Venture Construction Company was founded in July 1969 by Ray Morris; a man with a vision, a very strong work ethic and a powerful entrepreneurial drive. Venture Construction Company’s first job (Job 101) was a BP Oil Service Station Atlanta, GA that was completed in early 1970. Ray was the estimator, project manager, job superintendent and business development manager. Later, with a photo album full of pictures from Job 101, Ray visited Chevron Oil asking that Venture be allowed to bid 3 projects, one of which Venture was awarded. In 1972, Ray realized that he needed help, and hired a college friend of his, Bud Hollingsworth. Bud handled the office responsibilities, and Ray handled the field and business development. Later that same year they hired Larry Vickery, who would eventually head up all of Venture’s field operations. Ray, Bud and Larry are still with Venture today.
In October 1973, Burger King approached us about building a restaurant for them in an Atlanta suburb. That was the beginning of a client relationship that we still enjoy today. In the spring of 1974, Ray was able to get plans for a McDonald’s restaurant, which we successfully completed, beginning another client relationship we have enjoyed for over 40 years.
In 1977, we opened our first branch location in Greensboro, NC, and the second in Tampa, FL. Our revenues more than doubled the next few years. Since that time, we have maintained those two offices, the original office in Atlanta, GA and also opened offices in Memphis, TN, Nashville, TN, Richmond, VA and in 2014 Kansas City, KS.
Venture is very proud of our long term client relationships that have sustained us and helped us become the best construction company in the industry. We now hold licenses in 47 states and have completed projects in 46 of them. While sticking heavily to our restaurant niche, we also have a broad base of project experience including banks, institutional, travel centers, retail and most everything in between.
Our employees, many of whom have been part of the Venture family for over 40 years, are the reason we have been so successful, and have been able to keep our clients happy all these years. We are truly blessed with the most talented and loyal group of employees; and are grateful for them each and every day.
Venture Construction
Venture completes its first job—a BP Oil Corporation Service Station located at 6 Flags Drive at I-20 West in Cobb County.
Venture builds its first McDonald’s (located on Memorial Drive in Decatur, GA).
Venture builds its first Burger King (located on Atlanta Street in Smyrna, GA).
Set record by building a Hardee’s restaurant in 9 days 23 hours.
E. Ray Morris receives a Doctor of Humane Letters award from Bethel College (now Bethel University)
E. Ray Morris receives Engineer of Distinction Award from Tennessee Tech
Venture Construction Company celebrates 50 years on July 28, 2019.
Venture recognized by Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the 50 Largest Businesses for 2020