Corporate Office HQ

Lifetouch Corporate Office

Lifetouch

Lifetouch was founded in 1936 as National School Studios. Founders Bruce Reinecker and Eldon Rothgeb began to offer school photos to one-room schoolhouses in Minnesota.

By 1950, National School Studios was the largest school photography business in the US.

History

In 1978, Reinecker transferred 100% ownership of the company to its employees.

In 2011, the company acquired Olan Mills.

Today, Lifetouch operates as several separate divisions including Lifetouch National School Studios, Lifetouch Portrait Studio, Lifetouch Church Directories and Lifetouch Media Productions.

In November 2022, the company celebrated more than 20 years of memories by building a school in Guatemala.

Lifetouch maintains a corporate office in Eden Prarie, Minnesota.

Lifetouch was founded in 1936 as National School Studios. Founders Bruce Reinecker and Eldon Rothgeb began to offer school photos to one-room schoolhouses in Minnesota. By 1950, National School Studios was the largest school photography business in … [Continue reading] about Lifetouch Corporate Office

Speedway Corporate Office

Speedway

Speedway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum.

Speedway began as Speedway 79, a Michigan based gas station chain.

History

In 1959, the company was purchased by the Ohio Oil Company (now Marathon) and all stations were converted to Marathon brand.

Speedway and SuperAmerica were combined in 1998 when Marathon and Ashland merged.

In 2003, the company launched the Speedy Rewards program.

In 2011, Marathon sold SuperAmerica. The two chains are now unrelated.

In 2012, the company acquired GasAmerica and all 88 of their stations in Ohio and Indiana.

In 2014, the company acquired Hess Corporation for $2.6 billion, adding an additional 1,342 locations to Speedway. Most of the Hess locations are being changed to the Speedway brand.

Today, there are nearly 3,000 Speedway gas stations in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, making it the second largest chain of gas stations/convenience stores in the US.

Speedway is now owned by 7-11, who acquired the chain in 2021 and immediately cut jobs

In a classic scam, consumers should be aware that Speedway is not selling $500 gas cards for $1.98.

Speedway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum. Speedway began as Speedway 79, a Michigan based gas station chain. In 1959, the company was purchased by the Ohio Oil Company (now Marathon) and all stations were converted to Marathon … [Continue reading] about Speedway Corporate Office

Marathon Oil Corporate Office

Marathon Oil Corporation

Marathon began in 1887 as the Ohio Oil Company, led by Henry M. Ernst. The company becomes the largest oil producer in Ohio.

In 1889, Standard Oil purchases the Ohio Oil Company.

In 1905, the company headquarters move from Lima, Ohio to Findlay, where they remain today.

History

In 1911, Ohio Oil again becomes a separate company when the Standard Oil monopoly is broken up.

In 1962, the company changes its name to the Marathon Oil Company.

In 1982, the company is purchased by the United States Steel Company.

In 1998, Marathon merges with Ashland Oil to form Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC.

In 2002, Marathon is spun off as a separate company and is listed on the NYSE.

Today, Marathon Petroleum is one of the largest oil refiners and transporters in the US. They currently operate over 5100 Marathon gas stations.

Marathon began in 1887 as the Ohio Oil Company, led by Henry M. Ernst. The company becomes the largest oil producer in Ohio. In 1889, Standard Oil purchases the Ohio Oil Company. In 1905, the company headquarters move from Lima, Ohio to … [Continue reading] about Marathon Oil Corporate Office

New Balance Corporate Office

New Balance

New Balance was founded in 1905 by William J. Riley as the New Balance Arch Company in Boston, Massachusetts. The company originally produced arch supports and other shoe fitments.

In 1960, the company introduced the Trackster. It was the first running shoe with a rippled sole. The product had mediocre suceess.

In 1972, current Chairman Jim Davis buys the company.

History

In 1975, Tom Fleming wins the Boston Marathon while wearing a New Balance 320 shoe. Runner’s World names the 320 the best running shoe on the market.

The company grew quickly for the rest of the 70s and early 80s. A slump came in the late 80s and early 90s but the company was thriving again by the mid 1990s thanks in part to public figures like Bill Clinton and Steve Jobs wearing New Balance 992’s.

Today, New Balance produces athletic footwear. Unlike many of their competitors, the majority of their shoes are produced in the USA.

New Balance was founded in 1905 by William J. Riley as the New Balance Arch Company in Boston, Massachusetts. The company originally produced arch supports and other shoe fitments. In 1960, the company introduced the Trackster. It was the first … [Continue reading] about New Balance Corporate Office

Waffle House Corporate Office

Waffle House

Waffle House was founded in 1955 by Joe Rogers, Sr., and Tom Forkner. This pair of friends wanted to combine the speed of fast food but with the service of a restaurant. They also wanted food to be around the clock – meaning waffles for dinner was going to be OK!

The first restaurant was located in Avondale Estates, Georgia.

History

In 1957, a second restaurant is opened.

During the 1960s, the company opens 44 more restaurants and begins to franchise.

By the end of the 1970s, there are over 400 locations.

The 1000th location is opened in 1997.

By 2005, there are 1460 locations in 25 states.

In 2006, the company finally begins to accept credit cards, after being cash only.

In 2007, the company repurchased their original restaurant, which had most recently been a Chinese food location, and made it a museum.

In 2008, the Waffle House Museum opens at the site of the first restaurant. That same year, one of the largest franchises, North Lake Foods, was purchased by Waffle House, Inc. The company reestablished the franchise the following year.

Although the company is privately owned and does not disclose financial information, the company says that 2% of all eggs used in the food service industry are sold to Waffle House.

In 2012, CEO Joe Rogers, Jr, is accused of an inappropriate sexual relationship with his housekeeper. He is replaced as CEO by Walt Ehmer.

Today, Waffle House operates over 2100 restaurants in 25 US states. The company claims to be the world’s largest seller of several of its menu item, including the namesake waffles, ham, pork chops, grits, and T-bone steaks.

Almost every Waffle House has a jukebox and, starting back in 2008, began offering candlelit dinners for Valentine’s Day.

In July 2022, a long-time patron of Waffle House began giving out 5-dollar bills to everyone he saw in the restaurant until he had exhausted his $1300 stack of bills.

Also in July 2022, a waitress who worked at Waffle House was the sole winner of the $1.5 billion Powerball lottery.

In March 2023, one Louisiana Waffle House was accused of trying to dissuade customers from sitting down inside the restaurant by pouring syrup on the seats.

The company is considered one of the top 4 companies in the US that can be relied on during an emergency response situation, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Waffle House Index is an informal term used by FEMA to determine the severity of a storm and how much assistance might be required for citizens to recover.