Company history

Carlson is one of the classic success stories in the American free-enterprise system. Starting in 1938 with an idea and a USD 55 loan, entrepreneur Curtis L. Carlson (1914 – 1999) founded the Gold Bond Stamp Company in his home town of Minneapolis, Minn. His company allowed grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations and other independent merchants to use his collectible “Gold Bond Stamps” to drive customer loyalty and to distinguish themselves from their competitors.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Gold Bond and sister company, Top Value Stamps, helped revolutionize the way retail goods were marketed. Trading stamps proved to be right for the times and swept the nation in a wave of dramatic growth.

In the 1960s, when the trading stamp market reached its peak, the Gold Bond Stamp Company expanded into the hospitality industry with the acquisition of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. In the 1970s, the company acquired dozens of additional businesses, including T.G.I. Friday's^® and Ask Mr. Foster, a leading travel agency. To reflect its diversification, Gold Bond changed its name to Carlson Companies in 1973. In 2006, to demonstrate that we are one company serving a variety of needs, we became known as Carlson.

In 2008 – 2009, we evolved our business portfolio to focus on hospitality and travel. We are now a global leader in that space thanks to the strengths of our hospitality and travel brands — Radisson^®, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM, Park Inn by Radisson, Park Plaza^®, T.G.I. Friday’s^®, Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) — and our strong geographic footprint.

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