Our History / Timeline

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

1969
Company founded and incorporated

Venture Construction Company founded and incorporated

May 29, 1970
First Job Completed
First Job Completed

Venture completes its first job—a BP Oil Corporation Service Station located at 6 Flags Drive at I-20 West in Cobb County.

1974
First McDonalds Built
First McDonalds Built

Venture builds its first McDonald’s (located on Memorial Drive in Decatur, GA).

1974
First Burger King Built
First Burger King built

Venture builds its first Burger King (located on Atlanta Street in Smyrna, GA).

1977
Established Greensboro office
1978
Established Tampa office
1979
Set Construction Speed Record
Hardee's thank you letter

Set record by building a Hardee’s restaurant in 9 days 23 hours.

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1983
Volume $30,000,000
1984
Established Memphis, Nashville and Richmond Offices
1990-1991
Chapter President, Georgia Branch, AGC

E. Ray Morris served as Georgia Chapter President of the Associated General Contractors of America

1994
Venture Completes Restorations of the “Big Chicken” in Marietta, GA
1996
Volume $160,000,000
1997
E. Ray Morris Entrepreneur of the Year Southeast Winner
2004
Honorary Degree from Bethel College
E. Ray Morris receives a Doctor of Humane Letters award from Bethel College

E. Ray Morris receives a Doctor of Humane Letters award from Bethel College (now Bethel University)

2005
Engineer of Distinction
E. Ray Morris receives Engineer of Distinction Award from Tennessee Tech

E. Ray Morris receives Engineer of Distinction Award from Tennessee Tech

2006
Volume $238,000,000, completed 440 jobs
2008
AGC SIR Award Recipient
AGC SIR Award Recipient
2009
40th Anniversary

Venture Construction Company celebrates 40th Anniversary

2014
Established Kansas City Office
December 2015
Venture awarded our 15,000th job!
December 31, 2015
Venture Becomes an Employee Owned Company

Venture becomes an Employee Owned Company through implementation of our ESOP.

September 2016
Venture Sets new Records for Simultaneous Jobs under Construction.

For 2 separate weeks in September, Venture had 142 jobs under construction, an all-time high. These 142 jobs were spread out over 24 states, spanning from Florida to New York, California to North Carolina, Texas to Illinois and many states in between.

December 31, 2016
Venture Sets new all-time high record for Volume at $292 million
January 2019
Venture awarded our 17,000th job!
July 28, 2019
50th Anniversary
Venture Construction Company celebrates 50 years on July 28, 2019.

Venture Construction Company celebrates 50 years on July 28, 2019.

January 2021
50 Largest Companies
50 Largest Companies

Venture recognized by Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the 50 Largest Businesses for 2020

June 2021
Venture awarded our 18,000th job!
January 2023
50 Largest Companies

Venture recognized by Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the 50 Largest Businesses for 2022