Tanning Leader Desert Sun Targets San Diego for Expansion

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Up-Scale Tanning Salon Chain Creates a Hot Franchise Opportunity – Announces Plans for 20 Locations in San Diego

May 02, 2008 // Franchising.com // Maple Valley, Washington– Desert Sun Tanning Salons, a Seattle-area based indoor tanning salon chain, has announced expansion plans to open 20 locations in San Diego through franchise ownership, in addition to the first location that recently opened in the Pacific Beach area. Desert Sun's expansion furthers its new focus for development on the west coast, specifically California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and British Columbia.

"San Diego is primed and ready for Desert Sun through local franchise ownership," said Bareq Peshtaz, Vice President of Franchise Sales. "Our track record in markets with similar demographics combined with the dramatic growth and acceptance of indoor tanning makes Desert Sun Tanning Salons a lucrative business venture for entrepreneurs who are interested in developing our concept throughout San Diego."

Tim Hatch is the local "trailblazer" who has opened the first Desert Sun in San Diego, located at 1225 Garnet Avenue. After extensive market research, conducted in assistance by the franchisor, he found the perfect location, purchased an existing independent tanning salon in San Diego's coveted Pacific Beach neighborhood and converted it to Desert Sun Tanning. He is planning on opening a second franchised location within the year. He is a young entrepreneur, age 33. He was the college roommate of Desert Sun's founder and saw the company's success and realized he was ready to become part of the team.

In addition to creating a business ownership opportunity for a local entrepreneur, each new Desert Sun location will contribute to San Diego's economy by creating new jobs and providing area residents with the best in full service tanning and product offerings. With expansion into San Diego, approximately 125 new jobs will be created.

The San Diego development announcement is part of a national expansion plan to amplify the Desert Sun brand in urban areas such as San Diego, as well as markets where Desert Sun has an existing presence.

"We take a focused and hands-on approach to growing our business," said Peshtaz. "It's not about how many total locations we can open in one year. It's about how many successful locations we can open."

Already a big player in the $5 billion tanning industry, Desert Sun is fueling interest in their development plans with a cutting-edge, client centric salon design for franchise owners.

"We continue to have incredible success at each of our locations and are excited to be expanding into San Diego," said Peshtaz. "There is a very strong demographic and cultural base for tanning in this market. If experience has taught us anything, once we open up a location our clients return time and time again to enjoy the up-scale tanning salon experience people have grown to expect from Desert Sun," said Peshtaz.

Desert Sun Tanning Salons is a subsidiary of Palm Beach Tan Inc. Desert Sun is one of the fastest growing tanning chains in America and one of the fastest growing private businesses in the Northwest.

Desert Sun is currently concentrating its efforts on attracting quality franchise partners who want to invest in a leading tanning salon brand with a solid operating system and strong corporate support structure. With both Desert Sun's and Palm Beach Tan's proven economic models, experienced franchise partners are attracted to the business venture. The franchise fee to operate a Desert Sun is $50,000 with an initial investment of $333,300 - $622,500 (includes franchise fee.)

"Prospective franchise owners for Desert Sun should have the capacity to create and manage an organization that effectively recruits, retains, trains and motivates people," said Peshtaz. "It is our job to teach owners how to operate a successful tanning salon. We want to be the leader in up-scale tanning by creating a high degree of customer loyalty that sets us apart from our competition in the marketplace."

About Desert Sun Tanning Salons

Founded in 2001, Desert Sun was named Entrepreneur Magazine's #1 tanning franchise for 2008 and recognized as a Franchise Business Review Top 50 Franchise, based on franchisee satisfaction. The company operates 85 franchise locations, with an additional 25 salons currently in development throughout the west coast. Desert Sun Tanning Salons is a subsidiary of Palm Beach Tan Inc. and offers a full selection of indoor tanning services, including three different varieties of tanning beds, Mystic Tan, sunless tanning creams and other skin care products. Salons are designed to create a warm, inviting environment for its customers. The company is poised for additional growth via a franchise model. For more information, please visit www.desertsuntanning.com.

About Palm Beach Tan

Founded in 1990, Palm Beach Tan, Inc. has become a leader in the indoor tanning industry, with 65 corporate locations and has 83 franchised locations in 15 states. For more information, please visit www.palmbeachtan.com.

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