Not to be confused with Laura Ashley, this Ashley sells leather and wood rather than toile and chenille. Ashley Furniture Industries, doing business as The Ashley Companies, is a top-selling furniture store brand to retail partners in 120-plus countries and the #1 US furniture and bedding retailer. It makes and imports upholstered furniture, as well as leather and hardwood pieces. It licenses its name to some 500 Ashley Furniture HomeStores located in the US, as well as in Canada, Mexico, Central America, and Japan. These stores are independently owned and sell only Ashley Furniture-branded products. Founded by Carlyle Weinberger in 1945, Ashley Furniture is owned by father-and-son duo Ron and Todd Wanek.