Chico's FAS, Inc. is an American women's clothing and accessories retailer founded in 1983 on Sanibel Island, Florida.

Founded by Marvin and Helene Gralnick, it is headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida and operates four brands: its namesake Chico's store, White House Black Market, Soma and TellTale.

In 1983, they opened a tiny Mexican folk art gift shop in Periwinkle Place on Sanibel Island, Florida.

All early boutiques were infused with Mexican folk art combined with antiques and fixtures manufactured in Marvin's in-house woodshop.

In 1989, the company shortened its name to Chico's FAS (an abbreviation for Folk Art Specialties) and launched the Passport Loyalty Rewards program.

[2] In 2006, Chico's FAS added 24 acres to the Fort Myers campus to support growth, and stock reached a high of $49.40.

[2] In 2013, Chico's FAS expanded internationally by opening White House Black Market stores in Canada.

Plans for further Chico's expansion into Mexico include more openings of stand-alone boutiques as well as branded shop-in-shops in Liverpool department stores.

[16][17] The Chico's brand was founded in 1983 and originally started as a small boutique selling Mexican folk art and apparel on Sanibel Island, Florida.

[20] It primarily offers exclusively designed, private label women's clothing and accessory items with a "boutique feel".

[23] The brand was started by women and according to their own corporate landing page is still led by a customer facing fleet consisting of female leadership and staff.