Relax The Back
 | |
| Type | Retail |
|---|---|
| Industry | Supplies products aiding in the relief and prevention of back pain |
| Founded | Austin, Texas, U.S. (1984) |
| Headquarters | La Palma, California, U.S. |
| Number of locations | 121 stores (2009) at 2009-03-01 |
| Area served | United States, Canada |
| Products | Zero-Gravity Recliners, Mattresses, Pillows, Office chairs, Massage chairs, Lumbar supports, Exercise balls, Inversion Tables |
| Website | RelaxTheBack.com |
Relax The Back is a chain of specialty retail stores with over 120 locations in the United States and Canada, specializing in back support products.
 Relax the Back at Wayside Commons in Burlington, Massachusetts |
History
The first Relax The Back store opened in Austin, Texas in 1984. In 1987, an entrepreneur named Virginia Rogers purchased the original store and packaged the business into a franchise format.[1] The first franchise was opened in San Antonio in 1989 by Coby Dietrick, a former professional basketball player with the San Antonio Spurs.[2] In 1996, having grown the chain to 59 stores, Rogers sold the company to a franchisee, Dairl Johnson, for $6 million.[1] Johnson continued to develop the company's independent franchising model.[3] Relax The Back corporate offices are currently located in La Palma, California.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 R. Michelle Breyer, "Largest Retail Franchise Devoted to Back Problems Sold for $6 Million." Austin American-Statesman, reprinted by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, September 7, 1996. – via HighBeam (subscription required)
- ↑ Meena Thiruvengadam, "Former Texas basketball star sells furniture business after franchise dispute." San Antonio Express-News, March 10, 2005. – via HighBeam (subscription required)
- ↑ Neil Cavuto, "Interview With the Relax The Back CEO", Cavuto Business Report, February 25, 1998. – via HighBeam (subscription required) .