You’ve seen the commercials. If you live in New England, you probably grew up with them. Two brothers—Barry and Eliot—goofing off, spoofing movies, and somehow making you want to go look at a sectional sofa on a Tuesday night. It’s a local legend. But if you walk into the Reading store today to see the Liquid Fireworks or grab some Kelly’s Roast Beef, who is actually cashing the check?
The answer isn't as simple as a name on a deed. While the Tatelman family’s faces are plastered all over the brand, they haven't actually owned the company in over 25 years.
Who owns Jordan’s Furniture right now?
Basically, Berkshire Hathaway owns Jordan’s Furniture.
Yes, that Berkshire Hathaway. The massive Omaha-based conglomerate run by Warren Buffett.
It happened back in October 1999. At the time, the news sent shockwaves through the Massachusetts business world. People wondered if the "shoppertainment" vibe—the IMAX theaters, the trapeze schools, the jelly bean cities—would vanish under corporate oversight.
But Buffett isn't your typical corporate raider. He’s famously hands-off. When he bought Jordan’s, he didn’t want to change the recipe; he just wanted a piece of the pie. He reportedly called it one of the most phenomenal companies he’d ever seen. Honestly, when the Oracle of Omaha calls your furniture store a "gem," you’ve probably done something right.
Why the Tatelmans sold (and why they stayed)
When Barry and Eliot Tatelman sold to Berkshire, they did something kind of legendary. They didn't just take the money and run to a beach. Instead, they gave every single employee a bonus—50 cents for every hour they had ever worked at the company. Some long-time workers walked away with life-changing checks.
So, why sell?
- Family Freedom: The brothers wanted their kids to have the choice to do whatever they wanted, rather than feeling forced into the family business.
- Growth Capital: Berkshire has deep pockets. Joining the portfolio meant Jordan's could expand into Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island without breaking a sweat.
- The "Buffett Way": Buffett lets his subsidiaries run themselves. Eliot stayed on as CEO for decades because, well, he knew how to run it better than anyone in Nebraska would.
The 2025-2026 Leadership Shift
If you’re looking for the current "owner" in terms of who is actually calling the shots in 2026, things have recently changed. For years, Eliot Tatelman remained the face of the brand. But in early 2025, Eliot officially stepped back from the day-to-day grind.
The reins passed to the fourth generation. Josh and Michael Tatelman, Eliot’s sons, took over as co-CEOs. They had already been acting as leaders for years, so it wasn't a "Succession" style drama. It was more of a natural handoff.
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Barry Tatelman, the other half of the original duo, actually left the company way back in 2006. He went off to produce Broadway shows like Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. If you’ve missed him in the ads, that’s why. He traded the showroom floor for the stage lights long ago.
Is Jordan’s Furniture still "local"?
This is where people get tripped up. Technically, no. It’s a subsidiary of a global powerhouse headquartered in the Midwest.
But operationally? It’s as New England as a Fenway Frank.
The headquarters is still in Taunton, Massachusetts. The decision-making happens locally. They still run those "Monster Deals" where you get your furniture for free if the Red Sox win the World Series (which, honestly, is a massive gamble that once cost Berkshire Hathaway about $60 million in 2007).
Berkshire provides the financial floor, but the Tatelman "flavor" is what keeps the lights on. They’ve even hired new creative agencies recently to keep the brand fresh for a younger generation that might not remember the 90s-era "Barry and Eliot" craze.
What this means for you as a shopper
Knowing who owns Jordan’s Furniture actually gives you a bit of insight into how they operate. Because they are backed by Berkshire, they don't have the same "going out of business" anxiety that some smaller furniture chains face.
- Financial Stability: They aren't going anywhere. Your warranties and orders are safe.
- The Experience: They continue to invest in "shoppertainment" because it works. The New Haven location, which opened a few years back, features a massive ropes course. That’s a Berkshire-funded flex.
- The Culture: The "J-Team" culture remains surprisingly intact for a subsidiary. They still focus on high sales per square foot—actually some of the highest in the country—by making the store a destination rather than a chore.
If you’re looking to buy, don't expect a corporate, sterilized experience just because Warren Buffett is the ultimate boss. Expect the same slightly chaotic, very New England energy that’s been there since Samuel Tatelman started selling furniture out of the back of a truck in 1918.
Next Steps for Your Home Project:
If you're planning a visit to a Jordan's location soon, your best move is to check their "shoppertainment" schedule first. Since each store (Reading, Natick, New Haven, etc.) has different attractions like IMAX or ropes courses, timing your visit can turn a furniture hunt into a full afternoon out. Also, keep an eye on their "Monster Deal" promotions; while they are insured by Berkshire, they usually trigger around major Boston sports milestones and can literally save you thousands if the local team pulls off a win.