• Walgreens is a pharmacy chain with over 6,000 stores across the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico. Originally founded in 1901, the company has established itself as one of the largest drug store chains in the country.

  On April 1, 2009, Walgreens began offering basic healthcare free to those who lost their job from that date until the end of the year. The service is designed to help those who find themselves without health insurance because of the economic downturn. Uninsured family members of unemployed customers are also eligible. Basic healthcare services will be provided by Walgreens' Take Care Clinics, which can be found in 341 stores in 35 major U.S. cities.NBC Los Angeles: Walgreens to Give Free Healthcare... (April 1, 2009)

• Fast Facts:

  1. Stock symbol: WAG, NYSE
  2. Annual revenue (2007): $53.762 billion U.S.
  3. Founder: Charles R. Walgreen, Sr.
  4. Year Established: 1901
  5. Industry: Retail pharmacy
  6. Phone: 1-847-914-2500
  7. Fax: 1-847-914-2654
  8. HQ: Deerfield, Illinois
  9. President: Gregory D. Wasson
  10. CEO: Jeffrey A. Rein
  11. CFO: Wade D. Miquelon
  12. Staff: 157,700
  13. Other key people: Charles R. Walgreen III, Chairman emeritus

• Key Dates

  • 1901: Company establishes first store opened by Charles R. Walgreen
  • 1916: 16 stores open in and around Chicago, Illinois
  • 1934: Stores open national wide and grow to around 600
  • 1975: Walgreens reached $1 billion in sales
  • 2005: The company grows to 5,000 stores across the country
  • 2007: Walgreens acquires Take Care Health Systems

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