Company Timeline
In 1921, four Navy buddies pooled together $800 to open a single auto parts supply store in Philadelphia. This venture would go on to become the multi-billion dollar nationwide retail and service chain that is the Pep Boys of today. With over 560 stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, the Company has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Take a glimpse into the major milestones in Pep Boys' 87-year history below.
1920-1929
- Manny Rosenfeld, Moe Strauss, and W. Graham “Jack” Jackson open Pep Auto Supply Company at 7-11 North 63rd Street, Philadelphia. Moe Radavitz is also a partner.
- Manny and Moe drive a Model T to southern California to investigate the marketplace. Upon their return, The Pep Boys—Manny, Moe & Jack is named.
- The Pep Boys—Manny, Moe & Jack incorporates in Pennsylvania.
- Manny’s brother Murray Rosenfeld joins the Company.
1930-1939
- Pep Boys creates a separate corporation called The Pep Boys—Manny, Moe & Jack of California. Under the leadership of Murray Rosenfeld, the first two stores open in Los Angeles in 1933.
1940-1949
- Pep Boys becomes a public company listed on the American Stock exchange (The California Pep Boys, a separate corporation, is not part of the offering).
- Pep Boys moves its general offices in Philadelphia.
1950-1959
- The Company begins an unbroken chain of paying cash dividends to shareholders.
- Pep Boys partners with Diners Club to offer a customer charge program.
- Cofounder Emanuel “Manny” Rosenfeld dies. His son Lester, who joined the Company in 1946, is named to the board of directors.
1960-1969
- Two companies officially become one as the Philadelphia-based The Pep Boys—Manny, Moe & Jack acquires The Pep Boys—Manny, Moe & Jack of California.
1970-1979
- Pep Boys’ sales top $100 million for the first time.
- Pep Boys adds all-season radials to its tire line.
- The Company introduces AutoSense, one of the industry’s first diagnostic computer systems. It also begins computerizing its sales and inventory functions.
1980-1989
- Pep Boys moves to the New York Stock Exchange.
- Pep Boys introduces TV ads with Manny, Moe, and Jack as three-dimensional animated figures.
- The company begins selling name-brand tires.
1990-1999
- Pep Boys sales top $1 billion for the first time.
- The Company publishes its first bilingual catalogs for selected Latino markets.
- Service managers, along with district and regional field management teams, are required to be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
- Pep Boys registers its Web site www.pepboys.com.
- Pep Boys celebrates its entry into Puerto Rico and the opening of its 500th store there.
