WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The man who founded Fugate Enterprises and guided it successfully for decades has died, the company announced on Friday.
James Larry Fugate was known for his business sense and his philanthropy.
Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Blockbuster
Fugate began his entrepreneurship journey in January 1974 by purchasing two Pizza Hut locations in Coffeyville and Independence and a Taco Hut in Independence.
From that point, his business empire grew with more Pizza Huts in southeast Kansas and then expanded to Kentucky, California, Tennessee, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Oregon, Missouri and Colorado. Fugate had 100 Pizza Hut restaurants by 1988. He became one of the largest independent franchise owners, with over 200 locations at his peak.
He ventured into the video rental industry in 1985 under the Major Video brand. In 1991, the stores transitioned to Blockbuster. He ended up with 45 Blockbuster stores in four states.
In 1987, Fugate invested in Taco Bell, opening a Wichita location. By 1999, he managed 50 Taco Bells across multiple states. The number grew to 76 across Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kentucky.
Giving back to the community
Fugate believed that “You cannot outgive God.” That belief guided his charitable donations to many organizations, including Newman University, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Catholic Charities, the Wichita Children’s Home, the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas, and Guadalupe Clinic.
In 2014, the Wichita Business Journal honored him with its Outstanding Philanthropist award. Other honors included an honorary doctorate from Newman University and induction into the International Pizza Hut Franchise Holders Association Hall of Fame and the Wichita West High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.
Ryan Wasinger is Fugate’s son and interim president of Fugate Enterprises.
“Larry’s passing is a tremendous loss for my family, Fugate Enterprises, and the Wichita community,” Wasinger said. “Larry was universally admired and respected in the industry. Throughout his fifty years as a business owner, his inspiring leadership and generosity left an indelible mark on everything and everyone he touched. Larry was a mentor and friend to so many people. Our love and thoughts are with my mom and family during this extraordinarily sad time.”