Corporate Office HQ

Winmark Corporate Office

Winmark

In 1983, Martha Morris was operating a small used sporting goods store in Minneapolis, Minnesota, called Play It Again Sports. She was a client of a consulting firm run by Ron Olson and Jeffrey Dahlberg. When Morris told the pair that she wanted to make her company a franchise, they had their doubts, however, after a surprise visit to the store, Olson and Dahlberg found more than 10 people waiting in line before the store had even opened.

In 1988, Olson and Dahlberg acquired the store from Morris. Play It Again Sports was the first franchise operation for what would become the Winmark Corporation.

History

The company went public on the NASDAQ in 1993 and is now listed under the ticker symbol WINA. Winmark owns 5 franchised based companies, all of which sell used goods including Music Go Round, Play It Again Sports, Once Upon a Child, Style Encore, and Plato’s Closet. The company also owns Wirth Business Credit, a small business supply leasing company.

In February 2018, the company listed their year-end sales results for 2017 as $24.565 million and $5.66 per share.

Headquarters for the company are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company maintains a $1 billion market share in a $17 billion industry through its 1,170 franchised operations.

Restaurant.Com Corporate Office

Restaurants.Com

Restaurant.Com was founded in 1999 by Cary Chessick. The company partners with restaurants to offer significant savings on gift cards to increase business and clientele. (Note that this is not the same internet search company Restaurants.com)

The company states that it has partnered with 21,000 private and chain restaurants across the USA to offer “significant savings” on gift certificates. A typical discount would offer a $25 gift certificate for $10.

History

The company says that none of the money goes to the actual restaurant, but they instead offer free marketing and offer restaurants a chance to gain new customers.

Some restaurants have complained that they did not agree to these terms and gift cards are sold without their consent. The company states that some restaurants might not fully understand the terms of the deal or that they are failing to explain to their employees how to properly credit the gift cards.

The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning to customers that there appears to be a pattern with gift cards not being accepted at all businesses.

Restaurant.Com states that they have successfully sold more than 8 million gift cards in the past 3 years. The company has headquarters in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

American Freight Furniture & Mattress Corporate Office

American Freight Furniture & Mattress

American Freight Furniture & Mattress, frequently called American Freight, was founded in Lima, Ohio, by current CEO Steve Belford.

The company operates a chain of 95 discount furniture and mattress stores in 18 states. There are no fancy showrooms, just warehouses full of new furniture at discount prices.

History

Customers have a wide variety of name brands to choose from without having to pay for a fancy showroom, which makes for lower prices.

In late 2014, the company was acquired by Resolute Fund III, a private equity company managed by Jordan Company III. The terms of the sale were not disclosed. Belford and most of the staff will remain in their positions. Jordan Company states that they hope to expand the company into all 50 states within 10 years.

In 2022, American Freight opened multiple locations in several states, including Minnesota, New York, Missouri, and Virginia.

At present time, company headquarters remain in Delaware, Ohio.

American Freight Furniture & Mattress, frequently called American Freight, was founded in Lima, Ohio, by current CEO Steve Belford. The company operates a chain of 95 discount furniture and mattress stores in 18 states. There are no fancy … [Continue reading] about American Freight Furniture & Mattress Corporate Office

The Spice and Tea Exchange Corporate Office

The Spice and Tea Exchange

The Spice and Tea Exchange was founded in 2006 by Amy Freeman. Finding herself homeless at 16, Freeman learned to not only take care of herself, but she discovered that she could do anything if she put her mind to the task. While on vacation in St. Augustine, Florida, Freeman found a small tea and spice store and immediately fell in love with it.

History

Starting the business in 2008, at the height of the financial recession, many people told Freeman that the business would not work, but she had faith that, in this digital world, others would view the company as she did; a place to relax and enjoy the scents and tastes of teas, herbs, and spices from around the world.

Freeman immediately began franchising her business. Soon, the idea took off. Even if people could no longer afford to eat out, they could afford a box of tea and enjoy the scents of other spices inside the locations.

Today, the company has more than 50 franchised locations, with plans in 2018 to open 15 locations in Arizona alone. Freeman believes the reason for her success is not only about her vision of the company, but because it is different from other coffee houses or even tea houses. They offer herbs and herb blends for cooking, in addition to coffee and tea, as well as spices not typically found in American grocery stores, including sugar and salt.

At this time, company headquarters remain in Palm Harbor, Florida.

The Spice and Tea Exchange was founded in 2006 by Amy Freeman. Finding herself homeless at 16, Freeman learned to not only take care of herself, but she discovered that she could do anything if she put her mind to the task. While on … [Continue reading] about The Spice and Tea Exchange Corporate Office

Pet Supplies Plus Corporate Office

Pet Supplies Plus

Pet Supplies Plus was founded in 1988 in Redford, Michigan, by Harry Shallop and Jack Berry. This pair of businessmen wanted their pet food and supply store to be more like grocery stores, such as offering wide aisles and display shelves that were full and organized.

This new idea in pet stores was an immediate success. The company offered conveniences that many people wanted, including large parking lots, longer hours of operation, helpful staff, and a wide variety of items to choose from.

History

Within 5 years, the company opened an additional 30 locations. Franchising began in 1990.

In 2010, the company was purchased by the private equity group Irving Place Capital.

The company currently has 400 locations in 21 states. Many locations offer self-serve dog washes and grooming stations. Pets on a leash are allowed inside the stores.

While online sales of pet items are rising, Pet Supplies Plus remains one of the few pet stores to see sales revenue increasing as many customers want to touch and feel products for their pets before purchasing them.

Company headquarters are located in Livonia, Michigan.