A Look at Major Businesses Based in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has a strong business climate. There have been a number of major organizations—in a variety of industries—founded and/or based in the Sooner State that have gone on to enjoy lasting and substantial success. This is a look at just a few: Sonic Drive-In Despite being acquired by Atlanta-based Inspire Brands (owner of Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings) on Dec. 7, 2018, for $2.3 billion, Sonic Drive-In remains headquartered in Oklahoma City. The business started with a single root beer stand in Seminole, in 1953 and established its first franchise in 1956. Today, more than 3,600 Sonic Drive-ins operate in 45 U.S. states. The company has been ranked 13^th by QSR Magazine’s ranking of the top 50 quick-service and fast-casual restaurant brands in the nation. In 2018, Sonic generated revenue of $423.59 million. Paycom Software Inc. Known simply as Paycom, this Oklahoma City-based company provides online payroll and human resource services. With offices throughout the U.S., it has been recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the fastest-growing publicly traded companies in the world. In its Fast Tech rankings, Forbes ranked Paycom as one of the top five fastest-growing publicly traded technology companies. Founded in 1998, Paycom reported revenue of $566.3 million in 2018, up from $433 million in 2017. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. This chain of American arts and crafts stores headquartered in Oklahoma City is owned by a private for-profit corporation. The first Hobby Lobby store (called Hobby Lobby Creative Center) opened in 1972 in a 300 square-foot facility in northwest Oklahoma City. Today, the organization has over 800 locations nationwide and is headquartered in a 9.2 million square-foot manufacturing, distribution and office complex. In 2018 Hobby Lobby reported revenue of $4.6 billion and more than 32,000 employees. Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores Now a chain of more than 500 truck stops and convenience stores in 41 states, Love’s is a family-owned business headquartered in Oklahoma City. Ranked 18^th on Forbes’ 2017 list of America’s largest privately-owned companies, Love’s has two primary kinds of stores: country stores and travel stops. The country stores are fueling stations with an attached convenience store. Travel stops are all located along highways and offer such additional amenities as food from various restaurant chains, trucking supplies, showers and RV dump stations. Founded in 1964 by Tom and Judy Love, Love’s has revenue of $20 billion and 22,000 employees. For a more complete listing of leading Oklahoma-based companies visit HERE.