Will George Zimmer Build An Army Of Customers To Retake His Men’s Wearhouse Throne?

Personally, I was a bit surprised when I heard that Men’s Wearhouse dumped George Zimmer. Apparently, Zimmer didn’t agree with the direction of the company and they fired him. It just floors me, though. I can’t even think of that company without thinking of his smiling face:

and his promise: “You’re going to like the way you look. I guarantee it.”

Would I even be interested in buying from Men’s Wearhouse without George’s guarantee? Isn’t he my entire mental picture of the company? Well, it probably doesn’t matter. The last time I bought suits I bought from Men’s Wearhouse, but it isn’t like I buy suits all the time.

However, the more important question is what George will do now. Will he take this lying down? For those familiar with Nebraska Furniture Mart, you might remember a similar debacle with their founder, Mrs. B (Rose Blumkin). The company forced her out because she was getting even nuttier in her old age. However, she formed a new discount store and did so well competing that they bought her out and had to bring her back in. She retook her throne.

Will George do the same thing? Can he? Will he wander the land, rounding up loyal customers and armaments, eventually storming the corporate palace to retake his throne? Will he behead his enemies and crush all the non-believing shareholders with an iron fist? Will there be blood?

I just don’t know. George seems like a mild-mannered guy, but no one has ever taken his company away before. He built a highly successful empire. People like that don’t always just roll over when attacked.