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What Did Party City Used To Be?

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Last updated on 7 min read
Party City Holdco Inc. (formerly Amscan Holdings) started as a standalone party supply retailer in 1986 before becoming the corporate umbrella for multiple acquired brands.

Party City Holdco Inc., the parent company behind the iconic retail brand, reported a net worth of approximately $0.89 billion as of September 24, 2021, with total revenues of $1.851 billion in the same period. The company operates nearly 800 stores across North America as of 2026, specializing in party supplies, decorations, and themed merchandise.

Party City Holdco Inc. (formerly Amscan Holdings)
Category Details
Parent Company Party City Holdco Inc. (formerly Amscan Holdings)
Founded 1986 (as Party City Corporation)
Headquarters Elmsford, New York, USA
Store Count (2026) ~800 locations across North America
Revenue (2021) $1.851 billion (decrease of 21.2% from previous year)
Notable Subsidiaries Halloween City (seasonal subsidiary), Factory Card & Party Outlet (merged brands)
Ownership Publicly traded (PRTY) as of 2015; majority owned by Thomas H. Lee Partners and Advent International

Party City’s origins trace back to 1986, when it was established as a standalone party supply retailer. In 2015, the company went public under Party City Holdco Inc., a move that allowed it to expand its footprint through acquisitions. Notably, Amscan Holdings (Party City’s parent company) consolidated several brands—including Factory Card & Party Outlet and Party America—under the Party City umbrella, creating a unified retail experience. The company also operates Halloween City, a seasonal subsidiary focused exclusively on Halloween merchandise, which has grown significantly since its inception. Additionally, Party City is the world’s largest manufacturer of metallic balloons, a title it has held since the early 2000s.

Party City’s headquarters is located in Elmsford, New York, strategically positioned near major transportation hubs to streamline distribution across the United States and Canada. The brand’s widespread presence makes it a go-to destination for seasonal celebrations, from birthdays to Halloween, serving over 100 million customers annually. Its retail model combines brick-and-mortar stores with an e-commerce platform, ensuring accessibility for both in-person and online shoppers.

For customers looking to visit a Party City store, locations can be found in nearly every major city and suburban area across the U.S. and Canada. The company offers in-store balloon inflation services for both in-person and online purchases, making it convenient to prepare for celebrations. Seasonal shops, such as Halloween City, typically open in late summer and close after the Halloween season. For those interested in franchising opportunities, Party City is listed in the Franchise Directory under the Retail category, with investment costs varying by location and size. Customers can also shop online at partycity.com, where they can browse a wide selection of party supplies, decorations, and themed merchandise.

When did Party City go public?

2015 was the year Party City Holdco Inc. went public, with Thomas H. Lee Partners retaining 55% and Advent International owning 19%.

In 2015, Party City Holdco Inc went public with Thomas H. Lee Partners retaining 55% and Advent International owned 19 percent. In April 2017, the company was approached by a private equity firm to acquire the company. In response the company placed itself on the market.

What was Party City before it became Party City?

Party City was originally a standalone party supply retailer founded in 1986 before becoming the corporate umbrella for multiple acquired brands.

Party City was sold by the founder American also purchased several other retailers including Factory Card & Party Outlet and Party America. What’s really cool about all of this is that Amscan Holdings made the decision to have all of the new companies that they acquired to operate under the brand name of Party City.

Who bought Party City?

Canadian Tire acquired Party City’s 65 Canada–based retail store locations in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately CAD$174 million.

Through the transaction, Canadian Tire acquired Party City’s 65 Canada–based retail store locations in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately CAD$174 million. The proceeds from this transaction will primarily be used to pay down debt.

Is Party City and Halloween City the same company?

Halloween City is a subsidiary of Party City Holdco Inc.

Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, Halloween City is a subsidiary of Party City Holdco Inc. Party City Holdco Inc. (the “Company” or “Party City”) is the leading party goods retailer, by revenue, in North America and, we believe, the largest vertically integrated supplier of decorated party goods globally by revenue.

Will Party City fill up balloons I didn’t buy there?

Yes — Party City stores will inflate balloons for you, even if you didn’t purchase them there.

Yes! Our stores have helium and we’re ready to inflate balloons for your next celebration. ... You can purchase select Party City balloons in store and have them inflated before you leave. You can purchase uninflated Party City balloons online, then bring them to our store to have them inflated for free.

Who owns Spirit of Halloween?

Spirit Halloween is owned by Spencer Gifts (acquired in 1999).

Spirit Halloween LLC is an American seasonal retailer that supplies Halloween decorations, costumes, props and accessories. It was founded in 1983 and is based in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. In 1999, the store had 60 seasonal locations and was purchased by Spencer Gifts.

Does Party City own Amscan?

Party City Holdco (formerly Amscan) is the parent company of Party City and a major player in party goods manufacturing.

Party City Holdings, formerly known as Amscan, is the leading designer, manufacturer, distributor and specialty retailer of party goods in the U.S. and the largest manufacturer of metallic balloons in the world.

Is Party City a franchise?

Party City is listed in the Franchise Directory under the Retail category, including options under $10,000.

Party City is listed in the Franchise Directory under the Retail category. It’s also listed in the section for Franchises Under $10,000.

What is Party City worth?

Party City Holdco’s net worth was $0.89 billion as of September 24, 2021.

Party City Holdco net worth as of September 24, 2021 is $0.89B.

Is Party City profitable?

Party City’s 2021 revenues were $1.851 billion, but profitability took a hit with significant decreases across multiple revenue streams.

Total revenues were $1.851 billion, a decrease of 21.2% on a reported basis and a decrease of 21.3% on a constant currency basis. ... Net third-party Wholesale revenues decreased 21.6% on a reported basis and 21.7% on a constant currency basis. Total gross profit margin decreased 1,017 basis points to 25.7% of net sales.

Is PRTY stock a buy?

PRTY stock has a consensus rating of Buy, based on analyst ratings.

Party City Holdco has received a consensus rating of Buy. The company’s average rating score is 2.50, and is based on 1 buy rating, 1 hold rating, and no sell ratings.

Is Party City cheaper than Spirit Halloween?

Party City generally offers cheaper products, but Spirit Halloween has a much larger Halloween-specific selection.

While Party City generally has cheaper products, the selection was smaller, likely because the store also sells items for celebrations other than Halloween. Spirit Halloween, on the other hand, has a huge variety of costumes and decor in an entertaining environment.

How much does Halloween City pay per hour?
Job Title Salary Assistant Manager salaries – 17 salaries reported $12/hr Sales Associate salaries – 14 salaries reported $9/hr Sales Associate/Cashier salaries – 5 salaries reported $12/hr Seasonal Sales Associate salaries – 5 salaries reported $11/hr

James Cartwright
Author

James Cartwright is a geography writer and former high school geography teacher who has spent 20 years making maps and distances interesting. He can name every capital city from memory and insists that geography is the most underrated subject in school.

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