Ben Franklin (company)
Ben Franklin Stores are a chain of five and dime discount stores found in small towns throughout the United States. They are organized using a franchise system, with individual stores owned by independent proprietors. It was perhaps the first retail franchise, doing so in 1927, soon after being founded in 1920. They are named for Benjamin Franklin, though clearly were not founded by him.
Butler Brothers
They had their origin as Butler Brothers, which originated in 1877 as a mail-order wholesaler selling general and variety-store items. At the turn of the Twentieth century, Butler Brothers had over 100,000 customers in the United States. The rise of variety stores, which were taking their market, led the company to found the Ben Franklin stores chain. It sold this chain in 1959.
Sam Walton
Sam Walton got his business start as the owner of a Ben Franklin Store, and as of 1962, Walton owned and operated 15 Ben Franklin stores, calling them Walton Give and Dime. He then moved on to found Wal-Mart.
Promotions Unlimited
Ben Franklin Stores entered bankruptcy in the 1996. The company name has since 1997 been owned by Promotions Unlimited. The chain comprises about 209 craft stores and 123 variety stores according the website, the latter being akin to five and dimes. Other sources suggest over 600 stores.
External links
References
- Sandra S. Vance and Roy V. Scott "Butler Brothers and the Rise and Decline of the Ben Franklin Stores: A Study in Francise Retailing." Essays in Economic and Business History: Selected Papers from the Economic and Business Historical Society, East Lansing: Division of Research, Graduate School of Business, Michigan State University 11 (1993), pages 258-271