Pearle Vision Franchisees Enjoy a Healthy Advantage

Veteran franchisee Jennifer Sullivan knows all about the extraordinary benefits behind the brand power of Pearle Vision.

Sullivan, with more than four decades of retail eye care industry experience, has been a Pearle Vision franchisee for 28 years. Her two Chicagoland area stores are high-volume locations that boast Pearle Vision’s doctor-forward design. The concept, which puts the patient experience and Pearle Vision’s passion for genuine eye care front and center, is a perfect match for Sullivan’s own approach to life.

“We want to make people’s day,” Sullivan exclaims.

Pearle Vision was the right franchise fit from the start for Sullivan, who was managing corporate and franchise locations of a big-box eyewear retailer when the chain was acquired by Pearle Vision. Sullivan jumped at the chance to become a Pearle Vision franchisee, taking over rebranded stores that she originally opened as a regional supervisor.

These days, Sullivan is reaping the rewards of Pearle Vision’s shift away from the competitive noise of discounts, such as “buy-one-get-one-free” promotions, to a return to the brand’s roots as a neighborhood provider of eye health care. The repositioning by parent Luxottica, the premium eyewear chain that acquired Pearle Vision in 2004, has transformed the brand and provided franchise partners with growth-driving support and resources that are second to none, Sullivan says.

“Pearle Vision’s support has fundamentally changed how I do business,” notes Sullivan. “We are not selling shoes. We are a complicated purchase, where, with ratings like Yelp and Google, everyone closely scrutinizes performance, and delivering value and service is of utmost importance. I am able to concentrate on driving sales and delivering the experience – it separates me from the competition.”

A slew of strategic moves and innovations in operations have also been a gamechanger to help Sullivan run business more efficiently. Chief among them: eyecon, the turnkey integrated point-of-sale and supply chain management system for central product sourcing.

“The clarity, vision, and focus of the brand’s direction is paramount in growing the system,” says Sullivan. “I’ve always been a strong believer in delivering a consistent experience. Eyecon was an important step in that direction. It provides the patient with consistent product offerings and a consistent experience.”

The brand also encourages collaboration among Pearle Vision’s growing network of franchise partners.  “It is important to be able to surround yourself and reach out to franchisees, so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” Sullivan adds. “There is a tremendous wealth of information and generosity in the community to share what we are doing, so that life is easier for the next person that comes on board.”

For Sullivan life is good. With more than 500 EyeCare Centers located throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, Pearle continues to grow its national footprint. Sullivan sees a bright future with the brand that provides both autonomy and strong franchisee support.

“I have been extremely successful over the 28 years—through a lot of changes,” Sullivan says. “What has happened over the last five years, is the rollout of a lot of programs that provide a framework that has made it easier for a person starting out. A lot of the decisions have been made, so you can concentrate on running your business and delivering the experience. It is a fantastic opportunity.”

To learn more about the Pearle Vision franchise opportunity, visit www.ownapearlevision.com.

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