6 June 2012 – Sacramento Business Journal

Sleep Train CEO Recognized as Entrepreneur

Dale Carlsen, whose The Sleep Train Inc. mattress chain has been on an expansion spree, has been recognized for his business acumen.

Sleep Train’s founder and CEO has received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 Award in the retail and consumer products category in Northern California.

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4 June 2012 – Furniture World

Sleep Train Voted #1 in “Best Mattresses” Category in KCRA A-List Awards for Fourth Consecutive Year

West Coast mattress retailer Sleep Train reported that it has been voted #1 for the fourth consecutive year in the “Best Mattresses” category in KCRA 3’s A-List Awards. This year, nearly 10,000 area businesses were nominated and just 151 received the title of Sacramento’s best.

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12 May 2012 – Dublin, CA Patch

Dublin Students Collect Pajamas for Shepard’s Gate

When Fallon Middle School’s CJSF group heard about the Sleep Train fundraiserto collect new pajamas for foster children, they immediately took action.

They put donation boxes around campus and informed people about how foster children were in desperate need for pajamas.

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06 May 2012 – Fresno Bee

Word on the Street: Sleep Train plans to open three new locations in Fresno

The Sacramento-based Sleep Train mattress store chain plans to open three new locations in Fresno this month.

Last year, the company bought and converted two Christian's Mattress Xpress stores in Fresno and Visalia and an outlet store in Fowler. The company opened a fourth location in Clovis in November and is still going.

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09 April 2012 – Sacramento Business Journal

Best of Biz

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2012/04/09/best-of-biz-leads-april-9.html

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26 March 2012 – Daily Republic

Sleep Train shoe drive

Sleep Train is collecting new pairs of shoes for foster children through May 13. People can drop off the new shoes at any Sleep Train. Sizes can be from toddler through adult.

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01 March 2012 – CBS 47

Thank You Central Valley

On Wednesday, February 29th, CBS47 and Sleep Train Mattress Centers held an On Your Side Collection Drive to benefit foster kids in the Valley.

Thanks to you, we collected over 500 items for foster children and over $1,000.

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28 January 2012 – Furniture World

Sleep Train Kicks off 2012 with Record Donations for Foster Kids

Sleep Train announced that the closing of 2011 marked a milestone year for Sleep Train’s award-winning Foster Kids Program. The West Coast’s number one mattress store collected more than 160,000 important material items for foster children including clothing, pajamas, shoes, school supplies, cash and at the holidays – gifts and toys, for a 60% increase in year over year donations. This marks the most successful year for Sleep Train’s Foster Kids Program since its beginning in 2008.

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26 January 2012 – KCRA

Bringing Warmth To Foster Children

Sleep Train’s Mauri Knowles speaks with KCRA about its Pajama Drive for Foster Kids.

There are about 60,000 foster kids in California. Many do not have a lot to call their own, and even something as simple as a pair of warm pajamas can make their nights a little better.

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19 January 2012 – Furniture Today

Sleep Train plans 20 or more stores in Portland, Ore., area

Top 100 company Sleep Train is ramping up its expansion into this market, having opened five area stores with plans for 15 to 18 more over the next one to two years..

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19 January 2012 – Napa Valley Register

Sleep Train opens store in Napa

Sleep Train has opened a store in Napa. Located in Napa Crossing at 1735 Trancas St., near Target and Whole Foods, just off Highway 29, the new store offers mattresses.

Sleep Train also added a new local foster partner recipient in the area, the Napa County Family & Foster Parent Association, a support system for foster families and connects foster caregivers and children to government and nonprofit services.

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18 January 2012 – Sacramento Business Journal

Sleep Train promotes foster program through Kings sponsorship

The Sleep Train Inc., one of the original 33 sponsors that collectively pledged $10 million last spring to keep the Sacramento Kings in town, is using its sponsorship to increase donations to its foster children program.

The Citrus Heights-based bedding retailer announced Wednesday that it will use signs, concourse billboards, wallscapes and floor-level electronic signs in Power Balance Pavilion to boost awareness of the Sleep Train Foster Kids Program.

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5 December 2011 – News 10

Fans: Kings ‘Fan Fest’ a slam!

The Kings joined in a holiday effort to collect unwrapped toys, books and games on behalf of Sleep Train's Foster Kids Program.

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2 December 2011 – Sacramento Business Journal

Sleep Train opening another store

The Sleep Train Inc., one of the Sacramento region’s largest home-grown retailers, has leased space in San Mateo for a third store in that city. Sleep Train, which is based in Citrus Heights, has been on a tear this year. It has opened a dozen stores and purchased three mattress companies. In California alone it has more than 150 stores.

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22 November 2011 – Presidio Sentinel

Sleep Train Secret Santa Toy Drive for Foster Kids

For the nearly 60,000 foster children throughout California, the magic of the holiday season might not be so bright as they find themselves away from family and friends. To help fill the holidays with glee and make sure every foster child wakes up Christmas morning with a gift under the tree, Sleep Train, the West Coast’s number one mattress store and number four nationwide, is hosting its annual Secret Santa Toy Drive for foster kids.

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03 November 2011 – The Fresno Business Journal

Sleep Train announces acquisition, expansion

In conjunction with the acquisition of Christian Mattress Xpress, Sacramento-based Sleep Train announced it will convert three of the acquired stores in the Central Valley to Sleep Train locations and build at least four more this year.

The company also announced plans to building four to five new locations in the Valley next year.

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28 October 2011 – Sacramento Business Journal

Sleep Train buys two mattress companies

In a cash deal, Sleep Train bought Mattress Outlet, a 14-store company with 13 stores in eastern Washington and one in Idaho, and America’s Mattress, a seven-store company in western Washington.

 

This has been Sleep Train’s biggest acquisition year since 2006.

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05 October 2011 – Western Home Furnishings Association

5th Annual Sleep Train Charity Golf Classic Raises Record-Breaking $500,000 for Emancipated Foster Youth

Sleep Train, the #1 mattress retailer on the West Coast, is celebrating the record-breaking success of its annual fundraising event to provide assistance to foster youth aging out of the foster care system to further their education after high school graduation and obtain independent living skills support. The Sleep Train Charity Golf Classic doubled the event’s expected donations goal, raising $500,000 for a grand five-year total of nearly $1.5 million in cash donations for foster youth agency programs along the West Coast.

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06 September 2011 – Furniture World

Sleep Train Inspires Area Companies to Help Foster Children

The success of the Sleep Train Foster Kids Program has inspired a number of other companies and organizations in the area to support regional foster children too. Collecting important material items and cash to contribute to current Sleep Train drives, area companies and organizations are leveraging Sleep Train's successful infrastructure and marketing efforts to offer their support for foster children.

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1 Aug 2011 - KGO TV ABC 7

Beyond the Headlines

ABC7's Emmy award-winning public affairs show, "Beyond the Headlines," provides in-depth coverage of the topics and issues facing the people of the Bay Area.

Today we're going to talk about a very special and often overlooked part of our community -- young people in foster care.

Studio Guests
Dale Carlsen
Owner, Sleep Train

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Aug 2011 - Comstock's Magazine

Working lunch with Rob Killgore

A job well done will pay off in your retirement plan.

If you’re in the sleep business or, more specifically, work for Sleep Train Mattress Centers or one of its two West Coast subsidiaries, that’s your mantra. While employees throughout the US are experiencing recession-related layoffs, furloughs, pay stagnation and reductions, Sleep Train employees are becoming proud holders of the company, which is employee-owned as of last September.

“It’s almost like one of those ‘just what the doctor ordered’ kind of moments,” Killgore says. “As we were looking at our 5-year strategic plan for growth and expansion, we determined it was also time to focus on succession planning. We promoted a bunch of regional vice presidents to give them a little more direct authority, we divided the company into five major regions and then we gave our employees the benefit and responsibility of ownership.”

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2 May 2011 - Furniture Today

Sleep Train honored for work to help foster children

For its work to assist foster children, bedding retailer Sleep Train has won the Daily Point of Light award from the Points of Light Foundation & Corp. for National and Community Service.

In 2008, the Sacramento-based company created the Sleep Train Foster Kids Program to provide items such as clothing, shoes, pajamas, school supplies, gifts and cash to organizations that aid the more than 60,000 foster children in California.

"The considerable impact of our Foster Kids Program has made a huge difference in the lives of foster children and their families, and we are grateful to be recognized for our efforts," said Terry Horsley, vice president of brand strategy at Sleep Train. "We are committed to our community and thankful for its contribution to this important cause. It's the collective whole that can make the most profound change."

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2 May 2011 – Comstock’s Magazine

Grow Home – Big business settles down in South Placer

Roseville’s closest neighbor also recently nabbed a coveted company. In March, Sleep Train Mattress Centers moved its corporate offices into a 22,000-square-foot site at 2205 Plaza Drive near Sunset Boulevard and Stanford Ranch Road in Rocklin.

One of the top bedding specialists in the nation, Sleep Train is in expansion mode, planning to add about 10 locations this year. It also recently started an employee stock ownership plan.

The Rocklin site will provide enough space for now and in the near future, Carlsen says. “And there are other buildings in the complex we’re in, so if we need to grow even further, the opportunity’s there,” he adds.

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26 Apr 2011 - KXTV News 10

Businesses step up to help save the Sacramento Kings

"More than 25 executives met with Mayor Kevin Johnson and NBA representatives Tuesday to put down a deposit on their pledges of financial support to save the Sacramento Kings."

"Sleep Train, AT & T, Zoom Imaging Solutions and Golden One Credit Union were just a few of the companies who offered financial support to save the Kings."

"Sleep Train is a believer in this community and we need a team to be here. We are here to support the team and bring more sports to the area," Sleep Train's Dale Carlsen said.

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26 Apr 2011 - Sacramento Bee

NBA: Show us the money

"Dale Carlsen, chief executive of Sleep Train Mattress Centers, said late Monday he was still waiting for word from the mayor on when and where he should meet with the NBA, but stands ready to do so."

"He said the retailer is definitely interested in becoming a sponsor, but is still finalizing its package. "We're working with them and trying to put something together," he said. The community "needs sports, it needs entertainment, it needs restaurants, it needs music."

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25 April 2011 – Furniture World

Sleep Train Honored for Dedication to California Foster Children

Sacramento, California based retailer Sleep Train announced that it has won the prestigious, nationally- selected "Daily Point of Light" award from the Points of Light Foundation & Corporation for National and Community Service. Founded in 1989 under President George Bush, the award recognizes those who help find innovative ways to meet community needs and support the development of long-term solutions that positively impact social problems in local communities.


Sleep Train was also recently given a "Child Champions" award at the 13th annual awards luncheon of KidsFirst, an organization in the Sacramento region that works to ensure all children live in a safe environment. Additionally, the company was recognized at the "Every Child Deserves a Champion" event, held by the New Millennium Foster Family Agency, which helps match foster kids with nurturing homes.

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17 Feb 2011 - 365 Days of Good San Diego

Sleep Train Kid's Pajama Drive

"Sleep Train Mattress Centers is now collecting new children's pajamas to help California's 80,000 foster children feel warm at night. You can drop off new pajamas, socks or undergarments at any Sleep Train location in San Diego."


30 Jan 2011 - North County Times

 

Pajama drive for foster kids in progress

Sleep Train is conducting a pajama drive through Feb. 20. The drive will benefit children in the California foster care system.


30 Dec 2010 - The Sacramento Bee

Volunteer Spotlight: Foster kids who need pajamas

"In the spotlight: Foster kids who need pajamas. Thousands of foster children enter care with few possessions of their own, including pj's that fit them and are appropriate for the weather. Sleep Train annually collects new sleeping clothes for children from infants to teenagers."

"How you can help: Donate new pajamas of any size to Sleep Train's Pajama Drive for Foster Kids."


04 Oct 2010 - The Sacramento Bee

Sleep Train to add stores, create employee stock plan

Riding out of the recession, Sleep Train Mattress Centers is adding up to 10 locations next year, will move to new, larger headquarters in Rocklin and has instituted an employee stock ownership plan, officials announced Friday.


04 Oct 2010 - Central Valley Business Times

 

Sleep Train mattress retailer becomes employee-owned

Sleep Train Inc., which claims to be the largest bedding specialist on the West Coast and fourth largest in the country, is now essentially owned by its employees.

A new Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) has been implemented, the Sacramento-based retailer says. Qualified employees can obtain shares of the company at no cost to them, the firm says.


10 Sep 2010 - Sacramento Business Journal

 

Sleep Train pulling into new Rocklin HQ, plans expansion

 

"The Sleep Train Inc. is doubling the size of its headquarters and plans to ramp up store growth in new and existing markets.

The mattress retail chain also is becoming an employee-stock-owned company.

The company expects to close escrow before year’s end on a 22,000-square-foot building in Rocklin that will replace its headquarters in Citrus Heights.

'We’re ready to grow,' said Dale Carlsen, president and founder of the company that employs 1,100, operates 230 stores and has revenue of about $300 million."


08 Jun 2010 - SanFrancisco.com

 

School Supply Drive for Foster Kids

 

“Although it seems summer has just begun, it will soon be back to school time again. And for California’s nearly 80,000 foster children, getting a leg up in class can be as simple as having the basic supplies. You can help make a difference in a foster kid’s life by donating new school supplies at your local Sleep Train store. Contributions will be distributed amongst Sleep Train’s 19 California foster care partner organizations.”


08 Jun 2010 - Sacramento Bee

 

Sacramento mattress mogul marks 25 years of Sleep Train

 

“Dale Carlsen's goal was modest. Open a handful of stores in Sacramento. Grow slowly, stay close to home. His father, a certified public accountant, was against the idea, but he gave the younger Carlsen a valuable, if simple, piece of advice. 'Get good people, treat them right and make everybody successful,' he said.”


 

02 Jun 2010 - Contra-Costa Times

 

Flip Flops for Kids

 

“Here's to the senior community at Concord Royale Retirement Home on Clayton Road on an unusual collection to help others. The seniors collected more than 500 flip flops for various charities, and the Sleep Train [Foster Kids] program was one of the recipients. Hats off to the seniors of Concord Royale and to Sleep Train, which started its annual school supply drive July 19."


 

01 Jun 2010 - Fox 40 Live

 

Sleep Train's School Supply Drive for Foster Kids

 

“Dale Carlsen and the gang...in so many ways, he serves the community.”


 

30 Apr 2010 - Sacramento Business Journal

 

Sleep Train adds staff, stores to capture new demand for mattresses

 

"Retailer has hired 100 people this year, wants to hire 50 more by June"