Democracy Dies in Darkness

Why Men’s Wearhouse fired George Zimmer

June 25, 2013 at 12:56 p.m. EDT
Men's Wearhouse founder George Zimmer, second from left, in a 1999 file photo, was terminated June 19. (Ben Margot/Associated Press)

The Men's Wearhouse board is clearing the air.

After company founder George Zimmer was fired last week as executive chairman — with no explanation by the company — fans furiously took to the brand's Facebook page to lament the departure of Zimmer, whose TV pitches have entered the realm of pop culture iconography. His departure prompted an unusual swirl of buzz and mystery around the otherwise staid brand.