Iconic Brands Born in the 1980s: A Walk Down Memory Lane

Embarking on a Journey Down Memory Lane

Do you recall the taste of the first slice of pizza you had from Papa John’s, or the first time you set foot into an enormous Costco warehouse? How about the day you tuned into CNN for the first time or the nostalgic beat of the first music video you watched on MTV? The 1980s was a decade of innovation, with countless iconic brands being born, each leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and lives. Let’s journey back to the roots of these beloved institutions, as illustrated in the video below.

When the Apple Blossomed in Georgia

Bill and TJ Palmer gave birth to a legacy named Applebee’s in 1980 in Decatur, Georgia. A phonebook search yielded the name Applebee, which was initially paired with ‘RX for Edibles and Elixirs.’ As they began franchising, the name transformed to the much familiar ‘Applebee’s Neighborhood Grilling Bar.’ #IconicBrands #Nostalgia

The News Revolution of the 80s

1980 also saw the launch of a 24-hour news channel, CNN, by Ted Turner. The channel was a revolution, offering a constant stream of news when major networks confined their news broadcasts to a mere half-hour in the evening. CNN’s first lead story was about the attempted assassination of civil rights leader Vernon Jordan, setting the stage for decades of up-to-the-minute reporting.

The Dawn of Organic Supermarkets

Whole Foods, born in Austin, Texas, in 1980, signified the natural food industry’s readiness for a large supermarket format. John Mackey, one of the four original founders, helped establish Whole Foods as the largest retailer of organic food in the country, a beacon for health-conscious shoppers.

A New Era of Entertainment

MTV and Blockbuster both transformed the landscape of entertainment. MTV debuted in 1981 with the words, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock and Roll,’ and the music video ‘Video Killed the Radio Star.’ Blockbuster, launched in 1985, brought a new concept to movie rental, with thousands of tapes and a computerized checkout process. Both brands became staples of American pop culture.

From a Broom Closet to a Pizza Empire

1984 was the year when John Schnatter, from a broom closet in his father’s bar in Jeffersonville, Indiana, began a pizza revolution. Selling his beloved 1971 Camaro Z28 to purchase used pizza equipment, Schnatter built what would become Papa John’s, a name now synonymous with delicious pizza.

Technological Pioneers

Michael Dell, at the age of 19, founded what would later become Dell Computers in 1985. The company’s direct-to-consumer sales model allowed it to offer affordable PCs, propelling it to the forefront of the personal computing industry.

A Burger Legend and an Office Superstore

The late 80s saw the birth of two more iconic brands: Five Guys and Staples. Five Guys, founded in 1986, began as a small family burger joint in Arlington County, Virginia, but rapidly grew into one of the fastest expanding companies in the country. Staples, born out of Tom Stemberg’s frustration in finding a typewriter ribbon, opened its doors in 1986 as the world’s first office superstore.

The Bread Basket of America

In 1987, Ken and Linda Rosenthal introduced Panera Bread, formerly known as the St. Louis Bread Company. The chain quickly grew from its first location in Kirkwood, Missouri, and was eventually renamed Panera, Latin for ‘bread basket.’ Despite its national expansion, the St. Louis Bread Company name is still lovingly used in its original locations around St. Louis.

Reminiscing the Golden Era

These iconic brands, born in the 1980s, have touched our lives in unique ways. They’ve played their part in shaping the tapestry of our individual and collective experiences, and continue to evoke a sense of nostalgia, a longing for simpler times. We invite you to cherish these fond memories by watching the video below, because remembering the past often brings joy to the present. Don’t forget to like and share these cherished memories with others.