How Dan built the fortune
Dan Friedkin's fortune rests on an unusual business: the exclusive right to distribute Toyota vehicles in a large part of the southern United States. His father, Thomas Friedkin, a pilot and entrepreneur, secured the distribution rights for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi in 1969, when Toyota was still a small brand in America. Gulf States Toyota buys vehicles from the manufacturer and supplies them to the dealers in its territory, earning a margin on each car and truck as well as on parts and services. As Toyota grew into one of the best selling brands in the country, the value of that franchise rose with it. Distribution rights of this kind are rare in the American car business, where most manufacturers supply dealers directly, and Gulf States Toyota is one of only a few independent distributors left.
Dan took over leadership of the family business and became chairman and chief executive of The Friedkin Group, the Houston based holding company that oversees Gulf States Toyota and a range of other ventures. Under him the group has added businesses in automotive retail and services, hospitality, entertainment and sport, using the steady cash flow from distribution to fund new investments. The Friedkin Group describes its businesses as organised around a common set of values and shared services, with Gulf States Toyota remaining the core of the company.
In recent years Friedkin has become one of the most active American investors in European football. The group bought the Italian club AS Roma in 2020 and completed a takeover of Everton in the English Premier League in 2024, taking control as the club prepared to move to a new stadium on the Liverpool waterfront. It also owns AS Cannes in France. These clubs are run with an eye to stadium projects, commercial revenue and player development. The group has also invested in training facilities and academies for young players at its clubs.
Companies and holdings
The Friedkin Group's portfolio extends well beyond cars. Its entertainment arm includes 30West, which invests in and finances films, and Imperative Entertainment, a production company. Its hospitality and conservation interests include luxury safari lodges in Tanzania and properties in the United States. 30West has backed films including several awards contenders, and Imperative Entertainment has produced film and documentary projects.
- Gulf States Toyota, distributor for five southern states
- The Friedkin Group, chairman and CEO
- AS Roma, Everton and AS Cannes
- 30West and Imperative Entertainment
- Hospitality and safari businesses in Africa and the United States
Early life and career
Friedkin grew up in Houston and studied at Rice University, where he earned a bachelor's degree, and he later completed an MBA at Rice's business school. He learned the family business from his father, Thomas Friedkin. His grandfather, Kenneth Friedkin, founded the California airline Pacific Southwest Airlines. Rice, a private university in Houston, has remained connected to the family through its business school and alumni network.
Like his father, Dan is an accomplished pilot. He flies vintage military aircraft and is a co-founder of the Horsemen, an aerobatic team that performs in historic fighter planes at air shows. His interest in aviation carried into film: he flew aircraft for the movie Dunkirk and directed the 2019 drama The Last Vermeer, which was released by Sony Pictures Classics.
Philanthropy and public life
Conservation is a major focus of Friedkin's public activity. Through the Friedkin Conservation Fund and related organisations, his family supports wildlife protection and anti poaching work across large concessions in Tanzania, combining tourism, research and community programs. He was appointed to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission by the governor of Texas and served as its chairman.
In Rome and Liverpool he has kept a low public profile compared with many club owners, rarely giving interviews and letting club executives speak for the clubs. His ownership has drawn attention from fans in both cities, particularly over coaching changes and stadium plans. His conservation work has included support for wildlife monitoring and ranger programs on land around Tanzania's national parks.