Monthly Archives: August 2024

19 08, 2024

10th Annual International Metal Supermarkets ‘Metal My Way’ Competition Kicks Off

2024-08-19T21:11:29-04:00August 19th, 2024|Tags: , , |

Photo and Video Submission Contest Showcases Talented Welders, Fabricators, Metalworkers and Artists

TORONTO – Metal Supermarkets, the world’s largest supplier of small-quantity metals, today announced the start of the 10th annual Metal My Way competition, and is delighted to call upon metalworking enthusiasts across the globe to showcase their metallic masterpieces.

Past year’s competitions have seen over 1,000 eye-catching submissions from across North American and the United Kingdom. Projects ranged from small engine models, car restorations, commissioned art to large scale renovations and constructions projects. Past winning entries amazed the judges with innovative metalwork including a polished stainless-steel eagle, a blue heron, a Wheel of Time dagger, and other outstanding works of art.

The limited-time international photo and video submission contest runs from August 1 to August 31, 2024 and is open to both professional and amateur metalworkers. Contestants are encouraged to submit photos and videos plus details of their metal projects on metalmyway.com. Metal Supermarkets is the creator and managing sponsor of Metal My Way, along with featured sponsors Cosen Saws, Haco Atlantic, Ferric Machinery, and Space Aid Manufacturing.

“We’re pleased and excited to launch this year’s Metal My Way contest to showcase the many innovative ways metal can be used when in the hands of creative metalworking professionals and enthusiasts,” said Stephen Schober, President and CEO of Metal Supermarkets. “Metal enthusiasts from across Canada, the US and the UK are welcome to submit their creations as we celebrate the ingenuity of these talented metal workers and artists.”

The contest features one grand prize awarded to the best overall project, along with additional prizes awarded to each winner of the following categories:

  • Vehicle Projects: Includes, but is not limited to, car restorations/modifications, engine work, trailer and camper builds, planes builds or restorations, boat builds or restorations, motorized scooter, bike and buggy builds, and other ‘moving’ machinery.
  • Artistic and Design Projects: Includes, but not limited to, jewelry, statues, sculptures, and will also encompass other projects that have aesthetic designs that do not fall into the other categories such as musical instruments, computer cases, and more.
  • Furniture & Home Projects: Includes, but is not limited to, outdoor/indoor furniture, BBQs, smokers, staircases and railings, interior and exterior home décor or renovations, fire pits, and more.
  • Industrial or Shop Projects: Includes, but is not limited to, shop equipment and tool builds, larger scale construction projects or specific aspects of those projects, equipment and tool repair or modification, and more.
  • Knives Projects: Includes, but not limited to, knives, swords, blades and similar items.

Grand Prize: Benchtop Band Saw

Additional Prizes: Lincoln Electric Weld Pak

In considering the entries to choose the winners, criteria will include complexity, detail and intricacy; scale; uniqueness and creativity; craftmanship; quantity of metal used; and ingenuity. Selections will be made by a committee consisting of Metal Supermarkets corporate staff. Entrants can submit multiple projects to the Metal My Way contest but are only eligible to win one prize.

The contest is open to legal residents of the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada (excluding Quebec). Entries will be accepted online starting on August 1, 2024 at 8am ET5am PT and ending on August 31, 2024 at 11pm ET / 8pm PT. All online entries must be received by August 31, 2024 at 11pm ET / 8pm PT. No purchase is necessary to enter to win.

Applicants can submit photos and videos of their metal projects at metalmyway.com where further contest rules and details, including sponsor information, can be found.

ABOUT METAL SUPERMARKETS

Metal Supermarkets, the world’s largest supplier of small-quantity metals, has over 125 brick-and-mortar stores across the United StatesCanada and the United Kingdom with nearly 8 franchise locations in development. Known for its speed and convenience, Metal Supermarkets sells a wide variety of metals including Aluminum, Hot-Rolled Steel, Cold-Rolled Steel, Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel, Galvanized Steel, Tool Steel, Brass, Bronze and Copper. With highly specialized staff, customers can get the metal they need in a size that is convenient for them. Additional information can be found at metalsupermarkets.com.

19 08, 2024

RNR Tire Express Franchisees Donate $2 Million to Arkansas Children’s Hospital

2024-08-19T21:05:44-04:00August 19th, 2024|Tags: , , |

The Parker Family Has Committed to a Total Donation of Over $4 Million to the Local Hospital Over the Past 5 Years

JONESBORO, Ark. — Lynn and Don Parker, the largest franchisees of RNR Tire Express (RNR), the nation’s leading franchise retailer for tires and custom wheels, recently donated $2 million to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH). This comes on the heels of their $1 million dollar donation back in 2019 and a commitment to another $1 million future donation, bringing their total donation over the last five years to $4 million.

The donations made by the Parkers and their three daughters, Clara, Anna and Sydney, will be used as part of the hospital’s $318 million expansion project.

“My wife and I have worked hard and been blessed in life, and we both believe it is important to give back to the community,” said Don. “We have experienced first-hand the benefits of the philanthropic giveback to the hospital, so being able to provide that same support to kids and their families is an opportunity we are grateful to have.”

Lynn, who grew up in Parkin, Arkansas, has been involved with ACH for the last 34 years. She began as a member on the auxiliary team checking out books to patients and families while she was in law school in Little Rock. After moving to Jonesboro in 1995, Lynn quickly found her way back to ACH through Circle of Friends, and she has since served on the board of the Arkansas Children’s Foundation since 2019.

“My time with the ACH has been so special, and I have met amazing people along the way,” Lynn added. “Throughout the last 34 years, it has been incredible to see the foundation grow across the state. For us, it is not about what you do, but why you do it, and for us that is the kids – to make it easier for them during their time in the hospital.”

In addition to the expansion of the hospital, the donation will be used to increase bed capacity, transform inpatient and outpatient surgical approaches with the addition of an ambulatory center, redesign clinical spaces to promote multidisciplinary care, and create and inviting and accessible campus experience.

“The Parkers are the epitome of what the RNR brand stands for,” said Larry Sutton, Founder of RNR Tire Express. “They represent their community and brand at an exceptional level. We are proud to have them as part of the RNR family.”

Since opening their first RNR location in 2005 as part of Rental Concepts, the Parkers have expanded to 32 stores across seven states, including 12 in Arkansas. Along with David Harrison, President of Rental Concepts, the Parker’s driving force behind their desire to give back is their decision to set aside a portion of the profits from Rental Concepts each month for a charity of their choice.

For more information regarding RNR Tire Express and its franchise opportunities, please visit www.RNRfranchise.com.

About RNR Tire Express:
RNR Tire Express is a national franchise retailer of quality tires and custom wheels known for their customer-centric, flexible lease-to-own payment options. Established in 2000 by rent-to-own veteran Larry Sutton, RNR has grown to over 197 locations in 29 states. The brand ranked No. 206 in Franchise Times’ Top 400 list for 2023 and was recognized by Inc. magazine as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Most recently, RNR ranked No. 170 in Entrepreneur magazine’s 2023 Franchise 500 ranking and #1 in the Tires and Wheels category. RNR Tire Express is seeking qualified multi-unit franchisees to help expand the franchise into prime markets throughout the country.

19 08, 2024

Mathnasium Scales Across the Globe with Impressive Year-Over-Year Growth

2024-08-19T20:58:42-04:00August 19th, 2024|Tags: , , |

Leader in Math-Only Education Announces Next Era of Development Under the Helm of Newly Appointed CEO 

LOS ANGELES — Mathnasium Learning Centers, an internationally known franchise with over 1,100 math learning centers worldwide, announces impressive mid-year growth for 2024.

  • Since January, the company has signed 58 new franchise agreements and opened 26 new centers across North America and internationally.
  • In North America, the brand saw a 63% year-over-year increase in opened centers, with an additional 25 expected by year-end.
  • Internationally, it saw a 66% increase, with several more openings anticipated this year. Notably, the brand announced its debut into Romania with a Master Franchise Agreement for at least 25 centers over the next six years.

“The enthusiasm generated by Mathnasium’s updated Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which highlights our strong growth and improved unit economics, along with our continued commitment to innovation, has been the key force behind the success of the first half of this year,” stated Kevin Shen, Chief Development Officer of Mathnasium. “We are excited about the positive momentum and look forward to leveraging these strengths as we expand our reach.”

The fast-growing brand has observed a substantial increase in student enrollments due to the ongoing rise in supplemental education, coinciding with a concerning drop in math scores since the pandemic. With recently released data from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) indicating that growth has slowed to levels below pre-pandemic rates, achievement gaps are not only widening but, in some cases, surpassing what was previously considered the lowest point.

Amid the brand’s accelerated growth, Mathnasium has appointed Tyler Sgro, former Chief Operating Officer, to Chief Executive Officer. His appointment is expected to drive Mathnasium’s focus on development, innovation, and enhanced operational efficiencies, while doubling down on the brand’s commitment to building up students’ lifelong skills of problem-solving and processing.

“Having served as COO of Mathnasium for nearly two years, I’ve already had the privilege to witness firsthand the profound impact that our learning centers can have on students,” said Sgro. “As leaders in the field, we are committed to being part of the solution and driving the academic recovery process for students across the nation. I look forward to leading our team as we continue to innovate and expand our reach, helping even more children build confidence and fundamental skills for future careers.”

The achievements of the brand have not gone unnoticed. In the first half of the year, Mathnasium earned numerous accolades, including a ranking of  #97 in the Entrepreneur Franchise 500#7 in Entrepreneur’s Top Low-Cost Franchisees, inclusion in the Franchise Business Review Top 200, a #84 ranking in Franchise Direct’s Top Global Franchises, and recognition in Franchise Connect’s Top 100 Education Franchises.

Looking ahead, growth plans include expansion into new markets, with a development focus in key regions including ConnecticutRhode IslandMassachusettsMissouriKansasIllinoisNew YorkPennsylvaniaHawaii, and North Carolina, in addition to international expansion.

“Our development plans are ambitious,” added Sgro. “We’re focusing on expanding our presence in the U.S. with strategic openings in key markets, and committed to developing master franchisees globally. We remain dedicated to applying our expertise and resources to support initiatives that empower students, cultivate a love for learning, and close the educational gaps that challenge our nation’s advancement.”

Mathnasium’s proven business model and customized learning plans have contributed to the brand’s sustained success in the industry as it continues to broaden its global reach. Looking ahead, as the brand gears up for the busy back-to-school season, Mathnasium continues to invest in its propriety technology stack to power center operations and assist franchisees in reaching and supporting more students.

Mathnasium Learning Centers specializes in math-only tutoring and is committed to providing the world’s best instruction. The goal: teach children math in a way that makes sense to them. For decades, the Mathnasium Method™ has transformed the way kids learn math — building students’ understanding of math concepts through personalized instruction and a customized learning plan — all while producing tremendous results and helping students achieve their full potential — ­­in math and in life.

Mathnasium provides franchisees with comprehensive support and training, encompassing an initial training program, ongoing education, a strategic blend of corporate and local marketing initiatives to optimize market potential, and access to exclusive software tools and resources. For information about Mathnasium’s franchise opportunities, visit — https://mathnasiumfranchise.com/.

About Mathnasium
Mathnasium Learning Centers is North America’s leading math-only supplemental education franchise. Since 2002, the Mathnasium Method™ — the result of decades of hands-on instruction and development — has been transforming the lives of children in grades K-12 by offering comprehensive assessments, fully individualized learning plans, and teaching true math comprehension. With more than 1,100 learning centers worldwide in 11 countries, Mathnasium has been ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of top 500 franchises 18 times since 2004. For more information about Mathnasium franchise opportunities, visit https://mathnasiumfranchise.com/.

15 08, 2024

ANYTIME FITNESS LAUNCHES “REAL LIFE NEVER STOPS. ANYTIME STARTS NOW.”

2024-08-15T14:07:37-04:00August 15th, 2024|Tags: , , |

– REMINDING US THAT FITNESS IS NOT A WANT, IT’S A NEED.

SINGAPORE — Global brand Anytime Fitness sends a wake-up call with its latest campaign, ‘Real Life Never Stops. Anytime Starts Now.’. The campaign was designed to inspire individuals to prioritize their health, no matter how busy life gets. Sounds familiar?

The campaign aims to underscore the critical importance of fitness in our everyday lives, advocating that health and wellness are essential needs, not mere wants. The brand inspires its audience to take action by creatively depicting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including youths, newlyweds, and parents, demonstrating how physical exercises seamlessly integrate into their daily routines.

“Together, our message is clear. This campaign highlights the crucial role regular exercise plays in enhancing our everyday lives because remember, life is better when you train for it and Anytime Fitness is here to support you on this journey.” Mark De Joya, Chief Operating Officer, Anytime Fitness Asia.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/rCbroxsMjmY?si=S-y-Zj-rVQKuLvQQ

To drive this campaign forward, Anytime Fitness is introducing exclusive promotions, including reduced membership fees, waived joining fees, and referral incentives. These offers are designed to encourage and support individuals in beginning their fitness journeys. Prospective members can sign up from 1 to 14 July for memberships starting at just $89 per month, making it one of the most competitive deals available.

Visit https://www.anytimefitness.sg/sale-of-the-year/ or drop by your nearest Anytime Fitness to find out or sign up.

For those who are not familiar with Anytime Fitness, they are the world’s largest and fastest- growing fitness club franchise and the pioneer of the 24-hour fitness concept. Through its signature purple key fob that not only allows access to every Anytime Fitness in Singapore but also to 5,500+ locations globally across 42 countries on all seven continents – yes, that includes Antarctica too!

Anytime Fitness Singapore opened its first gym in 2013 in Woodlands, its 50th club in Serangoon Gardens, and its 100th club at Orchard Wheelock Place. Today, this purple brand has achieved the opening of 111 clubs in this Little Red Dot and they are not intending to stop. Carrying on this momentum, Anytime Fitness will have more than 125 clubs by the end of 2025.

After more than ten years of establishment, Anytime Fitness is here to stay as the no.1 market leader for decades to come.

About Inspire Brands Asia

Headquartered in the Philippines & Singapore, Inspire Brands Asia (IBA) is a consortium of Anytime Fitness Asia’s top sub-master franchisees. IBA acquired the Master Franchisee license to the nine countries and territories of Anytime Fitness in Asia in 2020 and has since then grown the network to over 350 Anytime Fitness clubs in Asia. From one gym to a regional network of franchisees, IBA began as a business opportunity that has since grown into a platform for changing lives.

For more information on Inspire Brands Asia, please visit www.inspirebrandsasia.com.

About Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness is the largest and fastest-growing fitness brand in the world, averaging 300 new clubs per year while serving over 5 million members at more than 5,500 clubs in 42 countries and territories on all seven continents.

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Anytime Fitness delivers personalized and affordable health and wellness training, coaching, nutrition, and recovery guidance for our members – in the club, in their homes, in their pockets, wherever they are and anytime they need it.

For more information, visit www.anytimefitness.com.

15 08, 2024

Pet Supplies Plus Donates Over $100,000 of Supplies to Houston-Area Animal Rescues for Hurricane Relief

2024-08-15T13:56:10-04:00August 15th, 2024|Tags: , , |

The Nation’s Largest Pet Retail Franchise Supports Texas Animal Shelters with Large Dog and Cat Food Donation

LIVONIA, Mich. — In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, Pet Supplies Plus, the largest and most trusted pet retail franchise in the United States, recently made a significant donation to animal shelters across the Houston metro area. Recognizing the immense value of animal shelters, and the critical role they can play during natural disasters, this donation will help ensure dogs and cats in need have access to essential supplies during hurricane recovery.

Pet Supplies Plus donated a total of 63,680 pounds of dog food and 7,780 pounds of cat food – more than two tractor trailer loads – valued at $116,000, for thousands of displaced and recovering animals in more than 35 shelters across HoustonKaty, League City, Pearland, Spring, and Sugar Land. The sheer volume of food is enough to feed over 4,500 average-sized dogs and 400 cats for a full month. This contribution will help alleviate some of the strain on local shelters struggling with increased animal intake and resource limitations in the aftermath of the hurricane.

“We understand the devastating impact hurricanes or other natural disasters can have on both people and pets,” said Chris Rowland, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus. “Many families are forced to evacuate their homes during these storms, and unfortunately, pets are often left behind or surrendered to shelters. By providing this essential donation, we hope to be able to offer support to local shelters and ensure these animals receive the food they need during this difficult time.”

The impact of Pet Supplies Plus’s donation is evident in the responses from shelters across the Houston area. One beneficiary, Sonoma Dog Haven Rescue, noted that the donation will significantly impact its operations in several ways, such as enhanced nutrition, cost savings, increased capacity to care for more dogs, improved health and recovery, as well as community support and awareness.

Similarly, Sarah Mill, Senior Director of Houston PetSet, a local non-profit working to end Houston’s homeless animal crisis, shared, Our wonderful friends at Pet Supplies Plus contacted us with this incredible gift of thousands of pounds of food to distribute to our partners and neighbors in need, and we are so grateful to help facilitate the distribution. Hundreds of cats and dogs will sleep with full bellies thanks to this important collaboration.”

Pet Supplies Plus’s commitment to animal welfare extends beyond this initial donation. Many Pet Supplies Plus locations across the Houston-area will be hosting in-store donation drives, allowing neighbors to contribute additional supplies and resources to the relief effort. This collaborative approach showcases the brands commitment to supporting both animal welfare and the communities they serve.

Visit the Pet Supplies Plus website to find your nearest location.

Pet Supplies Plus has everything you need for your furry, scaly and feathery friends and offers a wide selection of natural and made-in-the-USA products. Pet Supplies Plus team members get to know their neighbors and pets by name at every store. Full-service grooming, self-serve pet wash stations and fresh bakery treats are also available in-store at many locations. To help keep your pets happy and healthy, neighbors can also fill pet prescriptions online and receive home delivery for quality medications and specialty diets. Whether shopping in-store or online, choosing local is easy. For more information, visit www.petsuppliesplus.com.

About Pet Supplies Plus:
Your neighborhood Pet Supplies Plus has everything you need for your furry, scaly and feathery friends. Its shelves are stocked with the right products, including a wide selection of natural and made in the USA products. Easily find all their favorites at prices you love, whether you shop in store or online using free curbside pickup, same-day delivery or Autoship. To help keep your pets happy and healthy, pet prescriptions can be filled online and delivered directly to your door. As the nation’s largest pet retail franchise with more than 730 locations in 43 states and counting, Pet Supplies Plus makes shopping local simple. For more information visit www.petsuppliesplus.com.

15 08, 2024

JETSET Pilates Announces Continued Growth and New Achievements in 2024

2024-08-15T13:47:18-04:00August 15th, 2024|Tags: , , |

Pilates Franchise Studio Continues Rapid Expansion in States Across the U.S.

MIAMI — JETSET Pilates – a Miami-based Pilates studio renowned for its innovative approach to fitness and wellness, is celebrating a successful mid-year with significant expansion and notable industry recognition. Driven by a mission to provide accessible, high-quality Pilates experiences, JETSET Pilates is excited to continue its growth throughout the remainder of 2024.

About JETSET Pilates
Founded in 2010 and franchising since 2022, JETSET Pilates has rapidly established itself as one of the most attractive concepts in the boutique franchise business space. JETSET Pilates currently has plans to open studios across the U.S. and Australia, with over 50 studios in development. JETSET now offers franchising opportunities to entrepreneurs in some of the largest and fastest-growing markets within the fitness franchise sector. For more information, please visit https://jetsetpilates.com/franchise/.

11 08, 2024

Five Star Franchising names Colt Florence Senior VP of Franchise Development

2024-08-11T19:23:12-04:00August 11th, 2024|Tags: , , |

Florence, an experienced industry executive, joins the leading home service franchise platform as it continues to invest in growth and the success of franchise owners 

SPRINGVILLE — Five Star Franchising, an innovative, growing platform of home services franchise opportunities, has named Colt Florence Senior Vice President of Franchise Development. The announcement is the latest in a series of developments highlighting Five Star’s ongoing strategic commitment to empowering franchise owners by investing in world-class leadership talent.

About Five Star Franchising
Five Star Franchising is an innovative, growing platform of home service brands with more than 1,500 total locations throughout North America. Franchise owners across Five Star’s brands, including Five Star Bath Solutions, Gotcha Covered, Bio-One, Mosquito Shield, 1-800-Packouts, and Card My Yard enjoy a robust support network and access to industry-leading tools such as ProNexis, the 24/7 sales support solution tailored for home service businesses, and Five Star Marketing Services, Five Star Franchising’s elite marketing engine. Five Star Franchising’s commitment to core values — Driven, Real, Innovative, Vital, and Enthusiastic (DRIVE) — ensures its brands are category leaders and empowers franchise owners to maximize profitable growth and secure their financial destiny. Five Star Franchising is consistently recognized as one of the most successful companies in Utah, ranking among the fastest-growing businesses in the state on the MountainWest Capital Network Utah 100, the Utah Valley BusinessQ UV50 and the Utah Business Fast 50 lists. For more information, visit fivestarfranchising.com.

11 08, 2024

Long-Time Entrepreneur to Debut Blingle! in Richmond Community

2024-08-11T18:25:43-04:00August 11th, 2024|Tags: , , , |

This is The Brand’s First Location in Virginia.

RICHMOND, Va. — Blingle!, the premier outdoor lighting franchise, announced today its newest franchise location in Richmond that is owned and operated by Billy Droste. This location, the first in the state of Virginia, will serve the entire area of Central Virginia.

Richmond born and raised; Droste became an entrepreneur in 2003 when he opened his own seamless gutter company. After owning his own business for nearly 20 years, Droste wanted a change and to slow down. In February of 2022, while at its peak, he sold the business and decided to work with a previous customer to help increase their residential sales. Following that opportunity, Droste was ready for his next venture, and to own his own business again. The Blingle! name came to the top of discussions while talking to some friends in December of 2023.

While franchising was never the top of mind for Droste, it was the various product and service options that ultimately made Blingle! the right choice for him. He was used to running everything by himself and was ready to have additional support to run his business.

“Blingle! is able to provide lighting options for any customer’s need to create the perfect one-stop-shop for the Richmond community,” Droste said. “I am excited to open the doors and get involved with the community to create projects they are proud to show off to friends and family.”

Blingle! of Richmond opened earlier this year to begin lighting the community.

“We are excited to have Billy join the Blingle! family,” Josh Skolnick, Founder of HorsePower Brands said. “To be able to bring the premier products and service that we have to offer to the Richmond community is a great opportunity.”

To learn more about Blingle! please visit: blingle.com. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit: blingle.com/franchising and horsepowerbrands.com.

ABOUT BLINGLE!
Founded in Omaha, Neb. in 2014, Blingle!, a part of HorsePower Brands, specializes in providing year-round premium lighting services for homes, businesses and events. Blingle!’s services cover all outdoor lighting needs, including landscape, permanent, holiday, patio, event, and commercial lighting. As the premier lighting service, Blingle! uses state-of-the-art designs and products to transform outdoor spaces and create memorable illuminations with spectacular lighting. Blingle! is Ida Dark Sky approved, and accredited by the Better Business Bureau and The Institute of Wedding and Event Design. Additionally, Blingle! was named an Elite Service and Screened and Approved by HomeAdvisor. To learn more about Blingle! and HorsePower Brands, please visit https://www.blingle.com/ or https://horsepowerbrands.com/.

11 08, 2024

Floor Coverings International Builds Out Robust Support Team Fueling All-Time High Performance

2024-08-11T17:53:28-04:00August 11th, 2024|Tags: , , |

  • No. 1 Flooring Franchise Adds Layers of Support with Strategic Hires Boasting Decades of Collective Experience
  • New Customer Experience-Centric Website Driving Unit Level Economics
  • Responsible Franchise Growth Reflective of 40 Openings and 40 Signings at Mid-Year Mark

ATLANTA — Floor Coverings International® (FCI), the No. 1 flooring franchise in North America, known for its locally owned Mobile Flooring Showrooms® and knowledgeable teams of trusted professionals, is doubling down on its all-time high performance with the strategic hires of six new support team members to further drive franchisee profitability.

According to Floor Coverings International’s Franchise Disclosure Document, the top 50 percent of operators generated $1.6 million in average revenue in 2023 with the top 10 percent operators grossing $3.3 million in average unit volume*. Both figures represent all-time highs for the mobile home services franchise, yet FCI is on a mission to grow these number even higher.

Floor Coverings International continues to invest in its support programs, announcing the strategic hires of:

  • Matthew Judy, Vice President of Performance Marketing – He brings over a decade of expertise in digital marketing and franchise operations, consistently driving innovation and growth. In his most recent role, he served in a leadership capacity with Scorpion, a nationally recognized leader in franchise marketing. His initial area of focus will be the development and implementation of a roadmap for world-class marketing programs that enables franchisees in achieving the goal of a $2M+ business.
  • Zac Burks, Director of Strategic Development – Burks boasts an impressive 22-plus-year history of leading high-performance multi-unit teams. His responsibilities in this new role include coaching and directly supporting franchise owners to successfully scale their business and achieve maximum revenue potential.
  • Lisa Tis, Director of Talent Acquisition – Backed by an MBA and a keen business IQ, Tis brings a unique blend of business acumen and recruitment skills to the table. She’s able to understand the unique requirements of franchise organizations. With more than 15 years of experience in various senior-level recruitment positions, she’s dedicated to connecting growth minded businesses with long-lasting candidate placements.
  • Jennifer Faz, Director of Field Marketing – Most recently she served as the Senior Marketing Manager of Emerging Brands at Threshold Brands where she was responsible for brand strategy for Men in Kilts. A franchisee herself, Faz has a passion for helping lead owners toward success. She is a strong advocate of multi-channel marketing coupled with an unbeatable ground game and employs asymmetrical marketing strategies to edge out competition.
  • Matt Franz, Regional Director of Operations – He spent the last 10 years with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Growing from a General Manager position to corporate support team to head of a co-op, he has a knack for supporting franchisees with their culture, systems, operations, and profitability. In his most recent role, he helped an ownership group scale their business, doubling unit count to six franchises achieving over $12M in overall sales.
  • Jennifer Braucksieker, Assistant Controller – With 15-plus-years of experience, Braucksieker is responsible for leading and supporting Floor Coverings International franchisees through the invoicing process, co-op accounting and reporting, as well as managing all AP for the company. Overall, she aims to innovate and automate existing accounting and finance processes to better serve franchisees.

“The unwavering dedication and commitment of our enhanced leadership team have been pivotal in driving our expansion efforts and elevating our overall performance,” said Tom Wood, President & CEO of Floor Coverings International. “We eagerly anticipate the impactful programs and initiatives this exceptional group will implement.”

Notably, Floor Coverings International proudly unveils its new customer experience-centric website. The website enhances the customer journey with features including a flooring quizinspiration galleryflooring tips, and more, as FCI positions itself as the expert flooring advisor to help make customer visions a reality.

Floor Coverings International’s impressive support, commitment to innovation, low-cost investment ranging from $154,400 – $341,000**, and revenue potential continues to drive prospects to the franchise opportunity.

The rapidly growing brand reports strong mid-year growth with 40 openings and the signing of 40 new franchisees into its system in 2024. Making for a record-breaking consecutive quarters, these numbers reflect a 25% growth increase year-over-year and puts Floor Coverings International on the fast track to achieving its goal of awarding 100 new franchisees and reaching 300 units this year.

“Our recent strategic hires, robust support programs, and comprehensive development efforts have been instrumental in propelling our growth and enhancing our performance,” said Albert Hermans, Vice President of Franchise Development at Floor Coverings International. “As a result, we are thrilled to report that franchise leads are at an all-time high – nearly up 40% year-over-year in the last 60 days. These initiatives are not only strengthening our foundation, but also paving the way for unprecedented success and expansion in the coming years.”

For more information about the franchise opportunity, please visit https://flooring-franchise.com/ or call 877-559-3496.

About Floor Coverings International
Floor Coverings International is the #1 Mobile Flooring franchise in North America. Utilizing a unique in-home experience, the mobile showroom comes directly to the customer’s door with more than 3,000 flooring choices. Floor Coverings International has 250-plus locations throughout the U.S. and Canada with plenty of opportunity for continued expansion. For franchise information, please visit https://flooring-franchise.com/ and to find your closest location go to www.floorcoveringsinternational.com.

*Please see Item 19 of the current Franchise Disclosure Document for more information. Results may differ. There is no assurance that any franchisee will perform as well.

**See Item 7 of the current Franchise Disclosure Document for more information and context about the initial investment.

9 08, 2024

Ace Hardware and Ace Handyman Services Named Two of 2024’s Best of the Best Franchises

2024-08-09T21:52:09-04:00August 9th, 2024|Tags: , , , |

Hardware Retail Leader and Subsidiary Receive Top Honors, Recognized as the Best Franchise Opportunities in the World by Entrepreneur Magazine

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Ace Hardware, the world’s largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Best of the Best’ title in the July/August issue of Entrepreneur magazine and on Entrepreneur.com. Ace Handyman Services has also been named a ‘Best of the Best’ opportunity in the home repairs and handyman services category. This top recognition underscores Ace’s commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and owner support, distinguishing both Ace Hardware and Ace Handyman Services as premier franchise opportunities globally.

“This accolade of Best of the Best from Entrepreneur magazine is a testament to our dedication to helping our business owners thrive,” said John Kittell, Vice President of Retail Operations and New Business at Ace Hardware. “Our priority remains supporting our local owners with industry-leading products and services that give them a competitive edge in the marketplace. The success and growth of Ace Hardware are directly attributable to our co-op owners, who uphold our helpful brand promise daily in the communities they serve.”

Entrepreneur‘s Best of the Best Franchises ranking is based on information submitted for its annual Franchise 500® and is part of the brand’s continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace. The franchises selected as 2024’s Best of the Best are ranked not only in the increasingly competitive Franchise 500 list this year but also at the top of their respective industry categories, based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.

“Everyone wants to know who’s the best—but at Entrepreneur, we go further,” says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine. “With so many incredible franchises out there, we love to celebrate the absolute best of the best. It’s the perfect place for any ambitious future franchisee to start looking for their dream brand.”

Ace Handyman Services, a subsidiary of Ace Hardware, was created in 2019 and consists of locally owned franchise businesses staffed by professional craftsmen and women trained to handle a wide range of home maintenance tasks, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall, painting, and flooring.

To view Ace Hardware and Ace Handyman Services in the 2024 Best of the Best list, pick up the July/August issue of Entrepreneur magazine, on newsstands now, or visit Entrepreneur.com.

About Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,900 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; and Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico.  Since 1924, Ace has been a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.