From a Farm in Arkansas to a Business Empire

Frank Fletcher Jr. has built a still-growing string of 20 ultra-successful enterprises in a variety of industries by recognizing the potential in a wide range of situations and anticipating trends to pioneer new businesses.

Born in Little Rock, Fletcher was adopted by Frank and Aline Fletcher as a baby. He was raised on a farm in Tamo, Arkansas -- a town with a population of five. Frank went to grade school in Grady, where he was named to the All-State basketball team in 8th and 9th grades. At 6-foot-4 when he was 14 years old, Frank went on to play for the Pine Bluff High School team -- a move that would prove fortuitous in many ways, not the least of which was meeting Judy Hamm, captain of the cheerleading squad, who would later become his wife.

Frank went to the University of Arkansas and joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity -- where he met a fellow pledge named Jerry Jones, who would later become the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Judy went to Henderson State University, earning a teaching degree. They have two children, Chris and Jerilynn. Chris and his wife Lisa have given Frank and Judy three grandsons: Jacob, Sam, and Adam.

After earning his Bachelor of Science in business administration, Fletcher joined the Army, serving six years. After the Army, he worked nights at Shakey's Pizza and days at Worthen Bank while Judy taught 12th grade at North Little Rock High School.

Building the Fletcher Auto Group

The lamp company was not Fletcher's only enterprise during those years. He also launched the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel, a Benihana Japanese Steakhouse franchise (named Benihana Franchise of the Year), the Riverfront Steakhouse, and the Fletcher Realty Company. The Fletcher Auto Group began with one store in 1989 and has grown to 10 car dealerships -- including Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, and Subaru. The Auto Group has been ranked in the top 100 car dealerships in the United States.

Starting and running so many diverse businesses has earned Fletcher a long list of recognitions. He was named Walmart's Vendor of the Year three times and received the Promise of Hope Endowment Award in 1996. The Walton College honored him as Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000. In 2016, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Arkansas -- the same year as Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart. His highest honor came in 2013, when he was inducted into the Walton Business Hall of Fame at the University of Arkansas. The first inductee was Sam Walton himself.

Racing, Giving Back, and What Drives Him

Frank is an active thoroughbred horse owner and breeder under Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc. He bought his first horse, Fast Fan, in 1989. Fletcher Racing competes annually at top tracks including Oaklawn Park, Belmont, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Saratoga, Santa Anita, and Gulfstream. His homebred filly Frank's Rockette -- out of Into Mischief -- became a multi-graded stakes winner with two Breeders' Cup appearances and over $1.2 million in career earnings. All colts in his stable carry the name Rocket; all fillies are named Rockette. His trainers include Hall of Fame conditioners Bill Mott, Brad Cox, and Wayne Lukas.

Frank is also a co-founder -- alongside Jerry Jones -- of the Students Acquiring Knowledge through Experience (S.A.K.E.) program at the Walton College of Business, which gives students real-life, hands-on exposure to business challenges alongside their coursework. He has spent countless hours speaking to classes and student groups at the University of Arkansas, and program leaders regard him as both their motivational leader and their practical guide.