Floor & Decor taps president as next CEO
The longtime CEO of Floor & Decor is stepping down.
The Atlanta-based specialty hard-surface flooring retailer has appointed Bradley Paulsen, currently serving as president, as CEO and board member, effective at the start of the company’s 2026 fiscal year on Dec. 26. He will succeed Thomas Taylor, who has served as CEO of Floor & Decor since 2012.
As part of the leadership change, Taylor will transition to the role of executive chair of the board. Norman Axelrod, the current chair of the board, will become lead independent director.
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Taylor began his career at age 16 in 1983 at a Miami Home Depot store, and worked his way up through various roles to eventually serve as the executive VP of operations with responsibility for all Home Depot stores, and then the executive VP of merchandising and marketing.
After leaving Home Depot in 2006, Taylor spent the next six years as a managing director at Sun Capital Partners. During his tenure, he was a board member for over 20 portfolio companies in the United States and Europe.
“Under Tom's exceptional 13-year leadership, Floor & Decor has delivered extraordinary growth and remarkable financial performance, expanding from a 31-store regional chain with approximately $337 million in annual sales to a national leader operating 262 stores across 38 states and generating over $4.4 billion in revenue.” said Axelrod. “We couldn't be more pleased that Tom will remain actively involved as executive chair. His proven leadership and strategic vision, coupled with Brad’s deep understanding of home improvement, merchandising, retail, and commercial sales, and supply chain operations, position us well for future growth.”
Paulsen was named president of Floor & Decor in March of this year. Previously, he served as the CEO of pest control company Rentokil Terminix for one and a half years, and was CEO of electrical wholesale distributor Relex USA before that.
His past experience also includes more than six and a half years at HD Supply, where he spent more than a year as chief operating officer. He also spent more than nine years in various roles at Home Depot.
“Over the past eight months, I have had the privilege of working closely with Tom and our incredible team and gaining a deep understanding of Floor & Decor’s unique culture and business model,” said Paulsen. “I’m excited and honored to step into this role and lead our next phase of growth – scaling toward 500 warehouse stores and accelerating our commercial flooring expansion. Our associates are the heart of this company, and together, we’ll continue delivering exceptional value and service to homeowners and pros across the country.”
As of Sept. 25, 2025, Floor & Decor operated 262 warehouse-format stores and five design studios across 38 states. The company offers a broad in-stock assortment of laminate and vinyl, tile, wood, and natural stone flooring and installation materials and decorative accessories.
