Art Franchise Industry News & Announcements

CARROLLTON - Texas, July 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - While many businesses reinvent their brands, some companies focus instead on their roots and shine a light on their company's history. This was the case for Erie, Pennsylvania's World of Music and their well-known guitar sign.
As winners of the 2013 FASTSIGNS® MetamorphoSIGN makeover contest, World of Music met with FASTSIGNS to explain the history behind their sign. Discovered in a junkyard by World of Music founder, Dick Bulling, the guitar sign has been a fixture at the music store for over four decades. Although Bulling passed away in 1997, World of Music has remained a family-owned and operated business. His granddaughter Amanda Karns, World of Music's Marketing Manager, started a "save our guitar" campaign to update and refurbish the weathered sign after decades of withstanding the elements...

July 30, 2014 // Franchising.com // Farmingdale, NY - The Minuteman Press of Clifton Park, which is owned by David Fizer, celebrated its Grand Opening on June 19, 2014! In addition to a ribbon cutting ceremony, Minuteman Press also hosted an open house where people could come in to meet David and his staff, tour the facilities and learn about the products and services that Minuteman Press can offer to its local community.
"Clifton Park seems to be a nicely growing community, and we wanted to provide the printing services to it," Fizer said. "I hope to make my franchise stand out in the area through a high level of service." The store will offer pick-up and delivery, competitive prices and same-day printing on most orders noted Fizer.
Minuteman Press Home Office along with Regional Vice President, Jim Galasso, would officially like to welcome David and his staff into the Minuteman Press family...

July 21, 2014 // Franchising.com // Farmingdale, NY – Small Business Opportunities Magazine recently profiled Minuteman Press International Inc. in an article that tells of the history of the company, as well as what makes Minuteman stand out from its competition!
Nick Titus, Minuteman's Chief Marketing Officer, had this to say about the company, "We've always taken the approach of never saying no to a customer. Even if a particular store hasn't done what a customer wants, with almost a thousand franchises in the system, there's always somebody somewhere who has done what you are looking to do."
The article goes on to explain the secret of Minuteman Press's long time success. "A Minuteman Press owner today doesn't just print...

Printing Franchise Opens in Boston Financial District as Part of Nationwide Expansion; Plans Four More New England Locations
July 23, 2014 // Franchising.com // The PostNet printing franchise has opened its first location in Massachusetts and plans to open four more in New England and 200 nationwide by 2017. We already have more than 700 Neighborhood Business Centers worldwide, and are looking for more business partners eager to provide printing, marketing and logistics support to help businesses in their communities grow - people like Matt Kaplan.
Matt is a lifelong Bostonian who worked as an engineer for several local TV stations, including New England Cable News, before joining the PostNet family. After 23 years as an engineer, he started exploring franchise opportunities...

July 16, 2014 // Franchising.com // Huntington, NY – Signarama, the world’s largest sign franchise, announces that local residents and entrepreneurs, Dawn Tiritter-Bent and Michael Ziccardi, have won the Signarama MVP Award, acknowledging their hard work and dedication to the industry for over 25 years, recognizing them as the top performing Signarama in the system Worldwide. This honor was bestowed at the United Franchise Group World Expo 2014 in Orlando, FL on May 31, 2014 by Signarama's Brand President Jim Tatem.
"This is the proudest moment we have ever had. Winning this award is an honor for us because we were picked out of an amazing group of franchise owners, all extremely dedicated to providing great customer service and building their businesses...

Sterling Partners Portfolio Company Expected to Expand Programs, Services and Schools in the United States and Abroad
CHICAGO - July 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - School of Rock, the national leader in performance-based music education, and its growth equity partner, Sterling Partners, announced today the appointment of Dzana Homan as the company's new Chief Executive Officer. Homan will lead School of Rock into its next phase of growth by leveraging her extensive career leading large franchise organizations, her experience as a franchisee, and her musical background. She will focus on expanding the company's global footprint, introducing new programs and services and forming industry partnerships to provide current and future students of all ages with additional instructional and performance-oriented music education opportunities...

Fast-Growing Paint-and-Sip Studio Gives Back to U.S. Veterans
July 11, 2014 // Franchising.com // Houston – Pinot's Palette, a fast-growing paint and sip franchise known for providing guests with an entertaining evening of art and wine, is pleased to announce that the company has recently partnered with VetFran, a program that helps U.S. military veterans locate franchise opportunities and provides a path toward business ownership with training, mentoring opportunities and financial assistance.
As a member of VetFran, Pinot's Palette will now offer veterans a 10 percent discount on its current franchise fee, reducing it to $22,500. Pinot's Palette President and Co-Founder Charles Willis says the partnership with VetFran is just one more way that the company is giving back to the community...

Combined Take-Home Masterpieces Cover Nearly 100 Football Fields
MANDEVILLE, La. - July 09, 2014 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Painting with a Twist®, the largest paint-and-sip franchise in the U.S., this week reached the milestone of hosting 2 million customers. Combined, this equates to guests sipping on at least 400,000 bottles of wine during classes, and their paintings covering nearly 100 football fields.
Painting with a Twist has reached this landmark in only five years, averaging about 19,000 customers each week in that span. Currently, Painting with a Twist boasts more than 150 franchises in 25 states and is the largest and fastest-growing paint-and-sip franchise in the country. The brand has experienced 23 percent same-studio sales growth year-over-year and plans to open 100 new studios in the next year...

Signage & Visual Graphics Franchise Recognized for Outstanding Veterans Program
CARROLLTON, Texas - July 08, 2014 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - FASTSIGNS International Inc. - the worldwide franchisor for more than 550 FASTSIGNS sign, graphics and visual communications centers in eight countries - has been named one of the top franchises for military veterans by USA Today and G.I. Jobs magazine.
The USA Today honor is based off of data collected by the World Franchising Network for its fifth annual list of the "50 Top Franchises for Veterans," which selected 50 franchisors from 300-plus companies that had the best representation in their operations (including franchised units, company-owned units and among the ranks of senior management) and individual programs created to attract veterans...

July 03, 2014 // Franchising.com // Farmingdale, NY – The Minuteman Press located in Gastonia, NC was recently named Business of the Year by the Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce! Pamela and Bill Joles have owned the center since July of 1991. This announcement was made at the Chamber's annual awards ceremony, which took place on May 29, 2014. Pam and Bill credit Xpress ads as one of the main ways that they have grown heir business, which has helped them to win this award.
The Minuteman Press Home Office along with Regional Vice President, Dave Walton, would like to applaud you on a job well done. We wish you the best of luck on all your future endeavors!
About Minuteman Press 
Minuteman Press is a number one rated business service franchise...

June 27, 2014 // Franchising.com // Farmingdale, NY – Owned by Darlene and David Welch , the Minuteman Press located on Main Street in Marlborough was declared Small Business of the Year by the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made official at the March 20, 2014 annual Business Awards Recognition Dinner held at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Marlborough The award was presented by Chamber President Susanne Morreale Leeber CCE, who noted that the Welch’s have owned this franchise since December 2011, when they assumed ownership of the 20+ year old business.
“Darlene and David, along with Shana Higgins, their daughter, and Jason McIntyre, operate a well-run business and we are proud to have them as part of our franchise family” noted Regional VP Ron Rubin of Minuteman Press International...

4 Ways to Express True Personality Through Design
SOUTHBURY, CT - (Marketwired - Jun 24, 2014) - How do people typically define you? As calm and collected, energetic, or mysterious? Now, take a step back and think of how people describe your home - are the characteristics in sync? For a house to truly become a home, it must have a soul that mirrors the authenticity and individuality of the homeowner.
Decor&You, one of America's leading, full-service interior decorating franchises, encourages homeowners to align their homes and personalities to increase harmony.
"You are your best inspiration, so it's crucial to look in the mirror and design according to what you see," states Karen Powell, founder and CEO of Decor&You...

Owners of Minuteman Press of Norwalk, CT Learn History of Printing in Italy!
June 23, 2014 // Franchising.com // Farmingdale, NY – Greg and Valerie Duffey, owners of the Minuteman Press located in Nowalk recently visited Rome, Italy, where they were fortunate enough to learn the history of the world's bestselling book, the Bible! The Duffey's were in Rome for their son Shane's graduation from the American University of Rome.
The Duffey's were fortunate enough to visit a museum dedicated to the Bible, which had more than 200 rare Biblical texts and artifacts on display, including the Lunar Bible on microchip which traveled to the moon and back on Apollo 14 in 1971. Also on display was the "Wicked" Bible, which was published in 1631 by the royal printers in London...

June 23, 2014 // Franchising.com // Farmingdale, NY – Mindi and Tim Siercks, owners of the Minuteman Press located in Princeton, MN were named "Business of the Year" by their local Chamber of Commerce. The Siercks' brought Minuteman Press to Princeton in 2011 and have been an integral part of the community ever since. The company provides web site services, print and design services, copy and supplies and much, much more. "If it has to do with business communications services, Princeton Minuteman Press will take care of your project for you from start to finish," notes Mindi.
Tim and Mindi believe that your business is their business and that if you succeed, they succeed. That philosophy is at the center of everything they do. With a mission of exceeding their customer's expectations, Princeton Minuteman Press will always be there for their customer, with honest, expert advice and quick, friendly customer service...

June 18, 2014 // Franchising.com // Farmingdale, NY – The Minuteman Press International Home Office recently hosted its annual President's Circle meeting which celebrates owners who have achieved a sales milestone over the previous year! This year brought about more owners from diverse locations enjoying the fellowship of their peers during this celebration.
There were numerous new entrants into this elite group, who were inducted by Bob Titus on Thursday May 1st, to the applause of their new colleagues. During the extended weekend in the Florida sunshine, members of the President's Million Dollar Circle enjoyed fishing, Intercostal cruising, and golfing.
Dan Murias, owner of the Minuteman Press Center located in Red Deer, Alberta had this to say about the event, "This trip was a goal of mine for the last three years...

Signage & Visual Graphics Franchisor to Demonstrate the Latest in 3D Printing and Discuss its Franchise Offerings, Funding Program, and Special Incentives for Military Veterans
CARROLLTON, Texas - June 16, 2014 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Continuing to stay on top of the latest trends to position itself as a leader in the market, FASTSIGNS International Inc. - the worldwide franchisor for more than 550 FASTSIGNS sign, graphics and visual communications centers in eight countries - is living up to its forward-thinking tagline with its latest exhibit at the International Franchise Expo (IFE).
The IFE, held June 19-21, 2014 at The Javits Center in New York City, is the largest franchise expo of its kind, showcasing more than 450 franchise opportunities...

June 12, 2014 // Franchising.com // Farmingdale, NY – Quick Printing Magazine recently released its annual list of the top 100 quick printers in the nation, with four Minuteman Press centers making the cut! Coming in at number 20 is the Hunt Valley, MD Minuteman Press center, owned by Keith Miller, which is up six spots from last year’s ranking. Joining them on the list in the number 36 spot is the Minneapolis based center owned by Phillip Kotula, followed by the Clifton, NJ Minuteman Press Center which is owned by Joseph Mulligan and Joseph Genua. Also making the list in the number 57 spot is the Glen Burnie, MD center which is owned by Nelson and Eleanor Anderson.
The article goes on to break down trends in the quick printing industry, including noticeable growth in the digital printing and copying sector (with a growth of 24%) as well as a 13% growth in bindery and finishing services and a 4% growth in post press services...

Celebrating Our 5 Year Anniversary as a Signarama Franchisee
McDonough, GA (PRWEB) June 10, 2014 - Signarama, the world's largest full service sign franchise is pleased to announce the 5 year anniversary of one of the leading franchisees in its worldwide system… Signarama-McDonough, GA. In celebration of its 5 year anniversary, Signarama-McDonough is having its Customer Appreciation Dayat its recently rebranded sign showroom located at 1977 Jonesboro Road, McDonough, GA on Wednesday, June 25, 2014.
Owners Kenn and Katherine Yancey said, “We want to show our customers how much we appreciate them for helping us achieve annual sales in 2013 of 1.5 million dollars and ranking #13 throughout Signarama's 830+ Global locations”...

Signage and Visual Graphics Franchise Continues International Expansion; Signs Master Franchise Agreements for the United Arab Emirates and North Africa
CARROLLTON, Texas - June 05, 2014 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Further increasing its global expansion to solidify its spot as the leader in the visual communications industry, FASTSIGNS® International Inc., the worldwide franchisor for the more than 550 FASTSIGNS sign, graphics and visual communications centers, has signed master franchise agreements for growth to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and North Africa.
Expansion will be led by Hamdi Osman, chairman of Solitaire IGT and former senior vice president of FedEx Express Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa. Further enhancing the company’s presence in the Middle East, Osman will open 12 locations in the UAE under the agreement...

Leading Music School Franchise Transforms Student Performers into Rockers at Second Annual GEMBA
BURR RIDGE, Ill. - June 05, 2014 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - It's every aspiring musician's dream to perform live on stage in front of thousands of people, especially at a music festival that brings together the industry's hottest stars. This summer, School of Rock, the national leader in performance-based music education, is turning that dream into a reality and giving hundreds of students a chance to play their hearts out on stage at Milwaukee's Summerfest, known as "The World's Largest Music Festival." Young musicians from around the country will have their fifteen minutes of fame as they duke it out in a School of Rock "Battle of the Bands" competition titled GEMBA...