small business opportunity magazine

Ronkonkoma, NY – Minuteman Press International, a top-rated business marketing and printing franchise headquartered in Farmingdale, has launched a significant initiative to move business operations in a more environmentally sustainable direction. As of March 16th, of this year, the company has converted to solar energy, enlisting SUNation Solar Systems of Ronkonkoma for the project.

SUNation comprehensively manages the project through all phases including engineering, installation and maintenance of the system and does so for thousands of their Long Island neighbors. “Minuteman Press will benefit from an array of advantages by entrusting SUNation with this project”, says Scott Maskin, CEO of SUNation. He adds, “SUNation’s solar grid system ensures a secure investment, with fixed energy costs that allow businesses like Minutemen Press to more efficiently forecast their operating expenses and allocate additional funds to other vital business functions. With guaranteed performance and energy independence, Minuteman Press can rest assured that with SUNation’s solar panels they will have the necessary energy resources to properly power their building.”

Minuteman Press is optimistic at the impact this decision will have on their business and their community. “Partnering with SUNation for our conversion to solar energy was easy and efficient,” says Bob Titus, Minuteman Press International President & CEO. He adds, “Minuteman Press has strong roots in Long Island. We have been here since we established our family business in 1973 and since then we have expanded to nearly 1,000 franchises across five countries. Our world headquarters in Farmingdale continues to be our home base and we are thrilled that we were able to utilize SUNation, another industry-leading Long Island-based company, for our energy conversion.”

Ranked #1 in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine 26 times, Minuteman Press serves as a major contributor to the Long Island economy. Appropriately trademarked “We Are The Modern Printing Industry”, the move to solar energy aligns accordingly with Minuteman Press’ motto and sets a precedent for other Long Island based businesses. “Solar energy is the way of today and the future. As a company, we are excited to invest in green technology in an ongoing effort to be environmentally responsible. Going solar with SUNation is one huge part of the larger picture”, Titus remarks. Equipping their headquarters with solar energy sends a powerful message to Minuteman Press’ customers and worldwide franchise locations, demonstrating a clear commitment to clean and responsible operating practices. This is further evident by the fact that they are also in the process of switching over all lighting in their 46,000 sq. ft. building to energy efficient LED technology.

The business venture between Minuteman Press and SUNation is representative of more than just a standard solar installation job. Both companies are family run, Long Island based businesses. From inception to modern day operations, the companies and their team members live, work and play in Long Island, and us such, have a vested interest in sustaining their home and promoting its integrity for future generations.

Danbury, CT – Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill, with locations in New York and Connecticut, announced that franchise development opportunities for the popular chain of fast casual Mexican restaurants are now available in the DMA’s Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Florida, with locations in New York available soon.

Launched in 2008 with an “open kitchen” concept, fresh ingredients and traditional flavors from Mexico, Salsa Fresca guests have consistently praised the extremely fresh dishes, as well as the transparency which allows guests to see exactly what is being prepared, and how. “There have been so many different factors in our success,” said Seth Hirschel, co-founder of Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill. “One of the biggest factors is the fact that we’re not using pre-frozen ingredients – it’s all fresh, every day. The response at all eight of our locations has been so overwhelming, and we’re seeing constant interest from patrons who want to enjoy our fresh foods in other locations, too. It’s time for the next step, and our franchise program will finally meet that incredible demand as we expand to a hundred stores over the next five years.”

Customers have been enthusiastic about the restaurants and eager to see expansion into their own markets. “Franchisees will be stepping into a business with a built-in demand,” said Lynette McKee, national director of franchising. “With best-in-class support, franchise owners can look forward to hands-on help from the very beginning, to build-out assistance, pre-opening training programs, and on-site support during launch and on an ongoing basis.”

The “fast casual” market represents a $47 billion segment of the restaurant industry experiencing rapid growth. Seven of the ten fastest-growing restaurant chains over the past five years being fast casual brands – and of those, Mexican food represents the largest share at 19 percent, compared with only 10 percent growth at traditional burger restaurants. Fast casual has consistently taken market share from quick service restaurants (QSR’s), moving from a nine percent share in 2007 to 18 percent in 2016, with a projected 22 percent share by 2021. This positive trend for fast casual restaurant growth is expected to continue long term.

“Entrepreneurs today are interested in a strong concept and a profitable business plan, but there’s more than that – today’s generation of entrepreneurs are also interested in sustainable concepts and ecologically conscious business models,” said Hirschel. “In addition to using eco-friendly building materials in new restaurant construction, we employ green utensils and packaging, energy-efficient HVAC systems and lighting, and recycle all of our cooking oil.”

The earth-friendly design of each location reflects a modern, industrial-chic look with gleaming stainless steel and glass for an easy showcase of the restaurant’s fresh ingredients. With everything made on site, customers enjoy watching as well as eating. Freezers are not a part of the design, intentionally, reinforcing the “always fresh” concept.

ATLANTA, GA  – Tropical Smoothie Cafe, one of the fastest growing franchise concepts in the country, is proud to announce significant achievements and growth in the first half of 2018, opening 47 new cafes and signing 113 franchise agreements to date. This continued momentum in franchise development represents the brand’s expansion into top priority growth markets such as Atlanta, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth, and keeps the company on track to reach its goal of opening 120 new cafes by the end of this year. In addition to propelling development, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has also experienced a 6.6 percent increase in year-to-date same-store sales.

Additionally, June 15th marked the celebration of Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s annual National Flip Flop Day®. This one-day customer appreciation event is also designed to bring awareness to the brand’s fundraising efforts for its national charitable partner, Camp Sunshine. In just one day, the company raised a record-breaking $184,150 and gave away over 310,000 of the brands signature Sunshine Smoothies on National Flip Flop Day. Over the past 11 years, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has raised more than $6.3 million to support Camp Sunshine’s mission to provide an authentic camp experience for children with life threatening illnesses and their entire families.

“We’re thrilled with the impressive strides we’ve made as a brand in the first half of 2018. From new cafe openings, strong same-store sales, to record-breaking donation efforts for Camp Sunshine, along with our continued focus on innovation, we are determined to make this year the biggest and best to date,” said Charles Watson, chief development officer and interim CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe. “With over 670 locations open nationwide and over 100 franchise agreements signed so far this year, nearly 55 percent more deals than this time last year, we’re positioned for continued success in 2018 and on pace to reach our goal of 1,000 locations by the end of 2020.”

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has also positioned itself as a leader in innovation and forward thinking with unique limited-time offerings, such as the Citrus Cactus Smoothie, which debuted in April. Additionally, the brand further enhanced its offerings by adding pressed sandwiches to the menu, including the Chicken Caprese and Cuban pressed sandwiches.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is looking to add qualified franchisees to its growing brand. Candidates should have business experience; $125,000 in liquid assets and a minimum net worth of $350,000; and an initial investment of between $222,095 and $569,335. The better-for-you food franchise currently boasts an average unit volume (AUV) of more than $681,000 – the highest in the company’s 21-year-history – with the top 50 percent reporting an AUV of more than $873,000.

BALTIMORE, MD – In an effort to continue addressing the rising demand for elder care, Senior Helpers®, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior care services, announced the launch of a nationwide franchise concept called Senior Helpers Town Square Franchising. The new venture is the result of a strategic alliance between Senior Helpers – experts in Alzheimer’s and dementia care – and the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers, Inc.® – a non-profit organization whose namesake is known for his research on the beta-amyloid protein that is considered to be the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers, Inc. created an original prototype, Town Square®, in Chula Vista, CA, just south of San Diego, which will open later this month. Senior Helpers will work with George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers, Inc. to bring the unique experience of Town Square to seniors across the country. Senior Helpers Town Square offers a one-of-a-kind adult day care experience for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Each will be comprised of an indoor, simulated urban environment that employs reminiscence therapy – which utilizes tangible prompts from an individual’s past to help elicit more long-term memories, reduce anxiety and improve mood and sleep quality in those with dementia.

“With nearly 75 million individuals aged 51-69 in the U.S., the need for elder care has significantly grown over the years, making it a $400 billion industry and counting,” said Greg White, newly appointed VP of Franchise Development for Senior Helpers Town Square. “Adult day care franchises can be highly profitable. With the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Center’s 35 years of experience in the field, coupled with Senior Helpers’ background in caregiving for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, this is an exciting new concept that can generate a positive impact on the community.”

Each Senior Helpers Town Square location will feature a highly structured, midcentury “town” built around distinctive vignettes that evoke the age when most participants (now in their 70s and 80s) were young adults, including such areas as a 1950s-era diner, movie theater, library, and hair salon, arranged around a central green. Participants could be served hot lunch at an authentic 1950s style diner, enjoy a vintage black-and-white film and old-fashioned popcorn at the movie theater, get their hair styled at the on-site salon or tinker with a 1959 Ford Thunderbird at the service station. The one-of-a-kind, interactive environment is designed to help capture part of the life and preserved cognitive function that remains intact for these individuals, ultimately enabling them to feel calm, confident and secure.

“Our shared mission is to improve the quality of life for the elderly and their families by delivering innovative adult day care that is safe, affordable and accessible,” comments Scott J. Tarde, L.N.H.A., CEO and Executive Director of the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers.

Senior Helpers Town Square Franchising provides an attractive investment opportunity for entrepreneurs looking for exceptional corporate support and an exciting franchising concept in a booming industry. Led by White, Senior Helpers Town Square Franchising offers potential investors two ownership models that leverage Senior Helpers’ unmatched senior care services: hands-on ownership – which requires a franchise owner to oversee the operation and actively participate in managing daily operations, or absentee ownership – relying on Senior Helpers to manage and execute day-to-day operations.

“The initial response to Senior Helpers Town Square Franchising has been overwhelmingly positive, and we hope to have 100 Senior Helpers Town Square locations operating all across the U.S. within the next three years,” comments Peter Ross, CEO and Co-Founder, Senior Helpers. “Moreover, with Greg’s proven track record in franchise development and running small businesses for over two decades, we have a winning team that bodes well for the long-term growth and success of this new segment of our business.”

The company is currently accepting applications for Senior Helpers Town Square locations.

CHESHIRE, CT  – Wayback Burgers, America’s Favorite Hometown Burger Joint and one of the nation’s fastest-growing burger franchises, is celebrating National French Fry Day in style – sharing bottomless fries with our loyal guests. To commemorate National French Fry Day on July 13th, Wayback Burgers will offer guests bottomless fries with the purchase of a burger or sandwich. We’re hoping even those who suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia (the fear of Friday the 13th) can admit this upcoming Friday the 13th sounds delicious!

Who doesn’t love fries? Fries can be ordered as a meal, as a side, put in sandwiches, or on top of salads. The versatility of fries is endless. Fries can be dipped in ketchup, dunked in ranch or dipped in one of Wayback’s hand-dipped milkshakes. We’re not here to judge anyone’s preference, but we’re asking you to be the judge of OUR fries. Visit your local Wayback Burgers restaurant on National French Fry Day, Friday, July 13th – with a purchase of a burger or sandwich, you are free to enjoy as many fries as your heart desires during your visit.

Wayback Burgers’ President John Eucalitto is confident guests will love celebrating National French Fry Day with Wayback Burgers.

“Like all great partnerships that have withstood the test of time, hamburgers and fries have always been perfect partners and you’ll find we serve both with the highest possible quality,” says Eucalitto. “We believe our fries are second to none and we are excited to celebrate America’s love of fries with our guests. Once our guests pair their favorite cooked-to-order burger or sandwich with bottomless fries, and potentially a hand-dipped-to-order milkshake, we believe it will be a Friday the 13th to remember.”

Americans’ infatuation with French fries dates back to World War I. American soldiers arrived in Belgium and enjoyed Belgium fries. They became “French” fries because French was the official language of the Belgian Army at that time.

Patrick Conlin, Wayback Burgers’ Senior Vice President, says there isn’t a language barrier when it comes to delivering fun for families visiting local Wayback Burger restaurants.

“National French Fry Day is a day we look forward to just as much as National Hamburger Day and Free Shake Day,” says Conlin. “Any chance we get to show our appreciation to our guests by treating them to our wonderful products, on the house, is a special day here at Wayback Burgers. With National French Fry Day falling on a Friday, our loyal guests have a great opportunity to kick-off the weekend with a wonderful meal complete with all the fries they want!”

All Wayback Burgers’ fries are prepared to order. They’re simple, which makes them fantastic. Dipping sauces are also available to accompany the fries.

Guests are encouraged to share their National French Fry Day experience on Twitter or Instagram, and leave a comment on Wayback Burgers’ Facebook page.

For more information on Wayback Burgers and National French Fry Day, please visit www.WaybackBurgers.com, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

For more information about the Wayback Burgers franchise opportunity visit https://franchise.waybackburgers.com/.

IRVINE, CA – Less than five months after announcing its franchise opportunity, StretchLab, an inclusive, energetic assisted stretching concept, has signed initial franchise agreements to debut studios in Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Seattle, Central New Jersey and Eagle, Idaho. Additional agreements have been signed to significantly expand the brand’s presence throughout its home state of California in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area. This strategic development of 31 new units launches the StretchLab concept to all four regions of the U.S., making the inclusive wellness concept more accessible to all.

StretchLab introduces people of all ages, fitness levels, genders and sizes to various health and wellness benefits of working one-on-one with highly trained flexologists™ in an open, modern, fun and approachable environment. Although often neglected, deep stretching is not only scientifically proven to effectively decrease pain, lower risk of injury and reduce stress, but it also provides the ability to perform better at work, in the gym and in everyday life. StretchLab strives to help clients increase mobility and flexibility to achieve a deeper, more advanced stretch than one can do on his or her own.

“In today’s busy world, there is a growing trend toward self-care, recovery work and overall wellness. Deep stretching fulfills that desire, allowing all people to fully tackle their days, no matter what’s on the agenda,” said Lou DeFrancisco, President of StretchLab. “These initial franchise agreements greatly expand StretchLab’s presence throughout the country, allowing us to continue to educate consumers on the benefits of including assisted stretching in their health rituals.”

Founded in 2015 in Venice, California to fulfill the vision of creating an affordable assisted stretching concept, StretchLab quickly gained popularity and grew to three studios throughout Southern California. Now backed by Xponential Fitness, a curator of premium boutique fitness brands led by an expert team with more than 25 years of experience in fitness franchising, StretchLab is actively seeking single- and multi-unit franchise partners to increase the brand’s presence across the U.S. with territories available in all 50 states. With first-to-market opportunities available nationwide, StretchLab is a profitable and rewarding franchise investment. Initial single-unit investment fees range from $153,100 to $223,500.

For more information about StretchLab’s franchise opportunity, visit: stretchlab.com/franchise.

DALLAS, TX  – Pie Five Pizza Co. – the fast-casual restaurant known for its customizable pizzas prepared and ready to enjoy in five minutes – announced the launch of its inaugural pizza competition, Pizza Masters.

Pie Five’s pizza perfectionists handcrafted five specialty pizzas for fans to vote on. The winning pizza will be featured on Pie Five’s menu system-wide as a limited time offer in October. The five contenders include:

• Spicy Taco Pizza – Spicy marinara with mozzarella and cheddar cheese, beef, grape tomatoes, black olives and red onions. After baking, it’s topped with chopped romaine lettuce and feta cheese. Guests can add Cholula and cilantro for extra flavor.
• The Volcano Pizza – Spicy marinara sauce with mozzarella and cheddar cheese, chicken sausage, crumbled meatballs, beef and grape tomatoes. After it bakes, add a spiral drizzle of sundried tomato purée and Sriracha (the lava).
• The Mediterranean Veggie – Olive oil and garlic sauce with mozzarella cheese, red and green peppers, artichoke hearts, red onions and Kalamata olives. After baking, add a spiral of balsamic glaze and for even more flavor, add feta cheese and oregano.
• Lasagna Pizza – Tuscan marinara with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, spinach, Italian sausage and mushrooms. After baking, sprinkle Magic Dust and oregano.
• Spinach Alfredo Pizza – Alfredo sauce with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, spinach, bacon, diced chicken, caramelized onions and sundried tomatoes. After baking, sprinkle Magic Dust and feta cheese.

Do one of these pizza’s sound absolutely delicious?! Be sure to vote for your favorite at piefivepizza.com/pizzamasters before voting ends on July 20 at midnight.

The winning pizza will be announced to members of the Circle of Crust and on their website and social pages on July 25. Share with your friends to have your favorite win, so that you can enjoy it in October!

Pie Five’s fast-casual concept provides guests with a fully customizable experience from start to finish. With more than 40 fresh toppings, seven savory sauces and five crust choices, there’s a delicious pairing to match every guest’s preference. Pie Five also accommodates dietary restrictions by offering low-carb cauliflower crust, gluten-free crust and vegan cheese options. In addition to customizable large and small pizzas, Pie Five also serves toasted sandwiches, freshly tossed salad and warm cinnamon stix dessert – perfect for the entire family to enjoy.

For more information on Pie Five’s locations, please visit the Pie Five location finder. Connect with Pie Five on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

CANTON, MA – PRNewswire

Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN), the parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts (DD) and Baskin-Robbins (BR), today announced that David Hoffmann, 50, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He will also serve on the Company’s Board of Directors and remain President of Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. The members of the Dunkin’ Brands Leadership Team will now report to Mr. Hoffmann who is succeeding Nigel Travis, 68. Mr. Travis is retiring from the role he has held since January 2009.

Additionally, the Company announced that Mr. Travis has been named Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and will remain actively involved with the Company, with a particular focus on the continued development of the international businesses.

“When we recruited Dave to Dunkin’ Brands 18 months ago with the intent that he would succeed me as CEO, we knew that we were getting a world-class leader with extensive restaurant industry expertise, and he has exceeded all of our expectations. From his development and implementation of the Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. Blueprint for Growth, to the relationships he has forged with our franchisees and the talent management skills he has exhibited, Dave has demonstrated he is exactly the person to lead the next phase of our global growth,” said Travis. “I look forward to supporting him in his new role and am confident that under his leadership Dunkin’ Brands will continue to meet the needs of our franchisees, our employees, our shareholders and, most importantly, our guests.”

Mr. Hoffmann joined Dunkin’ Brands as President of Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. in October 2016. Since that time, he has overseen the implementation of a multi-year Blueprint for Growth designed to transform Dunkin’ Donuts into the leading beverage-led, on-the-go brand. He has also led all aspects of Dunkin’ Donuts’ U.S. operations, supply chain, marketing, consumer packaged goods (CPG) growth, digital innovation and franchise development. Additionally, he has directed the creation of Dunkin’ Donuts’ next-generation concept store, overseen the addition of hundreds of net new Dunkin’ restaurants in the U.S. and advocated for numerous sustainability initiatives.

Under Mr. Travis’ leadership, Dunkin’ Brands completed a successful IPO in 2011 and has delivered consistently strong financial results, enabling it to return nearly $2.7 billion to shareholders since going public. Over the past ten years, he has guided the Company through one of its most dramatic growth periods, which included entry into 25 new international markets and the addition of almost 6,000 net new restaurants globally, including more than 2,800 net new Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in the U.S. Mr. Travis has also directed the launch of numerous key business initiatives, including the introduction of Dunkin’-branded consumer packaged goods such as Dunkin’ K-Cups and Ready-to-Drink Bottled Iced Coffees. A strong advocate for leveraging digital technology to better deliver the customer experience, Mr. Travis oversaw the introduction of mobile payment apps for both Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, the DD Perks Loyalty Program, Dunkin’ Donuts’ On-the-Go Mobile Ordering, and home delivery programs for both brands in multiple markets around the globe.

“I want to thank the Dunkin’ Brands Board of Directors for the opportunity to lead this incredible company. I also want to offer my heartfelt appreciation to Nigel for his decade-long leadership of Dunkin’ Brands as well as for the support he has shown me since I joined the Company,” said Hoffmann. “Thanks to Nigel, our franchisees around the world have flourished; our asset-light model has yielded strong shareholder returns, and we are well-positioned for long-term growth. I look forward to collaborating with Nigel, the Board, our leadership team, employees, and of course our great franchisees to further differentiate both our brands through cutting edge marketing, menu innovation, digital leadership, value, and restaurant excellence. We have a strong legacy and an even more exciting future together.”

Before joining Dunkin’ Brands, Mr. Hoffmann spent a total of 22 years with McDonald’s Corporation including time as a crew member while in high school. He later rejoined the company, post MBA, and after working in field operations, moved to the corporate office where he held leadership positions in several key functions including strategy and insights, development, training, operations and supply chain. In 2008, he was named McDonald’s vice president of strategy and franchising in Japan, and later held general management positions covering a wide range of international markets. He was ultimately named President, High Growth Markets, which included China, South Korea, Russia and several additional European markets. Prior to McDonald’s, Mr. Hoffmann worked for Arthur Andersen.

GREENVILLE, SC – 9Round, the world’s fastest growing kickboxing fitness franchise, is celebrating its ten-year anniversary this month. Since the company’s inception in July 2008, 9Round has quickly become a leader in both the fitness and franchising industry, operating more than 700 locations in 42 states and 13 countries.

Shannon Hudson, a former professional kickboxer and Light Middleweight Kickboxing Champion of the World, founded 9Round with his wife, Heather. Together they have worked to bring specialized kickboxing fitness and training to the average person in a way that’s affordable, convenient and fun. There are no class times, trainers are always on site to lead the workouts, and routines change daily, giving members a fresh workout every time they come in.

“Heather and I began our path to success ten years ago with only one 9Round location in Greenville, South Carolina and $1.72 in our bank account,” says Shannon. “Today, 9Round has become a global sensation and achieved more than $16 million in annual revenue last year alone. We always knew the 9Round concept was something special and it’s so rewarding to see people around the world embrace our brand.”

9Round has opened 253 new clubs since January 2017, including the first locations in Costa Rica and Turkey, and the company recently announced plans to expand into Argentina and India. Additionally, 9Round has been consistently ranked on the Inc. 5000 list, Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list, as well as Entrepreneur’s annual lists of the Fastest-Growing Franchises, Top Global Franchises and Top Franchise Brands. Last year, 9Round was also recognized as one of South Carolina’s 25 Fastest Growing Companies and by Franchise Business Review as one of the top franchises for women and veterans.

According to Heather Hudson, 9Round’s COO, 9Round represents empowerment for people of all fitness levels, encourages everyone to be the best version of themselves and provides individuals with the tremendous entrepreneurial opportunities. She adds, “I’m proud of building 9Round with my husband and I’m also proud of what our brand represents. Every day, with each 30-minute workout, we are helping our members become stronger physically and mentally.”

9Round is seeing continued growth into 2018, as the company anticipates a 37 percent increase in new locations and 32 percent increase in annual revenue.

“It’s exciting to share our success with all of our franchisees because without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” adds Hudson. “With their support and positive energy, we plan to continue to reach new markets and evolve the 9Round brand in 2018.”

For more information about 9Round, visit www.9round.com.

HOUSTON, TX – PRNewswire

Summer’s officially in full swing, which usually means vacation time for many, and consequently, many homes left unattended. Unfortunately, attention to energy efficiency in the home can often go overlooked when planning for travel, leading to unnecessarily high energy use while its occupants are away.

The professionals at Mister Sparky® are invested in making homes more energy-efficient and offer the following guidance for home owners as they travel this summer.

• Don’t turn your thermostat off, but do adjust it to a higher setting, such as 85 degrees, to decrease the inside and outside temperature difference and remove humidity. You’ll save more energy, while protecting sensitive parts of the interior of your home, such as your plants, artwork, refrigerator and more. Close blinds and curtains to eliminate excess heat.
• Do unplug appliances that aren’t essential to keeping the house running, and remember products in standby mode still use electricity. Major “energy vampires” include everything from an idle computer desktop, to a game console in “ready” mode, to an open microwave door, and many more. Consider using a power strip for multiple cords, which when easily switched off with one button, fully disconnects power even if the strip is still plugged in.
• Do consider a home energy audit by an electrician. This inspection of a home’s infrastructure and appliances, such as your HVAC system, refrigerator, hot water heater, insulation and roofing, is designed to identify areas of improvement, saving on electricity bills in the long run.

Keeping these tips in mind ensures homes are left in their most energy-efficient state when unoccupied, saving homeowners the headache of a high energy bill – and potentially more money to go toward their next vacation.

To learn more and find the Mister Sparky location near you, visit www.mistersparky.com.