Toys "R" Us is a toy store chain based in the United States. The company operates nearly 700 stores in the United States and nearly 600 stores are operating in 29 other countries, some of them under franchises or licenses. The flagship store in New York City's Times Square is the largest toy store in the world, featuring a colorful ferris wheel.

Buyout

After several major missteps in the marketplace, mainly precipitated by the removal of Robert Nakasone by the Board of Directors, Toys ‘R’ Us had been limping into what appeared to be oblivion. Nakasone’s replacement did little to help as he showed as little understanding of the Internet as the Board did. In an effort to shore up their failing enterprise, the Board of Directors installed John Eyler, formally of FAO Schwarz. Eyler launched an unsuccessful (and very expensive) plan to remodel and re-launch the chain. Blaming market pressures (primarily competition from Wal-Mart and Target Stores), Toys "R" Us considered splitting its toys and babies businesses. On July 21, 2005, a consortium of Bain Capital Partners LLC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), and Vornado Realty Trust completed the $6.6 billion acquisition of the toy giant. Public stock closed for the last time at $26.74, just pennies from the 52-week high, but far short of its all time high of almost $45 in fourth-quarter 1993, and its five-year high of $31 in 2Q 2001. Toys "R" Us is now a privately owned entity.