![]() In 2016, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni award at the University of Arkansas. He was recognized in 2011 as Sales and Marketing Executives International Arkansas Top Manager of the Year. ![]() The Walton College honored him as Entrepreneur of the year in 2000, and his restaurant was named Benihana Franchise of the Year.įletcher thinks the highest honor he has ever been given was in 2013 when he was inducted into the Walton Business Hall of Fame at the University of Arkansas. He was named Walmart's "Vendor of the Year" three times and was given the Promise of Hope Endowment Award in 1996. Starting and running so many diverse businesses has resulted in a variety of awards and recognitions over Fletcher's business career. Walton taught me to never have all your marbles in one bag." His explanation goes way back to his days dealing with Walmart. Now, Fletcher Auto Group has ranked in the top 100 Car Dealers in USA.įletcher is often asked why he has interests in so many varied businesses and industries. The Auto Group began with one store in 1989 and has grown to 10 car dealerships including Dodge Chrysler Jeep in three cities, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Ford, Nissan, Toyota and Subaru. He also had started Wyndham Riverfront Hotel, Benihana Japanese Steakhouse, Riverfront Steakhouse, the Fletcher Realty Company and the Fletcher Auto Group. Fletcher's startup grew to become the largest lamp company in the United States.įletcher expanded manufacturing into Taiwan and then mainland China and grew this business to $100 million-plus in annual sales before selling the company in December 2010.īut this was not Fletcher's only enterprise over this time period. With modest garage space, the company started making lamps, mirrors and framed art, which sold not only to Walmart but to many companies such as Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sam's Club, Costco and other. Fletcher took the advice and started Cheyenne/Silverwood Industries. He said if the products were good, Walmart would put it in its stores. ![]() Walton advised Fletcher to go back to Little Rock and rent a garage and manufacture something. Walton told Fletcher all the reps were being terminated and that all factories would be house accounts. Fletcher excelled at being a Walmart rep, but after eight years at that, Walton called Frank into his office and told him Walmart was doing away with manufacturers reps and that Fletcher would be out of a job. ![]() That began a relationship that would last for many years and lead Fletcher down many successful business paths.Ībout two years after the paint deal, Walton called Fletcher and asked him resign from DuPont and become a manufacturer's representative for Walmart. After negotiating with Walton about a $1,500 purchase, Fletcher completed a deal for Walmart to buy 300 gallons of paint. After the Army, he worked nights at Shakey's Pizza Parlor and days at Worthen Bank Trust department while Judy taught 12 th grade at North Little Rock High School.Īfter a short stay at Worthen Bank, Fletcher landed a job with the DuPont Paint Co., which is how he met Sam Walton at Walmart number two in Harrison, AR. Chris and his wife Lisa have given Frank and Judy three grandsons: Jacob, Sam and Adam.Īfter earning a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Arkansas, Fletcher joined the Army. He and Judy have two children, Chris and Jerilynn. Judy went to Henderson State University, where she would earn a teaching degree. A fortuitous move in many ways for Fletcher, not the least of which was meeting Judy Hamm, captain of the cheerleading squad, who would later become his wife.įrank went to the University of Arkansas and joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity. At 6-foot-4 when he was 14 years old, Frank went on to play for the Pine Bluff High School team. Frank went to grade school in Grady, where he was named to the All State basketball team in 8th and 9th grades. He was raised on a farm in Tamo, Ark., which at that time had a population of five. has built a still-growing string of 20 ultra-successful enterprises in a variety of industries by recognizing the potential in a wide range of situations and anticipating trends to pioneer new businesses.īorn in Little Rock, Fletcher was adopted by Frank and Aline Fletcher as a baby.
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