Monthly Archives: February 2018

15 02, 2018

JDog® Junk Removal Celebrates Continuous Growth with First Annual Franchise Convention

2018-02-15T23:22:40-05:00February 15th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

BERWYN, PA – PRNewswire 

Over the past three years, JDog Junk Removal, a national franchise organization dedicated to providing business ownership opportunities to veterans, has awarded more than 400 franchise territories across 36 states and has created over 1,000 veteran job opportunities. To celebrate its momentous growth and to further inspire ongoing success amongst its veteran network, JDog Junk Removal has announced its First Annual Convention, JCON, to be held March 8-10, 2018 in Malvern, PA.

“JCON, JDog Junk Removal’s First Annual Convention, honors the passion and camaraderie of our franchise owners,” said Jerry Flanagan, Founder and CEO of JDog. “Through their commitment, we are empowering veterans and making lasting changes in their lives and in the communities they serve. We plan to celebrate our growth and prepare for how we continue to advance our mission.”

JCON will consist of inspirational veteran keynote speakers, including Justin Constantine, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Marine Corps and Ralph Galati, a retired Vietnam Air Force Officer and former POW. The Convention will also offer attendees preferred vendor networking opportunities, achievement awards and exciting giveaways provided by sponsors T. P. Trailers & Truck Equipment, FocusFullfillment and Wisdom Insurance.

In 2017, JDog Junk Removal launched in fifteen new cities, including; Annapolis, MD; Augusta, GA; Buffalo, NY; Columbus, GA; Detroit, MI; Gainesville, FL; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Jacksonville, FL; Little Rock, AK; Portland, OR; San Diego, CA – propelling the total number of active franchises 120. In the coming year, JDog Junk Removal projects to open 75 new franchises, with growth fueled by motivated veteran entrepreneurs set to bring services to new metro areas including, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Seattle, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Denver, San Francisco, as well as cities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Northern California.

About JDog Junk Removal

JDog Junk Removal is a national company that awards franchises exclusively to veterans and veteran family members – people who understand the notion of service to our country, hard work, and dedication. The Company is committed to offering its proven operating model to veterans and veteran family members, enabling them to realize the American dream of business ownership. JDog Junk Removal has awarded more than 400 territories operating in 36 states and is actively looking for qualified franchisees to join the JDog movement nationwide. For more information on JDog Junk Removal, please visit www.jdog.com.

15 02, 2018

Aaron’s, Inc. Announces New $500 Million Share Repurchase Program

2018-02-15T23:17:17-05:00February 15th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

ATLANTA, GA – PRNewswire

Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leading omni channel provider of lease-purchase solutions, today announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has approved a new share repurchase program authorizing management to repurchase up to $500 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. In light of the new repurchase program, the Company has discontinued its previous share repurchase program.

“In 2017, we generated record sales and earnings and strengthened our balance sheet by reducing our debt $135 million. We also increased our dividend for the 15th consecutive year and repurchased nearly two million shares of stock. The decision to authorize the new repurchase program is part of our capital allocation strategy, which reflects our expectation for strong cash flow generation over the next few years,” said John Robinson, Chief Executive Officer.

Under the Company’s new repurchase program, the Company may repurchase shares from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Repurchases of shares may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which would permit repurchases when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading laws. The extent to which the Company repurchases its shares and the timing of such purchases will depend upon market conditions and other corporate considerations, as determined by the Company’s management. The Company is not obligated to acquire any particular number of shares and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

About Aaron’s, Inc.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. The Aaron’s Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories through its 1,726 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com. In addition, Progressive Leasing, a virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 27,000 retail locations in 46 states. Dent-A-Med, Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard®, provides a variety of second-look credit products that are originated through federally insured banks. For more information, visit investor.aarons.com, Aarons.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com.

15 02, 2018

RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. Completes Chief Executive Officer Transition To Adam Contos

2018-02-15T23:12:59-05:00February 15th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

DENVER, CO – PRNewswire

RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RMAX), parent company of RE/MAX, one of the world’s leading franchisors of real estate brokerage services, and Motto Mortgage (“Motto”), an innovative mortgage brokerage franchise, today announced that RE/MAX Holdings Co-Founder David Liniger has completed the transition of his CEO responsibilities to Adam Contos, who has been named Chief Executive Officer by the Company’s Board of Directors. The transition of leadership to Contos is the next step in RE/MAX Holdings’ leadership succession plan, which dates back to the appointment of Contos to serve as Co-CEO with Liniger in May 2017.  Liniger will become non-executive Chairman and will continue to serve on the RE/MAX Holdings Board.

“The Board of Directors is pleased that Adam will lead RE/MAX Holdings in its next stage of growth,” said Richard Covey, the Board’s Lead Director. “He is a talented and respected RE/MAX Holdings executive who combines an in-depth knowledge of the industry with an equally strong desire to drive RE/MAX forward and build on its success by leveraging technology and focusing on innovation. Adam has played an integral role in extending and strengthening the RE/MAX brand across a global network of over 115,000 RE/MAX agents as well as the successful launch of Motto Mortgage just 16 months ago. His experience serving in key leadership roles at the Company coupled with his deep knowledge of the real estate business make him a natural choice to lead RE/MAX Holdings into the future. We are also pleased that Dave will continue to work with the Board and the network and continue to provide his insights and experience to them.”

Prior to his role as Co-CEO, Contos, 46, served as Chief Operating Officer of RE/MAX Holdings. He joined the Company in 2004 working with franchisees and agents in the Mountain States Region and was promoted to Region Vice President the following year. Between 2007 and 2013 he served as Region Vice President, first for the California & Hawaii Region and later for the RE/MAX Florida Region.  He was promoted to Vice President, Region Development, in 2013 and then to Senior Vice President, Marketing, in February 2015. During his Marketing tenure, he and the business development team built a robust franchise sales process that fuelled record growth.

“I am honored to lead RE/MAX Holdings at this important time in our history,” said Contos. “Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX and our network has never been stronger.  Motto Mortgage is off to a terrific start and we could not be more optimistic about its future. As we head into this next chapter, I am excited about the prospects for continuing our successful momentum, driven by our outstanding business model, brand strength, competitive advantages and the most dynamic brokers and agents in the industry.”

Liniger said, “Our original business model, which was built to encourage productive agents to come together, motivate each other and work hard, is still going strong after 45 years. We are number one in the world and I’m confident that under Adam’s leadership, RE/MAX Holdings will continue to thrive and reach even greater heights through his unwavering dedication and commitment to this great company, our brands and our networks.”

About the RE/MAX Network

RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by David and Gail Liniger, with an innovative, entrepreneurial culture affording its agents and franchisees the flexibility to operate their businesses with great independence. Over 115,000 agents provide RE/MAX a global reach of over 100 countries and territories. Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX as measured by total residential transaction sides.

RE/MAX, one of the world’s leading franchisors of real estate brokerage services, and Motto Mortgage, an innovative mortgage brokerage franchise, are subsidiaries of RMCO LLC, which is controlled and managed by RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RMAX).

RE/MAX is the #1 name in real estate according to the MMR Strategy Group survey of unaided awareness of real estate brands.

Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” “project,” “anticipate,” “may,” “will,” “would” and other similar words and expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking statements include statements related to agent count, franchise sales, revenue, operating expenses, financial outlook, dividends, non-GAAP financial measures, housing market conditions, the Company’s Board and management roles and plans for its leadership and governance structure as well as other statements regarding the Company’s strategic and operational plans and business models. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily accurately indicate the times at which such performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, (1) changes in business and economic activity in general, (2) changes in the real estate market or interest rates and availability of financing, (3) the Company’s ability to attract and retain quality franchisees, (4) the Company’s franchisees’ ability to recruit and retain real estate agents and mortgage loan originators, (5) changes in laws and regulations, (6) the Company’s ability to enhance, market, and protect the RE/MAX and Motto Mortgage brands, (7) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, as well as those risks and uncertainties described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and similar disclosures in subsequent periodic and current reports filed with the SEC, which are available on the investor relations page of the Company’s website at www.remax.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances.

9 02, 2018

Elements Massage® Appoints First-Ever “Chief Wellness Officer”

2018-02-09T15:44:20-05:00February 9th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Renowned Massage Industry Expert Eric Stephenson Will Implement Culture and Education Programs for the Brand Nationwide

Englewood, CO – Elements Massage®, one of the nation’s fastest growing therapeutic massage franchises, is pleased to announce the hiring of Eric Stephenson as the brand’s first-ever “Chief Wellness Officer.” Stephenson brings 20 years of massage industry experience to Elements, where he will work closely with the brand’s 240 plus studios to implement system-wide continuing education and culture programs.

“Elements is the first national massage franchise brand to create the role of Chief Wellness Officer,” said Jeremy Morgan, CEO of Elements Massage. “We created this role to demonstrate our commitment to building an industry-leading culture and creating a world-class experience for all Elements’ studio members and their massage therapists. We’re thrilled that Eric has joined our team.  As a Licensed Massage Therapist, Eric’s industry experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow the Element’s brand.”

Previously, Stephenson was a co-founder of imassage, Inc., a Florida-based education and consulting company dedicated to improving the careers of massage therapists and spa practitioners through customized programs focused on preventing injury and workers’ compensation claims.  In this role, Stephenson counseled some of the biggest names in the industry, including the Wynn/Encore Las Vegas, Kamalaya Thailand, Sandals Resorts and Spas, Grove Park Inn Asheville, Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.  Concurrently, Stephenson also worked closely with Elements Massage to develop “The Elements Way,” a series of experiential standards implemented within studios that resulted in a best-in-class 2017 Net Promoter Score comparable to leading consumer brands like Apple, Amazon and the Ritz-Carlton.

Stephenson will bring his trademark leadership approach to Elements Massage, helping studios create best-in-class culture and guest experiences. “We will continue to strengthen our recognition of being the ‘Employer of Choice’ in the industry by focusing on massage therapists’ health and career longevity, continued education and interpersonal skills. We believe in supporting our franchisees in their efforts to take excellent care of their massage therapists, so, in turn, they will take excellent care of clients,” remarked Stephenson. “This personalized, customized approach to all aspects of massage is what sets Elements apart.”

In addition to Stephenson’s internal responsibilities, he will also serve as a spokesperson for the brand, providing commentary and research surrounding a multitude of topics reinforcing the health and wellness benefits of massage.

“Research shows that massage can be an integral piece of one’s wellness regime- alongside diet and exercise,” said Stephenson. “It is my mission to enlighten and educate others on all of the positive impacts massage can have on daily life.”

Stephenson also serves on the Board of Directors for the International Spa Association (ISPA). He has been instrumental in positioning massage as a viable career path worldwide and in emerging countries such as India, where he was recently a keynote presenter at the “Health Professions of India Conference.”

About Elements Massage®
Elements Massage® is one of the nation’s premier massage therapy brand, with more than 240 independently-owned and operated locations across the United States and Canada. Elements differentiates itself by providing consumers with a highly customized and therapeutic massage through its industry-leading membership program, the Elements Wellness Program™. Members at each studio benefit from a highly-rated massage service on a month-to-month basis. As a high growth franchise brand, Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC offers franchise ownership opportunities in select territories across the country. To learn more about Elements Massage® and franchise ownership opportunities, visit www.elementsfranchise.com or call (720) 457-1336.

9 02, 2018

Love is In the Air at Duck Donuts®

2018-02-09T15:35:52-05:00February 9th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

MECHANICSBURG, PA  

Duck Donuts, known for serving Warm, Delicious and Made-to-Order!® donuts is helping customers celebrate the season of love with a Valentine’s Day assortment guaranteed to win over your sweetheart’s admiration. Available for a limited time only, the irresistible assortment features donuts including warm vanilla icing topped with Valentine’s Day sprinkles, fruity strawberry icing and powdered sugar and decadent chocolate icing with Oreo crumbles and hot fudge drizzle.

“Valentine’s Day is a big holiday for Duck Donuts to celebrate as donuts offer a unique way to help our customers express their feelings to their loved ones,” said Russ DiGilio, founder and CEO of Duck Donuts Franchising Company. “From mothers to teachers, children and spouses, all can indulge in the experience of a warm, delicious and made-to-order donut together this holiday.”

Available at select locations, Duck Donuts also offers customers the opportunity to give the gift of Duck Donuts this season. Perfect for classroom exchanges, Valentine’s Day cards are sold in multiples of 10 for $5 and good for one free donut to children 12 years old and under. Stores also sell retail items including gift cards, apparel, drinkware and popular collectible rubber ducks, thoughtful additions to any Valentine’s Day gift for Duck Donuts lovers.

Duck Donuts specializes in warm, delicious and made-to-order donuts. Customers can choose from a variety of topping combinations, including traditional favorites such as chocolate icing with sprinkles and more adventurous creations such as maple icing with bacon. The family-friendly stores offer a viewing area where children and adults alike can watch their donuts being made. Duck Donuts also sells coffee, tea, donut breakfast sandwiches and more. To learn more about local promotions or locate the nearest Duck Donuts, visit duckdonuts.com/locations/.

About Duck Donuts

Duck Donuts was founded in 2006 by Russ DiGilio in Duck, North Carolina. His intention? To solve a family vacation problem: “Our family wanted a place to buy warm, delicious, made-to-order donuts, and when we couldn’t find one, we decided to start our own.”

By 2011, Duck Donuts had expanded to four Outer Banks locations and the donut business was so successful that DiGilio was continuously approached about franchise opportunities by fans who begged for a Duck Donuts in their community. The first franchise opened in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 2013, and there are now 58 open franchise locations and more than 130 additional contracts in 23 states.

9 02, 2018

Leading National Bank Lenders Recommit to Fantastic Sams for Franchisee Financing Programs

2018-02-09T15:32:31-05:00February 9th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Fantastic Sams is excited to announce both Radius Bank and The Bancorp Bank have extended their franchisee lending programs with the company for 2018 and beyond.

Fantastic Sams, the oldest full-service family salon franchise in the country, is experiencing record license sales. It is proud to continue to provide financing options to its franchisees after successfully working with these banks for the last two years.

In 2017, 47 new Fantastic Sams salons opened across the U.S. With the partnerships with The Bancorp Bank and Radius Bank in place, there were 31 multi-unit and single-development license agreements signed last year. Right now, there are 170 planned for development.

“We demonstrated enormous success and growth last year, which validates the strength of our brand,” says John Costanza, President and CEO of Dessange Group North America, the parent company of Fantastic Sams. “Our success allows both Radius Bank and The Bancorp Bank to feel confident about their investments and continue to make it easier for current and potential franchise owners to realize their business goals.”

Whether they want to become a first-time salon owner or expand their existing businesses, Fantastic Sams franchisees have several easy options to help them with financing. The Bancorp Bank, a financial services leader that provides private-label banking to non-bank companies, offers working capital financing for all salon startup costs after owners put down an initial 15 percent. Additional unit financing requires less cash up front, allowing Fantastic Sams franchise owners to grow their empires with ease. There is a similar program in place for franchisees working with Radius Bank, a full-service, well-capitalized bank with clients nationwide.

The initial cost of owning a Fantastic Sams salon starts at $145,362, and entrepreneurs are offered incentives to open multiple units at a time. The strategic partnerships with Radius Bank and The Bancorp Bank allow new and existing owners to receive financing as part of the application process, rather than spending weeks, or even months, waiting for bank approvals.

About Fantastic Sams

Fantastic Sams is one of the world’s largest salon franchises, offering women, men and children quality hair care at an affordable cost. Refining its business model over the course of four decades, Fantastic Sams is the oldest franchised unisex salon in North America. The company revolutionized the hair salon franchise industry in the 1970s by introducing a no-appointment-necessary experience to the full-service hair salon. Now the franchise has more than 1,000 locations across the country, and it continues to grow. Fantastic Sams is headquartered in Massachusetts and it is owned by Dessange International, a multinational European luxury salon and beauty supply company.

Read more about Fantastic Sams’ services and products by visiting http://www.fantasticsams.com, and discover the possibilities of becoming a salon owner by visiting http://www.fantasticsamsfranchise.com. Follow Fantastic Sams on Facebook/FantasticSamsCutandColor and Twitter.com/FSHairSalons.

Contact:

Scott Curkin
Fantastic Sams 
+1 919-459-8165

9 02, 2018

Valvoline Easy Pour Bottle Voted Product of the Year

2018-02-09T15:25:48-05:00February 9th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

LEXINGTON, KY – PRNewswire

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) — a leading worldwide supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services – has been named 2018 Product of the Year in the Car Care Category for its recently launched Easy Pour Bottle.  Product of the Year is the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation, where winners are backed by the votes of 40,000 consumers in a national representative survey conducted by research partner Kantar TNS, a global leader in consumer insights.

“For more than 150 years, Valvoline has been at the forefront of product innovation, and we are honored that the new Easy Pour Bottle has been selected as a 2018 Product of the Year Award winner,” said Heidi Matheys, Valvoline chief marketing officer. “This new-to-the-world package allowed us to reinvent the process of changing your oil – making it easier than ever before for DIYers to maintain their vehicles.”

Highlights of Valvoline’s new Easy Pour Bottle include:

  • Easy Pull Tab™ – Makes opening the bottle clean and simple.
  • Precision Pour Spout™  – Provides accurate pour and clean cut off for a mess-free experience.
  • Anti-Glug Tube™– Provides a glug-free pour for a faster, cleaner and easier oil change.
  • Resealable Overcap with No-Slip Grip™ – Helps prevent spillage and provides safe storage.
  • Centralized Handle – Makes for a more confident pick up, transport and pour.

For over 30 years, Product of the Year has guided consumers to the best products on the market across 37 countries, while rewarding manufacturers for quality and innovation. Each year, Product of the Year takes entries from new consumer products launched within the previous year that demonstrate advancement within their industry.

“Product of the Year’s distinctive red seal of approval continues to help shoppers find the best new product on the shelves and give the winners a well-earned competitive advantage,” said Mike Nolan, CEO of Product of the Year.

Product of the Year nominations are placed into categories, and one product is named the winner of each category based on the results of the consumer survey. The complete list of 31 winners selected to receive the 2018 Product of the Year Award can be found at productoftheyearusa.com.

About ValvolineTM
Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a leading worldwide marketer and supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, with sales in more than 140 countries. Established in 1866, Valvoline’s heritage spans over 150 years, during which it has developed powerful brand recognition across multiple product and service channels. The highly trusted brand ranks as the No. 3 passenger car motor oil brand in the DIY market by volume and the No. 2 quick-lube chain by number of stores in the United States. The company operates and franchises more than 1,100 Valvoline Instant Oil Change℠ centers in the United States. It also markets Valvoline lubricants and automotive chemicals, including the new Valvoline™ Modern Engine Full Synthetic Motor Oil, which is specifically engineered to protect against carbon build-up in Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), turbo and other engines manufactured since 2012; Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife technology motor oil for engines over 75,000 miles; Valvoline Synthetic motor oil; and Zerex™ antifreeze. To learn more, visit www.valvoline.com.

About Product of the Year:
Product of the Year is the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation. Established 30 years ago, POY currently operates in 37 countries with the same purpose: Guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation. Product of the Year winners are backed by the votes of 40,000 consumers in a national representative study conducted by research partner Kantar TNS, a global leader in consumer insights. The award is a powerful merchandising program for marketers proven to increase product sales, distribution and awareness.  Winning products are announced in February each year and receive the right to use the Product of the Year logo in marketing communications for two years.  For more information, visit productoftheyearusa.com.

About Kantar TNS:
Kantar TNS is one of the world’s largest research agencies with experts in over 90 countries. With expertise in innovation, brand and communication, shopper activation and customer relationships we help our clients identify, optimize and activate the moments that matter to drive growth for their business. We are part of Kantar, one of the world’s leading data, insight and consultancy companies. Find out more at www.tnsglobal.com

9 02, 2018

AdvantaClean Founder and CEO Jeff Dudan Accepted into Forbes Business Development Council

2018-02-09T15:20:24-05:00February 9th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Forbes Business Development Council Is an Invitation-Only Community for Senior-Level Sales and Business Development Executives

HUNTERSVILLE, NC -PRWEB

Jeff Dudan, Founder and CEO of AdvantaClean, the nation’s leading franchised provider of Light Environmental Services, has been accepted into the Forbes Business Development Council, an invitation-only community for senior-level sales and business development executives.

Dudan joins other Forbes Business Development Council members, who are hand-selected, to become part of a curated network of successful peers and get access to a variety of exclusive benefits and resources, including the opportunity to submit thought leadership articles and short tips on industry-related topics for publishing on Forbes.com.

Forbes Councils combines an innovative, high-touch approach to community management perfected by the team behind Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) with the extensive resources and global reach of Forbes. As a result, Forbes Council members get access to the people, benefits and expertise they need to grow their businesses — and a dedicated member concierge who acts as an extension of their own team, providing personalized one-on-one support.

“I’m very excited to be selected to the Forbes Business Development Council,” said Jeff Dudan. “This is a great opportunity to work with other peers in the franchise community to serve as thought leaders and produce valuable resources to help grow our business.”

Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, says, “We are honored to welcome Jeff into the community. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to curate successful professionals from every industry, creating a vetted, social capital-driven network that helps every member make an even greater impact on the business world.”

About AdvantaClean Systems, Inc

Founded in 1994 as a contracting business handling cleanup and repairs in South Florida, AdvantaClean, now headquartered in Huntersville, N.C., is the leading national franchised provider of Light Environmental Services ™ in the country. The company currently ranks 85th on Entrepreneur Magazine’s fastest-growing-franchises list, and is among Franchise Business Review’s Top 50 in franchisee-satisfaction ratings. In 2013–14, USA Today and the International Franchise Association recognized AdvantaClean as a Top Franchise for Military Veterans. Today, more than 230 AdvantaClean franchised territories operate in 33 states.

About Forbes Councils

Forbes partnered with the founders of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) to launch Forbes Councils, invitation-only communities for world-class business professionals in a variety of industries. Members, who are hand-selected by each Council’s community team, receive personalized introductions to each other based on their specific needs and gain access to a wide range of business benefits and services, including best-in-class concierge teams, personalized connections, peer-to-peer learning, a business services marketplace, and the opportunity to share thought leadership content on Forbes.com. For more information about Forbes Business Development Council, visit forbesbizdevcouncil.com. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com.

7 02, 2018

Chipotle Announces Bonuses, New Training Programs And Expanded Parental Leave For Employees

2018-02-07T19:07:29-05:00February 7th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

DENVER, CO – PRNewswire

In celebration of its dedicated employees, Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced enhancements to benefits that will reach all of its 71,000 employees. These enhancements, which include special cash and stock bonuses and enhanced paid parental leave, are part of the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing both the professional and personal lives of its employees. Resulting from savings due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the new benefits have already begun rolling out to Chipotle employees.

“We have always been proud of our ability to attract and retain top talent who share our passion for cooking delicious food by hand and creating an extraordinary guest experience,” said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and CEO at Chipotle. “We’re giving back to these committed, motivated, and hardworking team members who have made Chipotle what it is today.”

Chipotle will reinvest more than one-third of its anticipated savings from tax law changes into its employees. The remainder of the reinvestment will be dedicated to improvement of restaurant facilities and operations. New employee benefits include:

Accelerated Training Programs. More training programs for employees, including a formalized classroom program with a dedicated faculty that will focus on a range of topics related to operational excellence and leadership.
Cash & Stock Bonuses. Qualified hourly and salaried restaurant employees will receive a special one-time cash bonus of up to $1,000. Qualified staff employees will receive a one-time stock grant.
Maternity/Paternity Coverage. Additional paid parental leave coverage for everyone from hourly managers to salaried employees.
Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability. The company has added life insurance and short-term disability insurance coverage for hourly restaurant managers.
These new offerings are in addition to a unique set of benefits the company already offers to employees, including both hourly and salaried workers. Chipotle currently provides twice annual merit increases for hourly employees, paid vacation and sick time, and stock awards to the restaurant manager level. Additionally, the company has made a significant investment in educational benefits for employees. Chipotle offers up to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement, and through a partnership with Guild Education, the company offers reduced-cost courses and degree programs at a number of colleges and universities. The educational program includes more than 10,000 class and program options and since the inception of the program, nearly 6,000 Chipotle employees have taken advantage of the program.

“We have always been committed to making Chipotle a great place to work with excellent compensation and benefits,” said Ells. “With these expanded offerings, we’re thanking our employees for their hard work and dedication to our company.”

ABOUT CHIPOTLE

Steve Ells, our founder, chairman and CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads made from fresh, high-quality ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in an interactive style allowing people to get exactly what they want. Chipotle seeks out extraordinary ingredients that are not only fresh, but that are raised responsibly, with respect for the animals, the land, and the people who produce them. Chipotle prepares its food using real, wholesome ingredients and without the use of added colors, flavors or other additives typically found in fast food. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in Denver in 1993 and operates more than 2,400 restaurants. For more information, visit Chipotle.com.

7 02, 2018

Gold’s Gym Resolves to Keep Getting Bigger in 2018

2018-02-07T16:53:14-05:00February 7th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

DALLAS — (February 7, 2018) — According to U.S. News, about 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February. But that’s not the case for Gold’s Gym Franchising LLC, where business is stronger than ever. The world’s most iconic fitness chain will flex its muscle even more in 2018, with plans to expand beyond its 700+ locations in 28 countries around the world.

“The demand for Gold’s Gym is dominating new domestic and international markets and the results speak volumes not only for our franchise owners and master developers but also for our 3 million members living stronger and healthier lives,” said Craig Sherwood, Senior Vice President of Franchise and Licensing for Gold’s Gym.

Capping off a strong year of franchise development in 2017, Gold’s Gym celebrated 49 new gym openings, including the two largest Gold’s Gym locations ever built. Amman, Jordan, and Alexandria, Egypt, each opened new facilities with more than 150,000 square feet. Among other highlights:
International growth included 15 new gyms in India, seven new gyms in Japan, and rapid expansion in Saudi Arabia where Gold’s Gym will more than double in size to 21 gyms this year.
Gold’s Gym Egypt celebrated its 20th anniversary.
A new agreement was awarded for Iraq.

“Our global footprint is in the best shape financially and physically to make 2018 our strongest year to-date,” said Ken Phipps, Director of Global Franchising Development for Gold’s Gym.

Gold’s Gym plans to expand in Europe, China and Qatar as domestic franchise development also targets another 25 gyms in the U.S. across hot markets including Tampa; Orlando; Minneapolis; San Jose, Calif.; Atlanta and the New York metro area.

Meanwhile, consumer demand continues to escalate. According to a recent survey, Americans now spend more on fitness in their lifetime than they do on college tuition. In a search to fit physical and mental well-being into busy lifestyles, men and women invest an average of $155 per month on gym memberships, personal trainers, meal supplements and workout gear.

“Today’s Gold’s Gym prototype addresses all of those wants and needs,” said Phipps. “We are the brand that invented the fitness craze more than 50 years ago, and now we are redefining it with the new Gold’s Gym experience. Our members choose from personal training, group exercise classes, GOLD’S STUDIO®, and our GOLD’S AMP™ app that also puts a digital personal trainer in their pocket. Combine that with the latest cardio equipment, free weights, spin studios and more, and there is something for everyone, whether they like to work out alone or tackle fitness goals with a group.”

Those features have helped Gold’s Gym achieve a 20.73% EBITDA for the domestic investor, attracting a crowd of franchisees seeking a healthy business and healthy profits with a dominant global brand.

“We are living that reality alongside our franchise partners,” Sherwood added. “With more than 145 corporate-owned Gold’s Gym locations, we prove the business every day and support the business model that our franchisees also follow. That builds a level of experience and trust that will continue to move our business forward in a leadership position.”

For more details about the franchise opportunity, visit https://franchising.goldsgym.com/.

About Gold’s Gym Franchising:

Gold’s Gym has been the world’s trusted fitness authority since 1965. From its beginning as a small gym in Venice, California, Gold’s Gym has grown into a global icon with more than 700 locations serving 3 million people across six continents each day. Featuring personalized transformation plans, state-of-the-art equipment, certified personal trainers, a diverse group exercise program and a supportive, motivating environment, Gold’s Gym delivers the most dynamic fitness experience in the industry. The Gold’s Gym experience recently expanded to include BOOTCAMP as well as GOLD’S STUDIO® – which gives members access to boutique-style classes like GOLD’S FIT®, GOLD’S BURN™ and GOLD’S CYCLE™, all under the same roof. More than a gym, Gold’s Gym combines coaching, community and more than 50 years of fitness expertise to help people around the world achieve their potential through fitness.

For more information, please visit www.goldsgym.com, www.facebook.com/goldsgym or www.twitter.com/goldsgym.