Art Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Bottle & Bottega to Open in La Grange, IL as Company Continues to Seek Savvy Professionals Across the Country.
Chicago, IL, May 18, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Bottle & Bottega, a premier corporate and social event business that creates fun and unique artistic experiences paired with wine, announced the sale of another franchise location, this time in the La Grange, IL market, a suburb just outside Chicago, the company’s headquarters and home to its flagship studio. The new owners, Paul and Meg LeFaivre, call La Grange home and will launch their business on June 11, 2012.
“Interest in Bottle & Bottega franchise territories has been very strong since our launch, especially in our home state of Illinois, and we couldn’t be more pleased and encouraged to welcome our newest franchise less than 6 months from the launch of our franchise program,” says Nancy Bigley, the company’s CEO and Co-owner...

New eco-friendly array of banners and graphic materials ties into company’s ‘green’ commitment.
Fort Collins (PRWEB) April 27, 2012 - SIGNARAMA Fort Collins has just introduced the Green Message ™ line, an array of fully recyclable banner and display signs. The zero-waste product line can be used for a variety of durable outdoor and odorless indoor displays. It is now possible to produce large, colorful graphics for exhibits and visual displays on materials that can be completely reused.
The provision of the new eco-friendly display media gives conscientious customers the option to specify recyclable materials when producing large format signs such as durable event banners, trade show displays and posters...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2012) - Many business owners are looking for ways to keep their enterprise visible and top of mind with customers. The explosive growth of social media provides an excellent opportunity to reach a new demographic, but many entrepreneurs are unsure how to best use the medium. Brian Miller, president and COO of Business Partner Marketing Coach ® says, "Business owners can benefit greatly when they understand how to take advantage of online technologies to grow their business."
As we celebrate the entrepreneur during National Small Business Week (May 21st- 26th), Miller says social media is more personal and can be more effective in lead generation than traditional forms of marketing.
"Social media tactics work interactively, giving a compelling, searchable and dynamic presence to a business, product or service in the online market space," says Miller...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2012) - Call it the economy, a need for a more flexible lifestyle or just a strong desire to be their own boss. Women are entering the small business arena more than ever, using their talents and passions and turning them into financial security. In celebration of National Small Business Week, beginning May 21st, Decor&You® DecorDesigners encourage American women to consider business ownership as a career option because, "Today, women are succeeding in industries that were once taboo for women," says Decor&You Founder and President Karen Powell.
The Small Business Administration finds that women-owned businesses account for 28 percent of all privately-owned businesses and they employ 9...

FASTSIGNS® to Discuss Conversion Initiatives and Strategies
April 26, 2012 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, will be exhibiting at the upcoming National Business Media (NBM) Show in Dallas, May 10 – 12, 2012.
The NBM Show is a business trade show designed to educate attendees on the latest in sign making, digital printing, apparel decorating, engraving, personalization, promotional products and more. Mark Jameson, FASTSIGNS Senior Vice President of Franchise Support & Development, will be hosting a booth at the show, No. 816, to speak with independent sign shop owners about the company’s franchise opportunity and conversion program...

Art Entertainment Franchise Donates Through Nationwide 'Painting With a Purpose' Program
MANDEVILLE, La., April 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Painting with a Twist, the nation's largest art entertainment franchise, raised more than $28,000 during the month of February to benefit the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.
Through the company's Painting with a Purpose program, more than 30 local Painting with a Twist studios held charity events as part of the businesses' commitment to giving back through painting parties. Each location chose paintings that were specially selected for the event and 50 percent of the proceeds went towards breast cancer research. At several shops, store managers and attendees had special connections to the cause...

FASTSIGNS® Starts 2012 with Multiple Deals for New Centers, Brand Conversions
April 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas  – FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers has started off 2012 with a strong first quarter of franchise growth, signing deals for new franchises, converting independent sign shops to the brand, and opening several new centers around the country.
On the heels of a five-unit franchise partnership in Puerto Rico, FASTSIGNS started off 2012 with eight signed deals, four of which were independently owned sign shops that converted to the FASTSIGNS brand. In addition, by June 2012, FASTSIGNS, which provides marketing and visual communications solutions to businesses, organizations and events of all types and sizes, will have opened 12 new centers since the beginning of the year...

Second capital infusion since 2009 investment will further expand growth in U.S. and Mexico
April 20, 2012 // Franchising.com // Burr Ridge, Ill. – For the second time since receiving an initial investment from private equity firm Sterling Partners in 2009, School of Rock, the U.S. leader in performance-based music education, received an additional capital investment from its current investors. The $5 million investment was led by Sterling – whose nearly $5 billion of assets under management concentrates on growth-oriented companies – and will help School of Rock further expand its growth initiatives in North America while accelerating its franchise development efforts.
“We are building something special here, and I am inspired every day by the talented professional musicians who share our vision and chose to be instructors at our schools, the stories of the students who have been impacted in such a positive way from their involvement in our system, and the amazing performances our students are delivering on some of the world’s best stages,” said Chris Catalano, School of Rock’s CEO...

Funds to Help Children and Their Families to Attend “We are not Alone” Convention
April 18, 2012 // Franchising.com // Laurens, South Carolina – If it wasn’t for the Foundation for Children with Microcephaly (FCM), AIM Mail Center owners Stacey and Pam Albers would not have much needed support and resources for their family. Their son, Justin, has been diagnosed with Microcephaly (small head/brain), a neurological disorder that causes the circumference of the head to grow smaller than it should. The FCM supports children and families with children who are diagnosed with Microcephaly.
“The Foundation for Children with Microcephaly has been such a great resource for our family,” said Pam. “We are excited to have the opportunity to raise awareness in our community about Microcephaly and give back to such a wonderful organization...

World’s Largest Sign Franchise Offers Veterans Up to $40,000 to Open New SIGNARAMA Store
April 13, 2012 // Franchising.com // West Palm Beach, FL – SIGNARAMA, the world’s largest full-service sign business, announced today the launch of “SIGNARAMA Salutes Our Veterans,” a new initiative that supports returning military members seeking to start a SIGNARAMA franchise. As part of the program, the company will waive the franchise fee for one qualified U.S. military veteran, making it easier for them to start their own business. This saving is estimated at up to $40,000.
“Our military men and women risk their lives so that we Americans can pursue the American dream,” said ‘JT’ Jim Tatem, President of SIGNARAMA...

Sign and Graphics Franchise to Co-Sponsor IFA’s Small Business Lending Summit
April 11, 2012 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – With the unemployment rate still hovering over eight percent and the country experiencing the lowest rate of new business creation in over 3 decades, lack of access to credit has remained a barrier to creating new businesses and jobs. As part of FASTSIGNS International’s ongoing initiative to find solutions to our nation’s lack of credit access for viable business start-ups, the company will be co-sponsoring the April 17, 2012 Small Business Lending Summit in Washington D.C. The Small Business Lending Summit is co-hosted by the International Franchise Association, the Consumer Banking Association, the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, and The Financial Services Roundtable...

Local Business Owner Helps Community Go Stress-Free by Making the Extra Trip across Town and Offering Free Postage
April 05, 2012 // Franchising.com // Dana Point, California – If it wasn’t for the AIM Mail Center in the Ocean Ranch Village Shopping Center, those in Dana Point who couldn’t make it to the local post office by 5:30 p.m. on Tax Day, Tuesday April 17th, 2012 would have to drive to the U.S. Post Office on Fairview Road in Costa Mesa to mail their taxes.
Luckily, store owner Mike Lee is willing to do the legwork again this year. Mike first made the extra run 7 years ago and decided to offer the convenience annually. He will transport all mail that is brought into his store before 10 p.m. to the main post office in Costa Mesa...

CARROLLTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the visual communications/sign and graphics franchisor of the more than 535 FASTSIGNS® centers worldwide, has unveiled a new branding platform with updated messaging: “More than fast. More than signs.™”
“We have always known that we are more than fast and more than signs, and this new brand platform is a way of better communicating what FASTSIGNS offers. We have capabilities and service offers beyond what many realize.”
“We want people to know that while we are fast, more importantly, we provide a wide variety of products, services and comprehensive visual communications solutions to help companies meet their business objectives,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Mar 28, 2012) - As both large and small businesses begin to see a brighter light in this somewhat stagnant economy, Brian Miller, president and COO of Business Partner Marketing Coach, says, "We can all help each other if local companies look for local experts in the community to help grow their business. And in doing so, business owners will feed 'the circle of life' in their communities by continuously adding to the local economy."
Business Partner Marketing Coaches see the benefits first hand when partnering with business owners to bring more awareness of their products and services in their respective markets. "Many companies either don't have the expertise nor the budgets to have full time personnel handle many of the much needed functions like marketing to grow their businesses," says Miller...

SIGNARAMA in Fayetteville, NC is under new ownership by Mike DeGroff.
Fayetteville, NC, March 16, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The United Franchise Group (UFG), a $500 million West Palm Beach franchise organization, announced today that the SIGNARAMA in Fayetteville is now owned by local resident Mike “Buzz Saw” DeGroff. The store is located at 1015 Robeson Street Suite 103.
Before becoming a SIGNARAMA franchisee, DeGroff served for a total of 28 years in the 5th and 3rd Special Forces Group and the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade; he retired June of 2011 as a Command Sergeant Major.
DeGroff says discovering this franchise came at a perfect time because he was ready to retire from defense contracting, adding, “I have always wanted to run a business and my many years experience leading and managing troops has prepared me for this challenging endeavor...

Franchisor Hosting Booth, Luncheon to Discuss Franchise Conversion Initiatives and Opportunities
March 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – Top executives from FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, will attend the upcoming ISA International Sign Expo 2012 to present independent store conversion initiatives and opportunities for international franchise agreements.
In addition to exhibiting at booth No. 2720, Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS, along with Mark Jameson, Senior Vice President of Franchise Support & Development at FASTSIGNS, will host an invitation-only luncheon on March 23 to discuss the company’s independent store conversion strategies and answer any questions regarding the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity and incentives...

Color Me Mine Proves Continued Demand for Art-As-Entertainment Franchises
March 14, 2012 // Franchising.com // GLENDALE, Calif. – Proving wrong the perception that consumer spending trends lean heavily toward necessity items versus entertainment, robust sales and continued franchise growth of Color Me Mine, the leader in the paint-it-yourself ceramics industry, paints an entirely different picture.
In fact, Color Me Mine reports that average unit volumes at its 140 studios worldwide nearly double that of independently owned paint-it-yourself ceramic studios, and the company plans to double its system size with 280 franchised studios targeted worldwide in the next three to five years.
Color Me Mine represents 15 percent of U...

Episode of Hit CBS Reality Series, to Broadcast Friday, May 4, Chronicles the Personal and Professional Journey of an Inspiring Female Leader
CARROLLTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Since her appointment as CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. in early 2009, Catherine Monson has been on a mission to advance the brand, from that of a sign and banner provider, to a visual ideas company for all kinds of businesses. Her personal and professional journey will unfold on national television as she investigates the inner workings of FASTSIGNS in the CBS hit series "Undercover Boss," Friday, May 4 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
“Our franchise partners and their employees are trained to take a consultative approach to providing comprehensive visual solutions to meet their clients’ communication needs”
“Going undercover allowed me to step into the shoes of our employees and franchise partners to better learn the ins and outs of what makes our company successful, as well as where there is room for improvement...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Feb 29, 2012) - With the 'home' being the heart of any family, and the economy struggling to right itself, more and more people are creating family memories and events from the comfort of their home environment. So, it's more important than ever to have an inviting, beautiful space where people want to gather together. Decor&You Founder and President Karen Powell says that people need to be aware of the top five decorating risks and potential blunders before they spend countless hours, money and time when on a decorating project.
"Many people are overwhelmed with the thought of creating a great room," says Powell. "It first helps to understand what can go wrong when inexperience and lack of knowledge gets in the way of achieving a great living space...

Franchise Research Institute Honors Visual Communications Company as 2012 World-Class Franchise
February 29, 2012 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas – FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, continues to prove that building positive relationships between franchisor and franchisee pays off. As a result of ongoing initiatives to maintain and further improve franchisee satisfaction, FASTSIGNS was among a select group of companies recognized as a 2012 World-Class Franchise by the Franchise Research Institute.
Whether it’s providing ongoing training for its franchisees to keep them up-to-date on the latest technologies, holding regional town hall meetings where they can learn about company initiatives, providing them with highly effective marketing and advertising tactics, or offering turn-key real estate and construction management services for new centers, FASTSIGNS franchisees continue to rate the company high in satisfaction ratings...