‘Furniture Today’ recognizes CEO of sister brands at Chair King Backyard Store and Fortunoff Backyard Store, as top in retail leadership
With Curt Littlejohn leadership, Fortunoff Backyard Store and Chair King Backyard Store have strengthened their partnership, streamlined operations, and continued expanding while maintaining strong customer recognition in their respective markets in this rapidly changing retail climate.
HOUSTON, Texas — Curt Littlejohn, president and CEO of sister brands Chair King Backyard Store and Fortunoff Backyard Store, has been recognized by industry trade publication Furniture Today for Top Retail Leadership.
Littlejohn leads two long-standing regional outdoor furniture brands that have navigated a rapidly changing retail environment shaped by e-commerce, shifting consumer expectations, and evolving market conditions. Under his leadership, Chair King Backyard Store and Fortunoff
Backyard Store have strengthened their partnership, streamlined operations, and continued expanding while maintaining strong customer recognition in their respective markets.
In 2026, Littlejohn and the company’s executive team celebrated the opening of four new U.S. locations, advancing the brands’ strategic growth across key markets. New stores include Springfield, Virginia; Huntington, New York; Stony Brook, New York; and Pearland, Texas.
Littlejohn joined Chair King Backyard Store in May 2014 as director of logistical operations, bringing more than 30 years of retail experience to the organization. He was named president and Chief Operating Officer in 2016 and assumed the same role at Fortunoff Backyard Store in 2017. In 2024, the company’s board of directors named Littlejohn as its President & CEO.
Before joining Chair King, Littlejohn served as chief operating officer for Bentley’s Luggage. As vice president of retail operations for HMSHost Corp., Littlejohn helped lead the company. Today, the Houston-based retailer operates 52 locations across Texas, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia.
About Chair King Backyard Store: Chair King Backyard Store was founded in 1950 in Houston, Texas and has grown to become the leading retailer of outdoor furniture and patio accessories in the state. With over 75 years of industry experience, Chair King Backyard Store remains a family-owned and operated business committed to quality, selection, and care. As the largest patio furniture retailer in Texas, Chair King Backyard Store prioritizes an exceptional customer experience with professional service and knowledgeable solutions for all backyard needs and dreams. The company operates 22 showrooms throughout Texas in cities such as Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston, all under the Chair King Backyard Store brand. Additionally, Chair King Backyard Store has extended its reach with 30 locations in the northeastern United States through its sister company, Fortunoff Backyard Store. For more information and to explore options for patio furniture and décor, please visit their official website chairking.com or @chairkingbys
About Fortunoff Backyard Store: Established in New York, Fortunoff Backyard Store has been a cherished institution trusted by generations of discerning customers as America’s largest outdoor furniture retailer for over 100 years. The company continues its legacy of craftsmanship, service, and assortment by offering an unmatched selection of high-quality patio furniture and outdoor accessories to suit any setting and with some of the best warranties in the industry. As the largest specialty outdoor furniture retailer in the country, Fortunoff Backyard Store features an extensive collection of in-stock, ready-to-ship items, exclusive furniture collections, and knowledgeable backyard specialists committed to customer satisfaction. Visit a showroom in one of their 30 locations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. For more information and to explore options for patio furniture and outdoor décor, please visit their official website fortunoffbys.com or @fortunoffbys
