Foster Grant
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Eyewear |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Founder | Sam Foster |
| Headquarters | Smithfield , United States |
| Parent | FGX International (owned by EssilorLuxottica) |
Foster Grant, established in 1919 by Sam Foster, is a U.S.-based eyewear company operating as a division of FGX International, which is headquartered in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Since 2010, FGX International has been under the ownership of EssilorLuxottica.
History
After departing from the plastics firm Viscoloid, Sam Foster founded Foster Grant in 1919, initially manufacturing celluloid hair combs. The development of celluloid in the 1850s allowed for early alternatives to materials like ivory and tortoiseshell. With the rise of shorter hairstyles during the 1920s reducing the demand for combs, Foster Grant pivoted towards producing mass-market celluloid sunglasses. The company capitalized on injection molding technology and celebrity endorsements to accelerate its growth.
In 1934, Foster Grant introduced the first European plastics injection molding machine to the United States. Although it faced initial operational challenges, these were resolved through expert refinement. The brand gained widespread recognition in the 1960s and 1970s with its memorable advertising campaign "Who's that behind those Foster Grants?" which featured numerous famous personalities and significantly boosted its market visibility.
The company experienced multiple ownership transitions: it was purchased by Hoechst AG in 1974, later sold to Andlinger & Co. in 1986, and declared bankruptcy in 1990. Following this, Bonneau acquired the sunglasses division, which was subsequently bought by Benson Eyecare in 1993. In 1996, costume jewelry manufacturer Aai took over Foster Grant and eventually adopted its name. Around the year 2000, the iconic ad campaign was revived with appearances by Cindy Crawford and Jeff Gordon.
In 2009, Foster Grant allocated more than $12 million toward national television advertising for its Reading Glasses line featuring Raquel Welch. FGX International continued this promotional effort into 2010 before being acquired by French lens manufacturer Essilor for $575 million; as part of this transaction, FGX was removed from Nasdaq trading. Essilor maintained existing management and later merged with Luxottica in 2018 to create EssilorLuxottica.
FGX International broadened its brand portfolio by acquiring One Click Ventures, based in Indiana, in 2018. This parent company owns Readers.com, Sunglass Warehouse, and felix+iris. By 2019, Foster Grant products were also available through Sunglass Warehouse's online platform.
External links
- Foster Grant Collection—archival materials including company publications, sales brochures, and photographs dating from World War II onward
- Official website