Over the years, Empire's product line grew, as did the company's national presence. In December 2002, the company was sold, and then in January 2003, adopted its current name: Empire Today. It was acquired by the investment company Mercury Capital LP. In 2016, the company was sold to H.I.G.

H.I.G. CapitalEmpire Today / Parent organizationH.I.G. Capital is a Miami, Florida based private equity and alternative assets' investment firm with $59 billion of equity capital under management. The firm operates a family of private equity, growth equity, credit/special situation, primary lending, syndicated credit, and real estate funds. Wikipedia

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Seymour Cohen founded Empire Today.

Elmer Lynn Hauldren (April 1, 1922 – April 26, 2011) was an advertising copywriter based in Chicago who was best known for originating the Empire Man.

Charlesbank Capital Partners Empire Today Has Been Acquired by Charlesbank Capital Partners. William Blair acted as the financial advisor to Empire Today, a portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital (H.I.G.), in connection with its sale to Charlesbank Capital Partners. Management and an affiliate of H.I.G. made significant investments into the business.

Charlesbank Capital Partners Empire Today Has Been Acquired by Charlesbank Capital Partners. William Blair acted as the financial advisor to Empire Today, a portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital (H.I.G.), in connection with its sale to Charlesbank Capital Partners. Management and an affiliate of H.I.G. made significant investments into the business.

The Empire Man was introduced in 1977 and later adapted into the popular animated TV character that has grown to become a cultural icon. The Empire Man originally appeared on TV as a role played by Lynn Hauldren.

The Empire Man character appeared in most commercials for the company from 1977 to 2011. The company also issued a limited edition bobble-head doll of the character. By the 2000s, Empire switched from live-action commercials to CGI, with Hauldren continuing to provide voice-overs.

(CBS) -- The man who became an icon to Chicagoans as the Empire Carpet Man has died at the age of 89. Elmer Lynn Hauldren was the pitchman for the Empire Carpet, now known as Empire Today, since 1977.

89 years (1922–2011)Lynn Hauldren / Age at death

The company kept that name until 2003, when it was rechristened Empire Today after being sold to new owners. Today, the company offers its services in more than 70 locations nationwide and is one of the best-known names in the flooring industry.