Chains founded in the 1940s

The early 1940’s were dominated by World War II and its impact on the United States as well as many countries throughout the world. During a few of the war years, automobile production ceased and many Americans experienced hardships that included rationing of gasoline and food supplies.

As the war came to an end, the United States and the USSR emerged as world superpowers. Soldiers regained their jobs upon returning and many benefited from a paid college education as a result of the GI Bill of Rights. In 1949, three times as many college degrees were conferred as in 1940. The baby boom was underway and new suburban communities were growing rapidly. Home ownership became accessible to a large number of middle class Americans for the first time. The post –World War II economic boom, which brought about high economic growth worldwide, would last into the early 1970’s.

Some businesses that began in the 1940’s and are still around today include:

Coach, Talbots, Buckle Inc, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Jo-Ann Stores Inc., Lowe’s and the most surprising was Fredericks of Hollywood, which would soon introduce the world’s first pushup bra. McDonalds, Dairy Queen, Baskin-Robbins, In-N-Out Burgers & Long John Silver’s also began in the 1940’s.

1968 - The duo sold the directory to Parish Publictions, who is best known for producing church bulletins. And by the mid 70’s, the publishers decided it did not fit their portfolio.