Pump It Up Expands Management Team Following Merger with BounceU
Susan Boresow, Susan Fickes Bring Marketing & Finance Experience to Multi-Brand Franchisor
July 25, 2008 // Franchising.com // Pleasanton, CA – Pump It Up, the nation's largest franchise of interactive, indoor inflatable playgrounds for private parties, announced today that it has added two highly experienced franchising executives to its management team, including a Vice President of Marketing and a Vice President of Finance with a combined 40 years industry experience. The announcement follows the recent merger of Pump It Up with its only national direct competitor, BounceU.
Pump It Up, founded in 2000, currently operates 174 franchises in 33 states nationwide, with more than 70 locations in development, while BounceU, which began in 2003, has 40 locations open and more than 60 in development. The two brands currently compete in approximately 15 markets. System-wide sales revenues for Pump It Up topped $70 million last year, while Phoenix-based BounceU is projected to exceed $15 million in system-wide revenues in 2008. PIU Management now serves as the parent company of both Pump It Up Holding, LLC and BU Holding, LLC. The company will soon move its corporate headquarters to Phoenix.
The two new PIU Management executives include Susan Boresow, Vice President of Marketing, and Susan Fickes, Vice President of Finance. Boresow has spent more than 20 years as a sales and marketing professional in franchise organizations including McDonald's Corporation, Cold Stone Creamery and Sport Clips.
"When we merged with BounceU, our objective was to create a strengthened national brand combining the strengths of both companies. As we accomplish this goal, we are assembling a management team of world-class talent that will lead us to continued domination of the segment," said Gordon Keil, CEO of Pump It Up Management. "Everybody wants to be with the winner, and following the merger, we are the leading children's entertainment franchise brand. Both Susan Boresow and Susan Fickes are true professionals who have experience with nationally recognized companies."
Fickes, a CPA, has spent more than 20 years as a finance professional, including 14 years with PetSmart, Inc., where she worked as an Assistant Controller, then Director of Accounting Operations. After her time in accounting, she was promoted to Vice President of Supply Chain, then Vice President of Merchandising. During her career with PetSmart, the retail chain grew from 87 stores to 950 stores.
Keil noted that both Boresow and Fickes will play vital roles in the company's new status as a multi-brand franchisor. "Franchise owners and everyone with a vested interest in either system will benefit from the combined skills and talents of both of these talented professionals," Keil added.
About Pump It Up and BounceU
Both Pump It Up's inflatable party zone and BounceU were created as fun, safe, clean places for children and adults to enjoy. Private parties for birthdays, team, school events, etc. are available to everyone from toddlers to adults and must be reserved in advance. Trained staff provides guests with supervision, food and beverage set-up, and clean-up services.
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