‘MISTER MINIT’ owns and operates nearly 4,000 retail outlets in over 900 cities in countries all over the world. None are located in the U.S. The ‘MISTER MINIT’ shops are a chain of retail stores that also offer a variety of services including gift engraving, personalized printing, watch services, photo processing, key cutting and shoe repairs. But where does ‘Fred’ come in?

In 1957 Mr. D. Hillsdon Ryan opened his first shoe repair shop in Belgium. He called his new retail location ‘TALON MINIT.’ Business got off to a flying start and Ryan quickly realized that what he offered was something rather special. The public responded very positively to his formula of quality service ‘while you wait’, in readily accessible locations. As more stores opened the name,‘TALON MINIT’ became common and could not be legally protected. In 1964, a name change was needed. Many were considered but ultimately ‘MISTER MINIT’ was chosen.

With a new name for his chain of stores, Mr. Ryan had his marketing department as well as an outside advertising agency work on ‘MISTER MINIT'S’ identity. Ryan’s criteria was particularly difficult to meet. The new graphic symbol had to be original, it had to be an image of friendliness and quality, it had to be an image of personalized service. They eventually decided upon the friendly, red jacketed sales guy named ‘Fred!’ Why did they choose the name ‘Fred?’ Here at The FRED Society we think the reason was obvious! Because of Ryan’s criteria of originality and friendliness, ‘Fred’ was a natural choice! It encompasses all those characteristics and so much more!

The ‘Fred’ logo shown here is still used today and is seen by the thousands of ‘MISTER MINIT'S’ shoppers daily. Click here for an artist's style sheet, showing 'Fred' in action.

Thanks to Dave Ralston, 'MISTER MINIT'S' Operations Director in Germany for sending us brochures and press releases about ‘MISTER MINIT’ and ‘Fred.’ One of the articles we received said it best “The public will be more and more familiar with ‘Fred’ and the day will come when he will be immediately associated with an image of excellence.” All the Freds here at FredQuarters agree and yes, we too know that the day will come when excellence and the name Fred will become synonymous. Keep up the good work...and that's MISTER FRED to you!