Erika Stupiello, owner of Home Helpers® Home Care of Sarasota, Florida, has been a franchisee since March 2019. Before joining Home Helpers, Stupiello moved to the U.S. from Brazil, where she had earned her doctorate in linguistics and worked as a professor. By Cindy Charette
Cindy Ali is a survivor of domestic violence and values the kindness of strangers and the importance of community. After leaving an abusive marriage, the single mom of three children found a new home in Denton, Texas. By Nancy E. Williams
When asked about the most important lesson he has learned as a new business owner, Sean Richards said that there is something more important than finances: emotional resilience. By Brianna Bohn
Environmentally Friendly Carpet Cleaning Franchise Looks to Continue Northeast Expansion.
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning, one of the nation’s greenest and fastest-growing carpet cleaning franchises, is looking to further develop its brand in New York. The modern, fast-drying carpet cleaning franchise company has over 30 available territories in New York City, Buffalo, Syracuse, and other cities.
“We are excited to for Oxi Fresh to become a bigger part of New York. We want everyone in the state to experience the benefits of our fast-drying, eco-friendly carpet cleaning process,” said Matt Kline, Director of Franchise of Development. “We can’t wait to increase our positive impact on areas across Long Island, the Bronx, Queens, and even more communities across New York.”
Over the past year, Oxi Fresh has awarded dozens of new franchise locations throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Texas, California, Washington, Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Georgia, Florida, New York, Nevada, and British Columbia. This recent expansion puts the company ever closer to 500 locations across the U.S. and Canada.
This carpet cleaning franchise company has, since first opening in 2006, stood out in its industry. Its rapid growth is due to many factors, and chief among them is consumers’ love of Oxi Fresh’s green, fast-drying cleaning system. Rather than rely on traditional steam cleaning practices that saturate carpets, Oxi Fresh employs a low-moisture cleaning method that utilizes the power of oxygen.
“We’ve created an environmentally friendly cleaning system that combines the best equipment with the highest quality products,” said Jonathan Barnett, founder and CEO, “With hundreds of locations throughout the United States and Canada, we want to keep pushing forward and continue our mission of providing everyone with access to high quality, eco-friendly carpet cleaning services.”
But the cleaning system is just one factor behind the brand’s growth. The company is also committed to providing its carpet cleaning franchisees with advanced business support tools. These include a centralized Scheduling Center, a specialized CRM designed for their business, automated marketing tools, and more. With these modern tools, Oxi Fresh’s franchisees have the opportunity to focus on business development rather than mere daily tasks.
“We’ve eliminated a lot of the daily grind,” said Mr. Barnett, “so that the franchisees can focus on building their business rather than just maintaining them.”
Through innovative products and modern technology, Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning offers green carpet cleanings and exceptional results. The company’s powerful combination of knowledgeable people, innovative technology, and strong processes has landed the brand in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500, ranked in Inc. magazine’s Inc. 500|5000, and saw them named as one of “America’s Best Franchises to Buy,” by Forbes magazine. Oxi Fresh has over 460 locations throughout the United States and Canada, with more locations currently in development. For more information, visit oxifresh.com.
Leading Optical Retailers on a Mission to Making Eye Care Easy and Serve Optical Needs of the Community at New Locations.
PALM SPRINGS, Fla. — My Eyelab and Stanton Optical, leading retail brands of Now Optics offering accessible and affordable eye care and eyewear, opened five stores in three states during September. The new full-service retail eye care centers opening across Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas will offer same day eye exams, prescription eyewear for both kids and adults, top brand contact lenses, and a wide range of stylish and affordable frames.
The new retail optical stores opened in the following locations:
With the exception of Stanton Optical in Bossier City, LA, all other store openings are My Eyelab franchises. The launch of these locations falls right in line with Now Optics’ vision of modernizing the eye care experience for all, bringing accessible and affordable eye care to their communities.
“The Stanton Optical and My Eyelab team of professionals are happy to be able to provide high-quality eye care services and eyewear products to the families and communities in these new locations,” said Daniel Stanton, CEO of Now Optics, the parent company of Stanton Optical and My Eyelab. “We look forward to bringing vision clarity to those that need it, as well as creating new jobs in the communities our stores serve.”
Under the leadership of founder and CEO Daniel Stanton, My Eyelab and Stanton Optical have led the optical industry in ocular telehealth by leveraging proprietary innovative telehealth technology to provide patients with affordable quality eye exams. Tapping into its national network of affiliated doctors, to date the company has conducted more than 2 million telehealth eye exams, something no other optical retailer can offer in Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has not hindered My Eyelab and Stanton Optical’s success, as its telehealth technology minimizes the risk without compromising quality eye care.
Most Stanton Optical stores offer same day service. You can get an eye exam and your single vision glasses all made the same day due to onsite labs. For convenience, My Eyelab and Stanton Optical offer same day eye exams and walk-ins. They accept most insurance and offer Buy now pay later options, and even without insurance eye exams are free with the purchase of eyeglasses. On top of that, an assortment of over 1,000 eyeglass frames and top contact lens brands to fit both style and budgets allows consumers the ultimate freedom to experiment with unique, stylish designs that fit their personal style.
Hours for the new optical stores are Monday – Saturday from 9AM-7PM. Sundays – Closed. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.myeyelab.com or www.stantonoptical.com.
ABOUT NOW OPTICS:
Now Optics is a leader in the eye care industry. Its retail brands, My Eyelab and Stanton Optical, are among the nation’s fastest growing, full-service retail eye care centers. The company continues to expand its retail footprint with over 250 corporate and franchise locations in 28 states while delivering affordable eye health and eyewear solutions. The company consistently ranks among the largest optical retailers in the country by Vision Monday and was ranked #3 on Entrepreneur’s list of Top New Franchises in 2021. Visit myeyelab.com or stantonoptical.com for more information. Find details about franchise opportunities at myeyelabfranchise.com.
#1 Macaron Franchise Brand Welcomes Franchisees from Throughout the U.S.
SARASOTA, Fla. — Le Macaron French Pastries, the #1 macaron franchise brand in the United States, celebrated a year of unprecedented growth, innovation, and success with its franchisees from throughout the country. Sixty-five attendees gathered in Orlando for the company’s annual event with the theme “Together Towards Tomorrow,” which included presentations, workshops, and discussions about how the brand’s 64 locations will continue to thrive in the future.
Keynote speaker and founder Rosalie Guillem welcomed attendees, thanked them for their hard work and dedication, and promised the remainder of 2022 and 2023 would be full of “sweet surprises.”
“Le Macaron has so much to be grateful for as we continue to grow and capitalize on our success as the #1 macaron franchise brand,” she said. “Together, with the help of our amazing franchisees, we have achieved success beyond our wildest dreams. We can look forward to the future as we continue to innovate and delight our customers with the most delicious, authentic macarons and pastries prepared lovingly by our French-trained chefs.”
Le Macaron congratulated all its franchise owners with a special nod to stores with the best gross sales in 2021, including: Las Vegas, NV, Sarasota, FL, Nashville, TN, St. Augustine, FL, San Diego, CA, Huntsville, AL, Milwaukee, WI, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Charleston, NC, and Celebration, FL. Greg Guillem announced 11 additional locations opening soon, including: Lake Charles, LA, Chapel Hill, NC, Albuquerque, NM, Boston (Somerville) MA, Cambridge, MA, Grand Rapids, MI, and Cool Springs, TN.
In addition to new locations, attendees were excited by the announcement of new products and seasonal flavors. Audrey and Didier Saba presented the Confectionary Update and talked about the rollout of new chocolates, including Milk Chocolate Nuts, Rice Crispy Milk Chocolate, M & M Milk Chocolate, Oreo Milk Chocolate, and Chocolate Baby Pink. Two new gelato flavors, Rum Raisin and Strawberry Sorbet, were also unveiled, bringing the brand’s total number of flavors to 16. In addition, Le Macaron introduced a new Peanut Butter and Jelly macaron and a seasonal Champagne flavored macaron.
“Our new product updates reflect our commitment to continuous innovation so that we can offer our guests new and exciting flavors,” said Rosalie Guillem. She added that more seasonal flavors would be announced in the near future.
Following an informal contest to announce Le Macaron’s new slogan, attendees received tee shirts with the winning phrase: “OUI, We Know. Macarons Make Friends.”
“This is the perfect slogan for us, as we know when guests come into our stores and learn about our macarons, we end up making friends,” said Rosalie Guillem. “And it is wonderful when our loyal customers bring their friends to experience Le Macaron. This is what our business is all about.”
Founded in 2009 by Rosalie Guillem and her daughter Audrey, Le Macaron French Pastries is an elegant French patisserie that offers guests the finest, authentic French macarons and pastries. Headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, the brand began franchising in 2012 and has since grown to more than 64 locations across the U.S. Le Macaron French Pastries is ranked on Inc. 5,000 2016, #17 on the 2019 Top Emerging Franchise List as well as ranking on the Top 100 Food and Beverage category by Entrepreneur and holds a No. 9 ranking in the baked goods category.
National Brand Shapes Business Model around Industry Technology.
PITTSBURGH — Deka Lash, is a tech-based beauty company that specializes in eyelash extensions and brow services. Since 2012, the company has been fulfilling a major gap in the beauty industry, making eyelash extensions more accessible to all.
While the demand for the brand’s variety of custom eyelash extensions, lash lift treatments, brow lamination and retail products has grown since its start, the popularity has recently taken off as pop culture, TikTok, influencers and celebrities show off the unique looks available beyond mascara.
“As a mother of four, I saw firsthand how unrealistic it was to afford the upkeep, let alone the accessibility, so my family and I set out to redefine everyday luxury. From everyday looks to more ‘dense and dramatic’, we have something for everyone,” said Jennifer Blair, founder and co-CEO of Deka Lash. “We show our commitment to our guests and owners, by our application techniques, robust training and technology advancements to maximize efficiency.”
The beauty brand uses Artificial Intelligence to manage all calls and augmented reality to offer realistic virtual try on for their signature lashes. To continue the mastery of the service offerings, Deka Lash believes in ongoing innovation to offer an assortment of adhesives for different skin types, including multiple sensitive skin options.
“From our R+D department to our proprietary training, we have developed a product line specially formulated for our lashes, and will continue to cater our services to the needs of our customers,” said Michael Blair, co-CEO of Deka Lash. “For our customers and our franchisees, we aim to stay steps ahead to remain relevant as the demand grows for what we do and how we do it.”
Deka Lash is the first and only eyelash extension studio to develop a technique that allows Lash Artists to apply extensions to every other lash, cutting the usual application time in half. This service is called TrueXpress and it takes 60 minutes to complete, 30 minutes for refills.
The brand that started in Jennifer’s living room has now grown to 125 studios across North America. The company anticipates it will have 140 studios by year end and is projected to have 200 studios open by 2023.
“We’re growing rapidly and as a result, we have been expanding our head office team to strengthen our infrastructure of support, so our studio owners and lash artist can focus on the customer experience,” said Jennifer Blair. “Our franchisees are a testament that the beauty business is rewarding and empowering as they get to see the confidence that comes with lashes and the value of investing in the expertise of the lash artists who build trust with members and guests who are looking for the superior and more cost-effective solution.”
Deka Lash has a mix of membership models and lash extension service offerings for a variety of signature looks including MegaVolume, TrueVolume, TrueExpress, Hybrid and Classic. The studios also offer a lash lift treatment and brow lamination.
Deka Lash is a beauty company on a mission to help you uncover the most confident and empowered version of yourself through customized lash and brow services, high-end products, and an elevated experience each and every time you walk through our doors. Founded in 2012 by Jennifer and Michael Blair, the modern retail studios, which apply semi-permanent, custom eyelash extensions by highly trained Lash Artists, provide a variety of looks and styles to choose from. The concept began franchising in 2016 and is currently operating 125 studios throughout North America. To learn more about the Deka Lash franchise opportunity, visit https://www.dekalashfranchise.com/
Leading window treatment franchise to provide premium window treatments, consultation services to Chattanooga residents.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has increased its presence in Tennessee with the opening of Gotcha Covered of Chattanooga. With the opening of the new center, the franchise has four locations in the state.
The new center is owned and operated by Rachel Miller. With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, this business will provide the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Chattanooga, Cleveland and the surrounding areas while offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.
“At Gotcha Covered, we pride ourselves in providing the best customer experience to the consumer,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “The residents and businesses of Chattanooga are going to be thrilled with the window treatment solutions that are now available to them. This new center will truly be an asset to the community.”
Miller brings a diverse set of skills to the Gotcha Covered franchise with a background in education, hospitality, and mortgage and consumer lending.
While searching for business opportunities, Miller came across Gotcha Covered with the help of her father Gary Miller, who is a franchise broker. After vetting several franchises, Gary helped guide Rachel to Gotcha Covered.
“I decided to open my own business because I wanted to get out of the corporate America workforce,” said Rachel. “I wanted to continue growing personally, professionally and have more flexibility with a work-life balance to pursue my overall life goals. Gotcha Covered stood out to me because of its flexible business model and excellent leadership team.
“Overall, I want to become Chattanooga’s go-to source for window treatments of all kinds based on a reputation of exceptional service to my clients. On a personal level, Gotcha Covered has provided me with a source of income that allows me to achieve my short- and long-term goals of flexibility and independence.”
Adding 27 new franchise locations in 2021, Gotcha Covered currently has over 145 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.
To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Chattanooga, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/chattanooga/.
Gotcha Covered is a leader in custom soft and hard window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada. Flying under their Gotcha Covered flag since 2009, they offer custom window treatments including blinds, draperies, shutters and much more. They offer end-to-end consultation with the customer’s specific needs and goals in mind. The company currently has over 145 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada.
Trusted Roofing and Construction Brand Plans Growth Across the South.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Storm Guard – an innovative and community-driven roofing and construction brand – is taking strides to expand its essential home restoration services to cities in Alabama. Storm Guard’s services are necessary due to the state having some of the country’s most unpredictable and severe weather, including extreme storms and hurricanes. The brand currently has 39 franchise locations and is looking to add 100 franchise locations in the next five years, with Alabama being on the list of states they want to expand. Storm Guard is searching for franchise partners for one territory in Huntsville and one in Mobile.
“With hot temperatures and humidity, hail, and coastal hurricane damage that the state receives, it’s clear that our franchise opportunity is perfect for Alabama,” stated Shane Lynch, President of Storm Guard. “Huntsville and Mobile area residents deserve to have their homes protected by honest and reputable contractors who put integrity first.”
After traveling to help communities devastated by natural disasters, the brand’s founders realized that their exceptional customer service and quality work was needed in a multitude of states. Since 2003, Storm Guard has been helping an abundance of families restore their homes after storms and solve problems that all property owners experience, including roofing, siding, window improvements, painting, emergency tarping, and installing proper gutters. All repairs ranging from general home upgrades to storm restoration are completed with their customers’ best interests in mind, with the brand taking measures to ensure their satisfaction, such as alleviating the stress of dealing with insurance claims and providing high-quality work without the high cost.
“We know that the work we do is critical to those affected by severe weather,” said Lynch. “The impact of our services on the families we have helped is evident, and we want to expand our services and push our mission into Alabama.”
Storm Guard is devoted to providing exceptional restoration services to households across the country by creating franchising opportunities. The ideal Storm Guard franchisee is driven, a good communicator, and takes immense pride in helping their community. The brand’s initial franchise fee is $65,000, and the total investment ranges from $185,400–$221,600.
For more information about Storm Guard, go to https://www.stormguardrc.com/. To learn more about franchising opportunities, visit https://www.stormguardfranchising.com/.
About Storm Guard
Founded in 2003, Storm Guard saw the demand for a company that specializes in roofing and construction. As a single location in Minnesota, Storm Guard found themselves traveling to help local communities that were devastated by natural disasters. After responding to a hurricane in Florida in 2012, the founders saw the need for their services all over the country and decided to turn it into a franchise. Today, Storm Guard has 39 franchise locations across 17 different states. They are looking for dedicated and exceptional individuals to help continue their success throughout the nation.
COLUMBIA, Md. and VICTORIA, BC — Authority Brands, a residential services franchising platform in North America, today announced that British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (“BCI”), one of the largest institutional investors in Canada, has agreed to acquire a significant minority stake in the company, alongside funds advised by Apax Partners LLP (“Apax Funds”), which will retain majority ownership.
Authority Brands is the premier home service franchisor in North America. Its family of home service franchise brands are leaders in their industry, providing homeowners with services from the property line to the roof line. Authority Brands’ companies include 12 leading home service franchisors: America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Painting, DoodyCalls, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, STOP Restoration and Woofie’s. Together, these brands provide home services through approximately 860 franchise owners across North America.
Since the Apax Funds’ initial investment in 2018, Authority Brands has grown from two home service franchisors to the current 12, expanding into new geographies and services and building out a powerful infrastructure.
“We are proud to have partnered with the Authority Brands team to help build, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, a leading residential services franchising platform,” said Ashish Karandikar, Partner at Apax. “We continue to see significant room for growth by Authority Brands and are pleased to join with BCI and members of the leadership team in the next phase of the company’s journey as they extend their platform through M&A, and strategic initiatives including franchise development, technology transformation and international expansion.”
“As a long-term investor, we seek to invest in market-leading companies with strong management teams, multiple levers for growth, and resilient business models that create shareholder value, such as Authority Brands,” said Dave Hong, Senior Managing Director, Private Equity at BCI. “We look forward to working with Authority Brands and Apax to generate compelling risk-adjusted returns for our pension plan and insurance fund clients.”
“We could not be more pleased than to continue to build the premier residential services franchisor in partnership with Apax and BCI,” said Craig Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer of Authority Brands. “Both partners will add substantial value as we aim to capture further share in the highly fragmented home services market, including by evaluating M&A opportunities in new service verticals.”
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to be completed in Q4 2022, subject to customary closing conditions.
Apax was advised by Harris Williams, Boxwood Partners, William Blair & Company, Moelis & Company (financial advisors), Kirkland & Ellis, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, DLA Piper, and Lathrop GPM (legal counsel), and Ernst & Young (financial and tax advisor).
British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) is amongst the largest institutional investors in Canada with C$211.1 billion under management, as of March 31, 2022. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, with offices in Vancouver and New York City, BCI is invested in: fixed income and private debt; public and private equity; infrastructure and renewable resources; as well as real estate equity and real estate debt through our independently operated platform company QuadReal Property Group. With our global outlook, we seek investment opportunities that convert savings into productive capital that will meet our clients’ risk and return requirements over time.
BCI’s private equity program actively manages a C$24.8 billion global portfolio of privately held companies and funds with long-term growth potential. Leveraging our sector-focused teams in business services, consumer, financial services, healthcare, industrials, and technology, media and telecommunications, we work with strategic private equity partners to source and manage direct and co-sponsor/co-investment opportunities.
For more information, please visit bci.ca.
Apax Partners LLP (“Apax”) is a leading global private equity advisory firm. For nearly 50 years, Apax has worked to inspire growth and ideas that transform businesses. The firm has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of more than $60 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across four global sectors of Internet/Consumer, Tech, Services, and Healthcare. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For more information see: www.apax.com.
Apax Partners is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.
Authority Brands is the premier residential services franchising platform providing services from the property line to the roof line. Authority Brands’ companies include 12 leading home service franchisors: America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Painting, DoodyCalls, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, STOP Restoration and Woofie’s. Together, these brands provide home services through approximately 860 franchise owners across North America. Authority Brands, which is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth with a full suite of marketing, technology, and operational support, allowing them to focus on providing exceptional service to homeowners. Please visit www.authoritybrands.com for more information.