When you are considering starting a business, there are several fundamental components to figure out and create first – name, logo, market positioning – in addition to the unique products and services made available to customers and clients. By Dawn Abbamondi
BrightStar Care, a private duty, and home-care and medical-staffing franchise with over 340 locally owned and operated locations nationwide, was recently awarded The Joint Commission’s 2021 Enterprise Champion for Quality Award, reinforcing the brand’s devotion to the highest standards of quality and safety in in-home care. By Jessica Jones
Skedaddle has been the pioneer of humane wildlife control since 1989. At Skedaddle, our objective is to provide homeowners with a permanent solution that includes humane removal, decontamination, and preventative measures to keep homes and families safe. By Lana Mazin
After coaching college football for seven years, Jake Morse searched for a career that would allow him to do what he loved: build relationships and have an impact. He found that opportunity in Fundraising University. By Lizzy Yeserski
For years, Kyle Young worked in the construction business. As a short-term real estate investor by trade, he earned his living flipping houses, installing custom closets, and working on detailed home renovations. By Jessica Jones
Calvin McNeely, CEO and co-owner of the Runningboards Marketing franchise, has owned over 30 companies, mainly in the government contracting space related to airports. In 2016, he decided to retire from that field in hopes of starting a business that made a difference in people’s lives. By Nancy E. Williams
Fast Casual Salad Franchise Will Add Recipe Contest Winner’s Original Recipe to Menu This Fall and Donate a Portion of Each Sale to No Kid Hungry.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Saladworks, the nation’s leading fast-casual create-your-own salad franchise and part of the WOWorks family of brands, announced today the winner of its Flavor Your World Original Recipe Challenge is Amy Sarli-Prelle. Building off the successful launch of its new globally inspired Flavor Your World menu, the challenge invited Saladworks Rewards members across the nation to demonstrate their originality by helping Saladworks create its next great Flavor Your World menu item with a chance to have it featured on the menu for a limited time in the form of a themed Salad, Warm Grain Bowl, and Wrap with a link to Saladworks 35th Birthday and donation to No Kid Hungry.
Sarli-Prelle’s winning Flavor Your World recipe, called Amy’s Fall Fest, is a creation that includes radiatore pasta, romaine/iceberg blend, roasted turkey, smoky bacon, diced apples, diced red onions, applewood smoked gouda cheese, walnuts and apple cider vinaigrette.
Over 1,000 entries were received by Saladworks during the Call for Entries and, per the judging criteria outlined in the Official Rules, these recipe concepts were culled down to a Top 10 list. From there, Saladworks Rewards members had a chance to vote on those Top 10 recipes to help narrow it down to a list of four finalists. At this point, a Blue-Ribbon Panel of judges that included Hope Cohen of CravePhilly, Keith Rudolf, Executive Chef of the Philadelphia Phillies, Josh Moore, Philadelphia Food & Lifestyle Blogger and WOWorks’ Executive Chef Katie Cavuto, deliberated over the Recipe Challenge’s four finalists to select the winner and runners-up who also walked away with special prizes:
Grand Prize: Amy’s Fall Fest (Amy Sarli-Prelle, Clementon, NJ)
2nd Place: Dusty’s Taco Sensation (Dusty Watts, Johnson City, TN)
3rd Place: Honolulu Hawaiian Chicken (Michelle Rogovich, Cherry Hill, NJ)
4th Place: Thanks, Giving & Comfort (Lyndsay Pocorobba, Langhorne, PA)
“It was truly an honor to serve alongside such an esteemed panel of celebrity judges to help select the winner of our Flavor Your World Original Recipe Challenge,” said Katie Cavuto, Executive Chef of Saladworks. “The recipe concepts from the four finalists were all very creative and any one of them could have won; however, the consensus among our judges was that Amy’s Fall Fest recipe concept hit on all of our criteria and we expect these new limited-time menu items will be a huge “WOW!” for our guests.”
As the Grand Prize winner, Amy will receive a $5,000 travel voucher and get a Saladworks swag bag. In addition to those prizes, Amy’s recipe will be featured on the menu and will be a key component in Saladworks’ fundraising efforts for No Kid Hungry, part of the WOWorks ‘High Five’ Challenge. For every purchase of Amy’s Fall Fest, $0.35 will be donated to No Kid Hungry during the ‘High Five’ Challenge, which runs August 30th – October 17th in commemoration of Saladworks’ 35th Birthday.
“After dining at Saladworks for the last 15 years, I’m truly honored to have my original recipe be named after me and offered on the Saladworks menu. It’s even more thrilling that Amy’s Fall Fest salad will raise funds for No Kid Hungry,” said Amy Sarli-Prelle. “While I’m really grateful to win the Flavor Your World Original Recipe Challenge and receive a wonderful getaway, a proceed from every sale to No Kid Hungry is what it’s really all about. I’m one of six kids who grew up in an urban city and know how valuable a meal can be.”
“Every day Saladworks celebrates the originality of our guests through the tremendous number of ways our meals can be customized to meet their individual flavor, health, wellness, and convenience needs,” said Mark Mears, Chief Marketing Officer of WOWorks. “Our Flavor Your World Original Recipe Challenge offered our Saladworks Rewards members with an exclusive opportunity to help us create our next great flavor profile that will be offered in all Saladworks restaurants this fall.”
Saladworks, throughout its 35 years, has always placed a focus on guest originality through its array of over 60 fresh, flavorful and healthy ingredients. In addition to its 12 Signature recipes, Saladworks offers Create-Your-Own options — including Salads, Warm Grain Bowls, Wraps — as well as Soups and a Kids Works menu – plus, new Signature Sandwiches and Panini Melts in many locations.
For more information about its menu, current offers, or to become a Saladworks Rewards member, visit www.saladworks.com or download the Saladworks Rewards app.
ABOUT WOWORKS:
WOWorks was formed in 2020 with a mission to help guests pursue their passions and live their best lives by serving healthy, nutritious and flavorful meals along with first-rate hospitality. Fully owned by Centre Lane Partners, LLC, WOWorks’ portfolio consists of: Saladworks, the nation’s leading fast-casual salad brand; Frutta Bowls, a unique restaurant franchise serving a variety of superfood bowls, fresh fruit smoothies, protein bites and more; Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, a popular Mediterranean restaurant concept; and most recently, The Simple Greek, which offers a fresh and healthy take on traditional Greek recipes in a fast-casual setting. WOWorks seeks to drive explosive growth across all of its brands through a variety of channels, both traditional and non-traditional, including ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail and more.
ABOUT NO KID HUNGRY:
No child should go hungry in America. But in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, 1 in 6 kids could still face hunger this year. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.
SOURCE Saladworks
ABOUT SALADWORKS:
Founded in 1986, Saladworks is the nation’s leading fast-casual create-your-own salad destination, with over 150 locations across 18 states and two countries. Part of the WOWorks family of brands, which also includes Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, Frutta Bowls and The Simple Greek, Saladworks encourages guests to be original, giving them the option to choose from salads, warm grain bowls or wraps, along with an endless array of fresh vegetables, fruits, proteins and delicious dressings. Ranked #7 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers and Shakers in 2021, Saladworks has been delivering the most original and incredible salad experience to guests for more than 30 years. For more information, visit www.saladworks.com.
Leading marketing and print solutions provider also ranked in Franchise 500® earlier this year.
DENVER — AlphaGraphics, a leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions, has been named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of Top Global Franchises for 2021. The franchise came in at No. 174.
Earlier this year, AlphaGraphics ranked in the Franchise 500®, the world’s first and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Inclusion in both the highly competitive Franchise 500® and the global franchise list highlights the company’s commitment to providing best-in-class service at its more than 285 worldwide locations.
“The past year has been tumultuous, to say the least,” said Bill McPherson, vice president of franchise development. “Through it all, we have remained committed to our customers all around the world. Being recognized as a top franchise just cements for us that we are focusing on the right things.”
Entrepreneur determines its global rankings based on a formula similar to the one used for the Franchise 500®. However, in the global ranking, international size and growth are weighed more heavily. Other evaluation criteria include costs and fees, franchisee support, brand strength and financial strength and stability.
“We are proud of all that we’ve accomplished so far,” McPherson said. “We couldn’t do it without our amazing team of partners all around the world. We’re looking forward to another successful year as we maintain our focus on delivering value for our customers.”
AlphaGraphics was founded in 1970, and the company began offering franchise opportunities in 1979. For more information, visit http://www.alphagraphics.com.
For a complete list of the Top Global Franchise rankings, visit https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/topglobal/2021.
About MBE Worldwide
MBE Worldwide S.p.A. (“MBE”), a privately-owned company based in Milan – Italy, is a third-party provider of shipping, fulfillment, print and marketing tech-enabled solutions to small and medium enterprises and retail consumers via a Network of mainly independently owned and operated locations. MBE Service Centers facilitate the activities of entrepreneurs, people and businesses through an easy-to-access distribution Network and customized services and products delivered with a distinguished and unique level of customer service. MBE presently operates under multiple brands: Mail Boxes Etc. (excluding the US and Canada), AlphaGraphics, PostNet, Spedingo.com, Print Speak, PACK & SEND and Multicopy and its global Network counts currently more than 2,800 locations in 53 countries, with 11,000+ associates and FY2020 System-wide Sales of €879 Million (US$1,004 Million).
For additional information please visit MBE Worldwide Group websites at www.mbecorporate.com – www.mbeglobal.com – www.postnet.com – www.alphagraphics.com – www.spedingo.com/en – www.printspeak.com – www.packsend.com.au – www.multicopy.nl – www.mbe.it – www.mbe.es – www.mbe.de – www.mbefrance.fr – www.mbe.pl – www.mbeportugal.pt – www.mbe.co.uk
About AlphaGraphics
AlphaGraphics, Inc., with more than 285 locations in 6 countries, is one of the largest U.S.-based networks of locally-owned and operated Business Centers offering a complete range of print, visual communications, and marketing products. Solutions include: full-service digital, offset, and large format printing; design services; mailing; one-to-one marketing solutions; promotional products; and web to print solutions. For more information about AlphaGraphics services, visit www.alphagraphics.com. To learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.alphagraphicsfranchise.com.
Independent Research Identified FASTSIGNS as One of the Top 100 Franchise Brands with the Best Culture Based on Surveys of Over 25,000 Franchise Owners.
CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS®, the leading sign, graphics, and visual communications franchise, was recently named to Franchise Business Review’s second annual Culture100 list. The list recognizes the top 100 franchise brands in a 2021 report on the Best Franchise Cultures.
“To have FASTSIGNS named to the 2021 Franchise Culture100 list is an honor, especially since this is direct feedback from our franchise owners,” said Mark Jameson, Chief Support and Development Officer at Propelled Brands. “The past year has been challenging, but through the perseverance and dedication of our network of franchisees and the support teams, we have emerged stronger than ever. This recognition is a reflection of the world-class products, services, and training and support we provide our franchisees to better serve their customers.”
Franchise Business Review, a franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only rankings of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of top franchises in its annual Guide to Today’s Top Franchises, as well as in special interest reports throughout the year that identify the top franchises in specific sectors.
FASTSIGNS was among 224 franchise brands, representing nearly 25,000 franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research on the best franchise cultures. Franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems. The brands that were selected received the highest overall ratings based on 12 questions specifically focused on leadership, core values, whether they enjoy being part of the organization, and would they recommend their franchise to others.
“The impact of the pandemic this past year on small businesses has put the spotlight on franchise culture more than ever,” said Michelle Rowan, President and COO of Franchise Business Review. “Our research into hundreds of brands really shows which ones held up the best when rated by their franchise owners. The franchise companies that have the honor of being named to our Culture100 list are clearly among the best of the best franchise opportunities.”
Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full list of the 2021 Best Franchise Cultures.
For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson (mark.jameson@propelledbrands.com or 214-346-5679).
About Franchise Business Review
Franchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,100 leading franchise companies. To read our publications, visit https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/publications/. To learn more about FBR’s research, please visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
SOURCE FASTSIGNS International, Inc.
About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the leading sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 750 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in 9 countries including the United States and Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Grand Cayman, Malta, the Dominican Republic and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®). FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive signage and 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 touchpoints.
FASTSIGNS is consistently ranked as a top franchise opportunity. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the Franchise 500® ranks FASTSIGNS as #44 overall — the only sign, graphics, and visual communications franchise to be recognized in the top 100 — for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. In 2021, FASTSIGNS was named one of Franchise Direct’s Top 100 Global Franchises and Franchise Gator recognized FASTSIGNS as one of the Top 100 Franchises. In 2020, Entrepreneur magazine named FASTSIGNS a Top Growth Franchise and one of the Top Franchises for Veterans. Additionally, FASTSIGNS was ranked on Franchise Times’ annual Top 200+ list and Franchise Business Review named FASTSIGNS one of its Top Franchises for Second Careers and Top Franchises for Veterans. In 2019, the brand was named to America’s Best Franchises to Buy list by Forbes magazine. Franchise Business Review has also recognized FASTSIGNS as one of the “Best of the Best” for franchisee satisfaction for the last 10 years, as well as one of its Top 50 Franchises for Women and Top Service Franchises lists in 2019. FASTSIGNS has also received the Canadian Franchise Association Franchisees’ Choice for 8 consecutive years.
In 2021, Propelled Brands was formed, the corporate umbrella that includes FASTSIGNS®, SIGNWAVE® in Australia where FASTSIGNS centers operate under the SIGNWAVE brand, and NerdsToGo®, an emerging IT services franchise brand acquired in September 2020. With a focus on business-to-business franchises and the people behind those businesses, Propelled Brands will help each franchise confidently navigate forward based on their unique position, momentum and purpose.
Learn more about sign and 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. For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson (mark.jameson@propelledbrands.com or call 214.346.5679).
World’s Leading Blow Dry Bar Franchise Struts the Catwalk with 19 New Agreements to Date.
TORONTO — Blo Blow Dry Bar, North America’s original blow dry bar and the world’s largest blow dry bar franchise, heads into the post-pandemic era with high growth numbers and exciting plans for the remainder of 2021. Already having locked in 19 signed agreements so far this year, the brand is ahead of its 2019 and 2020 development numbers. With this significant growth, Blo Blow Dry Bar projects 35 total units to be sold by year-end. With more than 130 bars across North America and its 2021 development to date, the brand is on pace to achieve its goal of 300 – 500 locations open in the next three to five years.
Kickstarting this year’s growth was a multi-unit deal out of New Jersey that will bring two additional units into the state. Husband and wife duo, Shar and Alichia Pourreza will open their first location in Morristown by the end of Q4 and plans for the second location to open a year later. In May, Blo Blow Dry Bar hit a new record by inking the largest individual deal in company history. Heather Stankard, owner and operator of the Blo Blow Dry Bar in Jacksonville, signed a six-unit franchise agreement to expand the brand into northern Florida. Rounding off its latest growth, Blo solidified a multi-unit deal in Indiana, marking the entrance into its 24th state through three locations. Behind the deal is Theresa Shadley, a seasoned franchisee in the boutique and fitness industry who will expand the brand’s presence into the Midwest.
“The blow dry bar sector is white-hot and intelligent investors are jumping at the chance to get in on the ground floor,” said Patrick Pantano, Vice President, Franchise Development, Blo Blow Dry Bar. “Interest in owning a Blo is at an all-time high and we love showing off our proven business model, strong culture and exceptional franchise owners. Our sector is still in its infancy and will continue to grow exponentially over the next few years.”
To top off the significant growth and success to date, Blo Blow Dry Bar will be unveiling a new Look Book on August 26. The revamped Look Book will combine all hair and makeup looks in one place, showcasing the brand’s iconic styles on diverse hair types, skin tones and face shapes to represent all the people who make up their community. With the addition of one new hairstyle, Blo Blow Dry Bar will include an array of inspiration pictures for guests to create their own customized looks and updos.
Blo Blow Dry Bar is dedicated and determined to create a space where people of all ages, ethnicities and orientations are welcomed, represented and made to feel gorgeous while emphasizing the need for self-care and wellness. Combining a sophisticated design with a fun and energetic environment, Blo cultivates a seamless and enjoyable experience for guests upon their arrival, during and after their services. Expertly trained bloers are available for consultation seven days a week to meet the needs of all guests. The brand’s hair menu includes their signature styles, ranging from sleek and straight to lively and bouncy curls, with customizable options such as braids, ponytails and updos for any occasion.
Blo Blow Dry Bar also offers makeup services from expert artists on-hand to help guests look and feel amazing for any occasion.
The growing franchise is just at the start of the runway, staking its claim as a leader in the $47 billion a year industry and continues to expand at a rapid rate. Every year, more cities across the globe are painted pink. Every day, a new guest discovers how wonderful the Blo Blow Dry Bar experience is. Superior service and consistent results are a top priority for all guests as well as franchisees. The brand goes beyond beauty – it is strategically positioned to meet growing customer demands within the wellness and self-care industries with an established foundation for business success.
“We walked into 2021 with some big goals and have been delivering on every single one,” said Vanessa Yakobson, CEO of Blo Blow Dry Bar. “We’ve expanded through existing franchisees and added a number of strong new ones to our roster this year. This has allowed Blo Blow Dry Bar to enter key markets, making our catwalk-quality blow outs accessible to more women across the country.”
Blo Blow Dry Bar is currently seeking single- and multi- unit operators to join the growing team and further expansion across North America with a key focus on development in Florida, Texas and Colorado. For more information about franchise opportunities visit https://franchise.blomedry.com/.
About Blo Blow Dry Bar
Blo Blow Dry Bar is North America’s original blow dry bar and the world’s largest blow dry bar franchise. The company transformed beauty norms and reinvented the salon industry when it launched the “no cuts, no color” concept: only blow outs. Since opening its first location in Canada in 2007, Blo has grown to over 130 locations across the U.S. and Canada and continues to expand rapidly. With a mission to enhance the lives of those in the community through the power of flawless blow outs and beauty services, Blo Blow Dry Bar offers perfectly styled hair and exceptional customer experiences seven days a week. For more information visit www.blomedry.com.