3 10, 2019

Town Square® to Celebrate Inaugural Location with Ribbon-Cutting Event

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-10-03T14:55:33-04:00October 3rd, 2019|Tags: adult day enrichment center, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, dementia, family caregivers, senior care, Specialized Senior Care Center, Town Square Franchising, trained and certified caregivers|

Local and State Dignitaries Welcome Interactive Adult Enrichment Center to the Baltimore Community

BALTIMORE — Today, Senior Helpers®, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior care, announced the unveiling of the first Town Square®, an innovative adult day enrichment center tailored towards senior citizens, including those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The company will hold an official ribbon-cutting event to welcome the company’s inaugural location to the Baltimore area on Wednesday, October 16. The new 11,000-square-foot center will be the first of many new Town Square locations planned nationwide and will open its doors to the public the following month.

“Town Square represents an important step forward in the future of senior care in this country,” said Peter Ross, Town Square CEO. “It offers all seniors a location to gather, socialize and find a sense of belonging. For families of those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, the safe, affordable care provided at Town Square and the thoughtful design of the center itself is truly groundbreaking.”

Town Square features an interactive midcentury “town” with 13 distinctive storefronts and experiences. These include a 1950s-era diner, movie theater, library, game room, garage with a beautiful vintage car and garden center all arranged around a green central park. The storefronts and their programming evoke a time when members were young adults and have been designed to appeal to all seniors. For those with dementia it can be particularly beneficial. The behavioral approach, known as reminiscence therapy, uses prompts such as movies, music, photographs and activities to stimulate long-term memories and has been shown to reduce anxiety and lessen symptoms and side-effects of the disease.

“Reminiscence therapy makes Town Square unique and is truly a game-changer not only for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, but for all seniors,” said Ross. “By creating this environment, we’re aiming to create a sense of shared community that people from all backgrounds can enjoy and benefit from.”

Future Town Squares will be modeled after the Baltimore location and will be designed to accommodate approximately 100 members per day, for half- or full-days every day of the week. Leveraging learnings developed as part of a strategic alliance with the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers Inc.® Glenner Town Square®, based in Chula Vista, CA, Town Square is able to uniquely cater to the needs of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

“We started by looking at the Glenner Center’s personalized and innovative approach to care and made a number of alterations to tailor the experience to members’ specific needs,” noted Greg White, vice president of franchise development. “For instance, one of our storefronts is a health club that will accommodate the physical and occupational therapy needs of our members, and we plan to partner with Silver Sneakers to offer classes there as well. We’ve also created a state-of-the art learning center with programs to stimulate members with educational activities. All of the programming at Town Square has been carefully designed to deliver enriching, safe, affordable and accessible care.”

Senior Helpers, whose employees will staff Town Square, finds the new center completely aligned with its mission “to provide compassionate care and improve the quality of life for our clients, their families and our employees.”

Executives from Town Square, including Ross, White and Bob Pearce, director of operations, will be joined at the ribbon-cutting by Brent Howard, CEO of Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce and local dignitaries.

For more information about the grand opening of Maryland’s first Town Square, located at 9708 Belair Road in Perry Hall, please visit https://shtownsquare.com.

About Town Square^®
Town Square® is an innovative adult day enrichment center which has been designed to be attractive to all seniors, and also accommodate those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Operating with a mission to improve the quality of life of our members and their families, Town Square delivers safe and affordable care in a one-of-a-kind, interactive environment. Seniors receive quality and compassionate care through Town Square’s immersive experiences which have been thoughtfully designed to include activities and experiences based on members interests, hobbies, and abilities. For more information, visit https://shtownsquare.com.

About Town Square Franchising
Town Square Franchising is accepting applications from qualified candidates who are looking for a unique, industry leading investment opportunity that will allow them to make a positive difference. Those who are interested should contact the franchise experts at Town Square. For more information, visit https://shtownsquarefranchise.com/

3 10, 2019

FASTSIGNS® Signs Franchise Development Agreement To Open First Center In Tracy, California

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-10-03T14:46:12-04:00October 3rd, 2019|Tags: FASTSIGNS International Inc., FASTSIGNS® sign and graphic centers, sign and graphic solutions, sign and visual communication franchise|

New Location Will Be Owned and Operated by Local Military Veterans Danielle and Juan “Johnny” Miranda, Jr.

CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS^®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today it signed a franchise development agreement to open the brand’s first location in Tracy, California — part of FASTSIGNS’ continued development throughout Northern California. The new location will be owned and operated by local military veterans and husband-and-wife team Danielle and Juan “Johnny” Miranda, Jr.

“Danielle and Johnny are ideal FASTSIGNS franchisees in that they have both the skill set and passion required to grow a successful business,” said Mark Jameson, Executive Vice President of Franchise Support and Development. “We’re thrilled they were able to take advantage of our VetFran program and join FASTSIGNS as we continue to expand our footprint throughout Northern California.”

Danielle Miranda is a veteran of the U.S. Army and North Carolina Army National Guard, where she was a multimedia illustrator, and earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and a master’s degree in advertising. Her husband, Johnny, is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, with extensive operations, leadership, training, and mentoring experience.

“Our combined expertise in graphic design and leading teams made FASTSIGNS the perfect business opportunity for us,” said Danielle. “As military veterans, we’re both intensely focused on service, quality of work, and contributing to a bigger cause — whether that’s helping customers meet their business goals or supporting the growth of the FASTSIGNS brand. We’re looking forward to opening in Tracy and providing local business owners products that can help them advertise and market their business.”

FASTSIGNS is continuing to target Northern and Southern California for franchise growth and currently has opportunities available in San Francisco, Stockton, Modesto, Berkeley, and San Leandro. FASTSIGNS is offering a special incentive nationwide for first responders, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, sheriffs, and firefighters, which includes a 50 percent reduction on the franchise fee — a savings of $24,875.

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. was ranked the #1 franchise opportunity in its category and 95 overall on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2019 Franchise 500^®, the world’s first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Acknowledged by entrepreneurs and franchisors as a top competitive tool of measurement, the Franchise 500^® recognizes FASTSIGNS, the only sign, graphics, and visual communications franchise to be recognized in the top 100, for its exceptional performance in areas including financial strength and stability, growth rate, and brand power. FASTSIGNS was recently named to the 2019 America’s Best Franchises to Buy list by Forbes magazine. FASTSIGNS also made Franchise Direct‘s list of the Top 100 Franchises 2019 and ranked #2 on this year’s Franchise Gator Top 100 list, both ranking the best franchises for 2019. Franchise Business Review has recognized FASTSIGNS as one of the “Best of the Best” for franchisee satisfaction for the last 10 years, as well as naming FASTSIGNS to its “Innovative Franchises” list in 2017, and its Top 50 Franchises for Women and Top Service Franchise lists in 2019. In 2018, Franchise Business Review named FASTSIGNS a “Best-in-Category” franchise. This year, the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) awarded FASTSIGNS International, Inc. the Franchisees’ Choice Designation for the seventh consecutive year for its strong relationship with Canadian franchisees, as well as extensive franchisee training and support.

About FASTSIGNS^®

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the leading sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 700 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in nine countries including the United States, Canada, Chile, England, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®). Locations are slated to open in two additional countries – Malta and Spain – in 2019.

FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive signage and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, promote their products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points.

FASTSIGNS centers provide architectural and interior decor graphics, fleet vehicle graphics, digital signs and digital signage content, event graphics, displays, banners, posters, ADA signage, safety and identification signs and much more, as well as handle everything from design to project management to installation.

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is a recipient of many awards, including being ranked the #1 franchise opportunity in its category in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 for the past three years, and Best-in-Category in the business services sector on Franchise Business Review’s list of the top 200 franchises for multiple years.

Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com.

Follow the brand on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fastsigns, Twitter @FASTSIGNS or Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS.

2 10, 2019

Chem-Dry ‘Cleaning for the PAWS’ Initiative Raises $52,000 Benefitting Best Friends Animal Society

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-10-02T11:27:50-04:00October 2nd, 2019|Tags: carpet and upholstery cleaning service, carpet cleaning franchise, Chem-Dry, green-certified solution, proprietary Hot Carbonating Extraction cleaning process|

Leading Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Franchise Strengthens Partnership with Best Friends, Continues Fundraising Initiatives

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With more than seven million companion animals entering U.S. animal shelters each year, Chem-Dry joined forces with Best Friends Animal Society in 2017 with the launch of its Cleaning for the PAWS initiative. Since the launch of the formal partnership, Chem-Dry and its franchise network have collectively raised more than $52,000 to support shelter pet adoption and help Best Friends in its efforts to find homes for all rescue pets. As Chem-Dry enters another year of the partnership, it seeks to raise an additional $25,000 as it furthers its commitment to creating healthy homes for families and their pets across the nation.

With 85 percent of Chem-Dry’s customers owning pets, the brand is dedicated to this cause. Funds are raised through multiple methods including the sale of specially marked cans of Chem-Dry World Famous Spot Remover – with each can generating a $1 donation to Best Friends – plus customer add-on donations, local promotional offers with a built-in donation, participation in Best Friends’ “Strut your Mutt” events around the country, and direct online donations at Chem-Dry Cares. Chem-Dry franchise owners have participated in the program in a variety of ways and accounted for the roughly 35,000 promotional cans sold to date.

“This cause is near and dear to our hearts and one our entire network can rally behind,” said Dan Tarantin, CEO of Harris Research, Inc., parent company to Chem-Dry. “Pets are beloved members of so many families we serve every day. It’s been truly rewarding to partner with Best Friends and support its mission while educating families and encouraging rescue pet adoption. The sky’s the limit for what’s to come as we continue to strengthen our relationship with the organization.”

New this year, Chem-Dry has teamed up with veterinarian Dr. Kwane Stewart, founder and face of The Street Vet series, to further promote and support rescue pet adoption. As a pet parent himself, Dr. Kwane is an animal advocate who spends his weekends treating pets of the homeless and families in need. He has personally used and is an advocate of Chem-Dry’s line of safe, effective pet and children-friendly products and services including its World Famous Spot Remover and its Pet Urine Removal Treatment (P.U.R.T.®), and is committed to supporting this campaign.

“Bettering the lives of animals through education and awareness is truly my calling,” said Dr. Kwane. “I’m honored to be a voice speaking on their behalf and support Chem-Dry and its Cleaning for the PAWS initiative benefiting Best Friends.”

For more than 30 years, Best Friends has worked to end the killing of pets around the country simply because they don’t have a place to call home. The organization aims to help achieve No Kill across the country by 2025. In an effort to raise funds to help achieve this mission, Best Friends seeks support from companies like Chem-Dry that reaches 7,000 homes and businesses each day with a network of over 2,000 U.S. locations.

To make a donation, please visit www.chemdrycares.com.

For more information on Chem-Dry or to find a local operator, please visit www.chemdry.com.

About Chem-Dry

Founded in 1977, Chem-Dry is the world’s leading carpet and upholstery cleaning service with a network spanning over 55 countries and serving 11,000 homes and business a day worldwide. Its green-certified solution and proprietary Hot Carbonating Extraction cleaning process provide a deeper clean, allow surfaces to dry faster, and leave homes and workplaces healthier. In addition to being ranked the number one carpet cleaning franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 31 consecutive years and ranked among the top 10 concepts in the magazine’s list of Top Home-Based Franchises for 19 consecutive years, Chem-Dry has been ranked as the world’s Best House & Office Franchise in the 2018 Global Franchise Awards. For more information about Chem-Dry and to find a local operator, visit www.chemdry.com, or for more information on franchise opportunities, visit www.chemdryfranchise.com. Chem-Dry is owned by Harris Research, Inc., which is also the founder and owner of the fast-growing N-Hance Wood Refinishing franchise and the owner of Delta Disaster Services, an award-winning property restoration franchise.

1 10, 2019

October 2019: Franchisee of the Month

Audra2019-10-03T16:54:38-04:00October 1st, 2019|Tags: business background, commercial repair service franchise, handywoman, Just Let Me Do It|

Franchisee of The Month

THE FIX IS IN

Women (and men) find a perfect entrepreneurial fit with Just Let Me Do It

by Rose Mango

What does Starbucks do when an electrical outlet isn’t working? How about if Olive Garden needs to have broken bathroom tile repaired? They call in a handyman… or a handywoman like Katrina Farrell. Because even big businesses have small jobs.

Six months ago, Farrell became the owner of a commercial repair service franchise covering the entire Seattle area. Her company, Just Let Me Do It Commercial Services, has found a niche in its detail-oriented repairs at retail, restaurant and office locations for some of America’s most recognizable brands. Just Let Me Do It takes on bigger renovation projects, too, of course, but just the small jobs can keep Farrell and her staff very busy.

“We’ll hit one place and change a bunch of ballasts and light bulbs,” Farrell says. “Then the next place, we need to fix a cabinet door. It’s the nitpicky things that are important.”

As Farrell talks, she gives the impression that she always knew how to swing a hammer. That’s not the case. “I wasn’t handy,” she says. In fact, her previous career experience consisted of working in nonprofit organizations.

But at age 53, she aspired to own a business. “I was at a point in my life where I wanted to do
something different.” And that’s what she’s got: being a handywoman for large and small businesses in a territory that includes 41 cities across four counties.

Knowing she could draw on her business background, Farrell made a logical foray into franchising. The company’s female founder, Colleen Pyle, drew her to this particular business. “She is very dynamic, and I was really intrigued,” Farrell says of Pyle, CEO of Just Let Me Do It.

Pyle encourages female prospects interested in franchising to consider Just Let Me Do It. “Women are great entrepreneurs, hardworking and usually very organized,” Pyle says. And for any franchisees – whether male or female – who don’t wish to get their hands dirty, it’s not a job requirement. Employees can do the field work while the franchisee oversees the financial and operational aspects of the business.

As for Farrell, she has one employee and recently was looking to hire a second as she expands. “With more employees, I can take on more jobs and grow.”

Work is plentiful because Just Let Me Do It franchisees have access to Pyle’s network of contracts spanning the United States. Farrell stays so busy that she sometimes works 60 hours a week.

In the meantime, after many years of office work, the entrepreneur enjoys the physical repair work that fills her schedule and makes her workday interesting. “I do like to be hands-on. You never know what you’re going to be doing that day.”
– Rochelle Miller

For details, call 602-469-7270 or visit https://justletmedoit.com/franchising-2.