What's the story behind RC Willey?
RC Willey traces its roots to 1932, when Rufus Call Willey began peddling Hotpoint appliances door-to-door across Syracuse, Utah. (Honestly, that kind of hustle in the middle of the Great Depression impresses me.) Fast-forward to today, and the company’s now a major furniture retailer under Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway—since May 24, 1995, to be exact. Come 2026, they’re mostly in Utah and Nevada, with their flagship store sitting pretty in Draper, Utah.
How do you break down the RC Willey name?
No deep mysteries here—just a founder’s name in disguise. Here’s the simple breakdown:
- R for Rufus, his first name
- C for Call, his middle name
- Willey for his last name
Rufus launched this whole thing during the Great Depression, selling appliances to farming families. The name stuck as the business grew—no corporate rebranding needed.
What if the straightforward answer doesn’t cut it?
If you’re still digging for clues, try these alternative routes:
- Dig into old records: The State of Utah or local libraries might have dusty business filings or 1930s newspapers mentioning early RC Willey ads.
- Check Berkshire Hathaway’s files: Since they own RC Willey, their official site sometimes drops historical tidbits on acquisitions.
- Trace family ties: Some say Rufus had relatives in the area—local genealogy records or old obituaries could fill in more gaps.
How can you remember what RC stands for without Googling it?
Here’s the trick: link the initials to the full name. Rufus Call Willey = RC Willey. It’s like Walmart’s Sam Walton connection, but with initials instead of a full last name. The name also screams “Utah roots”—small businesses back then leaned hard on personal names. And let’s not forget: since the 1930s, the brand’s built a rep for tough, reliable furniture and appliances.
Why does the founder’s name matter to the company today?
Turns out, Rufus Call Willey’s legacy is baked into the brand’s identity. The name carries that small-town Utah grit from the 1930s, when door-to-door sales were the norm. Today, RC Willey still trades on that reputation for quality—something Warren Buffett likely didn’t mind keeping when Berkshire Hathaway bought the company in ’95.
Is RC Willey still family-owned?
Nope. After nearly six decades as a family-run business, RC Willey got snapped up by Berkshire Hathaway in 1995. The Willey family’s direct involvement has faded over time, though the name lives on as a tribute to the founder.
Did the company always sell furniture?
Not at first. Rufus started with Hotpoint appliances during the Great Depression, then gradually expanded into furniture as demand grew. By the mid-20th century, RC Willey had morphed into the full-service retailer we know today.
Where did Rufus Call Willey grow up?
Rufus Call Willey was born and raised in Utah—specifically in Syracuse, where he launched his business in 1932. The state’s rural roots clearly shaped the company’s early mission.
How many stores does RC Willey have now?
As of 2026, RC Willey operates around 15 locations, mostly clustered in Utah and Nevada. Their biggest store sits in Draper, Utah, serving as the chain’s flagship.
What brands does RC Willey carry?
These days, RC Willey stocks quality furniture brands like Broyhill and Lane, along with its own in-house lines. The Berkshire Hathaway ownership has helped expand their selection without diluting the brand’s core identity.
Has the company ever changed its name?
No major rebranding has happened. The name RC Willey has stayed consistent since day one, even as the business grew from a one-man appliance hustle into a regional powerhouse.
Why did Berkshire Hathaway buy RC Willey?
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway likely saw RC Willey as a solid regional retailer with strong brand recognition and loyal customers. The acquisition fit their strategy of buying established businesses with durable competitive advantages.
Can you still buy appliances at RC Willey?
Absolutely. While furniture dominates their floor space these days, RC Willey still sells appliances—just like Rufus did back in 1932. The mix has evolved, but the original product line isn’t gone.
What’s the most popular item at RC Willey?
That’s hard to pin down, but their mid-century modern furniture lines and Broyhill sofas usually fly off the floor. The brand’s reputation for quality means customers keep coming back for big-ticket pieces.
How has RC Willey stayed relevant for 90+ years?
Three things: a strong brand tied to its founder, adaptability (hello, furniture expansion), and Berkshire Hathaway’s deep pockets. Throw in Utah’s growing population, and RC Willey’s managed to stay a local favorite.
What’s the weirdest fact about RC Willey?
Here’s a fun one: Rufus Call Willey started selling appliances door-to-door in the middle of the Great Depression. Imagine knocking on farmhouse doors with a trunk full of Hotpoints—now that’s hustle.
Where can I find old RC Willey ads?
Try the State of Utah archives or local historical societies. Old newspapers from the 1930s-40s sometimes featured RC Willey’s door-to-door ads, giving a glimpse of Rufus’s early marketing.
