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30 12, 2019

FASTSIGNS® Continues Worldwide Growth with Signing of Master Franchise Agreement to Open Centers throughout France and Monaco

2019-12-30T09:09:08-05:00December 30th, 2019|Tags: , , , |

Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Franchisor Will Open Its First Location in Paris in March 2020

CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today it has signed a master franchise agreement to open 12 centers throughout France and Monaco over the next three years. FASTSIGNS’ first location in France recently opened in Paris.

“We are thrilled to add France and Monaco to FASTSIGNS’ global footprint as we continue to target growth throughout Western Europe,” said Mark Jameson, Executive Vice President of Franchise Support and Development. “Our success in France will play an important role in further proving the strength of the FASTSIGNS business model internationally, particularly in major cities throughout Europe and around the world.”

Parisian entrepreneur Jean-Marc Tabel will lead FASTSIGNS’ development in France, beginning with the first center that opened at 227 Boulevard Raspail in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. Tabel has over 40 years of experience developing awnings, store décor, and printed materials.

“Throughout France, there are numerous privately-owned businesses that need marketing and branding services, and FASTSIGNS is surely the most advanced franchise opportunity in its industry. We are glad to be pioneers for the brand in our country,” said Tabel. “Joining FASTSIGNS met every criteria we were searching for in a business opportunity. With the amount of ongoing support and training that FASTSIGNS provides its franchisees, we are confident we will be successful.”

FASTSIGNS has reported exceptional results this year. The brand signed 40 franchise agreements to develop new, co-branded, and conversion centers worldwide and is projected to open over 30 locations this year. Internationally, FASTSIGNS opened its first locations in Chile and Malta and signed an additional master franchise agreement to develop centers in the Dominican Republic. FASTSIGNS is continuing to seek qualified candidates to grow its international footprint in target markets throughout the world, including Québec, New Zealand, and Brazil, as well as countries throughout North Africa, Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

FASTSIGNS is consistently ranked as a top franchise opportunity. In 2019, Entrepreneur magazine named FASTSIGNS the #1 franchise opportunity in its category and 95 overall on its annual Franchise 500® list, making it the only sign, graphics, and visual communications franchise to be recognized in the top 100. Entrepreneur also named FASTSIGNS one of the Top Franchises for Veterans in 2019. FASTSIGNS also was recognized as one of the top business opportunities for veterans in Franchise Business Review‘s 2019 Top Franchises for Veterans report. FASTSIGNS was named to the 2019 America’s Best Franchises to Buy list by Forbes magazine. FASTSIGNS 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. celebrates its 35th anniversary in business in 2020 as 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 10 countries including the United States, Canada, Chile, England, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, Malta, Spain, and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).

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 has been ranked the #1 franchise opportunity in its category in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 for the past four years, a 2019 Top Franchises for Veterans by Franchise Business Review and a 2019 America’s Best Franchises to Buy list by Forbes magazine. Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com.

27 12, 2019

Valvoline Announces Opening of Company-Owned Quick-Lube Center in Columbus, Ohio Metro Area

2019-12-27T14:21:23-05:00December 27th, 2019|Tags: , , |

New location marks company’s 27th service center in Greater Columbus and expands network of approximately 1,400 company-owned and franchised quick lube locations

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Valvoline Inc. – a leading worldwide supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services – announced today that it has opened a new company-owned Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeSM (VIOC) service center in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

A core element of Valvoline’s strategy is to accelerate the growth of its industry-leading quick-lube model, which is all about delivering a quick, easy and trusted experience for every customer, every day. The service center is at 8231 E. Broad Street in Reynoldsburg. No appointments are necessary.

Valvoline Instant Oil Change service centers let customers stay in their cars and watch VIOC’s certified technicians perform their service. Technicians complete a professional ASE®-accredited training program that is ranked #4 globally by the Association for Talent Development’s 2019 BEST Award. In addition to full-service oil changes done in about 15 minutes, VIOC performs a wide range of preventive maintenance services, including transmission, radiator and air-conditioning services; safety parts replacement, including wiper blades and light bulbs; and tire rotation. Most locations also offer fuel system and battery services. VIOC services most vehicle makes and models, including luxury, diesel, and hybrid. Visit www.vioc.com to learn more.

About Valvoline™

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a leading worldwide marketer and supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, with sales in more than 140 countries. Established in 1866, the company’s heritage spans more than 150 years, during which time it has developed powerful brand recognition across multiple product and service channels. Valvoline ranks as the No. 3 passenger car motor oil brand in the DIY market by volume. It operates and franchises approximately 1,400 quick-lube locations, and it is the No. 2 chain by number of stores in the United States under the Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeSM brand and the No. 3 chain by number of stores in Canada under the Valvoline Great Canadian Oil Change brand. It also markets Valvoline lubricants and automotive chemicals, including the Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife technology motor oil for engines over 75,000 miles; Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic motor oil; Valvoline Premium Blue™ heavy-duty motor oil; Valvoline Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid; and Zerex™ antifreeze. To learn more, visit www.valvoline.com.

TM Trademark, Valvoline or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries
SM Service mark, Valvoline or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries
®  Register mark owned by third party

23 12, 2019

Wendy and Erik Skaalerud Sign Lease for Denver Area’s First Big Blue Swim School in Centennial, Colorado

2019-12-23T10:30:47-05:00December 23rd, 2019|Tags: , , , , |

Denver-based entrepreneurs sign lease on the first of five Big Blue pools

DENVER — Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation’s fastest-growing swim school franchises, is coming to Colorado thanks to Denver-based entrepreneurs Wendy and Erik Skaalerud. The pair recently signed a lease for their first pool, which will be located at the intersection of Himalaya and Smokey Hill Road in Centennial, Colorado.

As initial investors and franchisees of Orangetheory Fitness, Erik and Wendy grew their Denver footprint for Orangetheory to 30 locations before selling. The couple also started their own finance company 15 years ago—Capital Lending—to help small business owners get off the ground financially. When the two learned about Big Blue Swim School while looking for their next franchising endeavor, they were attracted to the high-quality investment opportunity and the best-in-class consumer offering.

“Big Blue offers a recession-resistant model with solid lasting power in the market, but most importantly, it’s a mission-driven business that helps prevent drowning by teaching a necessary and critical life skill,” said Erik Skaalerud. “We are excited to create a whole culture of quality swimmers and open the door to a new level of swim instruction in Colorado.”

The Skaaleruds signed a five-unit deal in March of 2019, becoming Big Blue’s first franchise partner. As they prepare to open the Centennial Big Blue Swim School, they will continue scouting real estate for four additional Big Blue pools in the surrounding areas.

“As we grow with Big Blue Swim School, we look forward to building an incredible community of families who value confidence, water safety and fun,” said Wendy Skaalerud. “Erik and I made a life commitment to align with people of integrity, kindness, grace and authenticity and the team at Big Blue fits the bill completely.”

Since opening in 2009, Big Blue has worked to change the way swim lessons are taught. “Everything we do is focused on showing kids they can do anything through the magic of weekly swim lessons,” said Chris DeJong, Founder of President of Big Blue Swim School. “This mission drives every operation at Big Blue and we think Erik and Wendy will deliver that mission with passion and enthusiasm.”

With an aggressive growth plan in place, Big Blue has already signed 58 units across the country. With a goal of reaching 150 units by 2021, the brand is uniquely positioned to be the leader in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry. “The Big Blue brand offers franchise partners strong differentiators like a superior curriculum focused on distance-based learning, an innovative proprietary enterprise system, a data-driven real estate strategy and top-tier franchisor support,” said Big Blue’s Chief Development Officer, Scott Thompson. “Beyond that, Big Blue has the experience and data-driven approach needed to scale quickly.”

“We are very excited about Erik and Wendy’s first Big Blue Swim School opening in Centennial,” said Thompson. “Their franchise and business experience will help set them up to be strong and successful franchise partners in Colorado. Their passion for mission-driven work means they will deliver on the Big Blue mission to inspire big moments for kids in the communities they serve.”

ABOUT BIG BLUE SWIM SCHOOL

Big Blue Swim School was founded in 2009 by competitive swimmer Chris DeJong. The first location opened in Wilmette, Illinois, followed by four additional Chicagoland schools. In 2017, Level 5 Capital Partners acquired a stake in the brand. Through that investment, Big Blue plans to grow through franchising to 150 pools by 2021. Big Blue Swim School’s real estate expertise, strong brand, proprietary technology, and leadership support, coupled with its best-in-class consumer offerings, position its franchise partners for long-term success. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Big Blue Swim School, visit http://YourBigMomentStartsHere.com.

23 12, 2019

Huntington Learning Center Announces Results Of SAT, ACT And Scholarship Survey For 2019

2019-12-23T10:25:07-05:00December 23rd, 2019|Tags: , , , |

2019 Represents a Year of Significant Growth, Leadership Changes and Awards for the Leading Tutoring and Test Prep Company

ORADELL, N.J. — Huntington Learning Center, the leading tutoring and test prep company with approximately 300 locations across the country, recently announced the results of its annual SAT, ACT and scholarships survey for 2019. On average, students who participated in Huntington’s standardized test prep programs reported an increase of 229 points on the SAT, and 5.4 points on the ACT. Additionally, Huntington students reported receiving over $71,000 in scholarships on average, up from $57,000 in 2018. Total scholarships awarded to Huntington students surveyed was $187 million, up from $140 million in 2018.

“We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our students, parents, tutors and franchisees over the past year,” said Anne Huntington, President of Huntington Learning Center. “Our individualized programs have a proven track record of success, and we’re honored to be able to have a positive impact on so many students’ lives.”

These scores bring to a close a year of celebration for Huntington, which in 2019 received top honors from Training Magazine for its employer-sponsored training and development programs. Additionally, Huntington Learning Center was named a Top Franchise by both Entrepreneur Magazine and the Franchise Business Review, and received top honors from Newsweek for its excellent customer service.

Also this year, Anne Huntington was named President of Huntington Learning Center, and was honored as Woman of the Year in Franchising by the Stevie Awards, as well as named to NJBiz’s prestigious 40 Under 40 List and the Education Power 50 List. Anne and her mother, Huntington Co-Founder and CEO Eileen Huntington, were also named to Franchise Dictionary’s 50 Women of Wonder List.

2019 was a period of notable growth and expansion for the company, which opened up more than 40 franchising opportunities across the Northeast region — the company’s most significant period of franchise expansion since its inception in 1977. To date, more than 50% of these franchise locations have been sold.

For information about Huntington Learning Center franchise opportunities, please visit www.HuntingtonFranchise.com or call 1-800-653-8400.

About Huntington Learning Center

Huntington Learning Center is the nation’s leading tutoring and test prep provider. Its certified teachers provide individualized instruction in phonics, reading, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Huntington is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.HuntingtonHelps.com and for franchising opportunities www.HuntingtonFranchise.com.

20 12, 2019

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. Acquires Long Island-based Sign Me Up Signs & Advertising

2019-12-20T16:19:23-05:00December 20th, 2019|Tags: , , , |

Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Franchisor Inks Deal to Convert All Seven Sign Me Up Locations As Part of Its Continued Expansion throughout New York

CARROLLTON, Texas FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today it acquired sign franchise Sign Me Up Signs & Advertising. Each of Sign Me Up’s six locations throughout Long Island and one in New Jersey will be converted to a FASTSIGNS center by February 2020, growing FASTSIGNS’ presence on Long Island to eight locations.

“We’re delighted to end 2019 with this acquisition, adding seven locations to the FASTSIGNS network. We are proud to have Sign Me Up co-founder Bryan Schwartz join FASTSIGNS as a franchisee,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “With dedicated members of the FASTSIGNS corporate team already on the ground in Long Island starting the rebranding and training process for each center, we are revving up to multiply our presence and further expand our reach in New York quickly. The addition of these seven locations is a true testament to the strength of the FASTSIGNS.”

The Sign Me Up locations that will be converted to FASTSIGNS centers are located in Oceanside, Wantagh, Lindenhurst, Centereach, and Bethpage, New York, and Elmwood Park, New Jersey. Additionally, the Sign Me Up corporate office and production center in West Babylon, New York, will also be converted to FASTSIGNS.

As part of its aggressive growth throughout New York, FASTSIGNS recently opened locations in Queens and Brooklyn, and continues to seek qualified franchisees to grow the brand throughout New York and the Northeast. For any existing business looking to expand into this fast-paced market, FASTSIGNS offers co-brand and conversion programs to help owners diversify their product lines and services to meet the growing demand for comprehensive signage and visual communications solutions. FASTSIGNS has helped countless owners of print shops, photography studios, camera stores, embroidery shops, and more, add a FASTSIGNS to their existing business or fully convert their store to a FASTSIGNS franchise. FASTSIGNS franchisees receive ongoing training and support to stay ahead of the competition and exceed the needs of their local business community. Both the co-brand franchise opportunity and conversion can be started with only $15,000 down on the initial franchise fee.

FASTSIGNS also offers a special incentive for first responders, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, sheriffs, and firefighters, which includes a 50 percent reduction on the franchise fee — a savings of $24,875.

FASTSIGNS has reported exceptional results this year. In the U.S. the brand signed 40 franchise agreements to develop new, co-branded, and conversion centers and is projected to open over 30 locations this year. Internationally, FASTSIGNS opened its first locations in Chile and Malta and signed an additional master franchise agreement to develop centers in the Dominican Republic. FASTSIGNS is continuing to seek qualified candidates to grow its international footprint in target markets throughout the world, including Québec, New Zealand, and Brazil, as well as countries throughout North Africa, Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

FASTSIGNS is consistently ranked as a top franchise opportunity. In 2019, Entrepreneur magazine named FASTSIGNS the #1 franchise opportunity in its category and 95 overall on its annual Franchise 500® list, making it the only sign, graphics, and visual communications franchise to be recognized in the top 100. Entrepreneur also named FASTSIGNS one of the Top Franchises for Veterans in 2019. FASTSIGNS also was recognized as one of the top business opportunities for veterans in Franchise Business Review‘s 2019 Top Franchises for Veterans report. FASTSIGNS was named to the 2019 America’s Best Franchises to Buy list by Forbes magazine. FASTSIGNS 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.

20 12, 2019

Leading In-Home Senior Care Company Right at Home Shares 10 Tips for Winter Safety

2019-12-20T16:11:01-05:00December 20th, 2019|Tags: , , , , |

Consistently wearing the right shoes, preparing for power outages and stocking up on prescription medication are a few ways seniors can stay safe this winter.

OMAHA, Neb. — Right at Home, a leading in-home care brand with more than 500 locations and over 20,000 clients, has compiled the top 10 tips for seniors to stay safe this winter, when impending snowstorms, freezing rain and sleet prove hazardous for seniors.

“Winter may be a time for holiday celebrations with loved ones, but the season also brings about a great deal of dangerous conditions, which is why seniors need to be careful to prevent falls and other injuries,” said Right at Home CEO and President Brian Petranick. “Even just a little bit of ice on the sidewalk, for example, can cause the most cautious senior to fall. Fortunately, there are several proactive ways seniors and their loved ones can ensure their safety both inside and outside the home.”

Here are Right at Home’s top 10 winter safety tips:

Watch Your Step
Look where you’re going when walking. Assume that all wet and dark areas on pavements are slippery and icy. Ice can be hidden underneath a layer of light snow. Test potentially slick areas by tapping your foot on them first. If you must walk up or down a hill, consider walking along its grassy edge for better traction, and always look for something to grab onto in case you start to lose your balance. Adding salt, sand or cat litter to driveways and sidewalks can provide a layer of slip-free protection.

Choose Your Shoes Wisely
Most winter boots do not keep people upright in slippery conditions. Wear high-traction shoes and boots when venturing outdoors on walks or errands. Shoes and boots with good traction and non-skid soles can mitigate your fall risk, as can walking only on cleared pathways.

Learn to Walk Safely
Instead of walking your usual way, walk like a penguin. Take short, flat-footed baby steps, pointing your feet out slightly while spreading your body weight as evenly as possible over the entire surface of your feet. Walking sideways also helps increase your base of support and balance. In both instances, make sure your knees are slightly bent when walking.

Pro tip: Keeping your hands in your pant or coat pocket for warmth while walking decreases the ability to maintain balance. Make sure you wear gloves and keep both arms by your sides when walking. If you slip, this allows you to quickly extend your arms outward and regain balance. This also helps cushion the impact of falling and decreases the risk of a hip fracture if a fall does occur. If you must carry something in your hands when outdoors, try to keep it light. Better yet, wear a backpack.

Dress for Warmth
Cold temperatures can lead to frostbite and hypothermia, a condition in which body temperature dips too low. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults with inadequate food, clothing or heating are among the most common victims of hypothermia. Make sure to dress in layers and do not let indoor temperatures go too low. If you need to step outside, wear warm socks and a warm hat, a heavy coat, gloves, and a scarf. In very cold temperatures, cover all exposed skin. Use a scarf to cover your mouth and protect your lungs.

Prepare for Power Outages
In many parts of the country, winter storms can knock out power lines from time to time. To stay warm during an outage, consider having a backup generator to allow access to a heat source. Also, keep plenty of blankets and sleeping bags so you can bundle up. Stockpile water and nonperishable food so you’ll have supplies available in case of an extended outage. You can fill your bathtub with water to flush toilets and for general cleaning.

Check on Your Prescription Medication
If you’re taking any prescription medication, make sure you have an adequate supply on hand at the first sign of extreme weather. You may have an auto-prescription enabled, but extreme weather can prevent you from picking up your medication. If you’re running low on important medications, contact your pharmacy benefits management company to see if they can expedite the shipment. You can also have your doctor call in your prescription to a local pharmacy.

Power Up for the Storm
Don’t forget about batteries! Make sure you put new batteries in flashlights, lanterns and radios. Have spare batteries available, too. Don’t forget to charge your phones and computers, including auxiliary power sources.

Create an Emergency Contact Plan
Have a plan in place to reach family members and friends if you lose phone and/or internet service. Keep important phone numbers written down in case you can’t access them on your cellphone or computer. Consider staying with a family member or neighbor if an incoming storm is expected to be severe.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Using a fireplace, gas heater or gas lanterns can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure your safety by checking the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector and buy an updated detector if necessary.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
The most important tip to keep in mind during the colder months is to ask for help. If you need to clear your property of snow and ice, do not hesitate to ask a family member or neighbor or to hire a professional. Arrange rides to the grocery store and doctor appointments. Many communities have shuttle services specifically for seniors. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help!

ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME:

Founded in 1995, Right at Home’s mission is to improve the quality of life for seniors and adults with a disability who want to continue to live independently by offering in-home companionship, personal care and assistance. The majority of local Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each of whom is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global headquarters is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 500 franchise locations in the U.S. and seven other countries. Right at Home was the highest-ranked senior care franchise opportunity on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 List in 2018. In 2018 and 2019, Forbes magazine ranked Right at Home as one of the best franchises to own under $150,000.

For more information on Right at Home, visit About Right at Home at http://www.rightathome.net/about-us or read the Right at Home franchising blog at http://www.rightathomefranchise.com/blog/. To learn more about franchising opportunities, please visit http://www.rightathomefranchise.com/.

19 12, 2019

AlphaGraphics recognized by Franchise Business Review for having exceptionally high franchisee satisfaction

2019-12-19T10:06:47-05:00December 19th, 2019|Tags: , , , , |

Global leader in printing and marketing receives positive results following an annual survey of the franchisees

DENVERAlphaGraphics, a global leader in printing and marketing solutions, has received positive feedback from franchisees following Franchise Business Review’s annual survey completed in September of this year.

Since 2017, when the brand was purchased out of private equity by MBE Worldwide, AlpahGraphics has seen increasingly positive results when measured by their franchise owners.

For 2019, key categories with the greatest positive score increases include:

  • Core values: Up 15%
  • Senior leadership: Up 12%
  • Financial opportunity: Up 10%
  • Franchisees’ general satisfaction of the business: Up 20%
  • Franchisees supportive of the brand: Up 10%

“We had 70% of our franchisees participate this year,” said Bill McPherson, vice president of franchise development at AlphaGraphics. “Our owners are validating at a higher level than ever before that they are excited about the brand, the leadership and the future.”

Franchise Business Review is a leading market research firm in the franchise industry that specializes in assessing franchisee satisfaction and performance. The goal is to bring transparency to the franchise industry for prospective owners and to help franchisors achieve performance objectives.

“We find these survey results to be extremely useful in strengthening our brand,” said McPherson. “We have improved on our score each year that we’ve participated in the survey. Once again, our owners have provided insightful and valuable feedback that will continue to support the health of our company.”

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

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 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. 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.

18 12, 2019

ComForCare of Hendersonville, TN Employee Recognized as 2019 Caregiver of the Year

2019-12-18T18:01:44-05:00December 18th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Beth Trivett honored with prestigious award at ComForCare’s annual franchise conference

DETROIT — ComForCare Home Care, a franchised provider of in-home caregiving services, announced their Caregiver of the Year at the company’s national conference. Beth Trivett, a ComForCare caregiver in Hendersonville, TN,  was awarded the 2019 Caregiver of the Year from over 125 nominations.

“Beth represents the gold standard of our ComForCare values,” said Mike Sluder, franchise owner of ComForCare in Hendersonville — a suburb of Nashville. “She is attentive, caring, efficient and confident in her abilities, which all make her a superior caregiver. The families she cares for trust her unconditionally. There is no value you can put on her heart and compassion for others.”

Through this award, Beth was recognized for her years of extraordinary commitment, hard work and dedication. She consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, while also juggling caring for her own family at home. She is particularly sensitive to caring for clients at the end of their life and supporting the family during that difficult time.

“Caregivers are the heart of the ComForCare franchise system across the U.S. and Canada,” said Mark Armstrong, founder and president of ComForCare and At Your Side Franchise Systems. “And it’s stories like this one that remind us why caregivers are so important. We are honored to have Beth as a part of our ComForCare team and recognize the impact she has had on so many lives.”

ComForCare of Hendersonville provides home care to the area’s older residents and those who are disabled or recovering from injuries or surgery. Services include companionship, personal care, mobility assistance, medication reminders and more. The Hendersonville office is also DementiaWise®-certified, meeting the corporate office’s high standards for dementia education and caregiving excellence. DementiaWise is also recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association for incorporating the evidenced-based Dementia Care Practice Recommendations in the following topic areas: Alzheimer’s and dementia, person-centered care, assessment and care planning, activities of daily living, and behaviors and communication.

Beth has been with ComForCare of Hendersonville since 2013 and is part of one of the fastest-growing franchise business sectors in the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of people 65 and older is expected to increase to 55 million in 2020, and demand for businesses like ComForCare will continue to increase as people prefer to age in place.

About ComForCare:

ComForCare is a premier provider of in-home caregiving services with nearly 200 independently-owned and operated locations in the U.S. and Canada helping older adults live independently in their own homes. ComForCare is committed to helping people live their best life possible and offers special programs for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Founded in 1996, ComForCare was acquired by private equity firm The Riverside Company in 2017 and now is part of Best Life Brands, which has plans for continued expansion of service brands across the continuum of care for aging adults. ComForCare operates as At Your Side Home Care in Houston. For more information, visit www.comforcare.com.

18 12, 2019

Always Best Care Announces New Owner Of Southbury Territory

2019-12-18T17:54:50-05:00December 18th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , |

Local Entrepreneur Now Providing Award-Winning Senior Care Services in New Haven, Fairfield and Litchfield Counties

ROSEVILLE, Calif.Always Best Care Senior Services, one of the leading senior care franchise systems in the United States, announced today that Jeff Gladstein is the new owner of the Southbury franchise. Always Best Care of Southbury has been serving New Haven, Fairfield and Litchfield Counties since 2010. The agency is one of six Always Best Care agencies across Connecticut and provides senior care services to several communities including Southbury, Danbury, Bridgewater, Redding, Middlebury, Roxbury, Wilton and surrounding areas.

“The aging population in Connecticut continues to grow, as does the need for senior care services,” said Jake Brown, President and CEO of Always Best Care. “Always Best Care of Southbury has established a strong rapport within the community over the past several years, and we’re thrilled to have Jeff on board to lead the territory. His passion, dedication and impressive professional background will be invaluable as he helps clients create solutions to better the lives of those who need care.”

Originally from New York City, Gladstein has been a resident in Wilton, Connecticut for more than two decades. Prior to joining Always Best Care, the entrepreneur led a career in capital markets and global risk management as a financial services executive, previously serving as Global Head and Managing Director of Foreign Exchange and Treasury for American International Group. Gladstein also has experience working in a nursing facility where he was responsible for non-medical care for residents and learned the importance of having access to exceptional caregiver services for those in need.

“When it came to the point that my mother could no longer take care of herself, I endured the process of identifying caregiver services that would fulfill the level of quality care she required,” said Gladstein. “This was an eye-opening experience for me and sparked a new passion of wanting to ease the transition for others approaching similar situations with their loved ones. With a strong network of healthcare professionals in the area already established, I’m proud to take over the Southbury territory of Always Best Care and to have the opportunity continue the legacy of guiding existing and new clients through the sensitive journey of selecting a home care provider.”

Always Best Care is one of the nation’s leading providers of non-medical in-home care, assisted living placement services and skilled home health care, and is the only senior services franchise system that combines the three to create three separate revenue streams for its franchisees. The company delivers its services through an international network of more than 200 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. 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 additional information on services available through Always Best Care of Southbury, or for a free evaluation, please call (203) 262-6170, email jgladstein@abc-seniors.com and visit AlwaysBestCare.com/CT/Southbury/.

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.

17 12, 2019

Right at Home Franchises Recognized With Caring.com’s “Caring Stars of 2020” Award

2019-12-17T13:43:31-05:00December 17th, 2019|Tags: , , , , |

Right at Home Leads Nation for Most Winning Listings

OMAHA, Neb. — Caring.com, a trusted resource for families to find in-home care for their senior loved ones, released its annual “Caring Stars of 2020” list, a reliable industry source of information that showcases the best senior care around the country every year. The list is based on consumer ratings and reviews and features the top in-home care agencies in the United States.

Caring.com is also highlighting those organizations that made the “Caring Super Stars of 2020” list. These are businesses that received the Caring Stars award in 2020 and two additional years since 2017.

Right at Home, one of the nation’s leading providers of home care for seniors and adults with disabilities, is thrilled to announce that of the 466 in-home care agencies that received the Caring Stars of 2020 award, 170 of them are Right at Home agencies. Also, 139 in-home care agencies received the Caring Super Stars of 2020 award, and of those, 62 are Right at Home agencies, more than any other company. This makes Right at Home No. 1 in the nation for the second consecutive year.

“Right at Home caregivers deliver our mission of improving the lives of those we serve to thousands of clients across the United States and beyond every day,” said Right at Home President and CEO Brian Petranick. “To be honored as the nation’s top-rated in-home care agencies for the second consecutive year proves our dedication to providing the best quality and personalized care that’s possible.”

In-home care agencies that made the 2020 Caring Stars list had to meet exceptional criteria. They must have had 10 or more consumer reviews on their Caring.com listing by the qualification deadline of Oct. 15, 2019, and must have had an overall average rating of 4.5 stars or higher on a scale of 1 to 5. Old reviews were not allowed to be part of the qualifying criteria. The in-home care agencies had to have three or more reviews on their Caring.com listing dated between Oct. 15, 2018, and Oct. 15, 2019. At least one of those reviews needed to have a five-star rating, and at least one of those reviews had to have been posted in 2019.

Significantly, in order to qualify, brands also had to respond to all negative reviews on their listing. Negative reviews counted as those that only had one or two stars.

“Congratulations to these in-home care agencies for earning such high praise from their clients and clients’ family members,” said Jim Rosenthal, Caring.com CEO. “Achieving the Caring Stars award or Caring Super Stars award is a distinction worthy of significant celebration and promotion — as it speaks volumes about the difference these home care agencies are making in serving older adults. We applaud their accomplishment!”

The remarkable impact Right at Home makes is provided through its proprietary care delivery system, called RightCare. RightCare is “the Right People doing the Right Things the Right Way for the Right Reason.” Right at Home is committed to providing an individualized RightCare experience for every client to improve their quality of life, and accolades like these give credence to the exceptional work Right at Home franchisees and their staffs and caregivers are doing every day to serve the needs of seniors and adults with disabilities.

To learn more about the Caring Stars program and view the complete list of winners, please visit: https://www.caring.com/caringstars2020-in-home-care.

ABOUT CARING.COM:
With three million unique visitors to its website monthly, Caring.com is a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, Caring.com provides helpful caregiving content, online support groups, and a comprehensive Senior Care Directory for the United States, with more than 150,000 consumer ratings and reviews and a toll-free senior living referral line at (800) 325-8591. Connect with Caring.com on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and/or YouTube.

ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME:

Founded in 1995, Right at Home’s mission is to improve the quality of life for seniors and adults with a disability who want to continue to live independently by offering in-home companionship, personal care and assistance. The majority of local Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each of whom is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global headquarters is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 500 franchise locations in the U.S. and seven other countries. Right at Home was the highest-ranked senior care franchise opportunity on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 List in 2018. In 2018 and 2019, Forbes magazine ranked Right at Home as one of the best franchises to own under $150,000.

For more information on Right at Home, visit About Right at Home at http://www.rightathome.net/about-us or read the Right at Home franchising blog at http://www.rightathomefranchise.com/blog/. To learn more about franchising opportunities, please visit http://www.rightathomefranchise.com/.

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