Corporate Office HQ

Bridgestone Corporate Office

Bridgestone

The first Bridgestone tire was manufactured in 1930 by the Japanese “Tabi” Socks Tyre Division. In 1931, founder Shōjirō Ishibashi made the company its own division called Bridgestone Tire Co, Ltd.

The company headquarters was destroyed during WWII. After the war, the company began to produce motorcycle tires.

In 1959, the company began to sell nylon tires.

History

In 1961, the company went public.

In 1967, the company introduced its first radial tire, the RD10. The company also created Bridgestone America this same year.

In 1988, the company purchased the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. Firestone was merged with Bridgestone America in 1990 to form Bridgestone Americas, Inc.

Today, Bridgestone is one of the largest automotive tire manufacturers in the world. The company has manufacturing plants in 24 countries worldwide.

The first Bridgestone tire was manufactured in 1930 by the Japanese "Tabi" Socks Tyre Division. In 1931, founder Shōjirō Ishibashi made the company its own division called Bridgestone Tire Co, Ltd. The company headquarters was destroyed during … [Continue reading] about Bridgestone Corporate Office

General Motors Corporate Office

General Motors

General Motors or GM for short was founded in 1908 in Flint, Michigan by William C. Durant as a holding company for the Buick and Oldsmobile brands.

In 1909, Cadillac and Oakland, which eventually becomes Pontiac, join GM.

History

In 1910, Durant lost control of GM after acquiring too much debt.

In 1912, GM introduces the first electric starter in a Cadillac.

In 1918, Chevrolet becomes part of GM.

In 1925, the company acquires Vauxhall Motors.

In 1931, Opel is acquired.

By 1950, all US models are available with an automatic transmission.

In 1971, the company acquires a 34% stake in Isuzu Motors.

In 1984, the company acquires Electronic Data Systems. That company is spun off in 1996.

In 1986, the company acquires Hughes Aircraft.

In 1990, the company acquires 50% of Saab and launches the Saturn brand.

In 1999, the company acquires a 20% interest in Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru.

In 2000, the company takes full control of Saab and acquires 20% of Fiat.

In 2009, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This resulted in a government bailout and the closing of the Pontiac, Saab, Hummer, and Saturn brands.

In 2010, the company filed an IPO and returned to profitability.

Today, General Motors is one of the largest automakers in the world. The company produces vehicles in 37 countries under 11 brands.

In May 2023, GM recalled nearly 1 million vehicles for defective airbags.

Also in May 2023, GM hired an ex-Apple executive to head the new software unit.

General Motors maintains a corporate office in Detroit, Michigan.

General Motors or GM for short was founded in 1908 in Flint, Michigan by William C. Durant as a holding company for the Buick and Oldsmobile brands. In 1909, Cadillac and Oakland, which eventually becomes Pontiac, join GM. In 1910, Durant lost … [Continue reading] about General Motors Corporate Office

Wendy’s Corporate Office

Wendy's

Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s, loved the KewPee Burgers so much, he decided to make a similar restaurant chain.

Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers was founded in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio. Thomas named the restaurant after his fourth child, Melinda Lou “Wendy” Thomas. The chain features square hamburger patties and Frosties, which are milkshakes thickened with starch. Thomas liked the idea of square burgers that stuck out from the bun. He believed customers would be impressed with the quality of the meat they could see.

History

In 1970, Thomas opened a second location in Columbus. This location would add the first modern drive-thru window in 1971 that used speakers, rather than waitress on rollerskates.

In 1972, the first franchise is sold.

By 1976, there are 500 restaurants and the company goes public on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol: WEN.

In 1978, the 1000th location opens.

In 1979, Wendy’s was the first chain to introduce a salad bar.

By 1983, there are 2500 locations.

In 1985, the company merges with Tim Hortons.

By 1987, there are 5000 locations.

In 2002, founder Dave Thomas dies.

In 2006, the company headquarters is moved to Dublin, Ohio, where they remain today.

In 2008, the company merged with Triac, owner of Arby’s.

In 2011, the company sold its majority share of Arby’s to the Roark Capital Group due to lackluster sales. The company continues to hold an 18.5% interest in Arby’s.

In 2014, the company decided to close all locations in Russia and begin doing business in India instead, with the first restaurant in Gurgaon.

On May 26, 2016, the company announced that Todd Penegor would replace Emil Brolick as CEO and President. Gunther Plosch will succeed Penegor as CFO.

In July 2016, Wendy’s warned customers that their computer system had been hacked and that customers’ debit card and credit card information was stolen from approximately 1,025 of their restaurants located in the US.

The company is beta-testing a meatless burger made from black beans in an attempt to lure in vegan and vegetarian customers.

In January 2018, the company announced the opening of its 500th international location in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Due to the coronavirus and subsequent quarantine, the parent company of Wendy’s filed for bankruptcy July 1, 2020.

Flynn’s Restaurant Group acquired Wendy’s in March 2021.

In December 2022, Wendy’s stated that it would do a corporate “overhaul” with possible job cuts.

Today, Wendy’s is the third largest hamburger fast food chain in the world with nearly 7000 restaurants worldwide.

Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's, loved the KewPee Burgers so much, he decided to make a similar restaurant chain. Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers was founded in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio. Thomas named the restaurant after his fourth child, Melinda Lou … [Continue reading] about Wendy’s Corporate Office

Quiznos Corporate Office

Quizno's

Quiznos began in 1978 as Sandwich World when Terrell Braly and a group of investors converted a closed gas stations in Denver, Colorado to a sandwich shop.

In 1980, the store was purchased by competitors Jimmy Lambatos and Todd Disner. They changed the name to Quiznos and began to franchise.

In 1981, the first toasted sub was served.

History

In 1987, Rick Schaden opens a franchise in Boulder, CO. In 1991, Rick and his father, Dick, buy the entire company.

By 1995, there are 100 restaurants in the chain.

By 1997, Quiznos is the third largest sandwich chain.

In 1999, the first international location opens in Japan.

In 2002, Wendy’s acquired the rights to the brand in Australia and New Zealand. They were never able to make it profitable.

Today, Quiznos is the second largest sandwich chain in the world. There are nearly 4500 locations worldwide.

Quiznos began in 1978 as Sandwich World when Terrell Braly and a group of investors converted a closed gas stations in Denver, Colorado to a sandwich shop. In 1980, the store was purchased by competitors Jimmy Lambatos and Todd Disner. They … [Continue reading] about Quiznos Corporate Office

Tesla Motors Corporate Office

Tesla Motors

Tesla Motors was founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning.

In 2004, Elon Musk led a round of Series A funding for the company and became Chairman of the Board. Musk took an active role in the design and development of the Tesla Roadster.

History

Musk also led 2 additional rounds of funding in 2006 and 2007. He eventually had put $70 million of this own money into the company.

In 2008, Musk succeeded Ze’ev Drori as CEO. Production of the Roadster began.

In 2010, the company went public.

In 2012, the company began to produce and deliver the Tesla Model S after receiving nearly 7000 preorders. The Model X is also introduced with production planned to begin in 2014.

Today, Tesla produces 100% electric vehicles.

In September 2020, the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, announced that he would produce a $25,000 Model S before the end of 2023.

Also in September, a video shows what appears to be a Tesla 3 autopilot car running over a dummy pedestrian. The company has been criticized for the problems its braking software appears to contain.

Tesla maintains a corporate office in Palo Alto, California.

Tesla Motors was founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. In 2004, Elon Musk led a round of Series A funding for the company and became Chairman of the Board. Musk took an active role in the design and development of the Tesla … [Continue reading] about Tesla Motors Corporate Office