Quick Facts
- Date: July 4, 1979
- Place: First store opened in Forrest City, Arkansas; concept originated within Memphis-based Malone & Hyde, Inc.
- Founder: J. R. “Pitt” Hyde III
- Original name: Auto Shack
- Name change: Renamed AutoZone in 1987 following a trademark dispute involving Radio Shack
- Early Memphis milestone: 1981 launch of an Express Parts Service warehouse in Memphis to special‑order hard‑to‑find parts
Main Story
On July 4, 1979, J. R. “Pitt” Hyde III opened the first Auto Shack store in Forrest City, Arkansas. The new venture was created inside Malone & Hyde, Inc., the Memphis‑based wholesale grocer founded by Hyde’s family. Drawing on lessons from food retail—bright lighting, organized aisles, and consistent customer service—the concept reimagined how drivers bought parts and accessories. Within two years, the company added a Memphis parts operation to help customers special‑order components, signaling that the business’s heart and logistics would remain tied to the 901. These early moves set the stage for rapid growth and a brand identity that would later be known nationwide as AutoZone.
In 1987, after a trademark dispute brought by Radio Shack, Auto Shack adopted the name AutoZone. The company remained headquartered in Memphis, underscoring how a Bluff City idea shaped a major American retailer. This founding moment sits squarely in Memphis history, linking local entrepreneurship with a model that spread across the region and beyond.
Legacy
AutoZone’s origin story is a Memphis story: a local wholesaler’s innovation became a prominent national brand while keeping its corporate home in the Bluff City. The company’s growth has reinforced Memphis’s reputation for business innovation alongside cultural landmarks from Beale Street to neighborhood main streets. For the 901, the 1979 launch illustrates how Memphis‑made ideas can scale, sustain jobs, and carry the city’s name far beyond the river.
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