[6][11] In 1985, Hank Frigon was elected chief operating officer of the company and it was announced that he would succeed McCarty after he retired.

The group expanded the current store presence of existing businesses and developed Thimbles, a women's clothing company.

[17] In 1988, BATUS acquired Farmers Group Inc.[18] In 1989, Sir James Goldsmith attempted a hostile takeover of BAT.

[19] In an effort to fend off the takeover, BAT divested much of its U.S. operations to raise capital and focus the business.

[20] BRG and BATUS was shut down and some remaining administrative operations were consolidated back to Brown and Williamson Tobacco.