Because it is an alliance, rather than a traditional franchise, Signworld Business Partners requires no royalties and imposes no rules – but does provide robust training and ongoing support, as well as state-of-the-art equipment. By Nancy E. Williams
A demand for signage has increased steadily in the U.S. over the past five years. Strong growth in advertisement spending as well as steady investment in nonresidential construction have boosted this demand. By Nancy E. Williams
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.
FirstLight Home Care’s national network of franchises earns exceptional overall rating in 2018
CINCINNATI — FirstLight Home Care, a leading provider of non-medical home care, has released its annual client satisfaction survey results for 2018. The report found that the company’s national network of franchise locations earned an exceptional score in overall client satisfaction with an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5.
FirstLight has a proven commitment to client satisfaction. The company conducts live phone interviews with its current clients every quarter through independent third-party research firm Infosurv. The quarterly results are then rolled up into an annual client satisfaction star rating, which is based on a five-point scale. Consistent with FirstLight’s Culture of Care, Infosurv conducts these surveys to gather honest, unbiased feedback in specific areas, including quality of care, communication and responsiveness and overall satisfaction. Clients are also given the opportunity to provide feedback in areas where FirstLight excels, as well as areas where the company should improve.
Non-medical home care provides the support people need to live independently in their homes. Traditionally, home care providers focus services exclusively on older adults who are aging in place. But FirstLight also delivers services to adults with disabilities; those recovering from illness, injury or surgery; new and busy mothers; and anyone 18 or older who needs assistance managing daily activities.
The home care segment is experiencing significant growth, making superior client satisfaction a critical component in helping consumers make the most informed decisions about home care services. Regularly surveying clients and considering their feedback is the first step toward achieving the goal of providing exceptional care.
Since opening its first franchise location in 2010, FirstLight Home Care has experienced steady growth and is now serving or in the process of serving clients in more than 250 locations in 34 states throughout the U.S. FirstLight provides Personal Care and Companion Care Services, as well as specialty services, such as Dementia Care, Respite Care, Veteran Care, Disability Care and Travel Companion Programs.
FirstLight Home Care is a leading provider of non-medical home care, helping individuals in more than 30 states achieve the quality of life they deserve. The company has set a new standard in home care by creating an unmatched Culture of Care that drives industry-leading client and employee satisfaction. FirstLight is a lifeline not only for seniors, but for people recovering from illness, injury or surgery; adults with disabilities; new and busy mothers; and anyone over the age of 18 who needs extra assistance. Care can be provided at private residences, as well as independent and assisted living communities. Visit www.FirstLightHomeCare.com.
– Company changes name from Dwyer Group to Neighborly
– Acquired by private equity firm Harvest Partners, LP
– Acquired two new brands: Real Property Management and Mosquito Joe
WACO, Texas — Neighborly®, the world’s largest franchisor of home service brands, celebrated another milestone year in 2018.
In June, the company announced The Riverside Company’s sale of Neighborly to new private equity partner Harvest Partners, LP. Neighborly also completed two acquisitions, Real Property Management and Mosquito Joe. This brings the total number of service brands under the Neighborly umbrella to 20.
Neighborly grew to a total of nearly 3,600 franchisees across nine countries in 2018. The company sold a total of 325 new franchise units across its brands. In addition, the company’s annual systemwide sales reached a total of $2 billion.
“This past year was a period of transformation and growth for Neighborly,” said Mike Bidwell, President and CEO of Neighborly. “We changed our company name after 37 years from Dwyer Group to Neighborly, completed three major acquisition deals, and put our company on a new growth trajectory. We are thankful for our amazing corporate team and franchisees who make it all possible. We look forward to continued growth in the years to come.”
Other highlights for the year included:
“As we move forward, Neighborly will continue to grow and flourish in new ways we never thought possible,” Bidwell added. “I look forward to seeing how the successes of 2018 impact the future of Neighborly and its brands in this new year.”
Neighborly is a holding company of 21 service brands, focused on repairing, maintaining and enhancing consumers’ homes and businesses. The company operates online platforms that connect consumers to service providers in their local communities that meet their rigorous standards as a franchisor across 14 service categories at www.getneighborly.com in the United States and www.getneighbourly.ca in Canada. The company was founded in 1981 as Dwyer Group and is based in Waco, Texas. More information about Neighborly/Neighbourly, and its franchise concepts, is available at www.NeighborlyBrands.com.
Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Franchisor Adds Virtual Sales Assistant Software System-wide to Support Franchisees
CARROLLTON, Texas — FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today its partnership with Click2Sell, an online platform created to simplify, automate, and personalize the process for sales professionals performing business-to-business sales.
“Click2Sell’s software was designed with the small business owner in mind, and its capabilities have been proven to not only allow employees the time to focus on more important tasks, but also to generate quality leads that convert into tangible sales,” said Mark Jameson, EVP of Franchise Support and Development, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “Individual franchisee success is how we determine our overall brand success at FASTSIGNS, and by implementing this new program we strive to uphold our commitment to deliver the most quality resources for the franchisees throughout our FASTSIGNS system.”
Click2Sell is a web-based application created for B2B sales professionals by B2B sales professionals. Its proprietary reply actions and email send algorithms were designed to help sales professionals drive sales by serving as a virtual assistant.
“The initial results for FASTSIGNS have been some of the best we’ve seen yet,” said Amy Barcus, founding partner of Click2Sell. “Our purpose is to help FASTSIGNS re-engage with repeat customers and find new customers daily, keeping the brand top-of-mind with thousands of prospects in each market. We’re very excited about this partnership and look forward to all we can accomplish as our relationship continues to evolve.”
FASTSIGNS is known in the industry for equipping its franchisees with tools vital to securing the ongoing success of each individual location. In 2018, FASTSIGNS announced the launch of its partnership with 1HUDDLE, a workforce-training platform that converts unique training content into science-backed, quick-burst training games that are proven to accelerate workforce productivity. Additionally, FASTSIGNS announced the launch of 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 $23,750. As part of the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) VetFran program, FASTSIGNS also offers veterans this special incentive. FASTSIGNS is proud to be the only franchisor in its segment to offer a development incentive specifically to first responders and veterans.
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 also has been recognized for its franchisee satisfaction by being named a World Class Franchise by the Franchise Research Institute for five consecutive years and has been ranked by Franchise Business Review as one of the “Best of the Best” for franchisee satisfaction for the last 10 years. Additionally, FASTSIGNS also was named to Franchise Business Review’s “Innovative Franchises” list in 2017 and a “Best-in-Category” franchise by Franchise Business Review in 2018. The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) recently recognized FASTSIGNS International, Inc. with a special six-year Franchisees’ Choice designation for its strong relationship with Canadian franchisees, as well as extensive franchisee training and support.
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of over 700 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in nine countries including the U.S., Canada, England, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Chile, and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).
FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive sign and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables and marketing materials. Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com. Follow the brand on Twitter @FASTSIGNS, Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS or LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fastsigns.
Leading Senior Care Franchise Now Offering Award-Winning Services to Carrollton
ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Always Best Care Senior Services, one of the leading senior care franchise systems in the United States, announced today that existing franchisee Marcus Gardner has expanded his territory to offer exceptional senior care to more residents in the state of Texas. Always Best Care of Dallas/Fort Worth/Mid Cities will now provide senior care services to the communities of Carrollton.
“Marcus has been an indispensable part of Always Best Care since he first launched his agency in Dallas more than a decade ago and we’re proud to announce his continued expansion as he strives to serve a greater part of Texas’ communities,” said Jake Brown, President and CEO of Always Best Care. “His dedication and passion towards helping others has led to success in the local community and we’re eager to see his accomplishments in Carrollton.”
Prior to franchising, Gardner served as a business consultant with Ernst & Young. He became the owner and operator of Always Best Care of Dallas in 2008 and has developed a strong reputation in the community, which has allowed him to expand his business across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. One of the brand’s top-performing franchisees, Gardner reported a 4% increase in revenue in 2018 and expanding his business will create over 50 new jobs for caregivers.
“As a Texas native, I’m honored to continue to build my business within the local community while offering a service I am deeply passionate about,” said Gardner. “Each of my team members and staff are dedicated to providing quality care, and this expansion will give us the ability to make a greater impact for those in need of extra assistance for their loved ones. I’m very excited to continue to grow the Always Best Care brand and look forward to this new chapter.”
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.
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.
Leading Complete Bathroom Remodeling Company Partners with Quote Countertops to Debut Revolutionary Technology
PHOENIX — Re-Bath, the nation’s largest complete bathroom remodeling company, has joined forces with Quote Countertops to debut a new, revolutionary technology tool called “Bathroom Visualizer.” Designed to take the headache out of the complex bathroom remodel experience, the Bathroom Visualizer tool is an easy-to-use online platform where consumers can visualize and design their dream bathroom instantly on any device.
“Bathroom remodels are a complex journey of putting together many different products and configurations,” said Alan Lerner, CEO of Quote Countertops. “Quote Countertops and Re-Bath have collaborated their efforts to streamline this complex process to inspire customer creativity from the comfort of their own home.”
For many, bathroom remodels have long been an intricate experience of multiple choices with just as many places to shop for products and services. The Bathroom Visualizer tool helps consumers simplify a typically overwhelming selection process of thousands of products from cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures, showers, tubs, toilets, mirrors, paint, and much more. The tool gives the power of design to the customer and creates an in-home design experience that supports the visual needs of consumers without a lengthy process. With the use of cutting-edge technology, Re-Bath has created a fun and exciting approach for consumers to dream, design, and share their remodel ideas with family and friends – even through social media.
“We understand the challenges and hesitation involved with embarking on a new bathroom remodel project,” said Brad Hillier, CEO of Re-Bath. “As our company continues to grow and evolve, it is our goal to simplify the process and reassure our customers that a remodel can be effortless, convenient and affordable. With the launch of the Bathroom Visualizer tool, we aim to enhance the consumer experience.”
Once a customer designs a bathroom in the tool and fills out their contact information for next steps, a picture of the bathroom they designed along with an itemized list of products used in the design are sent to their local Re-Bath franchise location. This allows for a streamlined process and quicker turnaround on projects.
Re-Bath has grown into a trusted and respected brand known for providing expert, affordable, and effortless bathroom remodeling solutions that transform homeowners’ bathrooms in days, not weeks. Whether seeking a tub or shower area update, better accessibility and safety in your bathroom or a complete bathroom remodel, Re-Bath takes the headache out of bathroom remodeling. The company’s exclusive remodel process removes old materials and fixtures and replaces them with beautiful new options in a wide variety of colors.
Re-Bath has grown to nearly 100 locations in 43 states and continues to seek strategic franchise partners to expand its footprint nationwide.
To learn more about Re-Bath and your bathroom remodeling needs, visit https://www.rebath.com/.
Re-Bath is the nation’s largest complete bathroom remodeling franchise located in more than 100 cities across the country. The parent company’s first entry in the bathroom remodeling industry occurred in 1978 and focused on the hospitality sector. In 1991, Re-Bath launched its first franchise location to focus on the residential market. The company offers complete bathroom remodels, tub and shower updates, plus aging and accessibility solutions. From simple bathtub replacements to complete bathroom redesigns, Re-Bath makes bathroom remodeling effortless, convenient and affordable, all with professional, friendly and factory-trained installers. Re-Bath is a one-stop service that covers the entire process – from design to done – in three easy steps: consultation, removal, and installation. Re-Bath assembles its own exclusive line of products at its headquarters located in Phoenix, Ariz., and offers best-in-class products from national brands for its customers. For more information please visit www.rebath.com or www.rebathfranchise.com for more details on the franchise opportunity.
Leading staffing franchise expands footprint in the Dallas – Fort Worth metroplex
DALLAS — AtWork Group, a rapidly growing national staffing franchise, announced today the opening of its new office in the greater Dallas, Texas area, further extending the company’s reach in the Dallas – Fort Worth metroplex. The franchise location is owned and operated by local entrepreneur Alex Berrabah and will offer staffing solutions to the Frisco, Plano, and Lewisville areas.
“By further expanding into the Dallas – Fort Worth area, we’re looking forward to being ‘AtWork for You’ to the prospective clients and job seekers that we will serve,” said Jason Leverant, president and COO of AtWork Group. “With Alex’s strong background in effective leadership, as well as the experience, tools, and resources of AtWork’s national franchise network, clients and job seekers alike will experience the award-winning service that makes AtWork one of the fastest-growing staffing firms in the nation!”
“I care for my community to the very core of my being, and I look forward to connecting talented job seekers with the many businesses in our area that are driving our continued growth,” said Alex Berrabah.
AtWork was recently ranked No. 363 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® ranking and No. 106 in their Fastest Growing Franchises ranking. The company was also ranked No. 18 in the Franchise Times Fast & Serious list, in addition to receiving a Franchise Times Top 200+ ranking five years in a row. Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) recognized AtWork as being one of the largest staffing companies based on revenues, as well as one of the fastest-growing staffing firms in the U.S. in 2018, and Inc. Magazine ranked AtWork on its Inc. 5000 annual list for the fifth consecutive year, placing the company at No. 3,643.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Jose Corujo, Juan A. Rivera, and Teresa Caballero, Master franchise owners of FASTSIGNS® Puerto Rico, which includes three locations, received national recognition as the recipients of The FASTSIGNS® Award at the 2019 FASTSIGNS International Convention recently held in Orlando, Florida.
This award, which is the most prestigious recognition in the franchise network of over 700 locations in nine countries worldwide, is presented to the franchisees who best represent the FASTSIGNS brand in their community and in the network, and provide exceptional customer service, mentoring, company culture and employee development. FASTSIGNS Puerto Rico also received an award for their involvement in the Franchise Advisory Council.
“It is a huge honor for us. We feel it is such a high recognition to receive this award, because we know the quality of our peers within the franchise network. It’s impossible to describe how we felt, and it was very emotional,” said Caballero.
Having a strong client base on the island through a company that specialized in POP (point-of-purchase) marketing, Corujo, Rivera and Caballero converted their existing business in 2012 into FASTSIGNS. The team signed a Master Franchise Agreement to expand the FASTSIGNS brand into Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.
During 2012, FASTSIGNS opened its first Puerto Rican center in Guaynabo, followed by the Caguas center in 2014 and Carolina in 2015. FASTSIGNS Puerto Rico also has a production workshop, located in the Lucchetti Industrial Park, and its more than 19 employees are proud to contribute to the local economy with their sales talent and production capacity.
“With conversions, franchise owners have the tools but it is up to each of us to take those tools out into the market and to the next level. Knowing that FASTSIGNS didn’t yet have a presence in Puerto Rico, we worked to raise awareness on a local and national level,” said Corujo. “It took courage, requiring us to leave what we were currently doing and take the next step. Our story shows that if franchisees embrace the model, it really pays off. We are extremely proud of all of the hours we invested as we made every effort to embody and share the FASTSIGNS brand.”
When the island was devastated by Hurricane Maria, in 2017, all three locations were without power for a period of time with only their production center powered by a generator. They provided support financially and emotionally to their employees.
“The Hurricane Maria situation changed not only us but the whole island’s psyche. The way that we approach problems is quite different now,” said Rivera, franchise owner with FASTSIGNS Puerto Rico. “We were forced to keep moving. This made us and the team stronger. We learned no matter how tough things may look, there’s a light on the other side.”
“This team excels in solving visual communications, helping customers achieve their objectives, and represents the FASTSIGNS brand with passion, excellence and enthusiasm,” said FASTSIGNS International, Inc. CEO, Catherine Monson. “Not only are they committed to FASTSIGNS, they are also committed to helping their local community while consistently having a positive impact. They’ve also been amazing in helping us grow the FASTSIGNS network both domestically and internationally. We are thankful to have them as members of the FASTSIGNS family.”
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of over 700 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in nine countries including the U.S., Canada, England, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Chile, and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).
FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive sign and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables and marketing materials. Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com. Follow the brand on Twitter @FASTSIGNS, Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS or LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fastsigns.