Little Caesars News

QSR lists Little Caesars among top 50 restaurant chains

Hail Caesars! Pizza players are struggling, but Little Caesars is bucking the trend. Read More

Little Caesars Pizza Opens in Piqua, Ohio
Piqua, Ohio - Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its most recent location in Piqua, Ohio as Little Caesars franchisee Jim Batsakes opened his doors for business at 646 W. Water St. "I’m excited to bring the very best in pizza carry-out to Piqua," said Batsakes. "I look forward to offering a large, fresh, pepperoni pizza that’s ready when my customers are, with no waiting or need to call ahead."

Before becoming a Little Caesars franchisee, Batsakes was an operating partner with a full-service pizza restaurant in Michigan. He has also worked in management for various national restaurant chains.

"When I was researching franchising opportunities I was looking for a simple operating model and a winning concept," added Batsakes. "I chose Little Caesars because the concept is especially well positioned to grow in today’s economy since it offers consumers outstanding value: a high quality, convenient product for a great price. The value Little Caesars provides is something families can really appreciate at a time when they are looking to stretch their dollar."

Giving back to the communities in which Little Caesars does business has been part of the company’s philosophy since 1959. As a new business owner, Batsakes plans to support local organizations and community events in Piqua and the surrounding area. "Customers have been excited about our store opening," said Batsakes. "I am eager to get involved and support efforts that are important to the community."

Little Caesars uses fresh ingredients, including dough made fresh in stores, fresh, never-frozen cheese, and sauce made with vine-ripened tomatoes. Some of the menu items Batsakes will feature in his store include HOT-N-READY® Pizza, Crazy Bread®, Caesar Wings® and Caesar Dips®.

"Little Caesars is growing across the country and is well known for its great value, quick service, and tremendous appeal to families," said David Gray, national vice president, franchise services, Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. "We look forward to serving the residents of Piqua with delicious Little Caesars pizza and other great tasting products in their community."

In one of the largest U.S. quick serve restaurant research studies in 2007, Little Caesars was named the best value for the money of all quick serve restaurant chains. Sandelman & Associates’ Quick-Track® research study tracks key consumer behavioral and attitudinal measures for all major fast-food chains. Surveys were conducted among more than 84,000 quick service restaurant customers in 70 major markets across the U.S. Little Caesars was also named highest rated pizza chain for "Convenience of Locations" and "Speed of Service."

Little Caesars was listed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as one of the best loan performers among franchises with more than 60 SBA-guaranteed loans. Little Caesars also works with preferred lenders who understand the business, which becomes increasingly important as it gets more difficult for entrepreneurs to secure financing in today’s economy.

Little Caesars Pizza Opens First Location in India
Continues international expansion to offer high quality products at a value to global consumers

DETROIT - Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. today announced the grand opening of its first restaurant in India. Entrepreneurs Ashish Choudhary and Alka Balain have opened their Little Caesars Pizza restaurant in Gurgaon, India, a suburb near New Delhi.

"Little Caesars is pleased to offer hot, fresh pizza at a value to consumers in India," said Mike Therrian, vice president of International, Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. "We look forward to growing in India and other international locations with highly qualified franchisees such as Ashish and Alka."

Little Caesars, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is the largest carryout chain internationally with restaurants on five continents. In 2008 Little Caesars built restaurants in seven countries, and plans to open a restaurant in Peru this spring. Little Caesars has approved franchisees in New Zealand and Oman. Last year, it opened more domestic units than any other pizza chain in the U.S., opening stores in 41 states.

Choudhary is transitioning into Little Caesars franchise ownership as an experienced entrepreneur with other business ventures. He also owns an information technology (IT) business in India. Before investing in his own IT business, he worked in the United States in California’s IT industry.

"Little Caesars has provided us with a simple, proven business model, training and the ongoing support we need to help establish the brand in and around New Delhi," Choudhary said. All franchisees receive ongoing training, architectural and construction services to help with design, the ongoing research and development of new products, and effective marketing programs and support.

Choudhary and Balain hope to open several additional locations in the greater New Delhi region in the coming years.

Some of the menu items Choudhary and Balain will feature in their store include HOT-N-READY® Pizza, Crazy Bread®, Caesar Wings® and Caesar Dips®. Additional menu items offered in the restaurant include several varieties of vegetable toppings for pizzas as well as chicken toppings.

Salsarita's Fresh Cantina News

FROM BOOKS TO BURRITOS: LOCAL DEVELOPER POISED TO OPEN THIRD SALSARITA'S RESTAURANT
Plans for Three More in Northeastern Virginia Over the Next Three Years

(Manassas, VA)---What's it like to run a restaurant? Hard. What about running two restaurants? Harder. More than that? You get the picture but Mark Walter wouldn’t have it any other way: His third Salsarita's Fresh Cantina is scheduled to open in mid-November at 9979 Sowder Village Sq. in Manassas.

Though Walter is preparing to open his third restaurant – he's also the owner of the Salsarita's located at 5825 Plank Road in Fredericksburg and 11321 Old Nuckols Road in Glen Allen – his previous career lies a long way from the restaurant industry. For nearly 15 years, Walter worked as a sales and marketing executive for a variety of publishing companies but grew tired of the constant travel and extended time away from his wife and four children so he began looking for an opportunity that would keep him closer to home and allow him to be his own boss. Having spent a fair amount of time in the Knoxville area for work, Walter was very familiar with the Salsarita's concept and inquired about the franchise's expansion plans in his home state of Virginia. Plans were put in motion immediately: Walter opened Salsarita's in Fredericksburg in December of 2007, followed by the acquisition of the Glen Allen outpost in March and is now preparing to open in Manassas before Thanksgiving.

"Salsarita's was a great fit for me because it allowed me to start my own business and filled a much-needed niche in the Northeastern Virginia dining scene," said Walter, 40. "It appeals to such a wide variety of people and I'm sure that Manassas consumers will enjoy the freshness, flavor, and top-notch customer service Salsarita's is known for."

"Mark represents the ideal profile of a multi-unit developer that forms the foundation of Salsarita's brand strength," said Paul Mangiamele, Salsarita's president and CEO. "We are proud to have Mark and his team on board."

Founded in 2000, Salsarita's Fresh Cantina is one of the nation's fastest-growing, fast-casual Mexican restaurant chains, recognized for its people, food and world-class hospitality. Customers can create delicious made-to-order meals from a flavorful Mexican menu that offers burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, tortilla-crust pizzas, enchiladas, soups and salads with a wide selection of meats, fresh vegetables and homemade salsas in a lively, family-friendly environment. Salsarita's currently has over 75 restaurants in 18 states and expects to end 2008 with about 100 locations toward a goal of 200 restaurants by 2010. After his Manassas restaurant opens in November, Walter will continue to grow the brand in Northeastern Virginia by opening three more locations in the next three years.

"I'm a big believer in no matter what field you're in, you've got to sell yourself, your product and service to the best of your ability," said Walter. "With Salsarita's, that task is second nature because it's a concept that I truly believe in and am proud to be a part of."

SALSARITA'S TARGETS MIDDLE TENNESSEE, ALABAMA AND GULF COAST FOR GROWTH
Area Developer Plans to Develop Over 40 Locations in 10 Years

(Hendersonville, TN)---We've all heard the saying, "If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing right." Brad Reed is no exception and has adopted that mentality into his business practices: Reed, an area developer for Salsarita's Fresh Cantina, plans to develop over 40 of the chain's restaurants throughout Middle Tennessee, Alabama and along the Gulf Coast by 2018.

For over 20 years, Reed worked for a variety of restaurant concepts including Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, Ruby Tuesday, Logan's Roadhouse and Texas Roadhouse – the two latter of which he served as a regional director of operations and franchisee, respectively. Though Reed enjoyed his work, he noticed the restaurant industry was shifting and elected to sell his interest in Texas Roadhouse last year to pursue a new, fast-casual venture. Reed began researching a variety of concepts that met area consumers' ever-changing needs and found the atmosphere, product and speed of Salsarita's to be exactly what he was looking for – so much so that he partnered with his father, Jerry, and former Logan's Roadhouse colleague, John Lush, to form JBJ Restaurants LLC and purchased two existing Salsarita's locations in December of 2007 as an area developer and multi-unit franchisee. Shortly thereafter, the trio signed on to become the concept's area representatives, making them responsible for recruiting franchisees, looking for real estate and opening and running restaurants throughout Middle Tennessee, all of Alabama and the Gulf Coast regions of Mississippi and Florida.

"I noticed more and more consumers were patronizing fast-casual concepts instead of traditional full-service, sit-down restaurants and could tell this trend was going to be the wave of the future," said Reed, 39. "Salsarita's encompassed all of that and more – a sure sign it was a concept that would withstand the test of time."

"Brad represents the ideal profile of an area representative that forms the foundation of Salsarita's brand strength," said Paul Mangiamele, Salsarita's president and CEO. "We are proud to have Brad and his team on board."

Founded in 2000, Salsarita's Fresh Cantina is one of the nation's fastest-growing, fast-casual Mexican restaurant chains, recognized for its people, food and world-class hospitality. Customers can create delicious made-to-order meals from a flavorful Mexican menu that offers burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, tortilla-crust pizzas, enchiladas, soups and salads with a wide selection of meats, fresh vegetables and homemade salsas in a lively, family-friendly environment. Salsarita's currently has over 75 restaurants in nearly 20 states and expects to end 2008 with about 100 locations toward a goal of 200 restaurants by 2010. Since he will be contributing to this growth in a big way, Reed is doing everything in his power to ensure that no matter how many restaurants he develops – he currently owns one in Hendersonville, Tennessee; one in Homewood, Alabama; and a portion of one in Chattanooga, Tennessee – each customer will always feel taken care of.

"Though I am not planning on solely owning over 40 Salsarita's, I am looking for people who I feel can operate these restaurants as I would if I were the owner," said Reed. "It's important to me that each customer is treated as a person and not as a number and I want the franchisees I recruit to not only understand that but to implement it in any way that they can."

Ace Hardware News

Ace Hardware opens up its doors in Federal Hill
(Chris Murino/Special to The Baltimore Examiner)
John Elliott, one of two owners of the new Ace Hardware store in Federal Hill, says renovations in the neighborhood will help drive his business. Chris Murino, The Examiner
2007-03-22 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

BALTIMORE -
The paper came off the windows at the grand opening of Ace Hardware in Federal Hill this week and people immediately started rolling in.

Owners John Elliott and Gina Schaefer said the store, located at 1214 Light St., had a smooth opening without any real hitches after several weeks of renovation work to the building.

"We’re excited to be open," Schaefer said. "We even got our first dog visit. We are pet-friendly here."

Schaefer and Elliott have worked for six weeks preparing for the store’s launch.

Why choose Federal Hill for a new hardware store?

"There was a high concentration of renovation going on," Schaefer said. "There is also a really strong business community, which we didn't know about at first."

Federal Hill Main Street Executive Director Bonnie Crockett considers the Ace store as the next logical step in business development in the historic neighborhood.

"A hardware store in a neighborhood with all this residential development will be great," Crockett said. "It's a great use of that space, which was unusually large for Federal Hill."

The location was a Dollar General store until the franchise pulled out last August.

Elliott and Schaefer both said it will be customer service that sets them apart from their competitors.

"We always try to greet customers at the door and help them find what they need," Elliott said. "We have 18 employees working right now, so there are more people to help the customers than most stores this size."

Because every community is different, with different needs, Schaefer said the hardware store's stock may not be all that traditional.

"There are not a lot of lawns here," Schaefer said. "We have a whole section with Ravens and Orioles stuff."

Crockett said business in the area will get a boost with the neighborhood's most recent addition.

"All new businesses spur more business," she said. "It will snowball. And, revitalization creates revitalization."

Examiner 
INCLUDED

Ace Hardware expanding its national presence
By A.J. Miranda
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 07/16/2007 08:15:02 AM MDT

ACE Hardware at Alameda Station 417 S. Broadway has been celebrating it's first anniversary of it's opening. ACE Hardware is expanding in the Denver metro market. Christine Stroup a shift supervisor stocks an aisle with solvents. (the Post/ Cyrus McCrimmon)When brothers Kirby and Nick Kuklenski opened an Ace Hardware store a month ago in Colorado Springs' Uintah Gardens shopping center, they counted on the first few weeks being slow.

They chose what is known as a "soft opening," with little fanfare, so the new staff could get on-the-job training without being swamped with customers.

But the brothers Kuklenski, 26 and 23, didn't count on Colorado's Ace Hardware boom.

"The doors blew open and it's been that way ever since. It's awesome," Kirby Kuklenski said. "None of our customers treated it like a soft opening."

Ace, the private Illinois-based hardware store cooperative, has targeted Colorado as a "focus area" for expanding its national presence. In the metro area, Ace has opened five stores in the past three years and expects four more to open by early 2008. Ace officials say more are in the planning stages throughout the state.

Now might not seem like the best time to open new home-improvement stores; the industry in general has been marred by a sluggish housing market.

Home Depot Inc. cut its earnings forecast last week, saying it would earn 15 to 18 percent less per share than last year. The home improvement retailer also said sales would drop 1 percent to 2 percent for the year, after subtracting the sales from its recently sold contractor-supplies business.

Lowe's, the second-largest home improvement retailer after Home Depot, has posted drops in same-store sales in the most recent quarters.

But Ace's national same-store sales for 2006 were up 2.3 percent, and the company is pushing growth, said Tom Knox, the company's business development manager.

Ace is confident in its business model - a national cooperative that shares end-of-year profits with its retail stores and doesn't charge franchise fees for new owners. Ace also is playing up its image as the "helpful hardware place," a dig at big-box stores that are known for lower prices and lower attention to personal customer service.

A J.D. Power and Associates survey of more than 16,000 shoppers in May bolstered Ace's claims. Ace ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction out of 10 home-improvement stores. Menards and Lowe's rounded out the top three, with Home Depot tied for sixth with Target.

"We like to say that Ace is a minute store and Home Depot is an hour store," Knox said.

Customers at an Ace on South Broadway knew what the pithy phrase meant.

Ralph Thompson, 79, said he prefers independent hardware stores. But when he needs a bigger inventory selection, he chooses Ace over the Home Depot literally across the tracks from the Alameda Station-area store.

"(Home Depot) is just so big," Thompson said. "It takes 15 minutes to get in and another 15 minutes to get out."

Britt Beemer , chairman of strategic marketing company America's Research Group, said another advantage is that Ace is more female-friendly than the big boxes because of its design and attention to service.

Female shoppers such as Jill Flaherty of Denver agreed, noting that Ace's more prominent placement of houseware and gardening items was appealing.

Ace began a strong push toward growth in 2005, Knox said. The co-op formed a field team to study U.S. regions for available locations, interest from potential owners and sales in existing stores in the area.

Denver was added to the list of focus areas in 2006. Since then, an estimated 67jobs have been created by the expansion.

To help growth, Ace has experimented with incentive programs to lure in new owners.

The average Ace store costs between $850,000 to $1 million to open, Knox said. Loyal Ace vendors, such as Danco and Hillman, contribute credits - essentially, free inventory - to help a store get on its feet.

Andy Carlson, a first-time Ace owner who opened the South Broadway location in July 2006, said about 80 percent of Ace vendors participated when he opened his store. The credits added up to $175,000, or about a fifth of the opening cost.

Carlson attended both Ace and True Value conventions aimed at attracting owners. He chose Ace because he said it offered him the greatest likelihood of success.

True Value, another hardware store co-op, hasn't done as well as Ace historically. Many Aces in Colorado were previously True Values, but were later converted. There are 101 Aces in Colorado, with 31 in the seven-county metro area, company officials said.

Kuklenski said he plans to break ground on another Ace by September in Federal Heights. His Colorado Springs store has its grand opening planned for this weekend.

Staff writer Zach Fox contributed to this report.

Staff writer A.J. Miranda can be reached at 303-954-1381 or amiranda@denverpost.com.

Ace Hardware opens third Greeley store
Bill Jackson, (Bio) bjackson@greeleytribune.com
March 15, 2008

The city's third Ace Hardware outlet has opened in west Greeley.

Rick and Kristi Thomas, owners/managers of the Ace Hardware Greeley outlet in the University Square Shopping Center, 2626 11th Ave., have opened a second location in the former Long's Drug location, 3540 10th St., in the Bittersweet Plaza Shopping Center.

Kristi Thomas said the new location has about 10 employees, while there are 15 at the University Square location. The west Greeley store is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. It offers a full line of hardware supplies.

Tuesday Morning, originally at 2812 10th St. when it opened, has also moved to Bittersweet Plaza from its location on the northeast corner of 35th Avenue and 10th Street. It is next to the new Ace Hardware. Both are in the former Long's Drug location. Long's Drugs closed last year.

Meanwhile, Offen Ace Hardware, Inc., 1722 9th St. is the oldest Ace Hardware store in the state of Colorado and is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year as a locally owned and operated business in Greeley. It is owned and operated by Bill and Chris Ruth.

Ace Hardware Corp. is a cooperative owned by owner/dealers who purchase products from the cooperative. Each Ace Hardware, however, is a locally owned business.

Moes Southwest Grill News

FOCUS Brands to Acquire Moes Southwest Grill
Center-of-the-plate concept to join sister companies Carvel Ice Cream, Cinnabon, Schlotzskys, and Seattles Best Coffee International

Atlanta (April 11, 2007)   FOCUS Brands, an Atlanta-based franchisor, announced today that through a subsidiary, it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Moes Southwest Grill, a fast-casual restaurant chain offering fresh Southwest favorites, including burritos, quesadillas, and fajitas, in a quirky, fun atmosphere from certain affiliates of Raving Brands. Headquartered in Atlanta, Moes has 345 locations in 36 states generating nearly $300 million of annual system-wide revenues.

FOCUS Brands is the franchisor and operator of over 1,750 ice cream stores, bakeries, sandwich shops, and cafes in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 33 foreign countries under the brand names Carvel, Cinnabon, Schlotzskys, and the franchisor of Seattles Best Coffee on military bases and in certain international markets. Including Moes, FOCUS Brands will have five franchise brands generating over $1 billion in annual system-wide revenues through over 10,000 points of distribution in 50 states and 33 countries.

Steve Romaniello, president and CEO of FOCUS Brands, comments, With its friendly 'Welcome to Moes!' greeting and its high quality, freshly made products, Moes Southwest Grill is a welcome addition to our growing portfolio of brands.

Raving Brands President Stephen M. LaMastra adds, The Moes brand, our franchisees, and our associates will all benefit greatly from the resources and expertise of Atlanta-based FOCUS Brands. I am looking forward to a long and productive partnership where the best from each organization is identified and shared to everyone's benefit.

Further terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close during the summer.

Batteries Plus News

Times May Have Changed … But Batteries Still Required
From Boom Box to BlackBerry, Batteries Plus Celebrates 20 Years, Offers `Retro’ Franchise Fee

Hartland, WI - Would the riot in the 1980’s movie Do the Right Thing ever have happened if, instead of a boom box blasting on his shoulder, Radio Raheem had an iPod plugged into his ears? While times, and electro-gadgets, may have changed, one constant remains: batteries still required. 

Batteries Plus, the nation’s largest retail battery chain serving consumer and commercial customers, has been keeping up with the “batteries required” demand since opening its first store in 1988. Defying skeptics who claimed a batteries-only concept would never survive in the marketplace, last year the packaged-power giant dominated the $24 billion U.S. battery segment by opening a record number of locations.

Today, with more than 320 stores nationwide, Batteries Plus offers thousands of batteries, as well as a Tech Centers equipped to design, assemble, rebuild, and test custom battery packs. Stores also supply Fortune 500 companies, manufacturers, other retail channels, local municipalities, fire and police departments, the armed forces, and school districts. Product lines include batteries for both the common and hard-to-find items traditionally not available at other retail stores. 

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2008, Batteries Plus has set lofty development goals for the franchise system this year. To mark the milestone, the chain is “going back” to the 1980s with a $20,000 reduced franchise fee in certain markets – one thousand dollar savings for every year the chain has been in business.

“Technology is on a speed course of evolution and batteries are flying right along for support,” said Russ Reynolds, CEO of Batteries Plus. “As we enter our 20th year in business, we’re more motivated than ever to attract franchise partners who want to join us for the ride.”

In addition to a banner year for franchise growth, 2007 marked a significant milestone for Batteries Plus with a solid financial partnership. During the fourth quarter, Batteries Plus announced that it had been acquired by Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that owns 13 franchise brands that collectively have more than 13,000 points of distribution, 4,000 locations, 2,000 franchisees, and $2.9 billion in system-wide revenues in 50 U.S. states and 33 countries.

While steady franchise growth and thriving sales were key factors in Roark’s decision to purchase Batteries Plus, the equity partner also considered healthy market demand for batteries and battery-related services. The company considered industry statistics citing that the average American has at least two items within reach that require a battery at all times, and has at least 21 battery operated devices in their home.  From cell phones to watches to camcorders to iPods to laptops to cars, Americans are on the move and want to be well-connected at all times.

Last year, Batteries Plus signed a licensing agreement with Spectrum Brands, the parent company of Rayovac, a $2.5 billion global consumer products company and one of the largest battery, shaving and grooming, and lighting companies in the world. Through the alliance, Rayovac has licensed 16 different battery product categories to Batteries Plus, including laptop computers, cellular phones, digital cameras, camcorders, cordless tools, cordless phones, PDAs, MP3 players, and scanners, among others.

“At age 20, we’ve got plenty of market potential,” Reynolds said. “All indications are that battery consumption will continue to rise for many years to come, and last I checked, we’re the only chain out there with the systems, equity partners and power needed to keep up with demand.”

###

Battery store boasts earning power

By Mark Albright, Times Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, April 22, 2008 10:48 PM

What came first, the battery or the electric generator?

Fact is, neither Edison nor Tesla could have electrified the nation without a battery to capture and store juice for study. A century later we're tethered to the two-century-old battery more than ever.

Today's average home is stocked with 30 battery-powered devices. Research suggests the typical American keeps at least two (wristwatch and phone) within five feet, 24/7.

Such obsessions frame a recession-resistant retail business model so simple it's surprising that few seized the opportunity as firmly as Batteries Plus.

After hitting $199-million in sales in 2007, growth slowed this year to a robust 12 percent in stores open more than a year.

Batteries Plus sells little more than batteries: 1,200 kinds in each store; 12,000 more stored at a warehouse; 40,000 types if you include custom orders.

"Batteries are in everything," said Dan Snyder, 31, who owns three of six franchised Batteries Plus outlets in the Tampa Bay area. "If we can't get it, we'll make one."

He has an aerospace degree but is following the footsteps of his parents, who own six stores in Minnesota.

People whose battery IQ ends with the Energizer bunny might not get it. But anyone who searched for a garage door opener battery knows the quest is like figuring out where to go when your car's towed.

Keyless entry remotes alone take 20 kinds of batteries.

Once a customer strikes pay dirt, Batteries Plus hopes they'll be back for hearing aid batteries, $3.95 watch batteries, $20 rechargeable drill battery packs and $29.99 iPod batteries.

Batteries Plus started in 1988 when two Wisconsin after-market auto parts retailers noticed customers perplexed at tracking down odd battery replacements. "Back then it was auto and marine batteries and those first car phone batteries as thick as a baseball bat," said Russ Reynolds, chief executive. "It's uncanny how the selection exploded after the cordless phone."

Today the selection ranges from 39-cent batteries the size of a nailhead to a $5,000 forklift rig as big as a grocery cart.

Selling batteries means taking them back for disposal regardless of where they were sold. The path to the recycling bin is filled with prospective customers who buy batteries by the gross. "Somebody's always in here with five buckets of dead batteries," said Snyder.

At less than $300,000 to open, it's an inexpensive franchise with average store sales of $650,000.

Batteries Plus stocks the old A to AAA standards from Rayovac and Duracell but does not under price discount stores. But its store-brand selection is 10 to 40 percent cheaper and fits more exotic species in camcorders, cordless razors and PDAs.

It's a deceptively risky business. Batteries have a long shelf life, yet Batteries Plus can see up to two-thirds of its top-selling lineup change in one year. If prices get too high (they are edging up now), shoppers buy new devices rather than batteries.

Reynolds sees battery choices getting even wider. The current three chemistries will give way soon to six. It's about playing catch-up with portable device makers packing more features into ever smaller devices faster than battery capacity expands.

"We'll sell fuel cells in five years, not for cars but appliances," he said. "Every appliance that runs on AC will have a battery option. If you can't hide a lamp cord, you won't need one."

Mark Albright can be reached at albright@sptimes.com or
(727) 893-8252.

Searching for the ideal franchisee
By Polly Larson
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008

If puppies make you sneeze, you and a pet care franchisor know right off you are dead wrong for each other. But more subtle factors usually determine what makes a suitable franchisor/franchisee match. While finances and location are always considerations, smart franchise systems look far beyond those basics before awarding a franchise.

"The first thing we look for is somebody who values what a franchise system offers -- the structure and the importance of building a brand together," said Russ Reynolds, CEO of Batteries Plus, which provides replacement batteries for everything from smoke alarms to MP3 players. A candidate's ability to effectively use the system's support tools is considered next, and then, Reynolds said, "It is really important for the person to assess their own capabilities and how they will apply them to our business model."

Among the factors Batteries Plus considers when evaluating franchisee candidates is the input of existing franchisees. "Early in the process we invite prospective franchisees to talk to existing ones. One of our more objective resources is our successful franchisees who will call us if they see someone they have concerns about."

Art Coley, senior director of franchise development for visual, communications franchisor AlphaGraphics, said his system first wants to understand the prospect's goals. "What are their own personal life goals, vision statements, passions, interests?" Next, is the person's personality a good fit for the AlphaGraphics model? And finally, Coley said, the investment range must be truly comfortable for the prospect. "If someone would have to drain all their resources and there is no margin of error for them, would we really be doing them a favor?"

Direct mail franchisor money mailer looks for two specific profiles, said Dennis Jenkins, vice president franchise licensing. "We look for someone who has had consultative sales experience or who has owned and operated a successful business in the past. People with these backgrounds tend to have a very strong work ethic and the ability to develop relationships with people, and that is critical for our business."

Jenkins said the Franchise Navigator survey had proved a reliable indicator of compatibility for his system. "Before we even send sales material to a candidate, we ask them to complete the survey."

Consultant Craig Slavin, president of Franchise Architects, created the Franchise Navigator profile, which measures the skills, values and behavior of his franchisor clients' existing franchisees. Franchisee candidates take the survey to help determine how well they match up with the characteristics of a particular system's top performers.

Conversely, to help prospective franchisees find matches among the companies he works with, Slavin recently introduced MatchMe, where prospective franchisees take a survey online, then pick their state on a map and click on their investment range. Then, Slave said, "Within seconds they get and email indicating which franchisors' top performers' scores they match up with."

Even with the sophisticated methods now employed to bring compatible franchisee candidates and franchise systems together, experienced franchisors such as Batteries Plus, AlphaGraphics and Money Mailer admit the search for the ideal franchisee remains a challenge. "We talk to an average of 163 people to find one that we recommend to the candidate review committee," said Money Mailer's Jenkins. "It is an exhaustive process."

February 2, 2008 - More Batteries Plus stores opening soon

An airline pilot worried about his financial future is bringing his retail battery stores to Wichita.

Batteries Plus will open its first Wichita store March 3 at 7447 W. 21st St. Owner Chris Potts, a Minneapolis-based airline pilot, said there will be more Wichita stores if the West 21st location succeeds.

"There are a lot of opportunities in Wichita," he said. "Huge manufacturing base, high wages, high-tech industry and a growing economy absent the last few months."

Every imaginable battery under one roof is the Batteries Plus business model.

Plus, each store has staff trained in the assembling, testing, conditioning and rebuilding of custom battery packs for rechargeable household and commercial products.

"A lot of different stores offer various types of batteries," said Pat Berry, Potts' operations manager.

"But the problem is, if you need different types, you're running all over the place to different stores."

The battery stock runs the gamut from watches and cameras to electronic voice boxes, solar landscape lights, talking books for children and keyless entry door locks at major hotels.

Plus, the staff is specially trained to rebuild failed specialty batteries.

"Say you've got a surveyor with a custom battery pack who comes in," Potts said.

"A new one might set him back $300. We will have the ability to rebuild that pack for a third to half the cost."

Thus, store employees don't just walk in and go to work. The job requires three to six months of training to understand product lines and repair techniques.

Potts bought the Topeka Batteries Plus franchise three years ago, concerned that his career flying airliners might not hold up.

"It's a pretty battered industry," he said.

"And with the bankruptcies and the financial conditions of the airlines, plus I'm getting older, I needed to make sure I didn't end up close to retirement age with a significantly reduced or no pension."
Potts, a frequent Batteries Plus customer in the Twin Cities, originally tried to open a store there, but no franchises were available.

So he landed in Topeka.

"The more I looked at this, the more I liked the concept," he said.

Feb 2. 08, by Bill Wilson

March 1, 2008 - Powerful Possibilities

Batteries Plus is looking to expand immediately in Dubuque, La Crosse and Charleston
Chances are you have a PDA, cell phone, watch, iPod, Mp3, Cordless phone, camera or laptop computer so you know how important these batteries are to you. As technology advances, so does the dependence on portable power sources. As a Batteries Plus Franchisee, you have the opportunity to provide a valuable resource to your community while attaining your own goal of financial independence. You hold the power to start something new.

Consider the Facts

• Technology and lifestyle demand for portability continue to grow
• The Average US household has 21 battery operated devices
• A unique and proven concept with five sources of revenue: Retail, Commercial, Tech Center, E-Commerce and National Account
• Recession resistant business

The battery industry is not saturated with similar business

Fast Signs News

FASTSIGNS® Announces Record Number of Million Dollar Centers at Annual Convention

January 21, 2008

CARROLLTON, TX - FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the franchisor for FASTSIGNS® sign and graphic centers, recently held its annual convention in Colorado Springs, CO, where 57 centers were recognized for outstanding sales achievements exceeding $1 million in annual sales, and 4 centers were recognized for exceeding $2 million. Both of these numbers surpassed all previous years’ sales numbers and set a record for the FASTSIGNS system.

The FASTSIGNS "Million Dollar Club" continues to grow with new inductees added each year, and 2007 proved to be an especially productive year for these winners—the majority of whom embraced new technology, developed general management efficiencies and implemented innovative and aggressive marketing and sales strategies in their centers.

"I am extremely proud of the growth and achievements of not just our award winners, but of our entire FASTSIGNS network," said Larry Lane, president of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. "The strategies, programs and techniques that all of our centers put forth are continuously shared with our entire franchise system so that we all may achieve such success. Each year we learn from each other and strive to make the upcoming year even better than the one before. I look forward to what’s ahead in 2008."

Nearly 500 attended the convention, representing 235 of the 525 FASTSIGNS/ SIGNWAVE centers located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom and Australia. Education sessions were offered on the latest trends and innovations within the industry, all designed to assist franchise owners in keeping up with the competition and getting a leading edge on what’s ahead in the industry.

The convention also featured a vendor trade show. Industry service providers showed off the latest in digital printing technology along with a wide variety of services available to the sign buying audience, allowing franchisees the opportunity to discuss production efficiencies with the experts.

Multiple awards were handed out during the course of the convention—in addition to the one and two million dollar awards—to recognize outstanding center managers, sales representatives, newcomers and vendors.

Special thanks to the vendors and sponsors who made a contribution to this year’s convention. Platinum sponsors, Fellers, Global Imaging, Inc., Hewlett Packard and Ketchum Directory Advertising. Silver sponsors, Georgia Printco, Reece Supply, Gandinnovations and ASI. Other sponsors, Ultraflex Systems, Inc. and Expand.

FASTSIGNS International Inc. Earns Top Rankings in Franchise Business Review’s Franchisee Satisfaction Awards

February 14, 2008

(Carrollton, Texas) February 14, 2008 — Franchise Business Review has awarded FASTSIGNS International, Inc.—the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers—its "Best-in-Category Award" for the business services industry. This is the third consecutive year that FASTSIGNS has received this prestigious distinction. In addition, the franchise was ranked third on The Franchise 50™ list of the top 50 franchise companies with 200 or more units—also the third consecutive year for placement in the top five.

The Franchise 50™ awards are based on independent surveys of franchisees from over 250 leading franchise companies in North America by Franchise Business Review—a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. The firm examines the critical areas of a franchise system including training and support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations and financial opportunity. The companies with the highest levels of franchise owner satisfaction and franchise buying experiences became this year’s Franchise 50™ finalists.

"It’s such an honor to be named "Best in Business Services" for three years in a row on The Franchise 50™," said Bill McPherson, FASTSIGNS International, Inc.’s vice president of domestic franchise development. "We make it our mission to help guide our franchisees in any way we can to make their business investment profitable and fulfilling—starting the moment they sign the franchise agreement."

McPherson continues, "It is our responsibility to ensure that our centers have the most up-to-date products, services and training, which in-turn, allows them to build a solid business and satisfied customer base. We put our franchise owners first, and are delighted that our efforts to provide good support are paying off with such high franchisee satisfaction ratings year after year."

Franchisees who participated in the survey commented on the various aspects of the network. From training, support and marketing, "FASTSIGNS has always been at the leading edge in terms of support to their network. That is what I believe sets them apart from the rest." To the overall relationship with the franchisor, "From my first contact with the folks in Franchise Development to this moment, there has never been an unfulfilled promise."

"We are very aware of how important it is to ensure the satisfaction of our franchisees," says McPherson. "Our network has reached 525 centers worldwide and we already have 25 centers in development for 2008 with more to be announced. As long as there’s a need for the services we provide, we will continue to bring in motivated and driven franchisees to offer the FASTSIGNS product to their local businesses and organizations."

Schlotzsky's News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2007

FOCUS Brands Partners with Forum Analytics to Create Statistical Modeling and Geographic Information System (GIS)

-- New system will assist in rapid expansion of newly acquired Schlotzsky’s brand --

Atlanta (May 7, 2007) – FOCUS Brands, the franchisor and operator of over 1,750 ice cream stores, bakeries, sandwich shops, and cafes under the brand names Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Schlotzsky’s®, and the franchisor of Seattle’s Best Coffee® on military bases and in certain international markets, announced today that it completed the implementation of a comprehensive site selection, market optimization, and sales forecasting system for their recently acquired Schlotzsky’s concept.  The new system was developed by Chicago-based Forum Analytics, LLC, and streamlines the mission critical task of determining the optimal number of new Schlotzsky’s locations for expansion in markets across the country.  It also performs sales potential forecasting, cannibalization estimation, and high-potential gap assessment in both new and existing markets.

Mark Whittle, FOCUS Brands vice president of real estate, said “The new solution represents a critical element to the expansion plans under way for the Schlotzsky’s brand nationwide.  With plans to open 75 new units in the next 18 months, this system helps ensure the highest potential sites are selected first, optimizing the development strategy, and minimizing the probability of making a bad decision.”

Paul Sill, Principal and Founder of Forum Analytics adds, “The implementation of this system is another milestone for our client-focused firm.  The science of real estate forecasting is complicated, and highly unique to every client we serve.  Our solutions reflect that.  Every system we create is customized to meet our client’s specific tactical and strategic goals.  This ensures that the modeling and GIS software application we build them has an immediate, tangible impact on their daily and long-term decision making process.”

Schlotzsky’s currently has 360 locations in 34 states and represents a mixture of settings from freestanding to inline locations. Founded in 1971 as the home of the Original™ toasted sandwich, Schlotzsky’s is a quick casual restaurant chain offering made-to-order sandwiches, soups, salads, and pizza. 

Whittle continues, “This modeling system gives us an objective measurement tool for assessing performance at our existing units and translates that data into predictive analysis for future restaurants.  The Forum Analytics system enabled us to develop and implement a strategic growth plan on a nationwide basis within 4 months after purchasing Schlotzsky’s, and provides us an ongoing system for individual site assessment as Schlotzsky’s growth increases.

About FOCUS Brands
FOCUS Brands Inc. is the franchisor and operator of over 1,750 ice cream stores, bakeries, sandwich shops, and cafes in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 33 foreign countries under the brand names Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Schlotzsky’s®, and the franchisor of Seattle’s Best Coffee® on military bases and in certain international markets. Based in Atlanta, the primary objective of FOCUS Brands is to “FOCUS on making people happy.”  Please visit www.focusbrands.com to learn more. 

About Forum Analytics
Forum Analytics is a Chicago-based consulting company that is redefining the concept of “business as usual.” Our innovative, customized solutions have been implemented by companies large and small to optimize retail development efforts and maximize revenue potential. Our unique statistical modeling and software provide the information required for retail and commercial development in a hyper-competitive market place.
More information about Forum Analytics can be found at www.ForumAnalytics.com or by calling 1-800-689-1652

Gatti's Pizza News

Gatti’s Pizza to Open 22 Units in Southeast U.S.
(Pizza Marketplace - by: Staff Writer - 6 September 2006)

AUSTIN, Texas — Mr. Gatti’s LP announced a multi-area development agreement with Pizza Southeast LLC, a Knoxville, Tenn.-based retail franchise group.

According to a news release, Pizza Southeast will open two GattiTown units and 20 Gatti’s Pizza units in Knoxville, Nashville and throughout Tennessee over the next seven years. The agreement marks the largest development commitment in Mr. Gatti’s history.

“With over 30 years of commercial real estate knowledge and 28 years of restaurant operations experience, Pizza Southeast brings the expertise, passion and desire to successfully develop our brand in neighborhoods throughout the state of Tennessee,” said Mark Levis, director of franchise sales and development for Mr. Gatti’s.

Pizza Southeast also purchased Mr. Gatti’s LP’s three existing corporate units in the Knoxville market and will remodel each to reflect the Gatti’s Pizza brand refresh.

“The fact that the Gatti’s concept works well with our types of developments only further fueled our desire to help grow the brand,” said Tom Shaffler Jr., principal partner of Pizza Southeast. “With the company’s top-notch executive team infusing fresh flavor to reinvigorate the brand, we foresee an outstanding future for Gatti’s Pizza — a future we are thrilled to be a part of.”

© 2008 Mr. Gatti's, LP. All rights reserved.

Third-party content copyright by respective owners and provided here in accordance with 17 USC §107

Pizza Chain has Nashville Plans
(Nashville Business Journal - by: Staff Writer - 6 September 2006)

Pizza restaurant franchiser Mr. Gatti's has signed a development agreement with a Knoxville franchise group that will add locations there, in Nashville and throughout Tennessee over the next seven years.

The deal with Pizza Southeast LLC is the largest development commitment in Austin, Texas-based Mr. Gatti's history. Pizza Southeast also has bought three corporate units in the Knoxville area from Mr. Gatti's and will be remodeling each.

Mr. Gatti's is owned by Blue Sage Capital, an Austin private equity group that bought the company in late 2004, when Mr Gatti's annual sales were $150 million.

© 2008 Mr. Gatti's, LP. All rights reserved.

Third-party content copyright by respective owners and provided here in accordance with 17 USC §107

GattiTown, Carinos head to Southpark Meadows
(Austin Business Journal - by: Staff Writer - 22 September 2006)

Two Austin restaurant chains are setting up shop in Southpark Meadows.

Mr. Gatti's LP will open a 25,000-square-foot GattiTown, featuring dining, games and entertainment. Meanwhile, Johnny Carinos will open its sixth area location in the shopping complex at I-35 and Slaughter Lane in South Austin.

The new GattiTown will break ground in January and is expected to open by mid-2007. Mike Mrlik, CEO of Mr. Gatti's LP, says the new store demonstrates that the company is as committed to growing its base locally as it is to expanding into new markets. The company currently operates 142 locations in eight states in the South and Midwest.

The new Johnny Carinos will open its doors on Sept. 25. In addition to sit-down Italian dining, the restaurant will offer curbside pick up.

Fired Up Inc., the franchisor and operator of Johnny Carino's, has 49 locations of the Italian restaurants across Texas and a total of 170 stores in 28 states. The company has development agreements in place with 17 franchise partners to develop Johnny Carino's both domestically and internationally during the next 10 years.

© 2008 Mr. Gatti's, LP. All rights reserved.

Third-party content copyright by respective owners and provided here in accordance with 17 USC §107

Mr. Gatti's poised to grow in Tennessee
Knoxville developer signs agreement to open 20 locations in 7 years
(Knoxville News Sentinel - by: Cynthia Yeldell - 12 September 2006)

A Knoxville real estate developer has signed a multimillion-dollar agreement to expand the Mr. Gatti's Pizza franchise throughout Tennessee.

Tom Schaffler, president of Pizza Southeast LLC, has signed the largest franchise agreement in Mr. Gatti's 40-year history. Schaffler acquired three Mr. Gatti's corporately owned locations in Knoxville, Halls and Maryville and plans to open an additional 20 locations over the next seven years.

Texas-based Mr. Gatti's offers a pizza buffet in a family atmosphere at 150 locations in eight states. Its major competitor is CiCi's Pizza.

Private equity firm Blue Sage Capital acquired the Mr. Gatti's chain in 2004.

Schaffler, a developer with Southern Commercial Real Estate, first plans to revamp the three locations he acquired with new paint, furniture and equipment at a cost of about $100,000 each.

He declined to give the total value of the franchise deal.

The deal also calls for the development of two GattiTown locations. GattiTown is a 25,000-square-foot entertainment concept that combines video games, go-carts, miniature golf and a pizza buffet. One GattiTown location is planned for Knoxville and the second will be in Nashville.

The first two new Mr. Gatti's restaurants will be in Karns and Gallatin, Tenn.

Schaffler expects construction to start within 30 to 45 days on the Karns location, in a strip retail development owned by Southern Commercial and Holrob Investments on Oak Ridge Highway. A Baskin-Robbins also will be located in the shopping center.

There are no Mr. Gatti's locations in West Tennessee, and Schaffler will expand the brand throughout the middle and western divisions of the state. More than 80 percent of the company's locations are owned by franchisees.

Other Tennessee franchisees own Mr. Gatti's locations in Clarksville, Oak Ridge, Dickson and Sevierville that were not part of the purchase by Pizza Southeast.

At one time there were as many as 19 Mr. Gatti's locations in East Tennessee, Schaffler said. He said the owners were not spending enough to update the restaurants and the number dwindled.

"We saw a viable business that had been neglected," Schaffler said. "It had a strong customer base and we hope to improve on the sales because the product is good."

© 2008 Mr. Gatti's, LP. All rights reserved.

Third-party content copyright by respective owners and provided here in accordance with 17 USC §107.