelier M.K. Guertin as an informal referral system for member hotels. During those years, hotels in California and other western states were generally family owned, roadside motels or larger urban hotels. This service, which was literally nothing more than a phone referral service where one desk operator talked to another about recommended hotels and motels, would eventually grow into the Best Western hotels we know today. BW 3

By 1962, the company had the only hospitality reservation system in the US which covered the entire nation.

By 1963, there were 700 member hotels, making them the largest chain in the industry.

In 1964, Canadian hotels were admitted into the association.

In 1977 the company began using the phrase, “world’s largest lodging chain”.

The chain began franchising in the UK in 1978. BW 2

In 1980, Denmark, France, Finland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland joined the association.

In 1995, the company launches BestWestern.com website.  By 2005, there are booking $1 million in reservations per day online.

Best Western then expanded to Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand in 1976. BW 6

In 2002, Best Western International launched Best Western Premier in Europe and Asia. In 2011, the company began to list their hotels under three different tiers; Best Western, Best Western Plus, and Best Western Premier.

In 2004, Best Western became the official hotel of Nascar.BW 4

In May of 2013, Best Western announced that it will take over management of the Green Hill Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar. This acquisition will give the hotel Best Western’s brand name, as well as establishing Best Western as their first hotel establishment in the country.

The company began using IBM’s Watson AI to personalize and target their marketing ads by asking potential clients about travel plans on search engines in 2019.

In August 2019, Best Western Rewards Program was named as one of the Top Loyalty Programs in the US for the 7th consecutive year by US News & World Report. 

Today, Best Western is made up of over 4200 hotels worldwide with nearly half of those in North America. Estimated annual revenue worldwide in 2012 was $6 billion. Headquarters for the company are located in Phoenix, Arizona.

BW 5

Best Western

 

BW 1

 

History

Best Western was founded in 1946 by hotelier M.K. Guertin as an informal referral system for member hotels. During those years, hotels in California and other western states were generally family owned, roadside motels or larger urban hotels. This service, which was literally nothing more than a phone referral service where one desk operator talked to another about recommended hotels and motels, would eventually grow into the Best Western hotels we know today. BW 3

By 1962, the company had the only hospitality reservation system in the US which covered the entire nation.

By 1963, there were 700 member hotels, making them the largest chain in the industry.

In 1964, Canadian hotels were admitted into the association.

In 1977 the company began using the phrase, “world’s largest lodging chain”.

The chain began franchising in the UK in 1978. BW 2

In 1980, Denmark, France, Finland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland joined the association.

In 1995, the company launches BestWestern.com website.  By 2005, there are booking $1 million in reservations per day online.

Best Western then expanded to Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand in 1976. BW 6

In 2002, Best Western International launched Best Western Premier in Europe and Asia. In 2011, the company began to list their hotels under three different tiers; Best Western, Best Western Plus, and Best Western Premier.

In 2004, Best Western became the official hotel of Nascar.BW 4

In May of 2013, Best Western announced that it will take over management of the Green Hill Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar. This acquisition will give the hotel Best Western’s brand name, as well as establishing Best Western as their first hotel establishment in the country.

The company began using IBM’s Watson AI to personalize and target their marketing ads by asking potential clients about travel plans on search engines in 2019.

In August 2019, Best Western Rewards Program was named as one of the Top Loyalty Programs in the US for the 7th consecutive year by US News & World Report. 

Today, Best Western is made up of over 4200 hotels worldwide with nearly half of those in North America. Estimated annual revenue worldwide in 2012 was $6 billion. Headquarters for the company are located in Phoenix, Arizona.

BW 5

General Mills Corporate Office

General Mills was originally founded in 1856 as the Minneapolis Milling Company by Robert Smith.

The name General Mills wasn’t adopted until 1928 when then named Washburn-Crosby merged with 26 other local mills.

In 1929, the company introduced Better Crocker coupons on the box tops of their products.

In 1965, the company acquired Rainbow Crafts, maker of Play-Doh.

In 1970, the company acquired Red Lobster, then only a 5 restaurant operation and expanded it nationwide.  In 1982, Olive Garden was created.  In 1995, the restaurants were spun off as a new company, Darden Restaurants.

In 2001, Pilsbury was acquired.

Today, General Mills produces many popular food brands including Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Totinos, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Cheerios & Lucky Charms.  In total, their portfolio is comprised of over 100 food brands.

General Mills

General Mills was originally founded in 1856 as the Minneapolis Milling Company by Robert Smith.

The name General Mills wasn’t adopted until 1928 when then named Washburn-Crosby merged with 26 other local mills.

In 1929, the company introduced Better Crocker coupons on the box tops of their products.

History

In 1965, the company acquired Rainbow Crafts, maker of Play-Doh.

In 1970, the company acquired Red Lobster, then only a 5 restaurant operation and expanded it nationwide.  In 1982, Olive Garden was created.  In 1995, the restaurants were spun off as a new company, Darden Restaurants.

In 2001, Pilsbury was acquired.

Today, General Mills produces many popular food brands including Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Totinos, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Cheerios & Lucky Charms.  In total, their portfolio is comprised of over 100 food brands.