Wirtz Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Holding company |
| Founded | 1926 |
| Founder | Arthur Wirtz |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Key people | Danny Wirtz (current head) |
| Products | Real estate, alcoholic beverage distribution, professional sports franchises, banking, insurance |
Wirtz Corporation is a Chicago-based American holding company. Established in 1926 by Arthur Wirtz as a family enterprise managing his real estate assets, the business quickly diversified into the distribution of alcoholic beverages. Over the course of the 20th century, it expanded by acquiring rival liquor distributors and owning professional sports franchises, including full ownership of the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team since 1966 and possession of the Chicago Bulls NBA team from 1972 until the franchise was sold to Jerry Reinsdorf in 1985. The corporation also holds a stake in the United Center arena and maintains investments in banking and insurance sectors.
Following Arthur Wirtz's passing in 1983, leadership was assumed by his son, William Wirtz, who directed the company until 2007. Subsequently, William's son, Rocky Wirtz, took over until his death in 2023, after which his son, Danny Wirtz, became the head of the corporation.
Subsidiaries
Below is a selection of subsidiaries under the Wirtz Corporation umbrella:
- Banner Collective
- Benefit Services Group, Inc.
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Rockford IceHogs
- Chicago Steel
- First National Bank of South Miami
- First Security Trust and Savings Bank
- Ivanhoe Nursery
- United Center (jointly owned with Jerry Reinsdorf)
- Breakthru Beverage Group (previously Judge & Dolph and later Wirtz Beverage Group before merging with Charmer Sunbelt in 2016)
- Wirtz Insurance Agency
- Wirtz Realty