Retail

Food Lion Corporate Office

Food Lion was founded in 1957 by Wilson Smith and Ralph and Brown Ketner. The first store was called Food Town and it was located in Salisbury, North Carolina, where the headquarters still resides today.

The company name was changed to Food Lion in the early 1980s after the chain was acquired by Belgian grocer Delhaize.

The chain grew very quickly during the 80s and 90s, opening over 100 stores per year for much of that period.

In 1993, the company agreed to pay $16 million in damages after violating federal laws regarding overtime pay.

In 1994, the company closed 47 stores. This was the first of many major store closings.

Beginning in 2014, the company began remodeling 76 of their stores in the greater Wilmington and Greenville North Carolina areas. In 2015, plans were announced for remodeling of its 162 locations in the Raleigh, North Carolina market.

Although the company spent seven years attempting to establish a presence in Bangkok, Thailand, they were ultimately unsuccessful. The stores were operated locally by Bel-Thai Supermarket Co, and in 2004, Food Lion withdrew from the country, selling all branches to Tops Supermarkets.

In June of 2015, it was announced that Food Lion’s parent company, the Delhaize Group, and Ahold would merge into one company, Ahold Delhaize. This merger was completed in July 2016.

Today, Food Lion is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize. The company operates over 1100 stores in Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Food Lion

History

The company name was changed to Food Lion in the early 1980s after the chain was acquired by Belgian grocer Delhaize.

The chain grew very quickly during the 80s and 90s, opening over 100 stores per year for much of that period.

In 1993, the company agreed to pay $16 million in damages after violating federal laws regarding overtime pay.

In 1994, the company closed 47 stores. This was the first of many major store closings.

In June of 2015, it was announced that Food Lion’s parent company, the Delhaize Group, and Ahold would merge into one company, Ahold Delhaize. This merger was completed in July 2016.

24 Hour Fitness Corporate Office

24 Hour Fitness began in 1983 as 24 Hour Nautilus, a one gym company founded by Mark Mastrov and Leonard Schlemm.

Mastrov hired Mark Golob to market the club. Golob created commercials with Pamela Anderson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Mike Tyson.

By 1994, there were 32 clubs. The company acquired Family Fitness Centers and renamed to 24 Hour Fitness after an investment by McCown De Leeuw.

In 1997, the company expands to Europe after a failed IPO attempt.

In 2000, 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide is created as a holding company.

In 2005, the chain is listed for sale. It eventually sells to Forstmann Little & Company.

In 2007, the chain was subject to a class action lawsuit by 1.8 current and former members who claimed funds were still ACH withdrawn from their accounts after they had canceled their memberships.

The company was also hit with big fines in late 2017 after a court found that members were deliberately misled when signing up for contracts.

Today, 24 Hour Fitness is the world’s largest privately owned fitness chain. The company has over 420 clubs in 18 states and serves more than 3 million members.

24 Hour Fitness

24 Hour Fitness began in 1983 as 24 Hour Nautilus, a one gym company founded by Mark Mastrov and Leonard Schlemm.

Mastrov hired Mark Golob to market the club. Golob created commercials with Pamela Anderson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Mike Tyson.

History

By 1994, there were 32 clubs. The company acquired Family Fitness Centers and renamed to 24 Hour Fitness after an investment by McCown De Leeuw.

In 1997, the company expands to Europe after a failed IPO attempt.

In 2000, 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide is created as a holding company.

In 2005, the chain is listed for sale. It eventually sells to Forstmann Little & Company.

In 2007, the chain was subject to a class action lawsuit by 1.8 current and former members who claimed funds were still ACH withdrawn from their accounts after they had canceled their memberships.

The company was also hit with big fines in late 2017 after a court found that members were deliberately misled when signing up for contracts.

Today, 24 Hour Fitness is the world’s largest privately owned fitness chain. The company has over 420 clubs in 18 states and serves more than 3 million members.

T-Mobile Corporate Office

T-Mobile began in 1994 as VoiceStream Wireless PCS, a subsidiary of Western Wireless.

In 1999, Western spun off VoiceStream as an independent company.

In 2002, VoiceStream changed its name to T-Mobile USA. This company is the US operation of T-Mobile International AG, a subsidary of Deutsche Telekom.

In 2011, AT&T announced plans to merge with Deutsche Telekom. This merger faced a lot of regulatory pressure from the US government and AT&T eventually withdrew their bid.

In 2013, T-Mobile merged with MetroPCS Communications to form T-Mobile US, a publicly traded company.

The company has had problems in 2016 with LTE data lines going out for long periods of time. Representatives blame the problems on “upgrades”, but insist the problems are minimal.

In mid-2016, the company announced that it would be introducing 5G, with amazing speeds of 12 gigabits per second. This would be three times faster than what Verizon can offer. However, 5G has an estimated start date of “sometime” in 2018.

The company offered a free iPhone 7 (preorder) for those trading in an iPhone 6 during the month of September in 2016. Customers need to sign up for an unlimited data plan and a 2-year service agreement.

T-Mobile expanded its service of providing verified caller ID service in March 2019 to help customers avoid scams and robocalls.

In September 2020, T-Mobile and the University of Kansas began testing the new 5G system and how it worked for online learning.

Also in September 2020, due to the coronavirus crisis, T-Mobile created a plan to give free internet service to 10 million students for home studies.

Today, T-Mobile US operates the 3rd and 4th largest wireless providers in the US. Together, they provide service to over 63 million customers. As of December 31, 2017, T-Mobile operated approximately 2,200 T-Mobile and MetroPCS retail locations, including stores and kiosks.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile began in 1994 as VoiceStream Wireless PCS, a subsidiary of Western Wireless.

In 1999, Western spun off VoiceStream as an independent company.

History

In 2002, VoiceStream changed its name to T-Mobile USA. This company is the US operation of T-Mobile International AG, a subsidary of Deutsche Telekom.

In 2011, AT&T announced plans to merge with Deutsche Telekom. This merger faced a lot of regulatory pressure from the US government and AT&T eventually withdrew their bid.

In 2013, T-Mobile merged with MetroPCS Communications to form T-Mobile US, a publicly traded company.

The company has had problems in 2016 with LTE data lines going out for long periods of time. Representatives blame the problems on “upgrades”, but insist the problems are minimal.

T-Mobile expanded its service of providing verified caller ID service in March 2019 to help customers avoid scams and robocalls.

In September 2020, T-Mobile and the University of Kansas began testing the new 5G system and how it worked for online learning.

Also in September 2020, due to the coronavirus crisis, T-Mobile created a plan to give free internet service to 10 million students for home studies.

Shell Corporate Office

Shell Oil Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell.

Prior to 1984, Shell Oil was traded on the NYSE and was mostly independent from Royal Dutch Shell. However, in 1984, Royal Dutch Shell bought all outstanding shares it did not own, at a value of $5.7 billion.

Shell Oil has remained somewhat independent from Royal Dutch Shell. Prior to 1998, the logo used in the US was different from the worldwide logo.

In 2008, the company was sued for being in violation of the Clean Air Act.

Today, Shell Oil is one of the largest oil companies in the world. There are over 25,000 Shell gas stations in the US.

Shell

Shell Oil Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell.

Shell Oil has remained somewhat independent from Royal Dutch Shell. Prior to 1998, the logo used in the US was different from the worldwide logo.

History

In 2008, the company was sued for being in violation of the Clean Air Act.

Today, Shell Oil is one of the largest oil companies in the world. There are over 25,000 Shell gas stations in the US.

PetSmart Corporate Office

PetSmart was founded in 1987 by Jim and Janice Dougherty as PetFood Warehouse. The first two stores were in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 1989, the company name was changed to PetSmart.

In 1992, the 50th store was opened.

In 1993, the company went public.

In 1994, the 100th store is opened. Stores also begin to offer pet training classes.

In 1996, the chain expands to Canada.

In 1998, the 500th store is opened.

In 2002, the first PetsHotel is opened in Phoenix. By 2008, there are 100 PetsHotels.

In 2004, the PetPerks loyalty program is launched.

In 2007, the 1000th location is opened.

Today, there are nearly 1500 PetSmart and 200 PetsHotel locations in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

PetSmart has used their locations as spaces for pet rescue organizations and shelters to offer animals for adoptions, rather than sell animals from breeders. The company also offers free pet supplies, such as cat litter and dog toys, to rescue organizations.

PetSmart Charities Inc. is set to award the Austin Humane Society the first of three grant installments totaling $227,000 to assist in funding the city’s new Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Program.

As of March 12, 2015, PetSmart, Inc. was taken private. PetSmart, Inc. is now a subsidiary of Argos Holdings Inc.

The company acquired online pet supplier Chewy.Com in April 2017 for $3.35 billion.

Annual revenue for the company in 2014 was $6.9 billion. PetSmart employs more than 50,000 persons full time.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the company had originally closed their grooming locations, while leaving the remainder of the store open, but this was only a temporary measure. Petsmart reopened their grooming shops in early April 2020, stating that pet grooming was an essential service since some pet owners were unable to groom their pets themselves.

In an effort to encourage people to stay home during the COVID-19 quarantine, Petsmart also offered 10 percent off all home deliveries of pet products.

Company headquarters remain in Phoenix, Arizona.

PetSmart

PetSmart was founded in 1987 by Jim and Janice Dougherty as PetFood Warehouse. The first two stores were in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 1989, the company name was changed to PetSmart.

History

In 1992, the 50th store was opened.

In 1993, the company went public.

In 1994, the 100th store is opened. Stores also begin to offer pet training classes.

In 1996, the chain expands to Canada.

In 1998, the 500th store is opened.

In 2002, the first PetsHotel is opened in Phoenix. By 2008, there are 100 PetsHotels.

In 2004, the PetPerks loyalty program is launched.

In 2007, the 1000th location is opened.

Today, there are nearly 1500 PetSmart and 200 PetsHotel locations in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

PetSmart Charities Inc. is set to award the Austin Humane Society the first of three grant installments totaling $227,000 to assist in funding the city’s new Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Program.

As of March 12, 2015, PetSmart, Inc. was taken private. PetSmart, Inc. is now a subsidiary of Argos Holdings Inc.

The company acquired online pet supplier Chewy.Com in April 2017 for $3.35 billion.

Annual revenue for the company in 2014 was $6.9 billion. PetSmart employs more than 50,000 persons full time.

In an effort to encourage people to stay home during the COVID-19 quarantine, Petsmart also offered 10 percent off all home deliveries of pet products.

Company headquarters remain in Phoenix, Arizona.