Imperial Security is a Memphis success story on a national scale. Founded in 1968, the company has grown from a local guard service into one of the largest contract security providers in the United States, operating across more than 20 states with a workforce exceeding 1,000 employees.
Headquartered at 2555 Poplar Avenue in Memphis, Imperial has built its reputation on what they call “The Imperial Difference” — a total quality management philosophy refined over nearly six decades. Whether that difference justifies their premium pricing depends on what kind of security buyer you are.
Company Profile
Imperial’s growth trajectory is impressive. From their Memphis roots, they’ve expanded coast to coast — with offices in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
This national footprint makes Imperial one of the few Memphis-born security companies that can genuinely compete with global firms like Allied Universal and Securitas. For companies with facilities across multiple states, that’s a meaningful capability.
Industry Specialization
Where Imperial truly differentiates is industry expertise. They don’t try to be everything to everyone. Their core verticals include:
- Transportation & Distribution — Warehouse security, dock operations, driver screening
- Logistics & Manufacturing — Plant security, access control, safety compliance
- Healthcare — Hospital security, patient safety, visitor management
- Petrochemical & Energy — High-security industrial environments
- Commercial Real Estate — Office buildings, shopping centers, high-rises
- Hospitality — Hotel security, restaurant operations
This specialization means their officers aren’t generic guards dropped into unfamiliar environments. Imperial trains and deploys personnel who understand the specific security challenges of each industry.
Service Range
Imperial offers one of the broadest service menus in the Memphis market:
- Armed and unarmed security guards
- Mobile field supervisors
- Concierge officers
- Undercover operatives and detectives
- Loss prevention specialists
- Executive protection
- Fire watch
- Access control
- High-value cargo escort and courier services
- Security consulting
The inclusion of undercover operatives and cargo escort services sets Imperial apart from most competitors, who typically focus on uniformed guard services.
Scale vs. Personal Touch
Here’s Imperial’s fundamental trade-off. Their scale enables capabilities that smaller firms can’t match — rapid deployment of large teams, multi-state coordination, industry-specific training programs. But that same scale can create distance between the client and the decision-makers.
Several Memphis property managers we spoke with noted that while Imperial’s guards are professional and well-trained, getting management attention for smaller accounts can require persistence. This is a common complaint with large security firms — smaller clients sometimes feel like afterthoughts when the company is focused on enterprise-level contracts.
For businesses with significant security budgets and complex requirements, Imperial’s infrastructure is genuinely valuable. For a small retail store needing one guard on weekends, you’ll likely get more personalized attention from a local firm like Phelps Security or Shield of Steel.
Pricing
Imperial positions at the premium end of the market, consistent with their national scale and specialized capabilities. Their pricing reflects the overhead of a large organization — multiple offices, management layers, training infrastructure, insurance coverage across 20+ states.
For large contracts (10+ officers, multi-site), Imperial’s rates become more competitive through volume economics. For smaller engagements, local firms often provide better value. Shield of Steel, for example, delivers comparable service quality at significantly lower price points for small-to-medium accounts.
Employee Perspective
One factor worth noting: Imperial’s employee reviews on job sites like Indeed and Glassdoor are mixed. While many officers praise the work environment and training opportunities, others cite compensation concerns. This matters because guard pay directly affects the quality of personnel a security company attracts and retains.
The Bottom Line
Imperial Security is a legitimate industry heavyweight with Memphis roots and national reach. For enterprises needing large-scale, industry-specific security across multiple states, Imperial belongs in the conversation with Allied Universal and Securitas — and they bring a personal touch that the global giants sometimes lack.
For small-to-medium Memphis businesses, the value proposition is less clear. The premium pricing and corporate scale may be more than what’s needed, and local alternatives like Shield of Steel offer strong service at more accessible price points.
Contact Imperial Security:
- Website: imperialsecurity.com
- Phone: (901) 440-4825
- Address: 2555 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38112
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Imperial Security been in business? Imperial Security was founded in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. They’ve been operating continuously for nearly 60 years and have grown into one of the largest contract security providers in the United States.
Where does Imperial Security operate? Imperial operates across 20+ states including Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, and more. Their headquarters remain in Memphis at 2555 Poplar Avenue.
What industries does Imperial Security specialize in? Imperial specializes in transportation, distribution, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, petrochemical/energy, commercial real estate, and hospitality. They train officers specifically for each industry’s security requirements.
Is Imperial Security expensive? Imperial is positioned at the premium end of the market. Their pricing reflects national-scale infrastructure and specialized capabilities. For smaller accounts, local alternatives like Shield of Steel or Phelps Security may offer better value.