In 1998, Paisano’s opened its first fast-casual Italian restaurant and immediately received rave reviews. Over the past 24 years, Paisano’s has opened another 37 locations, 14 of which are company-owned. By Kelsi Trinidad
In April, Jacob Chaney opened his Huntsville, Texas, Überrito Fresh Mex, and he loves the response he has received from his community. Guests have been flocking to the colorful eatery, which serves elevated fast-casual Mexican food. By Elice Morgenson
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.