When Luis Balmaceda and his wife, Lisbeth, were looking to start a new business, they wanted to invest in a nationally recognized concept with a proven system of operations. By Jorgette Krsulic
For almost two decades, Beth McMillan and Dennis Schooley have helped businesses across the U.S. and Canada save money and improve their services. After years of purposefully “slow” and “methodical” growth, the duo has built the largest independent cost-reduction consulting firm in North America. By Brianna Bohn
Pete Jackson is an affiliate of the Signworld Business Partners alliance, as owner-operator of Sign Distinction in San Diego, California. Jackson, a U.S. Army veteran who knows of many people who sacrificed greatly during the time they served, always wanted to give back out of obligation to his peers. By Nancy E. Williams
CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the world’s leading sign and visual graphics franchisor with more than 750 FASTSIGNS® locations worldwide announces attending speakers at the International Franchise Association’s 62nd Annual Convention in San Diego Feb. 26 to March 1 at the San Diego Convention Center. The convention will highlight franchising’s impact on the nation’s economic recovery, policy proposals impacting the business model, share best practices to help all in franchising be the best they can be, and discussions about opportunities for the future of the industry.
Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International and Propelled Brands and the Chair of the International Franchise Association, will be speaking on the State of the Association on Sunday, February 27. On Monday February 28, she will also be moderating for Franchisor Speaker: Technology-fueled Transformation in the Restaurant Industry, Paul Brown, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Brands. On Tuesday March 1, Monson will be Passing the Gavel to incoming IFA Chair Charlie Chase from First Service Brands.
Mark Jameson, Chief Support and Development Officer at FASTSIGNS, will be speaking at the convention and participating at a panel discussion called “International Summit: Supporting Your Brand Internationally.”
Stan Gray, a multi-unit FASTSIGNS franchisee and military veteran, will be a panelist at the Sunday General Session sharing how military life prepared him for the role of business owner. Stan will also be awarded the Franchisee of the Year for FASTSIGNS at the “Franchisee of the Year Celebration.” This event will include FASTSIGNS and other brands who chose to recognize their franchisee of the year at IFA.
Jeff Lewis, the Assistant Vice President of Franchise Support for FASTSIGNS, will be leading the class Financial Analytics: Tools and Best Practices for Franchisee and Franchisor Profitability at the IFA breakout sessions.
“My team and I are always honored to be part of this powerful event that helps franchisors and franchisees improve their businesses, learn best practices, and expand their network in an ideal environment for growth and inspiration,” said Catherine Monson. “We look forward to sharing what we’ve learned with others in franchising and provide insight at the single most important and relevant franchising conference held today.”
IFA is the franchising sector’s only global trade association. For the first time in two years, this convention will bring together industry leaders to study the leading role franchising played in the post-pandemic economic recovery; delivering needed new, local business starts and jobs following the decline in jobs in 2020 and 2021; celebrating 30 years of proactive veteran recruitment into the ranks of franchising; sharing best practices; and looking ahead to addressing workforce challenges.
Featured speakers include NBA legend and franchising leader Shaquille O’Neal, Inspire Brands CEO Paul Brown, Self Esteem Brand’s Seth Mortenson, America’s first black female combat pilot Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, author and workforce innovator Seth Mattison, in addition to IFA President and CEO Matthew Haller and IFA Chair Catherine Monson, and numerous executive brand leaders, and lawmakers.
About the International Franchise Association:
Celebrating 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.
About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS is a leading national visual ideas company that creates a wide variety of comprehensive sign and graphics solutions. With over 35 years of experience, FASTSIGNS helps you achieve more than you ever thought possible. We are the worldwide franchisor of more than 750 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers. FASTSIGNS locations span across the United States, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Grand Cayman, Malta, the Dominican Republic and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®). FASTSIGNS is frequently recognized for franchisee satisfaction and through franchising awards which include being ranked #1 on Entrepreneur’s Highly Competitive Franchise 500® List For The Sixth Consecutive Year for 2022 as well as being named a 2022 Best-in-Category Franchise by Franchise Business Review.
In 2021, Propelled Brands was formed, and is now the multi-brand franchisor for FASTSIGNS®, NerdsToGo®, MY SALON Suite® and Salon Plaza® brands.
To learn more visit 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 for call 214.346.5679).
Leading Senior Care Franchise Expands with First Location in the Aloha State.
ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Always Best Care Senior Services, one of the leading senior care franchise systems in the United States, announced today its expansion to Hawaii with the opening of a new location in Oahu. Located at 1001 Dillingham Blvd., Ste. 317, in Honolulu, Always Best Care of Oahu is owned and operated by franchisee Tyler Kimura, who was born and raised in Honolulu. The new business will provide award-winning in-home care and assisted living referral services to the entire island, including Honolulu, the North Shore, the Windward Coast, Central Oahu and the Leeward Coast.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tyler to our network of dedicated franchisees who serve their local seniors through relentless customer service and a passion for quality care. We are equally pleased to be expanding into Hawaii, increasing our footprint to 30 states and two provinces in Canada,” said Jake Brown, President & CEO of Always Best Care. “As we grow across the country, our brand continues to provide opportunities for individuals looking to launch their own home care franchise business to serve their community.”
Kimura was born and raised on Oahu and has lived in Aiea for the past 10 years. An entrepreneur at heart, he is no stranger to providing clients with superior products and services. Since graduating from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Kimura has worked in advertising sales and owns a wholesale fresh-cut fruit business. Most recently, he owned an Allstate insurance agency, growing the business from the ground up to serve more than 3,500 households in just eight years. Now, he has already built a team of over 75 caregivers who are ready to answer the needs of Oahu’s seniors and their families.
“Living and working here over the past four decades, I’ve seen first-hand the need for a senior care business to assist our aging population,” said Kimura. “Combining my vast knowledge of the island and my business experience with the proven franchising system that Always Best Care offers, I look forward to providing quality care in my community to the people who need it most.”
Always Best Care is one of the nation’s leading providers of non-medical in-home care and assisted living referral services, with skilled home health care in limited markets. The company delivers its services through an international network of more than 225 independently owned and operated franchise territories throughout the United States and Canada. By working with case managers, social workers, discharge planners, doctors, and families, Always Best Care franchise owners provide affordable, comprehensive solutions that can be specifically matched to meet a client’s particular physical or social needs.
For a free evaluation or additional information on the services available through Always Best Care of Oahu, call 808-207-8558 or visit alwaysbestcareoahu.com.
About Always Best Care
Founded in 1996, Always Best Care Senior Services is based on the belief that having the right people for the right level of care means peace of mind for the client and family. Always Best Care has been assisting seniors with a wide range of conditions and personal needs for over 25 years and currently provides thousands of hours of care every year. Franchise opportunities are available to individuals interested in leveraging the company’s clear strategy and proven track record for delivering affordable, dependable service to seniors in their local areas.
Always Best Care also offers exclusive programs such as Always in Touch, Balance Tracking System and remote patient monitoring. For more information regarding Always Best Care’s solutions, visit www.alwaysbestcare.com.
Significant development and same-store sales growth positions the global home service franchisor for continued expansion.
WACO, Texas — Neighborly®, the world’s largest franchisor of home service brands, announced today ahead of the International Franchise Association’s annual conference in San Diego the expansion of the company’s global footprint to 5,000 franchises representing 29 total brands across nine countries. In addition, the company achieved record same store sales growth for 2021 and systemwide sales of $3.3 billion. The company was acquired by KKR, one of the world’s leading investment firms, in third quarter 2021.
“We have ambitious plans to capitalize on this upward momentum and look forward to our next chapter of growth and innovation with KKR’s support and global expertise,” said Mike Bidwell, CEO of Neighborly. “Last year was significant for Neighborly as we validated our business-building strategy and differentiated ourselves as the partner of choice for our franchise owners and 10 million customers worldwide.”
The largest provider and franchisor of home service brands embarked on a digital transformation with a refreshed Neighborly.com website and the launch of the U.S. Neighborly app. To help drive further growth, Neighborly recently launched an all-new website for potential new business owners to explore franchising opportunities.
“As a franchisor, Neighborly simply could not have asked for a better year than we experienced in 2021 with more units sold in one year than ever before, expanding our franchise network in numerous areas and taking our Own the Home™ strategy to new heights,” said Brad Stevenson, Chief Development Officer for Neighborly. “Our franchise model proved itself to be resilient once again through its continuous evolution and innovation, and I’m proud of our family of home service brands for achieving significant growth while simultaneously delivering on our ‘Done Right Promise’ to thousands of communities.”
Neighborly’s 2021 success as a franchisor is already earning the organization coveted industry recognition in the new year, with numerous Neighborly brands included on the recently announced 2022 rankings for Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® and Franchise Business Review’s Franchisee Satisfaction Awards.
Other noteworthy Neighborly developments from 2021 include:
For more information about Neighborly’s service brands visit https://www.neighborlybrands.com/.
About Neighborly
Neighborly® is the world’s largest home services franchisor of 29 brands and 5,000 franchises collectively serving 10 million+ customers in nine countries, focused on repairing, maintaining and enhancing homes and businesses. The company operates online platforms that connect consumers to service providers in their local communities that meet their rigorous standards as a franchisor across 18 service categories at Neighborly.com and through the Neighborly app More information about Neighborly, and its franchise concepts, is available at Neighborlybrands.com.
Leader in window treatment consultation highlighted for franchisee satisfaction.
DENVER — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, was recognized for its excellence in franchisee satisfaction after being named to the Top 200 Franchises of 2022 list by Franchise Business Review. They ranked 15th in the Top 50 Midsize Franchise category on the list.
In its 17th year, the annual list of the 200 best franchise opportunities is ranked based on the highest level of overall franchisee satisfaction by participating companies.
“One thing we take pride in at Gotcha Covered is our franchisee support system,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “We strive to help make our franchise owners succeed and thrive in their communities. We offer extensive training and provide technology that separates our franchisees from their competitors. We also make sure that someone is always available to answer any questions that our owners have. We are one big family.”
Gotcha Covered was among over 300 franchise brands, representing more than 30,000 franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research. Franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction in key areas of their franchise system including training and support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity.
“While the pandemic impacted various business sectors differently, the last 18 months have clearly demonstrated the inherent strengths of the franchise business model. The old franchise adage of ‘being in business for yourself, but not by yourself’ has never been more important,” said Franchise Business Review founder & CEO Eric Stites. “Thanks to fast innovations, significant support, and responsive crisis management, many franchise brands have emerged stronger from the pandemic, and that is reflected in high franchisee satisfaction.”
Franchise Business Review, a market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and employee engagement, provides the only rankings and awards for franchise companies based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of the top 200 franchises in its annual Guide to Today’s Top Franchises.
To see the full 2022 FBR Top 200 Franchise rankings, visit https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/top-franchises/.
For more information or to find your local Gotcha Covered consultant, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com.
About Gotcha Covered
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 130 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada.
Prominent Pet Retailer Purchases Emerging Brand to Scale Specialty Retail.
LIVONIA, Mich. — Pet Supplies Plus, (“PSP” or the “Company”) the largest independent pet retailer in North America with over 600 stores in 39 states, announced today it has acquired Wag N’ Wash, an emerging natural pet food, self-wash, and grooming franchise with over 15 locations.
Each brand will continue to operate as separate entities, providing pet product knowledge, personalized service and a distinct playful, local shopping experience in their respective communities. All Wag N’ Wash corporate team members will remain at Wag Central and continue to be instrumental in growing the business.
Pet Supplies Plus offers a convenient selection of services, prescription fulfillment, and a full assortment of pet products for all types of furry, scaly and feathery friends, including live animals, while Wag N’ Wash is mainly centered on self-wash, grooming services, and natural food options primarily for dogs and select cat items. Both franchise systems have healthy unit economics as demand for pet products and services continues to grow and pet parents remain loyal to shopping local.
“The acquisition presents mutual benefits for franchisees, neighbors and guests of both brands,” said Pet Supplies Plus CEO Chris Rowland. “Pet Supplies Plus neighbors will see no change and will continue to receive the same neighborly service and access to all the same products for all types of pets. Wag N’ Wash guests will continue to enjoy this fun and passionate brand’s specialty offerings, but now will have access to an even greater assortment of products.”
Rowland noted that new and existing franchise owners will have the opportunity to open a store under the Wag N’ Wash or Pet Supplies Plus name, depending on what makes most sense for the market.
“Being under the Pet Supplies Plus umbrella company allows Wag N’ Wash to unlock a new level of purchasing power, funding to advance expansion and collective negotiation for strategic placement in territories that may not make sense for a Pet Supplies Plus store,” he said. “Because Wag N’ Wash’s specialty products and services are focused mainly on dogs, Pet Supplies Plus can further develop its presence in current and new markets without interfering with the neighbor’s expectations of our brand.”
Wag N’ Wash Vice President Kristen Risby said the acquisition adds value to all parties involved. “Our owners find joy in serving their communities and pets well,” she said. “Now, they can do this with enhanced resources, such as best-in-class fulfillment and assortment though a collective supply chain, back-office functionality and technology, pricing and cost support and more. It’s a win for everyone from the franchise owners to the guests and their pets.”
Wag N’ Wash original founders Jef Strauss and Dan Remus will remain on for a minimum of two years. “As the pet landscape evolves, this will allow the brand to reach its full potential by reaching more guests at a better pace,” Remus said.
Strauss added, “Culture was very important to us when looking for a partner. Both Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash believes in community, local retail and a fun experience in our stores. This was the right fit. With strong infrastructure behind them, passionate owners can build local relationships and deliver the ultimate experiential retail experience.”
The acquisition supports PSP’s commitment to grow the independent pet specialty channel, while equipping franchisees with best-in-class support to focus on what they love most – fostering relationships at the local level with guests and their pets.
About Wag N’ Wash
Wag N’ Wash Natural Pet Food & Grooming, a full-line specialty retail destination for cats and dogs, has a mission to recognize, promote and foster the positive impact that companion pets and their humans have on each other. Wag N’ Wash provides fresh-baked dog treats, natural food, supplements, full-service grooming and self-wash facilities and toys. In 2020, Wag N’ Wash was ranked on Denver Business Journal’s Colorado-Based Franchisors List, Franchise Times Top 200+ List and Included on Franchise Gator’s Top 100 Franchisees List for the third year. Today, there are over 15 Wag N’ Wash locations open across the nation. To learn more about Wag N’ Wash, please visit https://wagnwash.com.
About Pet Supplies Plus
Pet Supplies Plus, a subsidiary of Franchise Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRG), is focused on making it easier to get better products and services for your pet. With over 600 locations in 39 states, the stores have a streamlined design making it easy to navigate a wide assortment of natural pet foods, goods, and services. Additionally, www.petsuppliesplus.com provides neighbors with additional shopping options to better meet their pet-shopping needs. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, Pet Supplies Plus ranked No. 20 in Entrepreneur magazine’s 43rd Annual Franchise 500® list as of 2022, and is ranked as the Top Full-Service Pet Supplies Franchise for the eighth year running for its exceptional performance in areas including financial strength and stability, growth rate and system size. For more information on Pet Supplies Plus franchise opportunities, visit www.petsuppliesplusfranchising.com.
Service franchise brand parent group positions new leadership to steer accelerated growth, brand development in 2022 and beyond.
SPRINGVILLE, Utah — Five Star Franchising, an innovative service-based franchise platform company, has appointed J. Andrew Mengason as Chief Growth Officer. Additionally, one of Five Star Franchising’s brands, Bio-One Inc., has promoted former Vice President of Operations Sandi Ellis, to President of the brand.
Mengason comes to Five Star Franchising with two-and-a-half decades of experience in franchising and acquisition of brands, most notably in the restoration and home service industries. He began his career with a small textile restoration firm, then took a leadership position with Certified Restoration Dry Cleaning Network (CRDCN) and then moved to Chief Operating Officer with BELFOR Franchise Group. As COO of BELFOR Franchise Group, he led the acquisition of 1-800 Water Damage and oversaw the growth of the company’s other residential and commercial brands, including DUCTZ and HOODZ, eventually positioning the company for a sale to American Securities in 2019.
Mengason will focus on franchise development growth of the Five Star brands. In addition to leading the franchise development team, he will have operational responsibility for several Five Star brands.
“I’m thrilled to join the Five Star Franchising team,” said Mengason. “Throughout my career, growing companies through acquisitions, expanding brands and making sure franchisees get the support they need to succeed in their businesses have been my priorities, and Five Star shares these goals.”
One of Five Star Franchising’s five brands, Bio-One Inc., has promoted former Vice President of Operations Sandi Ellis to Brand President. After being a Bio-One franchise owner from 2013 to 2017, Ellis joined the Bio-One corporate team, helping it grow to more than 115 franchise locations across 40 states. Prior to owning a Bio-One franchise, Ellis was with Brinker International where she held multiple finance and operational roles.
“Now is an exciting time to be a part of Bio-One, and I deeply enjoy working alongside our passionate and dedicated teams,” said Ellis. “Bio-One has been part of my life for nearly a decade, and I’m humbled and honored to lead the organization through this next chapter of growth and continue our long-standing tradition of helping those in their greatest times of need.”
“Much of Andrew’s success in franchising can be tied to his entrepreneurial spirit and relentless pursuit of providing the highest level of support to the customer; the franchise owner,” said Five Star Franchising CEO, Scott Abbott. “With Sandi, as a former franchisee and Vice President of Operations, she fully understands what franchisees experience and how to help them succeed. In her new role, she will oversee ongoing business operations for our franchise offices across the United States.”
If you are interested in one of the Five Star Franchising brands, visit http://fivestarfranchising.com/franchise-opportunities/ to learn more.
About Five Star Franchising
Five Star Franchising is an innovative group of franchised brands that includes Five Star Bath Solutions, Joe Homebuyer, Gotcha Covered and Bio-One. Also under the Five Star umbrella is ProNexis, a leader in call center and lead-generation systems for home services franchisees. Five Star represents the best franchising systems in the industry with a mission to ensure its brands are top performers in technology, marketing, branding, and people. With a franchisee-first approach to business, Five Star excels at ensuring local-market success for each of their franchisees. For more information, visit www.fivestarfranchising.com.
Offering design and installation of 3,000 sport-related products for over 30 sports, this emerging sports experience franchise brings the stadium experience right to your home, school or community.
CLOSTER, N.J. — My Backyard Sports, a full-service design and installation company specializing in customizable courts and sport surfaces, is looking to expand its presence across the country through franchising. Offering 3,000 products for over 30 sports, the brand’s projects range from the purchase and installation of basketball hoops and other sports equipment to the design and build of indoor or outdoor sport facilities encompassing both single and multi-purpose surfaces.
Founded in 2017 by Michael Kraner and his wife, Debbi Rapaport, My Backyard Sports provides its clients with high-end products and services that create unmatched experiences at home or in the community. Offering customized small, medium and large-sized projects, My Backyard Sports services both residential and commercial clients, including homes, schools, churches, recreation centers, condominiums, real estate developers, and businesses.
“For us, it’s all about creating experiences and bringing families closer together,” said Kraner, founder and CEO of My Backyard Sports. “Whether it’s providing kids a unique space to hone in on specific skills, or simply getting kids away from the screen and encouraging physical activity, our goal is to share our love of sports and help foster health, wellness, confidence, and friendships.”
Using cutting-edge technology, My Backyard Sports emphasizes safety. The brand’s customizable sport tiles can eliminate nearly 30 percent of the shock and impact on one’s joints and ligaments compared to traditional concrete and asphalt, allowing athletes to train longer and decrease the potential for long-term ailments. My Backyard Sports also utilizes modern gravel-based surfaces, which offer more efficient installation, provide superior drainage, and last longer than concrete or asphalt.
As many families continue to adapt to hybrid lifestyles and spending more time at home, My Backyard Sports is poised to create original courts and sport surfaces to make any home or business the go-to spot for neighbors and community members. The brand builds authentic relationships with the individuals and communities it serves through sports.
“The opportunity to grow our business while simultaneously giving entrepreneurs an avenue to start their own business is extremely exciting,” said Scott Stricof, Vice President of Franchise Development at My Backyard Sports. “We look forward to partnering with passionate sports fans to help expand our brand’s footprint throughout the country.”
My Backyard Sports is currently seeking qualified individuals to serve as franchisees. Each prospective franchisee should have an entrepreneurial spirit, strong people management skills, and a passion for providing great products and unmatched customer service to their community. The My Backyard Sports team aims to offer the necessary resources to operate successfully through teamwork and strong leadership, while creating a first-class experience for its customers. Including a franchise fee, the cost to open a My Backyard Sports ranges between $104,392 – $177,685. For additional information on franchising opportunities, please visit mybackyardsportsfranchise.com.
About My Backyard Sports
Through customizable backyard courts, indoor facilities, and sport accessories, My Backyard Sports offers families and communities unparalleled products to construct the perfect stadium-like experience. The brand provides the opportunity to invest in something that will not only create lasting memories, but gives kids the opportunity to develop athletic skillsets, build their interpersonal relationships, and increase overall confidence for its customers.