Relax The Back
Relax The Back is a chain of specialty retail stores with almost 90 locations in the United States, specializing in back pain relief and wellness products.
in Burlington, Massachusetts
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| Type | Retail |
|---|---|
| Industry | Provides education and products aiding in the relief and prevention of back pain |
| Founded | Austin, Texas, U.S. (1984) |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | Nearly 90 stores nationwide (2020) at 2020-05-18 |
Area served | United States, Canada |
| Products | Zero-Gravity Recliners, Tempur-Pedic Mattresses, Pillows, Office chairs, Massage chairs, Lumbar supports, Exercise balls, Inversion Tables |
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 Long Beach, California.
As early as 1998, US News noted that the four major back-related stores, Healthy Back Store, Better Back Store, Relax the Back, and JoAnne's Bed & Back Shops, had a combined business of $75 million.[4]
References
- 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
- Meena Thiruvengadam, "Former Texas basketball star sells furniture business after franchise dispute." San Antonio Express-News, March 10, 2005.
- Neil Cavuto, "Interview With the Relax The Back CEO", Cavuto Business Report, February 25, 1998.
- U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News Publishing Corporation. 1998. p. 194.