Who Owns Burlington?
Burlington is the store brand of Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE: BURL), a publicly traded off-price retailer headquartered in Burlington, New Jersey. The banner operates approximately 1,100 stores selling branded apparel, home goods, and accessories at discounts of up to 60% below department store prices. Formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory.
Parent Company
Founded
1972
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
United StatesOfficial Website
Who Owns Burlington?
- Parent Company: Burlington Stores, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: BURL
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington | Burlington Stores, Inc. | Brand division |
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History of Burlington
- Founded: 1972
- Founders: Monroe Milstein
Monroe Milstein opened the first Burlington Coat Factory in 1972 in Burlington, New Jersey, selling discounted outerwear. The concept expanded into full apparel, home goods, and baby products through the 1970s and 1980s, with the company going public in 1983.
Bain Capital took it private in 2006, and it returned to the NYSE in 2013. Under O'Sullivan from 2019, the "Burlington 2.0" program redesigned stores, cut floor inventory for a cleaner shopping experience, and dropped slower categories, while the name shortened to just Burlington.
Store count passed 1,000 and continues toward a stated target exceeding 2,000. FY2025 net sales approached $11 billion, with fiscal 2026 showing improved margins and continued expansion.
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About Burlington Stores, Inc.
What does Burlington own?
Burlington Stores, Inc. operates a single store brand, Burlington, across approximately 1,100 locations. It owns no separate consumer brands or banners.
Is Burlington publicly traded?
Yes. It trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker BURL and is a member of the S&P 500.
When was Burlington founded?
Monroe Milstein founded it in 1972 in Burlington, New Jersey, as Burlington Coat Factory. It went public in 1983, went private via Bain in 2006, and returned to public markets in 2013.
Who owns Burlington?
Public shareholders own it. Michael O'Sullivan has been CEO since 2019. Bain Capital fully exited after its leveraged buyout and the 2013 IPO.
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What is Burlington's market position?
It is the third-largest US off-price retailer behind TJX and Ross, operating about 1,100 stores with a plan to more than double over time.
Is Burlington Coat Factory the same company?
Yes. The company renamed to Burlington Stores and the banner to Burlington as the business moved beyond outerwear, though the old name persists colloquially.
- Founded: 1972
- Headquarters: Burlington, New Jersey, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: BURL
- Revenue: Approximately $11.0 billion (FY2025)
- Employees: Approximately 47,000
Where Is Burlington Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Burlington, New Jersey, USA
Burlington Categories & Tags
Burlington Recalls & Controversies
Burlington's public record is clean of major scandal. Its controversies are the routine retail variety: periodic disputes over security practices, loss prevention incidents, and standard retail labor matters. No company-defining legal or product controversy is part of its recent history.
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Burlington Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Corporate ownership of ~1,100 stores provides buying power and consistency
- +Off-price model benefits from consumer value-seeking across all income levels
- +Significant store growth runway toward 2,000+ locations
- +Branded merchandise at discounts drives traffic without heavy marketing
- +Low-cost store model enables fast expansion in available retail space
Considerations
- -Third place in off-price behind two much larger competitors
- -Margins trail TJX and Ross despite improvement
- -No meaningful online presence limits digital reach
- -Discount inventory availability depends on manufacturers' excess supply
- -Store experience is utilitarian compared with department store presentation
Frequently Asked Questions About Burlington
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Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Burlington
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ross Stores | USA | 1982 | Mass market | United states | All-ages | |
| Tjx | USA | 1977 | Mass market | United states | All-ages | |
| Gildan Activewear | USA | 1989 | Mass market | United states | Unisex | |
| Macys | USA | 1861 | Premium | United states | All Genders | |
| Canadian Tire Corporation | Canada | 1922 | Mass market | Regional | All-ages | |
| Ross Stores | USA | 2004 | Mass market | United states | All-ages |
Learn More About Competitors
Retail EcommerceRoss Dress for Less
Owned by Ross Stores, Inc.
Largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the U.S., with 1,904 stores selling brand-name merchandise at 20 to 60 percent below department store prices. Owned by Ross Stores, Inc.
off-priceappareldiscount-retail
Retail EcommerceT.J. Maxx
Owned by The TJX Companies, Inc.
T.J. Maxx is the flagship off-price apparel and home fashions banner of The TJX Companies, with roughly 1,300 U.S. stores selling brand-name goods at discount prices.
off-priceappareldiscount-retail
Fashion ApparelAmerican Apparel
Owned by Gildan Activewear
Los Angeles clothing brand known for vertically integrated manufacturing and basics apparel, now owned by Gildan Activewear.
clothingbasicsapparel
Retail EcommerceBloomingdale's
Owned by Macy's, Inc.
Premium department store founded in 1861, owned by Macy's Inc., operating 61 locations including Bloomie's small format and outlet stores.
department-storeluxury-retailfashion
Retail EcommerceCanadian Tire
Owned by Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited
Canadian retail corporation operating department stores, gas stations, and financial services, owned by Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX: CTC.A).
retailautomotivedepartment-store
Retail Ecommercedd's Discounts
Owned by Ross Stores, Inc.
Off-price retail chain owned by Ross Stores, targeting lower and moderate income households with merchandise at 20 to 70 percent below regular prices. Launched in 2004 with 363 stores in 22 states.
off-priceappareldiscount-retail
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Burlington competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Independent Alternatives to Burlington
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Burlington Stores, Inc., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Retail EcommerceNordstrom
Owned by Nordstrom, Inc.
American luxury and upscale department store chain known for its broad selection of premium fashion, footwear, and beauty brands, operating Nordstrom full-line stores and the off-price Nordstrom Rack format.
department-storeluxury-retailfashion-retail
Privately Owned
Nordstrom is privately owned, unlike Burlington which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Retail EcommerceAsda
Owned by EG Group
British supermarket chain offering groceries, clothing, and general merchandise, owned by TDR Capital and the Issa brothers since 2021.
supermarketgroceryretail
Privately Owned
Asda is privately owned, unlike Burlington which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Retail EcommerceFamily Dollar
Owned by Family Dollar
American discount variety store chain offering affordable household items, merchandise, and general goods. Founded in 1959, Family Dollar operates approximately 7,100 stores across the United States. Sold by Dollar Tree in July 2025 to Brigade Capital Management and Macellum Capital Management.
discount-retailvariety-storemerchandise
Privately Owned
Family Dollar is privately owned, unlike Burlington which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Retail EcommerceJoann
Owned by Joann Inc.
American fabric and craft supplies retailer offering sewing, quilting, and DIY materials and supplies.
fabriccraftssewing
Privately Owned
Joann is privately owned, unlike Burlington which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Retail EcommerceQuince
Owned by Quince (Last Brand, Inc.)
San Francisco direct-to-consumer retailer selling factory-direct apparel, jewelry, and home goods, valued at $10.1 billion in its 2026 Series E.
dtcaffordable-luxuryapparel
Privately Owned
Quince is privately owned, unlike Burlington which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Retail EcommerceRural King
Owned by Rural King
Family-owned farm and home retail brand operated by RK Holdings, LLP across more than 150 stores in the eastern and midwestern United States.
farm-supplyhome-supplyretail
Privately Owned
Rural King is privately owned, unlike Burlington which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Burlington Stores, Inc. Stock Information
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Jobs at Burlington Stores, Inc.
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