Background
Bartlett, Arthur Eugene was born on November 26, 1933 in Glens Falls, New York, United States. Son of Raymond Ernest and Thelma (Williams) Bartlett.
Bartlett, Arthur Eugene was born on November 26, 1933 in Glens Falls, New York, United States. Son of Raymond Ernest and Thelma (Williams) Bartlett.
He attended Long Beach City College, but did not graduate.
He and a partner founded the company in 1971 with a single office, which had expanded to 7,700 offices worldwide by the time of his death, though he had sold the business to Transport World Corporation in 1979 for nearly $90 million. After a series of other jobs, he took up real estate in the early 1960s, accepting a position with a residential real estate firm in the San Fernando Valley. Together with Fisher, he founded Century 21 with a single office in Santa Ana, California in 1971.
The business sought to provide independent real estate agencies with the combined advertising, training and brand recognition of the parent franchiser — including its distinctive gold-colored jackets — helping them compete with national and regional chains.
By 1977, Century 21 had 6,000 brokers and the firm"s share of commissions and other licensing fees the following year reached $23 million. By the time of his death, the company had 120,000 agents and 7,700 offices worldwide.
Another real estate-related franchise — a home improvement chain called Mr. Build International — was established in the early 1980s, but was closed down by the end of the decade.
Bartlett died at age 76 as a result of complications of Alzheimer"s disease while at his home in Coronado, California.
Chairman board directors United Western Medical Centers, 1981—1987. Member of International Franchise Association (vice president, board directors 1975-1980, Hall of Fame 1987), Camp Able, Honorary Deputy Sheriff Association, Masons.
Married Collette R. Bartlett, January 9, 1955 (deceased 2002). 1 child Stacy Lynn; Married Nancy Sanders Bartlett, February 12, 2005.