Franchising Magazine USA Veteran Feature VOL 11, ISSUE 6, June 2023

PROPELLED BRANDS SUPPORTING VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS WITH A 50% DISCOUNT ON THE FRANCHISE FEE

BATTERIES PLUS ANNOUNCES CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH COUNTRY MUSIC STARS TO POWER THEIR TOURS

LATEST NEWS IN VETERAN

JUST LOVE COFFEE OPENS FIRST OF MANY LOCATIONS PLANNED FORARIZONA IN MESA

CONTENTS

VETERANS SUPPLEMENT

76

On the Cover

Marty Commons, My Salon Suite Franchisee (Propelled Brands)

Cover Story

76 Propelled Brands: Supporting Veterans and First Responders with a 50% Discount on the Franchise Fee

What’s New

74 Franchising News Latest News from Veterans in Franchising Focus

80 Streamline Brands: Streamline Brands Names Chris Harkness President

Franchisee in Action

78 Scissors & Scotch: From Member to Owner: Marine Veteran Opens New Scissors & Scotch Location

90 Marz Garcia: Upholding the Gold Standard from the U.S. Marine Corps to Athletic Republic

Franchisor In Depth

82 Big Frog: Franchise Group Honored with Patriot Award for Supporting Employees in Military Service

86 Just Love Coffee: Opens First of Many Locations Planned for Arizona in Mesa

88 DreamMaker: Continues Family Commitment to Veteran Entrepreneurship

Have Your Say

84 Batteries Plus: Announces Continued Partnership with Country Music Stars to Power Their Tours

SLIM CHICKENS Enters New Territory with Multi-Unit Deal in The Great Lakes

Slim Chickens, a leading fast casual franchise, which features dine-in and drive-thru services, and is beloved across the nation for its high-quality food and inviting atmosphere, announced today it has inked a deal to bring 25 locations throughout Southeast Michigan.

Three friends and business partners, Brad and Todd DeLange and Doug Broadright of Slims Great Lakes, are spearheading the expansion deal bringing locations to several counties in the Detroit and Ann Arbor metropolitan area.

“After doing our research on several restaurant concepts, we were drawn to the energy, inviting atmosphere and quality of Slim Chickens,” said Brad. Community is very important to us and though we are from Michigan, we had an immediate connection to the southern hospitality, and the food is top-notch. We are thrilled to bring the brand’s values and fresh flavors to Southeast Michigan.”

“Brad, Todd, and Doug are ideal operators to extend Slims’ into Michigan. Their successful experience in operating multiple

Jimmy John’s for over a decade proves their expertise,” said Jackie Lobdell, vice president of franchise development at Slim Chickens.

“We are thrilled for our partnership with Slims Great Lakes and for the opportunity to share our southern hospitality and cooked-toorder chicken tenders with communities throughout Michigan,” said Sam Rothschild, CMO of Slim Chickens. “Reputable operating groups like Slims Great Lakes are prime examples of who we look for to extend our inviting atmosphere, original recipe, and southern hospitality with more people across the globe.”

For more information on the Slim Chickens franchise opportunity, visit slimchickensfranchise.com

TINT WORLD® Opens First of Three Franchise Locations in Missouri

Gladstein said. “Our customers recognize that Tint World® is their one-stop provider of ultra-premium window tint, paint protection film, Nano ceramic coatings, audio and mobile electronics, performance upgrades, and safety and security technology. Tint World® is also a leading provider of residential and commercial window films and is looking forward to helping make homes and businesses in the area more comfortable and efficient while saving on their energy, heating, and cooling costs.”

Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™, a leading auto accessory and window tinting franchise, has just opened its first of three planned locations in the state of Missouri.

Tint World® St. Charles, owned by father and son team Andy and Drew Gladstein, offers drivers throughout the northwestern St. Louis area premium automotive style and performance

services and a comprehensive selection of top aftermarket products from the most popular brands.

“We’re excited to have opened our first of three Tint World centers in St. Charles and the surrounding areas to enhance our customers’ automotive experience with the industry’s best selection of products and services provided by a team of trained expert technicians and installers,” Andy

“Andy’s dedication and passion are delivering unmatched value and driving successful relationships with Tint World® customers throughout the St. Charles area,” said Charles J. Bonfiglio, president and CEO of Tint World®. “He’s proven to be an important addition to the Tint World® family by leveraging our proven, innovative franchise system and embracing our vision for franchisee success and overall growth.”

franchise opportunities

MILK JAR COOKIES Launches Franchise Program In 39 States

Milk Jar Cookies, a sought-after sweets destination, announced today the launch of its franchising program across the country. The gourmet cookie shop is set to expand to 39 U.S. states and invites passionate individuals to join its franchising family and share in the vision of spreading joy and kindness through irresistible homemade cookies.

“The Milk Jar Cookies brand has waited ten years to prove the concept, maintaining our hands-on baking method, perfecting our recipes, and protecting the integrity of an extraordinary cookie community bond,” said Courtney Cowan, founder of Milk Jar Cookies and author of “The Milk Jar Cookies Bakebook.” “We are now ready to partner with others to help share this vision; you don’t need to be a professional baker or a serial entrepreneur to join our franchising family, just have an entrepreneurial spirit.”

The gourmet cookie shop run by Courtney Cowan has been made famous for its homemade and hand-rolled cookies, partnered with a mission to spread joy and kindness.

Milk Jar Cookies plans to leverage its dedicated corporate team and technology to support franchisees through onboarding. The team includes Matt Hale, an experienced franchisor, franchising expert and consultant, to oversee and advise the growth of franchising efforts in the target expansion areas.

Aspiring franchisees will undergo a personalized and detailed vetting process, including a meeting and a potential full-day program at company headquarters to learn more about Milk Jar, meet the team, and review key aspects of the franchise program in more detail.

https://milkjarcookies.com/.

FLOYD’S 99 BARBERSHOP Starts 2023 with Strong First Quarter with 5 Shop Openings

as we move through Q2 and beyond with so many exciting plans in the pipeline for 2023,” said Joe Zemla, Floyd’s Senior Director of Franchising.

Following a successful first quarter, Floyd’s kicked off Q2 with its National Technical Education classes; refreshing training tactics used by stylists brand-wide. Designated Floyd’s trainers gathered at the brand’s headquarters in Greenwood Village, Colorado in early April to attend classes in which Technical Director Patrick Butler taught the latest skills an d techniques in order to achieve trendy looks.

Floyd’s 99 Barbershop (Floyd’s), the full-service haircare franchise known for its expert services in an amplified environment, opened the new year with a strong first quarter with 5 newly opened locations in 3 states. The brand is also projected to open an additional 9 locations by the end of 2023.

“We’re thrilled to see the growth we’ve achieved already to start the year, and we’re looking forward to continuing that momentum

“By investing in our continuous training and support, we’re ensuring our teams are maintaining that same high-level of execution Floyd’s has become known for,” said Paul O’Brien, co-founder and co-owner of Floyd’s. “Not only are these classes instilling consistency across the brand, but by bringing all our trainers together for these classes, they’re also reinspiring one another, coming with their own ideas and unique skills, and it brings a sense of comradery amongst all our trainers.”

To learn more Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, please visit: floydsbarbershop.com

CELEBRITY FAVORITE GOURMET COOKIE SHOP VETS COOKIE-LOVING ENTREPRENEURS TO JOIN THE MILK JAR COOKIE FAMILY THROUGH FRANCHISING

PROPELLED BRANDS SUPPORTING VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS WITH A 50% DISCOUNT ON THE FRANCHISE FEE

While franchising provides an excellent opportunity to own a small business, it’s an especially good opportunity for veterans. That’s because veterans, through their military experience, have developed qualities including analytical and leadership skills, discipline, resilience and a mission-focused work ethic that help make them successful franchisees.

“ For successful missions, everyone had to work together to achieve the mission’s goals. This translates well when it comes to franchising.”

- FASTSIGNS franchisee and former Navy veteran Stan Gray

Franchising Feels Like “We Are On The Same Mission”

Franchising Feels Like Family

common for most franchisees to have

“ Being part of a franchise is like being part of a team or family. You are connected to a team of people that seek the same goals.”- NerdsToGo franchise and former US Air Force Roger Turnbow

FROM MEMBER TO OWNER: MARINE VETERANOPENS NEW SCISSORS & SCOTCH LOCATION

One thing Marines are known for is a pristine haircut, and Austyn Svehla is no different. After his service, the veteran went looking for the right spot for a trim. t

Adaptability

Dedication

Discipline

STREAMLINE BRANDS NAMES

CHRIS HARKNESS PRESIDENT

Veteran Retail Executive to Lead Nation’s FastestGrowing Swim School Operator and Franchisor into Next Era of Growth

Streamline Brands, the industry’s largest franchisor and operator of swim schools, widely known for SafeSplash Swim School, announces veteran retail executive Chris Harkness will serve as the company’s new president, effective immediately. store operations at companies such as

ABOUT Streamline Brands®

convention with new perspectives in

safety to competitive instruction – with

For more information on Streamline Brands, its portfolio of swim schools, and franchise opportunities, please visit www.streamlinebrands.com or email franchise@streamlinebrands.com.

Streamline Brands is the industry’s largest franchisor and operator of swim schools. Streamline Brands and its franchisees operate schools in 34 states today under multiple brands: SafeSplash Swim School, Saf-T-Swim, Swimtastic Swim School, SwimLabs Swim School, Miller Swim School, AquaKids Swim School, AquaSafe Swim School and Ripples Swim School. The company was formed in 2005 and has been growing ever since through organic growth and acquisitions. Today, there are more than 250 schools open or scheduled to be open across the country. Streamline, a portfolio company of Youth Enrichment Brands, is majority owned by Roark Capital, a private equity firm headquartered in Atlanta.

For more information about Streamline Brands or to learn about franchising opportunities with the company, please visit www.streamlinebrands.com

TINA BACON-DEFRECE OF BIG FROG FRANCHISE GROUP HONORED WITH PATRIOT AWARD FOR SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES IN MILITARY SERVICE

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Presents Patriot Award to CEO Tina Bacon-DeFrece.

Bernie Currie, SHRM-CP, PHR, ESGR C with Big Frog Franchise Group Digital Ma National Guard (ARNG), and Co-Found

ABOUTEMPLOYER SUPPORTOF THE GUARD AND RESERVE (ESGR)

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense office established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component service members and their civilian employers and to assist in resolving conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. ESGR encourages employers to support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve. Recognizing supportive employers is vital to ESGR’s mission.

Big Frog Franchise Group (Big Frog) Co-Founder, President and CEO Tina Bacon-Defrece, Ph.D. has received the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for her ongoing support of veterans and active military.

ABOUT BIG FROG FRANCHISE GROUP

Each independently owned and operated Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More store specializes in Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, a clean and green apparel printing technology. Big Frog is a one-stop-shop for “un-frog-ettable” custom apparel, offering a wide selection of services such as screen printing, embroidery, vinyl, and Ultra Print (heat press). Big Frog also offers free design help, no minimums or art/setup fees and fast turnaround. Established in 2008 by Co-Founders Leeward Bean, Tina BaconDeFrece, Ph.D., and Ron DeFrece, Big Frog Franchise Group has since expanded to nearly 100 locations in 25 states and Canada. Headquartered in Dunedin, Fla., Big Frog is led by President and CEO Tina Bacon-DeFrece.

For the nearest Big Frog store, visit BIGFROG.COM.

For U.S. franchise opportunities, visit BIGFROGFRANCHISE.COM.

For Canadian franchise opportunities, visit BIGFROG.CA.

View Big Frog YouTube content here.

Big Frog Franchise Group Technology Development Specialist Nicholas Faz, Controller Brian Berry, VP of Operations Ken Karcher, and Director of Marketing Gina Signor; Bernie Currie, SHRM-CP, PHR, ESGR Co-Chair, Area Nine (Hillsborough/Pinellas County); Big Frog Franchise Group Digital Marketing Specialist, Sgt. Quinn Bonner, Army Reserve National Guard (ARNG); Co-Founder, President, and CEO Tina Bacon-DeFrece, Ph.D.

Co-Chair, Area Nine (Hillsborough/Pinellas County), arketing Specialist, Sgt. Quinn Bonner, Army Reserve er, President, and CEO Tina Bacon-DeFrece, Ph.D.

BATTERIES PLUS ANNOUNCES CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH COUNTRY MUSIC STARS

TO POWER THEIR TOURS

World’s Leading Specialty Battery Franchise Demonstrates Power Expertise by Powering the Summer Tours of Justin Moore, Lucas Hoge

Batteries Plus, the world’s leading specialty battery franchise, announced today it is renewing its partnerships with multi-Platinum country artist Justin Moore (The Valory Music Co.) and Billboard No. 1-charting country artist Lucas Hoge.

For more information on Batteries

Plus’ products and services and to find the nearest Batteries Plus retail store near you, please visit https://www.batteriesplus.com.

ABOUT BATTERIESPLUS

Batteries Plus, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Hartland, WI, is a leading omnichannel retailer of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels. The retailer also offers key programming, replacement and cutting services. Through a nationwide network of stores, the company offers a differentiated value proposition of unrivaled product selection, in-stock availability and customer service. Batteries Plus is owned by Freeman Spogli, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles and New York City.

To learn more about one of Forbes®’ Best Franchises to Buy in America, visit https:// www.batteriesplusfranchise.com

JUSTLOVECOFFEE OPENSFIRSTOF MANYLOCATIONS

PLANNEDFORARIZONAIN MESA

Just Love Coffee, a rapidly expanding franchise craft beverage company based in Tennessee, is expanding its footprint with the recent opening of its first location in Arizona.

are no other coffee shops in this area that

“ There are no other coffee shops in this area that offer great coffee, a wonderful place to hang out with friends or family, and a full all-day menu.”

For more information, visit www.justlovecoffeefranchise.com

DREAMMAKER FOUNDER CONTINUES FAMILY COMMITMENT TO VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

VetFran is a program that has a dual mission:

1To educate military veterans and franchisors about how well the abilities of veterans match up with the skill set required for being a successful franchisee/entrepreneur, and

2To ease veterans’ transition into franchising by encouraging franchisors to offer financial incentives to veterans – plus assembling resources, tools and a database of franchising opportunities for those who served their country.

“ Coombs recently won the National Association of Remodeling Industry’s regional 2023 Contractor of the Year award for outstanding remodeling work. In 2014, he was recognized as DreamMaker’s Top Franchise.”

ABOUTDreamMaker Bath and Kitchen

For over 20 years, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen has strived to deliver excellent customer service through kitchen, bath and interior remodeling. DreamMaker’s focus is honesty—to treat people with respect and integrity. Over the last two decades, this focus has earned them a 97% recommendation rate on GuildQuality from customers. DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen has been named among the 2022 Top 10 National Design/Build Remodelers in the nation by Remodeling Magazine and Qualified Remodeler Magazine and has been rated as a Top 50 Franchise brand in Franchisee Satisfaction by Franchise Business Review nine years in a row. Franchise Business Review also recognized DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen in 2022 as a Top Franchise for Innovation and a Top Franchise for Culture. Based in Waco, Texas, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen has 41 independently owned and locally operated franchises in 24 states.

The organization, part of the International Franchise Association (IFA), has a dual mission: 1) to educate military veterans and franchisors about how well the abilities of veterans match up with the skill set required for being a successful franchisee/ entrepreneur, and 2) to ease veterans’ transition into franchising by encouraging franchisors to offer financial incentives to veterans – plus assembling resources, tools and a database of franchising opportunities for those who served their country.

Nate Coombs - DreamMaker of Ogden, Utah, recently won the National Association of Remodeling Industry’s regional 2023 Contractor of the Year award for outstanding remodeling work.

Jeff and Ruth Vargo - DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen, The Woodlands, TX.

MARZ GARCIA: UPHOLDING THE GOLD STANDARD FROM THE U.S. MARINE CORPS TO ATHLETIC REPUBLIC

Marz Garcia, a Marine Corps veteran, is the epitome of upholding the gold standard through both his service in the United States Marine Corps and his ownership of Athletic Republic in Hudson Valley in Goshen, New York. Referred to as the glue of AR Hudson Valley, his leadership skills and style utilized at Athletic Republic is largely impacted by his time in the military.

“ What really attracted me to Athletic Republic was the evidence-based training with statistics and proof of performance. This is something that I’ve grown accustomed to through the military and truly appreciate about the brand.”

“ Exploring a business opportunity after my time in the Marine Corps, I knew that the values of the business needed to align with the values that I carry with me.”