Corporate Office HQ

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.

Gold’s Gym Corporate Office

Gold's Gym

Gold’s Gym is a wholly owned subsidiary of TRT Holdings.

Gold’s Gym was founded in 1965 by Joe Gold in Venice Beach, California.

In 1970, Gold sold the gym for $50,000.

History

In 1977, the gym is sold to bodybuilder Ken Sprague. The movie Pumping Iron featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger is released, providing huge publicity for the gym.

In 1979, the gym is purchased by Pete Mrymkowski, Tim Kimber and Ed Connors.

In 1980, the first franchise opens in San Francisco.

By 1988, there were 270 Gold Gym locations worldwide.

In 1999, the company is purchased by franchisees Kirk and John Galiani.

In 2004, the company is purchased by TRT Holdings, who still own the chain today.

Today, there are over 700 gyms in 42 US states and 30 countries worldwide.

Gold's Gym is a wholly owned subsidiary of TRT Holdings. Gold's Gym was founded in 1965 by Joe Gold in Venice Beach, California. In 1970, Gold sold the gym for $50,000. In 1977, the gym is sold to bodybuilder Ken Sprague. The movie Pumping … [Continue reading] about Gold’s Gym Corporate Office

Popeyes Corporate Office

Popeyes

Popeyes was founded by Al Copeland in 1972 as Chicken on the Run. The first restaurant was located in Arabi, Louisiana. After initially losing money, Copeland changed the recipe to a spicier blend and re-opened the restaurant as Popeyes Mighty Good Fried Chicken. Copeland claims that the name he used did not come from Popeye the Sailor cartoon, but rather from the detective from the movie The French Connection, Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle.

The company has changed names several times, from the original Chicken on the Run to Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits to Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken and Biscuits to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, the last name being used since 2008.

History

By 1990, Copeland Enterprises was in default on more than $391 million. The company filed for bankruptcy. The courts approved a repayment program and the company emerged from bankruptcy in 1992.

The company is best known for its simple meal of fried chicken, a biscuit, and a package of honey, sold in a small basket.

In 1976, the first franchise location opened in Baton Rouge.

By 1986, there were 500 restaurants in the chain.

In 1989, Popeyes merged with Church’s Chicken under the AFC Enterprises umbrella company. AFC sold Church’s Chicken to Arcapita in 2004.

In 2008, founder Al Copeland died.

In early 2017, the company was acquired by Restaurant Brands International for $1.8 billion. The company now operates as a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands.

In early 2018, the company began to offer delivery service in limited areas due to high demand from customers.

In August 2019, the company introduced a new fried chicken sandwich. The product became a viral sensation with nearly all locations selling out quickly. One customer was so angry at his inability to obtain a sandwich that he sued the company of $5,000.

The CEO Jose Cil said that the company greatly underestimated the popularity of their new product and that he never expected it would “break the internet.”

Less than 1 month after being introduced, the company had to stop offering the sandwich due to demand but stated that they expected to reintroduce it next month when they reached new deals with suppliers.

Popeye’s Chicken began selling internationally in 2021, starting new locations in the UK.

Today, the company operates over 2600 restaurants in 40 US states and 22 countries worldwide. They are the second-largest chicken fast-food restaurant in the world, right behind KFC.

In September 2020, the company named Sami Siddiqui as its new CEO.

In October 2023, the company introduced yet another chicken sandwich, this time including a truffle-based sauce. The sandwich is called the Spicy Truff Sandwich and it isn’t getting rave reviews like the original spicy chicken sandwich introduced earlier.

Popeyes maintains a corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia.

Famous Footwear Corporate Office

Famous Footwear

Famous Footwear is a wholly owned subsidiary of Calares, who changed its name from the Brown Shoe Company in 2015.

Famous Footwear was founded in 1960 as Neil’s Factory Shoe Outlet by Neil Moldenhauer. The first store was located in Madison, Wisconsin.

History

In 1963, the company hired Brian Cook to work in the stockroom. He would later become CEO.

In 1964, a second location was opened in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This location was called Famous Footwear.

By 1974, there were 15 stores all operating as Famous Footwear. A majority stake in the chain was purchased by Cook, Dave Orfan and a group of investors.

By 1980, there were 36 stores.

In 1990, a distribution center was built in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

By 1993, there were 722 stores in 44 states.

In 2008, the company headquarters was shut down in Madison and all operations were moved to Brown Shoe Company headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.

In 2018, the company reported record sales for the second quarter of 2018.

The parent company of Famous Footwear, Caleres, reported a rise in stock prices in early September 2020, most likely due to the reopening of stores after the coronavirus crisis and back-to-school shoe sales.

In October 2022, the parent company of Famous Footwear, Caleres, rolled out Dayforce Wallet, an on-demand pay solution.

Today, the chain operates over 900 stores and maintains a corporate office in St. Louis, Missouri.

Famous Footwear is a wholly owned subsidiary of Calares, who changed its name from the Brown Shoe Company in 2015. Famous Footwear was founded in 1960 as Neil's Factory Shoe Outlet by Neil Moldenhauer. The first store was located in Madison, … [Continue reading] about Famous Footwear Corporate Office