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Log In / Register | Jun 18, 2013

Press Releases

Service Brands International Taps Jim Evers to Direct Business Development Initiative

Member | lassiter | Jan 10 | pr

David G. McKinnon, founder and chairman of Service Brands International (SBI), a multi-concept franchisor, announced that senior vice president Jim Evers has been named to spearhead their new business development effort.

 “To increase the value of Service Brands to our stakeholders and to strengthen our position within the industry, we’re going to aggressively explore and acquire established franchise brands and function as an incubator for emerging concepts,” said McKinnon. 

“We’re franchise builders and we have the infrastructure to support fresh ideas.  Jim has the organizational experience, the competitive drive, and the sweeping vision to guide this critical campaign.” 

Evers joined SBI in August 2003, to direct and to mentor the company’s franchise sales team.  In 2005, SBI sold 151 franchises more than double the number awarded in 2004.  In February 2006, Jim was named to lead SBI’s 1-800-DryClean brand.  “1-800-DryClean had reached a plateau and I knew if we were going to elevate the brand, we needed to draw on Jim’s extraordinary management, financial, analytical, and sales skills to spark innovation and to improve our service quality,” said McKinnon.  “Thanks to Jim’s leadership, 1-800-DryClean moved into the #1 spot in category on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2008 Franchise 500Ò.”

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The Little Gym Signs Master Franchise Agreement for Middle East

Member | GRIPCOMMPR | Jan 8 | pr

Existing Kuwait City Franchisees Commit to Driving Development of up to 50 New Locations Throughout the Region Over the Next Decade

 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (January 8, 2008) – The Little Gym International, franchisor of gyms providing curriculum-based, non-competitive motor skills development programs to children aged 4 months to 12 years old, has entered into a master franchise agreement with an existing franchise owner in Kuwait City, Kuwait, to develop at least 15 and as many as 50 locations in the Middle East over the next decade.

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Country Place Living Names Harvey Franchise Development Officer

Member | Visitor | Jan 2 | pr

GRAPEVINE, Texas – January 2, 2007 – Country Place Living, a franchisor of assisted-living residences for seniors in rural America, has appointed Floyd (Buddy) Harvey as franchise development officer.

“Buddy’s extensive background in franchising makes him the perfect addition to our team,” said Cynthia Gartman, president and COO of Country Place Living. “As we continue to grow the Country Place Living system and expand throughout the U.S., we need strong franchise leadership within the company. Buddy’s expertise in franchising will play a key role in that growth.”

Harvey’s franchise experience includes nearly two decades as director of franchising and vice president of operations and development for various companies, including such well-known brands as I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt and Texas State Optical. With I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt, Harvey directed the operational and developmental growth of the 63-unit chain to more than 1,200 units in 43 states and 34 foreign countries.

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Arbitrator Rules Favorably for Franchise Broker

Member | Visitor | Dec 19 | pr

Franchisee Loses Eleven of the Twelve Claims Against The Entrepreneur Source

TES Franchising, LLC, the Southbury, Connecticut based franchisor of the small business coaching and consulting company, The Entrepreneur’s Source, announced today a favorable outcome in a long running arbitration brought by a former part time franchisee against the company. Michael Greenspan, who was briefly a franchisee of The Entrepreneur’s Source in Phoenix, Arizona during 2002 and 2003, originally made twelve distinct claims against the company including breach of contract, fraud, negligent and fraudulent misrepresentation, violation of franchise and business opportunities laws and claimed damages of nearly $200,000.

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Country Place Living Launches Redesigned Web Site

Member | Visitor | Dec 14 | pr

GRAPEVINE, Texas – Country Place Living, a franchisor of assisted-living residences for seniors in rural America, has launched a redesigned web site at www.countryplaceliving.com.

“More and more people are turning to the Internet to find their next home, and that includes homes for seniors,” said Cynthia Gartman, president and COO of Country Place Living.  “Our new web site is a great tool for people searching for a safe and beautiful assisted-living environment for a loved one.  And it also offers important information for prospects across the country who are interested in our franchise opportunities.” 

The new site was designed by Greenbaum Marketing Communications, which also worked with Country Place Living on brand development, business-to-consumer and franchise development marketing initiatives. 

Among the new features, the site highlights current locations; activity calendars; cities for future construction; resident information; special interior design services; and testimonials from families, state and local officials and third-parties in Country Place Living communities.

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Alernative Holiday Gifts Can Give Kids More of What Matters

Member | Visitor | Dec 13 | pr

National Children’s Art Expert Offers Suggestions for Homemade Gifts and Activities That Kids Can Give and Receive

(December 13, 2007, New Braunfels, TX) – Many people, especially parents of young children, are trying to find less commercial alternatives for gifts for the holidays.   Trying to recapture the spirit of the holidays by giving meaningful presents instead of the latest advertised gadget, video game or doll can be challenging.   

“By simplifying the holidays with homemade gifts and memorable experiences of time together, parents can send a strong message to their kids,” says national children’s art expert, Shell Herman.  “Alternative gifts can give your family a little more of what matters,” says Herman, CEO of KidzArt, a children’s art enrichment franchise organization with locations throughout the U.S.

Homemade gifts or gifts of special experiences can depict the true meaning of the holidays.  Herman offers some suggestions:

Homemade presents such as tie-dyed shirts, jingle bell bracelets, a painting or a calendar filled with family photos will be a big hit with the kids whether they make or receive them.  “Encourage your children to write and illustrate their own story that they can give as presents to family members such as grandparents,” says Herman. 

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Fitness Together Franchise Corporation Appoints Director of Sales

Member | Visitor | Nov 26 | pr

The Fitness Together Franchise Corporation (FTFC), the world’s largest wellness organization offering two franchise business models, recently announced Patrick Pounders as FTFC’s Director of Sales. 

Pounders will be ensuring that all areas of the franchise sales department is growing and operating smoothly.Pounders has proven leadership skills and has repeatedly moved up in the organizations he has been working with.  Most recently he served as the VP of Partner Sales for SkinIt.com, an Internet based company focused on personalization of consumer electronics.  With much experience in the franchise industry, Patrick acted as Director of Franchise Sales and then was promoted to VP of Sales and Marketing with Executive Tans, a national tanning franchise where he was instrumental in company operations and new business growth.   In addition, Patrick was National Sales Manager for ServiceMagic.com; an internet based contractor referral service, and also worked for Denver’s largest radio conglomerate, Clear Channel Communications.  Patrick holds his BA in Speech Communications.   

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About ReferNow

Member | Erica | Nov 16 | pr

ReferNow offers an online referral rewards and marketing tool that motivates your customers to talk about and recommend your business from day one! ReferNow.com has helped business owners and sales people increase their referral business by as much as 500 percent. ReferNow.com is available for a no-risk 30 day trial from the company’s website at refernow.com.

ReferNow has put a double-dose of longstanding business wisdom into a web form that small businesses can use to grow their business while improving retention. It comprises a fresh example of how digital tools can unlock business value, especially for those companies considered late-adopters of such tools.

Business Wisdom #1: It is much easier to get additional business from current customers than it is to create new customers.

Business Wisdom #2: The fastest way to get new customers is pursue prospects that look like your current customers.

ReferNow has brought these together in a web-based “dashboard” that hugely simplifies the creation and execution of customer loyalty programs. And the “loyalty” that’s being rewarded is not just purchase behavior…it’s referral behavior.

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DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen Partners With Ellen Cheever to Design Signature Showrooms

Member | Lanese | Nov 13 | pr

WACO, Texas (Nov. 13, 2007) — DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen by Worldwide®, Inc., a national leader in home remodeling, has retained nationally-recognized author, speaker and award-winning designer Ellen Cheever to create a standardized showroom model for the company.“Ellen is one of the best designers in our industry and her work for DreamMaker will speak volumes for our brand,” said Doug Dwyer, president and chief stewarding officer of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen.  Cheever is a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD), a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Hall of Fame.  Author of several books, including Beyond The Basics: Advanced Kitchen Design and The Basics of Bathroom Design and Beyond, she has championed the industry for more than 33 years.

In her consulting role with DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, Cheever is currently working with franchisees that are in the showroom design process in order to gather information for the larger task of creating a showroom model.  These showrooms will serve as prototypes for the franchise, leading to a series of design modules that can be used for new franchise locations or to update existing DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen showrooms.

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Fitness Together Sells 600th Franchise

Member | Visitor | Nov 12 | pr

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. – Fitness Together Franchise Corp. announced the sale of its 600th franchise today. The 600th franchise was purchased by Benjie Moser and will be located in Newburyport, Mass.

Since 1996, when the company first began franchising, franchises have been sold in 38 states as well as Canada, Costa Rica, Ireland and Israel.  They include 545 Fitness Together franchises and 55 elements therapeutic massage franchises.

“We’ve had a tremendous year, and our brands continue to grow,” said Rick Sikorski, president and CEO of Fitness Together.  “As the largest wellness company in the world, our franchisees have set the bar in offering superior services in both fitness training and massage therapy to hundreds of thousands of clients.  It has positioned us for an even bigger future ahead, and our goal of opening 1,000 studios by 2012 is well within our reach.”

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