Quick Facts: Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.
| Owner / Founder | David Green & Green Family |
| Ownership Type | Private (family-owned) |
| Founded | 1972, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Headquarters | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA |
| Number of Stores | ~1,000 (across the United States) |
| Annual Revenue | ~$7 billion (estimated) |
| Publicly Traded | No |
Who Owns Hobby Lobby?
Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. is entirely owned by David Green and the Green family. David Green founded the company in 1972 from his home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, starting with a $600 loan. Today, Hobby Lobby has grown into one of the largest arts-and-crafts retail chains in the United States, with approximately 1,000 stores and estimated annual revenues of approximately $7 billion. The Green family has maintained complete private ownership of the company, with no intention of taking it public. The company is operated according to the Green family’s Christian faith principles — most notably, all Hobby Lobby stores are closed on Sundays.
About David Green
David Green is an American billionaire entrepreneur, Christian businessman, and philanthropist. He and his wife Barbara founded Hobby Lobby in their Oklahoma home in 1972, growing it from a small picture-frame business into a nationwide retail empire. David Green is the author of several books about faith and business and has spoken extensively about running a company according to Christian values. He became widely known in legal and public policy circles through the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014), in which the Green family successfully argued that closely-held private companies with religious convictions could be exempt from certain federal contraception-coverage mandates under the Affordable Care Act.
Key Ownership Highlights
- David Green founded Hobby Lobby in 1972 with a $600 loan, growing it into a ~$7 billion annual revenue retail company.
- The Green family has maintained 100% private ownership of the company — it has never been publicly traded and there are no plans for an IPO.
- All Hobby Lobby stores are closed on Sundays, reflecting the Green family’s Christian faith principles.
- The landmark Supreme Court case Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014) established that closely-held private corporations may be exempt from certain federal mandates based on religious beliefs.
- Hobby Lobby operates approximately 1,000 stores across the United States and is one of the largest privately held retail companies in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Hobby Lobby?
Hobby Lobby is owned by David Green and the Green family. David Green founded the company in 1972 and the family has retained complete private ownership ever since.
Is Hobby Lobby publicly traded?
No. Hobby Lobby is one of the largest privately held retail companies in the United States and has no plans to go public. All shares are held by the Green family.
Why is Hobby Lobby closed on Sundays?
Hobby Lobby is closed on Sundays as a reflection of the Green family’s Christian faith. The company operates according to principles rooted in the founders’ religious beliefs.
What was the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby case?
Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in which the Green family challenged a provision of the Affordable Care Act requiring employers to provide contraception coverage. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of Hobby Lobby, finding that closely-held private companies with religious objections could be exempt from the mandate.
