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CRISP & GREEN To eXPanD naTionWiDe
Crisp & Green, Minnesota’s favorite lifestyle brand that blends nutritious foods, community and fitness, will begin its national franchise expansion in early 2021, as announced by CEO and Founder Steele Smiley. The national expansion will start in Dallas, Texas followed by South Dakota, Iowa and North Dakota.
Tommy’s Express Car Wash climbed to #479 in 2020 up from #559 in 2019. The Franchise Times Top 200+® is the only ranking by systemwide sales and units of the largest 500 U.S.-based franchise brands. The ranking also analyzes industry The successful fast-casual brand has been making ambitious strides towards expansion since its launch in 2016, serving guests in-person as well as digitally via their proprietary app. With the widespread shift to digital ordering amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the brand was uniquely prepared to capture the increased demand for their healthy and convenient options, leading to accelerated growth in a time when the restaurant industry is struggling across the nation. sectors based on percentage change in sales growth and reports the 10 fastest-growing franchises by four different measures. According to the Franchise Times, the 200 largest U.S.-based franchisors grew their combined annual sales by more than $30 billion or 4.5 percent last year, to $702.9 billion, with most categories seeing acrossthe-board gains from the previous year. The strength of Crisp & Green’s innovative and adaptive business model, combined with their emphasis on building a community, has set the brand apart and ahead. Today, the lifestyle company has seven locations open and 20 in development, including locations in its home state of Minnesota and additional locations across Texas, South Dakota, North Dakota and Iowa.
“We have been very pleased with the success we’ve experienced in Minnesota and are thrilled that communities have embraced and supported us so quickly,” said Smiley. “We are eager to expand into other parts of the country to bring additional communities nutritious, great-tasting food in our unique welcoming environment. Everyone is welcome at our table.”
Tommy’s Express Car Wash recently debuted as a top 500 franchise according to the Franchise Times Top 200+® list.
www.crispandgreen.com President and Chief Innovation Officer Ryan Essenburg of Tommy’s Express Car Wash said: “It’s an honor to be named to the list of top 200+ franchise opportunities by the Franchise Times.
“Tommy’s Express Car Wash is my way of sharing my family’s success with others, to help them enrich lives, add value, and serve their local communities. Growth and opportunity keep us striving ahead as we are filling a serious gap in service offering around the world.”
Tommy’s Express is a fast-growing national car wash franchise built around the Totally Tommy site model originally developed by Tommy Car Wash Systems. Franchise locations are closely supported with exclusive training, marketing, and technical assistance and enjoy access to proprietary, franchise-exclusive developments in wash products and technology.
BIG SKY FRANCHISE TEAM nameD a ToP franchise suPPLier BY ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE
Big Sky Franchise Team was recently ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s third annual list of the Top Franchise Suppliers.
This list recognizes top companies that provide services and support to franchisors and franchisees in ten categories: Accounting, Banking/Financing, Franchise Broker/Referral Networks, Franchise Consulting/Development, Legal Services, Marketing, Merchant Services, Other Technology Services, Public Relations, and Real Estate Services.
Big Sky Franchise Team was ranked #3 in the Franchise Consulting/Development category.
“We are grateful and honored to be recognized as one of the top franchise consulting and development companies by Entrepreneur Magazine,” said Tom DuFore, CEO of Big Sky Franchise Team.
“This is a testament to our Team’s many years of hard work and dedication to having a win-win mindset to support our clients, our suppliers, and each other.”
“Now more than ever franchisors and franchisees need service providers they can rely on to help them build and run their businesses as efficiently as possible,” said Entrepreneur’s editor in chief, Jason Feifer. “We at Entrepreneur are proud to help by presenting this list of the most trusted suppliers in the industry.”
To determine who the Top Franchise Suppliers are, Entrepreneur surveyed more than 700 franchisors to find out which service providers they and their franchisees use, and what their satisfaction is with the quality, cost, and value of those suppliers’ services. Each supplier was scored based on the results of this survey. Big Sky Franchise Team’s position on the ranking illustrates its position as a trusted service provider in the franchise community.
SHOPMONKEY Teams WiTh TINT WORLD To maXimize franchisee oPeraTions
Shopmonkey, a San Jose, California-based software company serving the automotive industry, and Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™, a leading auto accessory and window tinting franchise, announce an enterprise partnership that equips Tint World franchisees with the leading auto shop management software to maximize efficiency and customer experience while positioning Shopmonkey to continue its rapid growth and innovation.
“Shopmonkey is transforming the auto service industry,” said Charles J. Bonfiglio, president and CEO of Tint World. “We recognized an opportunity to support our franchisees with technology that will allow them to streamline their operations, giving them more time to focus on delivering the high-quality products and service that Tint World® is known for.”
With Shopmonkey’s cloud-based shop management software, franchise owners at 80 Tint World locations across the United States can increase revenue and streamline daily tasks by automating scheduling, inventory, payment processing and communications in one platform. Shopmonkey’s intuitive interface and clean design ensure optimal user experience and minimize training and onboarding.
Shopmonkey’s shop management software simplifies all the complexities of running an auto shop business onto a single platform. The company helps shops run their business with easyto-use software that consolidates tools, saves time, and streamlines their entire operation while improving communication across the board.
“With Shopmonkey, we’re providing Tint World franchisees one of the auto accessory industry’s most innovative and effective tools,” said Jeff Stark, COO of Tint World.
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MASSAGE HEIGHTS announces neW reTreaT in DeTroiT, michigan
Massage Heights, a leader of professional, affordable and convenient therapeutic massage and facial services, is expanding in the Midwest market, with a new location in Detroit, MI.
The Massage Heights Troy Somerset Collection will highlight the brand’s overall mission to elevate the mind, body and spirit of its
To celebrate its grand opening, the Retreat will be offering $800 in services to the first 100 Members, which includes free hot stone therapy for a year, plus three additional complimentary services. In addition to this, the Retreat will be offering an introductory $40 massage for first time Guests.
Both first-time franchisees, Mike Samman and Dr. Hatem bring passion and experience from their industries to the Massage Heights family. Mike joins the team with an impressive background in construction management and transportation. Dr. Hatem earned his medical degree from St. George University School of
guests. Medicine, where he went on to become a successful OB-GYN in the San Antonio community.
“We are thrilled to be a part of a growing franchise brand like Massage Heights,” said Mike Samman and Dr. Hatem. “We can’t wait to introduce the brand to neighboring residents in the Metro Detroit area.”
Massage Heights was founded in 2004 by Co-founder and President, Shane Evans with her husband, Wayne, after realizing the need for professional and affordable massage services. The brand has grown from a single retreat in San Antonio, Texas, to more than 116 locations across North America.
www.massageheights.com
FLAME BROILER eLeVaTes Qr coDes for safer cusTomer eXPerience
According to a 2018 study by Juniper Research, QR code redemption globally was projected to reach about 5.3 billion transactions by 2022— four times more than the 1.3 billion transactions in 2017. COVID-19 accelerated QR code use in a matter of months.
While other restaurants used QR codes to only display menus, Flame Broiler, a quickservice restaurant franchise with over 170 locations serving simple, healthy bowls and entrees, implemented drive-up virtual kiosks in which customers need to only scan a QR code on signs outside to order and pay for their food. The QR code loads a special site for customers to view the menu, place an order, and pay virtually.
Using QR codes to display menus and direct people to websites was the obvious and basic way for restaurants to employ the technology. Flame Broiler elevated QR codes to facilitate an entire transaction from start to finish and mitigate the risks tied to going inside of establishments during the pandemic at the same time.
“As a quick-service restaurant, we knew we needed to pivot as soon as COVID-19 happened and social distance restrictions were enacted. Our biggest priority is customer and employee safety, and we want our guests to feel safe while ordering and getting food from us. The QR codes
facilitate an entire transaction from start to finish and alleviate the risks tied to going inside restaurants during the pandemic,” said Daniel Lee, head of brand and technology at Flame Broiler. www.flamebroilerusa.com
EAST COAST WINGS + GRILL muLTi-uniT oWners earn recogniTion from FRANCHISE BUSINESS REVIEW
East Coast Wings + Grill’s J.D. and Jeff Penland, brothers and multi-unit operators for the full-service, familydining franchise— were honored by Franchise Business Review as 2020 Franchisee Rock Stars.
The Penlands, who own four ECW+G locations throughout North Carolina, were selected among a pool of 28,000-plus franchisees as rock stars in the “Multi-Unit Owner” category.
In 2007, the post-college graduates purchased an existing location. After a few short years, they turned the restaurant into a profitable investment and sold it in 2010. They used that experience to gain the entrepreneurial knowledge they needed and became multi-unit owners of the franchise, known as some of the top performing owners within the system, with over $8 million in revenue. Foot Solutions, an international foot wellness retailer focused on improving health and relieving pain through expertly-fit custom orthotics and supportive footwear, is pleased to announce its 10 year partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA). Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in North America, and because the game is played on hard surfaces, the risk of injuries has accompanied the increased interest in the game. The hard surfaces take a toll on the players’ feet and joints, ultimately limiting their game time and diminishing their quality of life. While there was a dip in Mid-March and early April, throughout the pandemic, the Penlands have since experienced record sales.
“Even at 50 percent occupancy, we’re maximizing our space. We’ve moved tables around, removed some, and able to swiftly adapt to guest traffic behavior, whether they’re dining in or ordering curbside and delivery,” said JD Penland. “ECW+G has the square footage down to a science and its right in the sweet spot to operate casual dining effectively.”
Some of the substantial support provided by the franchisor included: proactively building a game plan to face COVID-19 realities, weekly conference calls, chain supply management, providing financial analysis programs and pulling back on marketing and royalty fees. “The Professional Pickleball Association is thrilled to welcome Foot Solutions as the Official Foot Wellness Provider for the PPA Tour,” said Connor Pardoe, PPA commissioner. “For years, Foot Solutions has been helping pickleball players keep their feet and joints out of pain and healthy on the court,” said John Prothro, Foot Solutions CEO. “This agreement with the PPA allows us to get the word out to the rest of the pickleball community—our experts are ready to make sure your feet interact with the ground in a way that optimizes your game, alleviates pain, and keeps you going strong.”
“There’s no need to reinvent the wheel with ECW+G, follow the data-driven model and maximize it,” said Penland. “Based on our experience, it boils down to focus, dedication and sacrifice to succeed.”
FOOT SOLUTIONS announces muLTi-Year ParTnershiP WiTh The ProfessionaL PicKLeBaLL associaTion
www.eastcoastwingsfranchise.com
will be onsite to answer questions and distribute various foot wellness related products. Additionally, the Association’s annual tournament hosted in Mesa, Ariz., will now be called the Foot Solutions Mesa Grand Slam in honor of this partnership.
