The Howards were an early franchisee of Gibson's Discount Center, but they later pulled out of the franchise agreement and opened stores under their own name.
In March 1978, the chain began modernizing its stores with new green and orange livery, and began being referred to as “Howard’s BranDiscount” to emphasize the store’s low prices.
In June of the same year, the then 78-store chain was purchased by Gamble-Skogmo, which later merged with Wickes Companies.
It had stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as the Howards's native Louisiana.
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