Looking to open a Toys R Us Franchise?

About Toys R Us

Toys “R” Us began in 1948 when Charles Lazarus opened a children’s furniture store in Washington, D.C., which he later transitioned into a dedicated toy store. By 1957, the first official Toys “R” Us opened, revolutionizing the retail toy industry with its “category killer” approach—offering a massive selection under one roof. Over the decades, the brand became a cultural icon, with its giraffe mascot Geoffrey and its catchy jingle “I Don’t Want to Grow Up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid” ingrained in generations of childhood memories. The chain expanded rapidly in the U.S. and internationally, introducing Babies “R” Us in 1996 to capture the infant and toddler market.

However, shifting consumer habits and the rise of e-commerce created challenges in the 2000s. Saddled with debt from a 2005 leveraged buyout, Toys “R” Us struggled to adapt to digital retail competition from giants like Amazon and Walmart. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2017, leading to the closure of its U.S. stores in 2018. In recent years, the brand has attempted a comeback through partnerships with retailers such as Macy’s and WHP Global, aiming to revive its presence in both physical and digital spaces. While its heyday as the dominant toy retailer has passed, Toys “R” Us remains a nostalgic and enduring name in retail history.