Tatyana Stemkovski, Author at Franchise Dictionary Magazine

7 11, 2019

Shane’s Rib Shack Salutes Active, Retired Service Members With Military Appreciation Week

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-11-07T12:52:09-05:00November 7th, 2019|Tags: chicken, franchised restaurant, hand-chopped pork, Shane's Rib Shack, slow-smoked ribs, southern sides, true American rib shack|

Meal giveaways, special events and letter writing campaigns to make up festivities

ATLANTA — Shane’s Rib Shack (Shane’s) is showing its gratitude to local veterans and military service members through its annual Military Appreciation Week, which will feature food giveaways, honorary catered meals, letter writing campaigns and other initiatives.

Participating Shane’s Rib Shack locations will honor America’s heroes by giving away a complimentary Shane’s signature Big Dad^® Sandwich Combo to each active and retired military personnel from Monday, Nov. 11 through Wednesday, Nov. 13. A Big Dad^® consists of slow-smoked, freshly chopped BBQ pork between two slices of toasted Texas Toast, and each Combo will include a 20-oz. beverage and a delicious southern side.

In addition to the meal giveaways, employees from Shane’s locations around the country will host honorary catered meals for veterans organizations in their local communities throughout the month of November. The caterings originated as an extension to the in-store offers, because Shane’s recognized that some veterans in the community had difficulty making it to the stores to enjoy their honorary meals. No matter their physical limitations, Shane’s is committed to reaching and feeding as many veterans as possible to show thanks for their service. The caterings also give Shane’s employees an opportunity to meet and converse with the veterans, which is an opportunity they greatly appreciate.

Last year, Shane’s locations served more than 8,500 meals through in-store giveaways and catered events. Several Shane’s locations will also host letter writing campaigns for overseas military personnel as part of Military Appreciation Week. Shane’s is inviting local community, school and church members to join in on the initiative. Cards will be made available in stores for guests to fill out and pay tribute to local heroes. The notes will also be posted around the restaurants until they are distributed, with some locations will also distribute the letters to veterans visiting the restaurant in November.

Shane’s crew members will be wearing special edition “We’ve Got Your 6!” themed T-shirts, and special signage will also be displayed honoring those who have served. The sentiment, “We’ve Got Your 6!” originated in WWI among fighter pilots and refers to having someone’s back. The restaurant wants to let all military service members know that Shane’s has their back too.

Shane Thompson, founder and chief executive officer of Shane’s, said he is a steadfast advocate for members of the armed forces, adding that having this opportunity to honor America’s heroes is something he looks forward to each year.

“At Shane’s, we believe all members of the armed forces have answered a special calling to defend the freedom of our citizens and nations,” Thompson said. “My grandfather, the original ‘Big Dad,’ served in the Military during WWII, and I consider all military servicemen and women to be members of the Shane’s family. It is an honor to be able to give back to them and show them a small token of appreciation for their service and dedication to our great country.”

Over the years, many Shane’s locations have partnered with local military support organizations. This year, several Shane’s stores are partnering with the 11 to 11 campaign to raise funds for Forces United in Evans and Grovetown, Georgia and Aiken, South Carolina. Forces United is an organization that strives to help local military veterans and their families by connecting them with resources to help them find jobs, counseling, housing and other necessities.

Local Shane’s franchise owner Mark Irvin said, “To help with their fundraising campaign, we’re offering customers the option to round up to the next dollar when they eat with us, and we donate the difference to Forces United. It’s a great way to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for all of us.”

Connect with Shane’s Rib Shack on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shanesribshack or Instagram at www.instagram.com/shanesribshack to learn about ways Shane’s supports the community, photo contests, and exclusive offers for our loyal guests! For more information regarding Military Appreciation Week, or to find a participating Shane’s Rib Shack near you, please visit ShanesRibShack.com/WeveGotYourSix. *Proof of service required.

About Shane’s Rib Shack

Shane’s Rib Shack is a true American rib shack, known for its slow-smoked ribs, hand-chopped pork, chicken, and many southern sides to complement each plate. The Original Shack was founded in 2002, in McDonough, Ga. by Shane Thompson, who started the restaurant with his grandfather’s secret BBQ sauce. Since becoming a franchised restaurant in 2004, Shane’s Rib Shack has grown to become the country’s model fast-casual barbecue concept. In 2015, Shane’s Rib Shack was named one of the Daily Meal’s Best BBQ Chains and was featured in the Wall Street Journal. Shane’s Rib Shack was recognized in the Top 100 Movers and Shakers by FastCasual.com. For more information, visit www.shanesribshack.com.

7 11, 2019

FASTSIGNS® Named A Top Franchise For Veterans By Franchise Business Review

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-11-07T12:41:03-05:00November 7th, 2019|Tags: FASTSIGNS International Inc., FASTSIGNS® sign and graphic centers, sign and graphic solutions, sign and visual communication franchise|

Independent Research Data Shows Veteran Franchise Owners Are Highly Satisfied with FASTSIGNS’ Performance, Training, and Support

CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS^®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today that it has been named a top franchise for veterans by Franchise Business Review in its 2019 Top Franchises for Veterans Report.

“We’re proud to provide veterans with the opportunity and support to become successful entrepreneurs through the franchise business model. Currently, over 12 percent of franchisees in the FASTSIGNS system are military veterans and we value their contribution to helping us build a top-ranked franchise,” said Mark Jameson, Executive Vice President of Franchise Support and Development. “We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition and continuously pride ourselves on the strong network of franchisees that are advocates of the FASTSIGNS business opportunity.”

FASTSIGNS was among more than 250 franchise brands that participated in Franchise Business Review‘s research on the Top Franchises for Veterans. FASTSIGNS’ franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training and support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity.

Steve Adrian, a retired U.S. Army musician and FASTSIGNS franchisee, discovered the brand on a top military-friendly franchises ranking while researching the best concepts to invest in as a veteran. He joined the company in 2015, and today he and his wife are owners of a successful FASTSIGNS franchise in Forest, Virginia.

“After finishing 20 years in the service, my wife and I were looking for new business opportunities. FASTSIGNS was looking to develop in the territory we wanted to live in, so it gave us an opportunity to have some freedom while owning our own business,” said Steve Adrian. “FASTSIGNS provides excellent support and if we ever had a question or concern, we can just pick up the phone and they’ve got an answer for us, so that network has been invaluable. We had no prior sign or marketing experience and in our first year of business, we exceeded the average for first-year centers by 60 percent.”

FASTSIGNS is known in the industry for equipping its franchisees with tools vital to securing the ongoing success of each individual location. FASTSIGNS offers military veterans the most comprehensive support and financial incentives available in the signage industry. FASTSIGNS participates in the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) VetFran program that provides military veterans with special incentives and assistance to open a franchise. Veterans and first responders, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, sheriffs, and firefighters can take advantage of FASTSIGNS’ 50-percent reduction on the franchise fee — a savings of $24,875

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. was ranked the #1 franchise opportunity in its category and 95 overall on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2019 Franchise 500^®, the world’s first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Acknowledged by entrepreneurs and franchisors as a top competitive tool of measurement, the Franchise 500^® recognizes FASTSIGNS, the only sign, graphics, and visual communications franchise to be recognized in the top 100, for its exceptional performance in areas including financial strength and stability, growth rate, and brand power. FASTSIGNS was recently named to the 2019 America’s Best Franchises to Buy list by Forbes magazine. FASTSIGNS also made Franchise Direct‘s list of the Top 100 Franchises 2019 and ranked #2 on this year’s Franchise Gator Top 100 list, both ranking the best franchises for 2019. Franchise Business Review has recognized FASTSIGNS as one of the “Best of the Best” for franchisee satisfaction for the last 10 years, as well as naming FASTSIGNS to its “Innovative Franchises” list in 2017, and its Top 50 Franchises for Women and Top Service Franchise lists in 2019. In 2018, Franchise Business Review named FASTSIGNS a “Best-in-Category” franchise. This year, the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) awarded FASTSIGNS International, Inc. the Franchisees’ Choice Designation for the seventh consecutive year for its strong relationship with Canadian franchisees, as well as extensive franchisee training and support.

About FASTSIGNS^®

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the leading sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 700 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in nine countries including the United States, Canada, Chile, England, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®). Locations are slated to open in two additional countries – Malta and Spain – in 2019.

FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive signage and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, promote their products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points.

FASTSIGNS centers provide architectural and interior decor graphics, fleet vehicle graphics, digital signs and digital signage content, event graphics, displays, banners, posters, ADA signage, safety and identification signs and much more, as well as handle everything from design to project management to installation.

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is a recipient of many awards, including being ranked the #1 franchise opportunity in its category in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 for the past three years, and Best-in-Category in the business services sector on Franchise Business Review’s list of the top 200 franchises for multiple years.

Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com.

Follow the brand on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fastsigns, Twitter @FASTSIGNS or Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS.

7 11, 2019

International Franchise Association 2020 Chair Catherine Monson Named Keynote Speaker At FranServe Convention And Expo

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-11-07T12:53:44-05:00November 7th, 2019|Tags: FASTSIGNS International, franchise consulting and expansion organization, FranServe, FranServe 2020 Convention and Expo|

– 2020 Convention to Take Place July 12-15 in Disney World, Orlando –

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J. — FranServe—the world’s largest franchise consulting and expansion organization—is delighted to announce Catherine Monson as keynote speaker for the FranServe 2020 Convention and Expo. Monson is the 2020 International Franchise Association (IFA) Chair and the CEO and president of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. (FASTSIGNS). The event will take place July 12-15 at the Disney Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have a powerhouse like Catherine Monson join us as keynote speaker this year,” said FranServe CEO Alesia Visconti. “She is a longtime advocate of the franchising industry, a top CEO, and a consistently recognized leader. Many people also recognize Catherine from her appearance on the CBS show, Undercover Boss. Catherine’s determination, positive attitude, and warm personality are inspirational, and we so look forward to her keynote address. She definitely knows how to take a business to the next level!”

Since joining FASTSIGNS—the international sign and visual graphics franchise—in 2009, Monson has repositioned the brand and accelerated both the growth of average unit volume and the number of locations. Her team is focused on improving franchisee profitability and further increasing already high franchisee satisfaction. Monson is known for her mentoring leadership style and concern about her franchisees on both business and personal levels.

The convention format of this annual event is intended to encourage the fostering of relationships between franchise consultants and franchisors. The program also entails a full day of training by top franchising industry professionals, as well as several key speakers, including prominent immigration attorney Bobby C. Chung who will be speaking on E-2 Visas and franchise ownership.

The 2019 Convention and Expo drew more than 400 attendees including nearly 200 brands. With nearly half of the exhibitor spots already claimed, next year’s event is tracking to be even bigger.

This event is open to all FranServe consultants and brand partners. Anyone interested in learning more about becoming involved with FranServe and attending the 2020 Convention and Expo can visit www.franserve.com/.

About FranServe

FranServe is the world’s largest franchise consulting and expansion organization. Its mission is to help others achieve their dreams of business ownership through franchising. FranServe leads the industry in connecting people to franchise opportunities. This is accomplished by equipping the industry’s most knowledgeable consultants with the training and tools needed to introduce franchisors to the most qualified candidates. FranServe’s culture, technology, reach and scale are helping to revolutionize the franchise industry. To learn more about FranServe, visit www.franserve.com/.

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Media Contact
Lee Groeger | Megan Redzia
3E Public Relations
973.263.5481 | 973.263.5197
lgroeger@3epr.com | mredzia@3epr.com

6 11, 2019

vomFASS Celebrates 25 Year Anniversary

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-11-06T09:31:53-05:00November 6th, 2019|Tags: artisanal oils, European style tasting room, fruit vinegars, liqueurs and spirits, unique retail experience, vomFASS|

NEW YORK — For vomFASS, 2019 commemorates 25 years of delivering the highest quality olive oils, vinegars, gourmet foods and spirits to customers around the world. vomFASS has over 300 franchise stores worldwide with a strong presence in Europe, expansion in Asia, South America and an emphasis on growing the franchise base in the United States.

“We are so excited to be able to celebrate this milestone with our franchisees from across the globe. 25 years is only possible because of our franchisees and the loyal customers who’ve supported the shops,” said Thomas Kiderlen, International CEO and owner of vomFASS. “I very much look forward to another successful 25 years and would like to thank everyone for their hard work. I would also like to thank our producers—many of which we’ve worked with for 25 years—for their dedication to producing only the finest quality products,” he said.

vomFASS held a special anniversary event at the company’s headquarters in Waldburg, Germany that was attended by over 270 franchisees. Highlights of the event included a private wine tasting with the winemakers, a marketplace with over 30 producers on-site, special product training sessions and more. The event also allowed franchisees to network with colleagues from other countries to share ideas and invaluable experiences. The anniversary event culminated with a formal gala complete with live music, comedy performances, five course dinner, casino games and dance party. Performers from Cirque du Sol wowed guests with high-wire acrobatic acts and art performances. Over 20 franchisees from the United States attended the event, with over 250 attendees in total.

The next US store is slated to open in the first quarter of 2020 and will be in Brookline, MA (Boston metropolitan area). Since 2016, the US has become the second leading country in terms of volume within the vomFASS global system and projects to surpass Germany as the leader over the next decade. vomFASS is actively seeking ideal candidates to join its franchise system in dynamic markets throughout the United States. With many retail ventures looking for unique experiences to offer their customer base, vomFASS answers this question by offering a taste-before-you-buy concept that is uniquely different from others in the market. The popularity of the brand is growing in each region where existing franchises are located. The US market is poised to grow exponentially through an emphasis on developing unique products and exciting in-store events.

About vomFASS

vomFASS is a unique retail experience—where you become a taste explorer, following your spirit of discovery to unique and memorable places. Step into a beautifully crafted European style tasting room and sample away—artisanal oils, fruit vinegars, liqueurs, and spirits. You can learn the stories behind the tastes that intrigue—because every product has a story behind it. vomFASS has roots in Germany, more than 100 awards from renowned institutes and over 25 years of experience in growing, tasting and testing the best collection of products that cannot be found elsewhere. The extended vomFASS family reaches into more than 25 countries with over 300 franchise locations.

For more information about opening a franchise in the United States visit https://franchise.vomfassusa.com/. The vomFASS franchising operations in the United States is managed by TK Franchise Operations LP:
1369 Broadway, Suite 501
New York, NY 10018

For more information on product selection visit https://www.vomfassusa.com/.

31 10, 2019

FASTSIGNS® International, Inc. Appoints New Chief Marketing Officer

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-10-31T10:48:00-04:00October 31st, 2019|Tags: FASTSIGNS International Inc., FASTSIGNS® sign and graphic centers, sign and graphic solutions, sign and visual communication franchise|

CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the franchisor of more than 700 FASTSIGNS® locations in nine countries worldwide, has welcomed Jennifer Herskind as the company’s new Chief Marketing Officer.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing, her background includes all marketing disciplines and strong cross-functional knowledge of all business fundamentals. Herskind has a successful track record of transforming brands and driving business results in multiple fast-paced industries with diverse environments.

She most recently held the role of Chief Marketing Officer for Smoothie King where she directed all brand, marketing and R&D strategy to build the brand and drive business results in the fulfillment of its mission to inspire people to live a healthy and active lifestyle for over 1,000 locations.

Before joining Smoothie King, Herskind held senior leadership positions in a wide variety of franchise and company brands including Gold’s Gym, Dave & Buster’s, Nestle Waters North America and Pizza Hut. She began her career with The UPS Store where she worked in several roles as the primary driver of new product development and customer services in support of over 2,000 franchisees.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Herskind as our new Chief Marketing Officer. She has a strong background working with various franchisors making her the perfect addition to support our franchisees,” said Catherine Monson, CEO at FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “We look forward to expanding the FASTSIGNS brand with her expertise as we continue to scale for growth.”

Herskind is a goal-oriented leader with a demonstrated capacity to solve problems with fresh, insight-driven strategic solutions and scale for growth. Herskind was named one of Dallas’ Rising Brand Stars by AdWeek in December 2018. A Dallas native, she belongs to a family of business entrepreneurs she enjoys assisting in her spare time.

About FASTSIGNS^®

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the leading sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 700 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in nine countries including the United States, Canada, Chile, England, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®). Locations are slated to open in two additional countries – Malta and Spain – in 2019.

FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive signage and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, promote their products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points.

FASTSIGNS centers provide architectural and interior decor graphics, fleet vehicle graphics, digital signs and digital signage content, event graphics, displays, banners, posters, ADA signage, safety and identification signs and much more, as well as handle everything from design to project management to installation.

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is a recipient of many awards, including being ranked the #1 franchise opportunity in its category in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 for the past three years, and Best-in-Category in the business services sector on Franchise Business Review’s list of the top 200 franchises for multiple years.

Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com.

Follow the brand on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fastsigns, Twitter @FASTSIGNS or Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS.

29 10, 2019

Signarama Announces Title Sponsorship Of World Axe Throwing Championship

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-10-29T14:26:51-04:00October 29th, 2019|Tags: advertising and marketing services, branding and messaging solutions, business signs, comprehensive sign and graphic services, digital signs, sign franchise, Signarama, UFG, United Franchise Group, vehicle wraps|

Event to take place December 6-8 in Tucson, AZ

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Signarama, the world’s leading sign franchise, is excited to announce that it is the official title sponsor of the World Axe Throwing League’s 2019 Championship event. Referred to as the 2019 Signarama World Axe Throwing Championship, the event will take place December 6-8 at Splitting Timber Axe Throwing in Tucson, Arizona.

“There are so many things that drew us to axe throwing—it’s fun, watched by families and is growing immensely in popularity,” said A.J. Titus, President of Signarama. “We have a passion for this growing sport, and we’ll be tuned in on December 8th with the rest of the world to catch all the action.”

The 2019 Signarama World Axe Throwing Championship will air live on ESPN3 on December 8 at 3 p.m. EST. More than 115 competitors will be whittled down to six finalists as they throw live and compete for a chance to win $15,000. The Championship will re-air on December 15 on ESPN2.

What started as a mission to create a forum for axe throwing facilities to establish official rules and regulations, the World Axe Throwing League has grown to 20 countries, over 150 affiliates and more than 200 locations worldwide in just two short years. Today, the League is the largest professional association for axe throwing in the world.

“We’re excited to have Signarama be this year’s title sponsor. With their support, we’re confident that this will be the best axe throwing tournament & televised event produced by WATL.” Evan Walters, Commissioner of the World Axe Throwing League.

Signarama is part of United Franchise Group‘s (UFG) affiliated companies and brands, and headquartered in West Palm Beach, FL. UFG has more than 1,600 franchises in 80 countries worldwide. It provides decades of experience, comprehensive training, and needed resources enabling franchises such as Signarama to succeed in a highly competitive market.

For more information about the 2019 Signarama World Axe Throwing Championship, visit worldaxethrowingleague.com.

ABOUT SIGNARAMA

Signarama, the world’s largest sign franchise, offers branding and messaging solutions in addition to comprehensive sign and graphic services to consumers and commercial customers – from business signs, vehicle wraps, and digital signs, to advertising and marketing services. Signarama is part of a successful system of business-to-business franchise brands and development services under the United Franchise Group (UFG). As part of a $49-billion-plus worldwide sign market, Signarama has been at the forefront of the sign industry for over three decades. With more than 800 locations in 60 countries, the company expects to have more than 1,500 locations worldwide by the end of 2020. For more information, visit signarama.com.

ABOUT WORLD AXE THROWING LEAGUE

The World Axe Throwing League (WATL) is the global governing body of urban axe throwing. WATL was founded in 2017 by representatives from Canada, the United States of America, Brazil and Ireland. It has 20 axe throwing nations with affiliates. It organizes international tournament events such as the US Open, Canadian Open, the North American Arnold Open, South American Arnold Open, and most notably the World Axe Throwing Championship.

24 10, 2019

StretchLab, Original and Largest Assisted Stretching Brand Inks 250th Franchise Agreement

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-10-24T14:19:15-04:00October 24th, 2019|Tags: boutique health and wellness franchise, decrease muscle aches, improve posture, one-on-one assisted stretching services, reduce pain, reduce recovery time, StretchLab|

Demand for One-on-One Stretching Services Creates Devoted Following

IRVINE, Calif. — StretchLab, a one-on-one assisted stretching concept that launched as national franchise just last year has signed its 250^th franchise agreement, catapulting the brand into dozens of new markets and proving mass appeal from teenagers to 90-year-olds and anyone in between.

StretchLab currently has 79 studios open and will continue to grow in markets such as Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Northern and Southern California, North Carolina and South Carolina through the recent franchise agreements.

“There are countless ways people are getting in their next greatest workout and pushing themselves to the limit. We are successful in helping people recover and restore so they can keep up their fitness routines,” said StretchLab President Lou DeFrancisco. “In each new market where we open, we’re finding a built-in customer base already waiting for us.”

Launched as a franchise opportunity in February 2018, the brand is averaging more than 11 new signed agreements per month. As boutique fitness booms across all forms of exercise, StretchLab supplements each with boutique wellness – tapping into the 62 million annual health club visitors with a scientific recovery method, as well as anyone seeking reduced muscle and joint pain, improved posture or decreased stress. StretchLab’s 25- or 50-mintue sessions leave clients with the confidence to perform better.

At StretchLab, clients work one-on-one with highly trained Flexologists™ in an open, modern and friendly environment to increase mobility and flexibility and achieve a deeper, more advanced stretch than one can get on their own, creating a widespread and devoted following across the country.

In the Tampa, Florida area, local husband-and-wife team George Spowart and Soosie Lazenby signed an agreement to open three studios, the first of which opened this month in Largo, Florida. Spowart, the former Chief Marketing Officer of PODS and Lazenby, the owner of a local event and design company, evaluated dozens of franchise concepts and ultimately decided on StretchLab because they say it’s complementary, not competitive, to other fitness and wellness activities.

“Both of us have always been passionate about fitness so it’s exciting to bring our business experience to something we really believe in — getting involved with StretchLab was a natural next step for us,” said Lazenby.

Backed by Xponential Fitness, the largest curator of boutique fitness brands in the world, CEO Anthony Geisler established it to bring the highest-quality boutique fitness brands together under one umbrella. Housing brands across every vertical of the industry and accelerating their growth domestically and internationally, Xponential’s portfolio of brands includes Club Pilates, CycleBar, StretchLab, Row House, AKT, YogaSix, Pure Barre and STRIDE.

The total initial investment to open a single-unit StretchLab franchise is between $153,100 to $223,500. For more information, visit https://stretchlab.com/franchise/.

About StretchLab:
Founded in 2015, StretchLab is the first boutique health and wellness franchise that offers one-on-one assisted stretching services in a fun, energetic and communal environment. It is designed to increase mobility and flexibility, helping to reduce pain, decrease muscle aches, improve posture, reduce recovery time and enhance quality of life. Guided by highly-trained Flexologists™ in a one-on-one or group atmosphere, StretchLab is revolutionizing the stretching industry through its approach to help clients of all ages, fitness levels, genders and sizes achieve deeper stretches that allow them to reach individual wellness goals. Headquartered in Irvine, CA, StretchLab is backed by Xponential Fitness, a curator of popular boutique fitness brands. To learn more about StretchLab, visit www.stretchlab.com.

About Xponential Fitness
Founded in 2017 by Anthony Geisler, Xponential Fitness is the curator of the best brands across every vertical in the boutique fitness space – including barre, Pilates, indoor cycling, stretch, rowing, dance and yoga. Xponential Fitness’ portfolio of brands includes Pure Barre, a total body workout that uses the ballet barre to perform small, isometric movements; Club Pilates, the nation’s largest and fastest growing Pilates franchise; CycleBar, the first and only premium indoor cycling franchise; StretchLab, a concept offering one-on-one assisted stretching services and group stretch services; Row House, a high-energy, low-impact indoor rowing workout; AKT, a dance-based cardio workout combining toning, interval & circuit training; YogaSix, a modern boutique yoga brand, and STRIDE, a treadmill-based interval training workout. Visit www.xponential.com to learn more.

24 10, 2019

Always Best Care Of Atlanta/Buckhead To Host Third Annual Free Pet Adoption Event For Seniors, Oct. 27, 2019

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-10-24T14:08:54-04:00October 24th, 2019|Tags: Always Best Care Senior Services, Always in Touch program, assisted living placement services, non-medical in-home care, senior care franchise systems, skilled home health care|

Leader in Senior Care Partners with Sunrise of Buckhead and Best Friends Animal Society

ATLANTA — Always Best Care of Atlanta, in partnership with Sunrise of Buckhead and Walking Home Together, will host a free pet adoption event for local seniors from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2019, at the Sunrise at Buckhead located at 1000 Lenox Park Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319. The senior care agency has hosted the annual event since 2016 and plans to cover all qualifying adoption fees for pets adopted by seniors 65 and older during this time.

Attendees and community members of metro Atlanta are encouraged to come out to adopt pets for low-cost/no-cost. Adoptable pets have been rescued by Walking Home Together, a local 501(c)3 state licensed animal rescue center.

“At Always Best Care, we strive to improve the quality of life for aging seniors in our community and we work hard to provide services and solutions to help families and their loved ones adapt to aging in place comfortably,” said Latasha Emeri, owner of Always Best Care – Atlanta. “We feel very strongly that adopting a dog or cat provides our clients with companionship and friendship that helps the process and we’ve been proud to partner with Walking Home Together to sponsor pet adoption fees for those who need it the most. We’re excited to carry on the tradition and look forward to creating connections between pets who need a loving home, and seniors who need a loving companion.”

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. The hallmark services of Always Best Care include non-medical in-home care and assisted living finder and referral services, with skilled home health care now being phased in throughout the country.

For more information about the pet adoption event, or to learn more about services available through Always Best Care – Atlanta, please call (678) 487-3803 or visit www.abcatlantabuckhead.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 assists seniors with a wide range of illnesses and personal needs, and currently provides more than 4 million 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 an exclusive program called Always in Touch, a telephone reassurance program that provides a daily phone call to seniors and disabled adults who are living alone and have limited contact with the outside world. Always in Touch is the only absolutely free national telephone reassurance program of its kind anywhere in the USA and Canada. For more information on Always in Touch, or to request an application, visit www.Always-In-Touch.com.

23 10, 2019

Wayne and Linda van der Poll Are Bringing Big Blue Swim School to Wake County, NC

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-10-23T11:13:40-04:00October 23rd, 2019|Tags: Big Blue Swim School, child care franchise, child education franchise, child engagement specialists, swim school franchise|

The husband-and-wife team signed a three-unit deal to develop the state-of-the-art swim instruction concept in the Raleigh market

RALEIGH, N.C. — Fast-growing swim instruction franchise Big Blue Swim School is coming to Wake County, North Carolina as part of a three-unit deal signed by husband-and-wife franchisees Wayne and Linda van der Poll. The pair originally hails from South Africa, but relocated to Apex, North Carolina nearly six years ago to bring new opportunities and a more diverse experience into their two children’s lives. The van der Poll’s children, ages 19 and 20, are currently attending college nearby at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University.

Big Blue Swim School was founded in Chicago, IL by U.S. National Champion swimmer Chris DeJong after coming in just behind Michael Phelps for qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team in 2004 and 2008.

“We are so thrilled to have Wayne and Linda as franchise partners. Not only do they bring an impressive level of business acumen but also a shared passion for helping kids,” said DeJong.

The brand approaches swim instruction holistically, imparting life skills like confidence and self-esteem in students while benchmarking swimming progress. Big Blue Swim School is well-positioned as a dominant player in the $20 billion swim school industry, with national expansion currently ongoing. Big Blue Swim School’s key differentiators include their proprietary lesson-management platform Lesson Buddy™, a more effective curriculum that teaches independence, and a data-driven operational model.

Wayne is currently Chief Financial Officer of Landmark Management Partners with a background in accounting and enterprise development. He was looking to diversify his portfolio with a franchising opportunity in the services sector, with a diverse client base and recurring revenue. Then he discovered Big Blue Swim School. “When I started researching Big Blue Swim School, it met all of my qualifications and I felt that being involved with a school really resonated with my skill set,” said Wayne.”The Raleigh territory is ripe for opportunity with Big Blue Swim School.” Raleigh’s high concentration of young families makes it a perfect fit for Big Blue. Given that it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in North Carolina and one of the top cities for millennials, Wayne feels the market is primed for a convenient and technology-driven swim instruction brand to take hold.

In 2017, private equity group Level 5 Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Big Blue Swim School and began to grow the brand through franchising. This partnership largely influenced Wayne’s choice to invest. “I wanted to buy into this process because I really believe in the way that Chris Kenny, Managing Partner of Level 5 Capital Partners, is leading this organization.”

Big Blue Swim School’s Chief Development Officer Scott Thompson shared that he is thrilled to see the van der Polls join the Big Blue system.

“They are passionate about unlocking children’s full potential and believe swimming is a fantastic vehicle to deliver on this,” said Thompson. “Their experience in operating schools in South Africa and the states—accompanied by Wayne’s background in accounting and enterprise development—makes this partnership invaluable for the brand.”

ABOUT BIG BLUE SWIM SCHOOL

Big Blue Swim School was founded in 2009 by competitive swimmer Chris DeJong. The first location opened in Wilmette, followed by Niles, Buffalo Grove and Hoffman Estates. In 2017, Level 5 Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in the brand, and is rolling out an aggressive strategy to grow through franchising to 150 locations by 2021. Big Blue Swim School’s real estate footprint, proprietary technology Lesson Buddy™, coupled with its practice of employing full-time child engagement specialists that teach based on a proprietary distance-based swimming methodology sets Big Blue up for long-term success.

22 10, 2019

AlphaGraphics Earns Global Honors from Entrepreneur Magazine

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-10-22T09:50:04-04:00October 22nd, 2019|Tags: AlphaGraphics, marketing products and solutions, print and marketing franchise, printing services franchise, visual communications|

Industry leader in printing and marketing ranked as one of the top franchise brands in the world

DENVER — AlphaGraphics, a global leader in printing and marketing solutions, announced today the company received global honors from Entrepreneur Magazine and has been ranked No. 120 on the magazine’s annual list of top global franchises.

“The franchise industry is extremely competitive, but AlphaGraphics continues to grow because we put a focus on putting our owners first,” said Bill McPherson, vice president of franchise development at AlphaGraphics. “We’re regularly introducing innovative solutions and systems that will help not only AlphaGraphics find success but also the nearly 300 owners worldwide that have put their trust in our brand.”

Earlier this year, AlphaGraphics placed No. 124 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, which focuses on U.S. locations and uses a proprietary formula that weighs several factors, including costs, size, support, brand strength and financial stability. In order to rank on Entrepreneur’s global list, the magazine’s editors tweak the Franchise 500 formula to offer an added focus on international size and growth. Companies must have had a minimum of five units open internationally as of July 2018 in order to be considered.

“While the majority of our locations are in the United States, the AlphaGraphics brand has spread to several other countries, including the UK, Brazil and China,” McPherson said. “We offer guidance and support to franchise owners to help them build a successful, thriving local business in their community. None of these territories are company-owned, which means the brand may be global, but the successes can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of local entrepreneurs in cities and towns across the world.”

AlphaGraphics was founded in 1970 by Rodger Ford, and the company began offering franchise opportunities in 1979. AlphaGraphics services include printing, marketing, signs and other business solutions.

About AlphaGraphics

AlphaGraphics, Inc., with more than 285 locations in 5 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 and solutions including: full-service digital, offset, and large format printing; design services; mailing; one-to-one marketing solutions; promotional products; web to print solutions. For more information about AlphaGraphics services and/or franchise opportunities, visit www.alphagraphics.com or www.alphagraphicsfranchise.com.

Tatyana

About Tatyana Stemkovski