When Ryan Galvez sought out investment opportunities in the Houston area, he knew he had to “go big or go home.” He and his business partner signed on for four locations right off the bat upon finding a perfect business fit in My Eyelab, a retail optical center with locations nationwide. By Rochelle Miller
Neighborhood Pet Store Creates Safe Options to Ensure Pets Needs are Met During Pandemic.
LIVONIA, Mich. — Designated as an essential business during the COVID-19 outbreak, more than 490 Pet Supplies Plus stores in 34 states nationwide will remain open and are offering free 2-hour curbside pickup. In addition, several stores in 17 states are delivering pet food and supplies directly to pet parents’ homes during the pandemic and moving forward.
With curbside pickup, pet parents can simply order online and the store will gather and package their items for curbside pickup, where a team member will bring the items directly to their vehicle.
Select stores in the following states will also offer home delivery service: Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
“Providing a safe way for pet parents to obtain quality food and necessary supplies for their pets is our highest priority,” said Chris Rowland, Chief Executive Officer of Pet Supplies Plus. “Pet parents should not feel like they have to compromise their pets’ nutrition or other needs during this pandemic. Curbside pickup, as well as delivery at as many stores as possible, are designed to provide safe options for our neighbors.”
Now with more than 490 locations in 34 states across the country, Pet Supplies Plus offers a wide array of natural pet foods, a variety of Made in the USA pet consumables, such as wet and dry food, treats, rawhide and chews. Set in welcoming neighborhood environments, Pet Supplies Plus team members get to know their neighbors and pets by name at every store. Many locations also feature a full offering of grooming services tailored to meet every pet’s needs, including washes, haircuts, body brushing, flea treatment and nail, skin, ear and oral care.
To place an order for curbside pickup or to see whether your local Pet Supplies Plus store offers a delivery option, please visit https://www.petsuppliesplus.com/.
About Pet Supplies Plus
Pet Supplies Plus is focused on making it easier to get better products for your pet. With over 490 locations in 34 states, the stores have a streamlined design making it easy to navigate a wide assortment of natural foods, hard goods and pet services. Headquartered in Livonia, MI., Pet Supplies Plus is ranked in Entrepreneur magazine’s Annual Franchise 500® list as the Top Full-Service Pet Supplies Franchise for its exceptional performance in areas including financial strength, growth rate and system size. For more information visit www.petsuppliesplus.com.
National Franchise Helps Protects Buildings from Spread of COVID-19 Virus.
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — AdvantaClean, the nation’s leading franchised provider of Light Environmental Services, has responded to the spread of the COVID-19 virus by offering new sanitizing services for businesses, property managers and residential homeowners to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.
The indoor air quality provider has implemented preventative and decontamination services as part of its sanitizing protocol. AdvantaClean uses the best available technology and EPA-approved materials that are known to have removed prior strains of the virus.
AdvantaClean offers Preventative cleaning services for areas with no known exposure to the virus, and Decontamination services for areas known or suspected to have come in contact with the virus.
The Preventative service includes sanitization and mechanical cleaning of horizontal surfaces and common touchpoints such as doorknobs, computer keyboards and plumbing fixtures. This process uses microfiber cloths and an EPA-approved disinfectant solution.
The Decontamination service includes sanitizing the duct system, fogging the “hot zone” with an EPA-approved disinfectant to force airborne contaminants to precipitate from the air and the same mechanical cleaning included in the Preventative service.
“AdvantaClean is committed to protecting the health of our community and that comes through providing the highest level of safety and sanitization in homes and commercial spaces,” said Bryan Bennett, President of AdvantaClean. “It is our top priority to keep America’s work and home environments healthy and sanitized.”
AdvantaClean can only perform sanitization services in a facility when personnel are not present, typically after standard business hours or while all employees are working remotely. OSHA certified AdvantaClean professionals wearing proper safety gear, including PPE and respiratory masks, will come to the building to execute the cleaning. The application does not leave a chemical footprint and people can return to the building within several hours of service completion.
For more information about AdvantaClean and its sanitization services, please visit www.advantaclean.com.
About Home Franchise Concepts, LLC
Home Franchise Concepts (HFC) is one of the world’s largest franchising systems in the home improvement goods and services space. HFC’s four brands, Budget Blinds®, Tailored Living®, Concrete Craft® and AdvantaClean®, are consistently rated at the top of their categories and supported by nearly 1,700 franchise territories in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
About AdvantaClean Systems, LLC.
Founded in 1994 as a contracting business handling cleanup and repairs in South Florida, AdvantaClean®, now headquartered in Huntersville, N.C., is the leading national franchised provider of Light Environmental Services in the country. The company ranked 204th on Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2020 Franchise 500 list. In 2013–14, USA Today and the International Franchise Association recognized AdvantaClean as a Top Franchise for Military Veterans. Today, more than 230 AdvantaClean franchised territories operate in 33 states.
Senior franchise expert will lead franchise conversions and acquisitions for global printing and marketing brand.
DENVER — AlphaGraphics, a leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions, has named long-time franchise expert Brad Swimmer to lead the company’s efforts to grow through franchise conversions and acquisitions.
Swimmer, a former Fortune 500 financial manager, owned and operated the AlphaGraphics location in Cleveland with his wife, Judy, from 1991 until 2019. The Cleveland franchise location was twice named to the AlphaGraphics Gold Circle Centers and earned multiple Silver Circle recognitions during the Swimmers’ tenure as franchisees.
“Brad and Judy’s decision to sell their franchise last year turned out to be an opportunity to give Brad an even more important role in the AlphaGraphics family,” said Bill McPherson, vice president of franchise development for AlphaGraphics. “With nearly 30 years of experience as a successful franchise owner, and more than 45 years of high-level business experience overall, Brad’s extensive insight and critical skill sets will support our efforts to grow both franchise conversions and acquisitions. No one is better equipped for this position than Brad.”
As the company’s new conversion and acquisition specialist, Swimmer will work with existing independent printshops throughout the U.S. that are interested in being acquired by new AlphaGraphics franchisees or interested in converting their businesses to an AlphaGraphics franchise.
“Everything I learned as an AlphaGraphics franchise owner prepared me for this next chapter,” Swimmer said. “Conversions and acquisitions are an essential, efficient way for franchisors to maintain an advantage in a competitive industry. The challenge is to evaluate the ideal properties and responsibly steward the franchise’s resources toward intelligent, strategic growth, not just inflated numbers.”
AlphaGraphics was founded in 1970, and the company began offering franchise opportunities in 1979. For more information, visit http://www.alphagraphics.com.
About MBE Worldwide
MBE Worldwide S.p.A. (“MBE”), is a privately-owned holding company based in Milan, Italy. Small and medium-sized enterprises and retail customers find shipping, fulfillment, printing, and marketing solutions through MBE’s network of independently owned and operated franchised locations. MBE Service Centers facilitate the activities of entrepreneurs, people, and businesses through an easy-to-access distribution network. Customized services and products are delivered with a uniquely high level of customer service. MBE presently operates under three different brands: Mail Boxes Etc., AlphaGraphics, and PostNet. Globally, the entire MBE network currently operates over 2,550 locations in 47 countries, with FY2018 system-wide sales of €861($956) Million.
About AlphaGraphics
AlphaGraphics, Inc., with more than 285 locations in 6 countries, is one of the largest U.S.-based networks of locally-owned and operated Business Centers offering a complete range of print, visual communications, and marketing products. Solutions include: full-service digital, offset, and large format printing; design services; mailing; one-to-one marketing solutions; promotional products; and web to print solutions. For more information about AlphaGraphics services, visit www.alphagraphics.com. To learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.alphagraphicsfranchise.com.
New Promotions and Free Delivery Make Healthy and Fresh Meals Easy and Affordable.
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — In an effort to continue serving guests during this unprecedented time of social distancing, Saladworks, the nation’s leading fast-casual create-your-own salad franchise, has launched a timely, relevant promotion for all of its guests as well as an exclusive bonus offer for members of its Saladworks Rewards program. These deals emphasize the brand’s focus on take-away, online ordering and delivery orders to make fresh and healthy eating as simple as possible for guests – regardless of personal health, medical or dietary considerations — as they adhere to state and/or local health regulations.
Through Sunday, all guests will receive a $5 gift card with a purchase of $20 or more when they order directly with Saladworks for take-away or delivery via online ordering, telephone or, where permitted, in restaurant. The gift card can be used by the guest on a future order, or better yet, Saladworks is encouraging them to give it to someone in need, which has become an unfortunate reality for many Americans in light of the recent COVID-19 public health outbreak.
“The heart of the Saladworks brand is quite simply our people — including our franchisees and team members as well as our valued guests and the communities we serve,” said Kelly Roddy, CEO of Saladworks. “During this unprecedented time of change and uncertainty, we know there are many people who need help securing fresh, flavorful and healthy food to nourish their bodies, minds and spirits. So, we’re encouraging all those who are able to enjoy a Saladworks meal with their family or friends to ‘pay it forward’ by giving the $5 Gift Card reward to someone in need. We are all in this fight together and we will all get through it together if we allow the very best in all of us to shine through.”
Along with this limited-time deal for all guests, Saladworks Rewards members will receive an extra bonus. Members who purchase four entrée salads throughout the month of March can receive their next entrée salad for free. It is free to sign up for the rewards program through the company’s website or mobile app.
Saladworks is also offering free delivery on orders placed through its website for its restaurants who offer delivery as well as specific delivery specials via its partners at Door Dash, GrubHub and Uber Eats. In all cases, each Saladworks meal will be offered in tamper-resistant packaging with curbside service available for the health and safety of its guests.
Saladworks, which has been in business for more than 30 years, has always placed a focus on guest originality through its array of over 60 fresh, flavorful and healthy ingredients. In addition to its Signature recipes, Saladworks offers create-your-own options, including salads, wraps, grain bowls and more. For more information about the menu and current offers, visit www.saladworks.com.
ABOUT SALADWORKS:
With over 100 locations across 18 states and two countries, Saladworks is the nation’s leading fast-casual create-your-own salad destination. Saladworks guests can enjoy made-to-order salads from the freshest vegetables, fruits, proteins and delicious dressings, together with a selection of freshly-made wraps, grain bowls, and other menu items. Founded in 1986, Saladworks has been delivering the most original, sustainable and incredible salad experience to guests for more than 30 years. For more information, visit www.saladworks.com.
Senior Care Authority is helping families across the United States navigate care solutions during the Coronavirus crisis.
PETALUMA, Calif. — Senior Care Authority, a well-known senior placement and eldercare consulting organization, has been proactive in providing vital information to families during this unprecedented critical situation. Families making difficult decisions and trying to access eldercare resources are finding support and real-time information from their local advisor. These knowledgeable and compassionate advisors are assisting families with the challenges associated with choosing appropriate care options. With the current restrictions placed on assisted living, memory care, nursing care, and other long-term services, families need a different type of assistance.
Senior Care Authority surveyed thousands of assisted living and residential care homes around the country and compiled information including what CDC protocols they are following, visitor policies, acceptance of new admissions, and if tours of the community are permitted. The information gathered from the questionnaire enables Senior Care Authority franchise owners to help families choose safe care options and ensure that senior buildings have proper protocols in place while the virus is active.
To best help families cope in this trying time, Senior Care Authority is thankful to be able to offer a one-hour free consultation to any family that is trying to make decisions or explore options for their loved ones. In addition, if families are in need of local home caregiving needs, the company will assist with vetting in-home care agencies and caregivers to ensure they are the right fit for the particular situation. For more information and to connect with an eldercare expert in your area, visit Seniorcareauthority.com.
“We are here for families who have questions and concerns,” said Frank Samson, CEO of Senior Care Authority. “Whether families are thinking about getting care at home for a loved one or want to know about safe, assisted living or memory care locations now or in the near future, we are there. Our very knowledgeable, certified, local advisors are here to help.”
The company encourages families not to panic, take into account the source of information, remember that the first concern is our vulnerable seniors, and be mindful of screening, precautions, and preventative measures being utilized. It is important to remember that if buildings are on lockdown, seniors may feel isolated if they cannot see family. Isolation and loneliness have a particular impact on older adults. Families are advised to remain in communication via phone, Facetime or email.
Pamela Filby, vice president of sales at Atria Senior Living, noted, “Accurate information is critical during this Covid-19 outbreak, and our team is working diligently to keep everyone updated on our individual community protocols including visitations restrictions and virtual tours to protect the safety of our residents and our employees. Senior Care Authority has been a valuable asset to keep their local franchise owners and families updated.”
Given the added complication of communities and care homes having to take precautionary measures, including some on total lockdown, in-home care and additional resources are a necessary choice for many families. Senior Care Authority eldercare experts have extensive knowledge, experience, and resources to help families ease the stress of finding what they need.
Marcy Baskin and Frank Samson, senior executives at Senior Care Authority, discuss in a special podcast, how families confronted with difficult situations and trying to access eldercare resources can get support and real-time information.
About Senior Care Authority
Senior Care Authority® provides service and support nationwide to older adults and their families. They are familiar with all the options available and can help ease the stress of finding the right care. Founded in 2009, the company currently serves 75 locations in 24 states and Canada. The network is comprised of professionally trained and experienced local advisors who assist families with the overwhelming challenges associated with selecting the best options in assisted living, memory care, nursing care and other long-term care services.
For more information, visit Seniorcareauthority.com.
Franchise continues to provide essential battery products, device repair services.
HARTLAND, Wis. — To ensure that its customers are able to stay connected and powered up throughout the efforts to curb COVID-19, Batteries Plus Bulbs stores plan to remain open to continue serving customers the essential products they need during this time.
The retailer, which has more than 700 stores across 47 states, supplies products and services that meet an immediate customer need, or that can’t be found elsewhere because stores are closed or out of inventory.
For commercial customers, Batteries Plus Bulbs provides critical items to hospitals, municipalities, warehouses and more, including:
For consumers, the retailer promises to power:
In addition to the widest selection of batteries available, Batteries Plus Bulbs provides repair services for cell phones, laptops and tablets — devices that are essential in helping customers stay connected to loved ones, colleagues and the news.
“Many of our customers rely on our products and services to stay connected, enable their mobility and power their medical devices,” said Scott Williams, CEO of Batteries Plus Bulbs. “We’re remaining open to ensure they’re able to get the products and services they need, and we’re taking precautions to make sure they can get them in a safe manner.”
To help comply with social distancing recommendations, Batteries Plus Bulbs stores offer curbside pickup. Customers can call their local store to place an order, drive to Batteries Plus Bulbs and staff will deliver the orders to their cars. Additionally, Batteries Plus Bulbs locations are adhering to recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) to increase cleaning and disinfecting efforts to ensure the safety of customers who would prefer to shop in-store.
Batteries Plus Bulbs also offers products for purchase through its website, batteriesplus.com.
About Batteries Plus Bulbs:
Batteries Plus Bulbs, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Hartland, WI, is a leading omni channel retailer of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels. The retailer also offers key programming, replacement and cutting services. Through a nationwide network of stores, the company offers a differentiated value proposition of unrivaled product selection, in-stock availability and customer service. Batteries Plus Bulbs is owned by Freeman Spogli, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles and New York City. For additional information, visit https://www.batteriesplus.com/.
Commercial Cleaning Leader Ranked #14.
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — Anago Cleaning Systems today announced it has earned the #14 spot in Entrepreneur magazine’s fastest growing franchise list. This highly competitive list recognizes the 150 companies with the greatest franchise unit growth in North America. The ranking is based on data submitted for Entrepreneur‘s Franchise 500®, where Anago ranked second among commercial cleaning franchises in last year’s rankings, jumping 14 spots from 2019 and 30 spots from 2018.
“Anago Cleaning Systems is honored to be recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine for the dynamic franchise growth we’ve been fortunate to experience,” said Adam Povlitz, CEO & President of Anago Cleaning Systems. “That growth is built on a history of innovation, technology and a passion to offer entrepreneurs a world-class franchise system, and we are very excited about what the future holds.”
Entrepreneur‘s 2020 Fastest-Growing Franchises ranking is based on each company’s net franchise-unit growth in the U.S. and Canada from July 31, 2018 to July 31, 2019. Anago Cleaning Systems’ position on the ranking demonstrates the brand’s rising popularity with both franchisees and customers.
“Commercial cleaning has been on the rise for some time and is not as saturated as other franchise industries,” added Povlitz. “What we’ve learned with global events such as the 2008 financial meltdown and the spread of the H1N1 virus in 2009 is that people turn to franchising in times of a strained economy in order to take control of their financial futures. Commercial cleaning is reported to be among a very small group of industries that are considered recession-resistant franchises for risk adverse entrepreneurs.”
“Growth is what franchising is all about,” says Jason Feifer, Entrepreneur’s editor in chief. “And this ranking of the fastest-growing franchises offers insight into what industries are trending, which specific businesses are thriving, and what strategies are translating into success in the current franchise market.”
Anago Cleaning Systems is a pioneer of the master franchise system, which allows successful mid-career professionals to operate their own exclusive regional franchises, while allowing small businesses to invest in their success. Both levels simply focus on running their business while Anago Cleaning Systems provides assistance, guidance and critical tools to grow.
About Anago Cleaning Systems
Anago Cleaning Systems is an international commercial cleaning franchise brand. Utilizing the Master Franchise System, Anago supports over 40 Master Franchisees and over 1,700 Unit Franchisees. Founded in 1989, Anago has set the worldwide standard in business support and structure for local and regional companies to provide unparalleled cleaning services to businesses of all kinds. Anago was ranked #38 overall by Entrepreneur magazine in its latest Franchise 500® ranking. For further information, visit its website at AnagoMasters.com.
With Grocery Store Limits on Select Products, Locals Turn to Made-to-Order Options for Fresh-Baked Bread, Sandwiches, Pastries, Soups and Salads.
DILLON, Mont., March 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — With the rise of empty grocery shelves, Great Harvest business owners are able to regulate their made-to-order baking schedule and made-from-scratch commitment to fulfill the communities need for bread and other meal-to-go options.
Since every Great Harvest Bakery Café location bakes from scratch every day, they are able to take orders, plan and bake accordingly to ensure customers get what they for looking for and in the amounts they are requesting. To ensure availability, owners encourage customers to place orders ahead of time and they will work with guests to coordinate the best possible next day pick-up time.
With bread and many other items flying off grocery store shelves, Great Harvest business owners have the capacity to bake as much bread as needed to serve the needs of communities and flexibility to control the amount available. Franchisees are working hard to have orders ready and prepaid to get folks in and out as quickly as possible.
While each bakery café has its own unique menu tailored to the community it serves, all include made-from-scratch bread with daily-milled Montana wheat and a variety of baked goods. Many locations offer a line of delicious sandwiches, soups and salads. Orders can be called in or done online to ensure availability. Some owners are also offering curb-side pickup and delivery through third-party delivery.
Additionally, all locations will be temporarily shifting to offer only in-store pick up until further notice. As always, the company will continue to heavily reinforce rigorous sanitation guidelines in each location.
“Providing a safe environment for our customers and employees while offering necessities such as fresh bread is our top priority,” said Mike Ferretti, CEO of Great Harvest. “Our franchisees want to give people a convenient and local option for freshly-baked bread and made-to-order meals, so customers can take care of their families at home without stressing about the availability of bread and nutritious options.”
Contact your nearest Great Harvest Bakery Café to find out more about the take-out offerings available. Please visit https://www.greatharvest.com/ to find your nearest location.
About Great Harvest Bread Company
Great Harvest Bread has spent the past 40 years perfecting the combination of ingredients to make the freshest and authentic breads and pastries, as well as the newer sandwiches, grain bowls and soups, growing to nearly 200 locations, all of which continue to mill their own Golden Triangle wheat every morning from scratch. Providing local communities with authentic breads and pastries made fresh daily, the brand is now growing through franchising with a new bakery-cafe model ideal for multi-unit ownership. Open during three parts of the day—breakfast, lunch and dinner— the menu has grown beyond a wide variety of soft, delicious breads to include soups, sandwiches and grain bowls. To learn about franchising opportunities with Great Harvest Bread Company, go to https://www.greatharvest.com/franchise.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Assisted Living Locators, a nationwide senior placement and referral service, is offering a FREE easy-to-use online assessment tool, resources and guidance to help seniors and their families with immediate in-home support and placement needs during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
To proactively protect vulnerable seniors and families as the coronavirus evolves, Assisted Living Locators senior care advisors are available 24/7 to provide access to senior care solutions on demand to help reduce exposure to the virus. These FREE services include:
“During this challenging time, online assessment tools and virtual communication will be more important than ever in maintaining the well-being of seniors and their families,” said Angela Olea, Assisted Living Locators RN CEO. “We’re here to answer your questions and concerns about COVID-19 and senior placement, whether it’s for a short-term or long-term solution. And if your senior is homebound due to self-quarantine, we can help you get a contingency plan in place to help with basic services, such as obtaining groceries, before it becomes a dire problem.”
If you have If you have an immediate placement need in your senior’s next step of care or housing, please call 877-226-7780 or visit www.assistedlivinglocators.com.
About Assisted Living Locators
Assisted Living Locators offers a free, nationwide senior care placement and referral service for in-home care, independent retirement options, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities. The company has 130 franchisees in 36 states and the District of Columbia. Assisted Living Locators recently ranked #1 in the senior placement in Entrepreneur’s Fastest-Growing Franchises and was included in the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. For more information, visit www.assistedlivinglocators.com.