In the spring of 1948, I. C. Allen Jr. opened a small service station on the corner of Eighth Street and Phoenix, in Jacksonville, Florida. After two years of successful retail sales, a body and fender shop was added to the original business operation, under the name of "Allen Brothers". As another 19 years of success passed, the companies sought bigger horizons and branched out further into fuel transport, tank repair and bulk maintenance. By 1973, the growth rate and success of the companies warranted their incorporation. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Donald R. Allen joined the company and in 1986 became president of Universal Companies.