Founder Zimmer Resigns From Men's Wearhouse Board

Men’s Wearhouse (NYSE:MW) founder George Zimmer, unexpectedly ousted last week from his position at the clothing retailer, resigned Monday from the company’s board of directors, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Zimmer founded Men’s Wearhouse in 1973 and became the face of the company through long-running television ads in which the bearded and dapper Zimmer told potential customers, “You’re going to like the way you look. I guarantee it.”

Last week the company abruptly announced that Zimmer, who served as executive chairman, had been dismissed, apparently because Zimmer disagreed with the recent direction of the company.

Zimmer released a statement following his dismissal saying, “Over the past several months I have expressed my concerns to the board about the direction the company is currently heading.” He added that the board had “inappropriately chosen to silence my concerns by terminating me.”

A Men's Wearhouse spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Zimmer first appeared in Men’s Wearhouse advertisements in 1985, according to the company's website.

Founded by Zimmer as a single store in Texas, the company, now based in Fremont, Calif., currently operates 1,143 stores under the Men’s Wearhouse, Moores and K&G chains. It also sells uniform and work clothes, and rents tuxedos.

Men’s Wearhouse shares were down 43 cents at $35.36 amid a broad market selloff Monday.