Thom Walla

Co-Founder and CEO HobbyTown

Last Reviewed: September 29, 2026

Executive Summary

Thom Walla is co-founder and CEO of HobbyTown Unlimited, Inc., the Lincoln, Nebraska franchisor of HobbyTown stores, which sell radio-control cars and aircraft, models, specialty toys, games, puzzles and STEM products. He founded the company with Merlin and Mary Hayes in 1985 and opened the first franchise store the following year; HobbyTown now describes itself as the largest brick-and-mortar hobby retailer, with more than 90 franchise stores in 35 states. The company says he remains active in its daily corporate operations and in the sale and operation of franchises, alongside President Bob Wilke.

Career Highlights

• Co-founded HobbyTown Unlimited, Inc. in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1985 with Merlin Hayes and Mary Hayes.
• Opened the first HobbyTown franchise store in 1986.
• Listed by the company as Co-Founder/CEO, involved in the sale and operation of HobbyTown franchises.
• Oversaw growth to a chain the company puts at more than 90 franchise stores across 35 states.
• In July 2023, AMain Hobbies announced an agreement in principle to acquire HobbyTown, with Walla quoted as HobbyTown’s founder.

Professional Journey

Walla, with Merlin and Mary Hayes, founded HobbyTown Unlimited, Inc. in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1985, and the first HobbyTown franchise store opened in 1986. The model was franchising rather than company-owned retail: local owners run the stores, while the Lincoln headquarters supplies merchandising, purchasing and distribution, marketing, software and franchise support. Over the following decades the chain spread from coast to coast, and the company now calls itself the largest brick-and-mortar hobby retailer, with more than 90 franchise stores in 35 states.

HobbyTown’s corporate leadership page names Walla as Co-Founder and CEO, and says he continues to be involved in the sale and operation of HobbyTown franchises; the company’s About page says he remains active in the daily operations of HobbyTown corporate. Bob Wilke serves as President.

In July 2023 the online hobby retailer AMain Hobbies, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, announced an agreement in principle to acquire HobbyTown, including its Lincoln headquarters and distribution center, after what Walla described as a seven-year partnership between the two companies. “We have confidence Kendall and his team at AMain Hobbies along with the HobbyTown team will continue the tradition of bringing an enjoyable one-stop shopping experience to customers across the country,” he said. AMain’s chief executive, Kendall Bennett, credited Walla and Wilke with developing a proven retail model. Terms were not disclosed.

Outside work, his company biography names gaming and board games as his favourite hobbies.

Education

No education record was found in the sources reviewed.