The man behind the regional success of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Blockbuster has died.

 

Fugate Enterprises announced Friday that founder James Larry Fugate has passed away.

 

Fugate began his journey into business ownership in January 1974 by purchasing two Pizza Hut locations in Coffeyville and Independence, and a Taco Hut in Independence. Fugate soon built a business empire, rapidly expanding Pizza Hut locations across small towns in Southeast Kansas before branching into other states, including Kentucky, California, Tennessee, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Oregon, Missouri and Colorado. By 1988, Fugate opened his 100th Pizza Hut restaurant, becoming one of the largest independent franchise owners with over 200 locations at his peak.

 

In 1985, Fugate diversified into the video rental industry under the Major Video brand, transitioning these stores to Blockbuster in 1991. He ultimately operated 45 Blockbuster stores across four states. Additionally, he ventured into Taco Bell in 1987, opening his first location in Wichita, Kansas, and expanding across multiple states. By 1999, Fugate managed 50 Taco Bell locations, a number that has grown to 76 across Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kentucky.