Equipped with seven cars and a customer-first philosophy, Jack Taylor starts a car leasing business—a novel concept at the time—in the lower level of a St. Louis auto dealership. He names it Executive Leasing Company. 

In response to a growing need for “loaner” cars while customer vehicles are in the shop, Executive Leasing Company begins offering car rentals. Jack adds a 17-vehicle rental fleet, as well as a Car Sales division of the business. 

Jack and his team expand their operations beyond St. Louis. He chooses a new name that pays homage to the aircraft carrier on which he served as a decorated WWII Hellcat pilot: “Enterprise.” The company became known as Enterprise Leasing. 

Enterprise sees a growing opportunity to serve hometown renters. While competitors focus on airports and travel destinations as their priority, Jack pivots Enterprise to serve the needs of customers where they live and work—right in their own neighborhoods. 

Alamo Rent a Car, which will be acquired by Enterprise in 2007, opens four locations in Florida targeting value-minded vacationers. Their key differentiator? Unlimited free mileage. 

Flexible commuting program vRide (which the organization acquired in 2016 and is now called Commute with Enterprise) starts operations. Over the next four decades, it will grow to serve commuters in more than 100 urban areas across the United States. 

Enterprise opens its first toll-free reservation center, allowing customers nationwide to call in and make their reservations. This same year, the organization’s fleet reaches 6,000 vehicles. 

Enterprise announces the formation of its philanthropic arm, the Enterprise Leasing Foundation, which commits to advancing areas of community improvement, education and environmental stewardship throughout areas the organization serves. 

National Car Rental introduces the Emerald Club. The club becomes a quick success by offering frequent travelers an expedited rental process that lets them skip the counter.

Enterprise Leasing changes its name to Enterprise Rent-A-Car following the enormous growth of its rental-car business. By this time, Enterprise has more than 500 locations and over 50,000 rental vehicles. 

Inspired by a local branch manager, Enterprise Rent-A-Car unveils a new initiative to provide customers with a free ride to the rental location. This signature service becomes immortalized in the well-known tagline, "We'll Pick You Up.”  

Andy Taylor, who has been full-time with the organization since 1973, becomes president & chief executive officer. 

Enterprise goes international for the first time, opening the doors of its Windsor, Canada, office on Feb. 3. By this time, the organization has a fleet of more than 200,000 rental vehicles across 1,500 locations.

Enterprise opens its first European rental location in Reading, England. It also introduces Enterprise Rideshare (now called Commute with Enterprise)—an alternative commuting solution that benefits businesses, employees and the environment.

Jo Ann Taylor Kindle, the daughter of Enterprise founder Jack Taylor and sister of President & CEO Andy Taylor, is appointed to the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation’s top position after being active in the family business for decades.

Enterprise opens its first onsite airport location in Denver. The organization is generating over $2 billion in annual revenue and operates a fleet of more than 250,000 rental vehicles. Alamo also begins offering web-savvy customers the option to book online. 

Enterprise celebrates its 40th anniversary by adding locations in Ireland and Germany. 

Enterprise surpasses the half-million-vehicle mark in its rental and leasing fleet and reaches 4,000 locations worldwide. Just months later, the organization unveils its first Rent-A-Truck location (now known as Enterprise Truck Rental). 

Alamo launches a partnership with Walt Disney World Resort™ and Disneyland Resort™, making it the official rental car of the Happiest Place On Earth™. 

Enterprise begins piloting hourly car rentals in select urban markets to help city-dwellers conveniently run errands and reach destinations not served by public transit. This service will later become Enterprise CarShare. 

Enterprise unveils its Exotic Car Collection. It also introduces a 50 Million Tree Pledge in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation and U.S. Forest Service. The $50 million initiative commits to planting 50 million trees over 50 years. 

Enterprise celebrates its 50th anniversary. To expand its offerings into the next 50 years, the Taylor family acquires the National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car brands. This same year, Enterprise announces a new sustainability program. 

Enterprise Holdings is created as a holding company for the Taylor family’s growing portfolio of car rental and transportation services. Enterprise, National and Alamo all fall under this company. 

Enterprise launches “The Enterprise Way.” The campaign features actual team members at branch locations, speaking about the value of the brand’s renowned customer service, culture and heritage. 

Enterprise begins combining carsharing operations under the "Enterprise CarShare" name as an extension of its neighborhood car rental network. It also continues to grow in Europe with new locations in France and Spain.

Pam Nicholson is promoted to president & chief executive officer, becoming the first female CEO of Enterprise Holdings (and the first non-Taylor family member to hold that title).

Enterprise Holdings reacquires rights to operate the National and Alamo brands throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It adds new franchises in Sweden, Norway, Romania, Albania, Slovenia, Serbia, Iceland, Denmark, Montenegro, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala.  

Chrissy Taylor, the granddaughter of Enterprise founder Jack Taylor and daughter of former CEO Andy Taylor, is named chief operating officer.

The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation launches its “Fill Your Tank” initiative, designed to help fight hunger around the globe. Enterprise pledges $60 million over six years to support 365+ domestic and international organizations.

Carolyn Kindle, another granddaughter of Enterprise founder Jack Taylor and daughter of longtime employee Jo Ann Taylor Kindle, becomes president of the Enterprise Holdings Foundation.

Chrissy Taylor, who has been full-time with the organization since 1999 and held 17 different positions within the organization, becomes president & chief executive officer.  

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Enterprise Holdings and its affiliates introduce the Complete Clean Pledge to help customers feel confident with their travel. The organization also announces an initiative with Clorox to implement near- and long-term enhancements to its cleaning procedures.

The Foundation launches its ROAD Forward initiative, which supports organizations that advance social and racial equity. Its primary focus is on early childhood development, youth health & wellness and career & college preparation.

Enterprise Fleet Management, with more than 500,000 vehicles on lease, becomes the largest Fleet Management provider in the United States.

Enterprise Holdings celebrates 65 years of moving the mobility industry forward. Annual revenue grows to $30 billion, with more than 80,000 global employees and over 2.1 million vehicles.

The Foundation donates $30 million to extend the “Routes & Roots: Enterprise Healthy Rivers Project.” The initiative protects, restores and sustains the management of rivers and other freshwater ecosystems globally.