Relax The Back

Relax The Back is a chain of specialty retail stores with almost 90 locations in the United States and Canada, specializing in back support products.

Relax the Back at Wayside Commons
in Burlington, Massachusetts
Relax The Back
TypeRetail
IndustryProvides education and products aiding in the relief and prevention of back pain
FoundedAustin, Texas, U.S. (1984 (1984))
Headquarters
Long Beach, California
,
U.S.
Number of locations
Nearly 90 stores nationwide (2020) at 2020-05-18
Area served
United States, Canada
ProductsZero-Gravity Recliners, Tempur-Pedic Mattresses, Pillows, Office chairs, Massage chairs, Lumbar supports, Exercise balls, Inversion Tables
WebsiteRelaxTheBack.com

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,CA.

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
  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)
  2. Meena Thiruvengadam, "Former Texas basketball star sells furniture business after franchise dispute." San Antonio Express-News, March 10, 2005.  – via HighBeam (subscription required)
  3. Neil Cavuto, "Interview With the Relax The Back CEO", Cavuto Business Report, February 25, 1998.  – via HighBeam (subscription required) .
  4. U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News Publishing Corporation. 1998. p. 194.
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