Chico’s

Established in 1983, Chico's Retail ServicesFAS began in a small store on Sanibel Island, Fla., selling Mexican folk art and cotton sweaters. The company now sells exclusively designed, private-label women s clothing and related accessories through its retail outlets and catalog. The company operates more than 780 women s specialty stores, including stores in 47 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Chico s operates under the Chico s, White House/Black Market, soma by Chico s and Fitigues brand names. The company owns more than 500 Chico s front-line stores, almost 35 Chico s outlet stores, nearly 200 White House/Black Market front-line stores, more than eight White House/Black Market outlet stores, nearly 20 soma by Chico s stores, more than 11 Fitigues front-line stores and one Fitigues outlet store. The company s franchisees own and operate almost 15 Chico s stores. Chico s Retail Services headquarters is in Fort Meyers, Fla.