Bookkeeping Express Inks Development Agreement Covering 72 Territories throughout North Carolina

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Longtime Banking Executive and Proven Entrepreneur Leads Bookkeeping Express' Expansion Plans in North Carolina

October 27, 2008 // Franchising.com // NORTH CAROLINA - Bookkeeping Express, the first U.S. franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, announced today that it has signed a Master development agreement with R. Ashley Early to cover 72 territories in North Carolina, bringing the total of Bookkeeping Express' signed U.S. territories to more than 100 since beginning its aggressive franchise growth strategy less than 90 days ago.

The new Bookkeeping Express offices in North Carolina are slated to begin opening in late-2008 as well as early-2009 and well beyond. As a Master developer, Mr. Early owns the right to grow the rapidly expanding bookkeeping concept through franchise agreements with qualified investors across all regions of the state.

"I am thrilled about bringing professional bookkeeping services to North Carolina. A void exists locally for skilled bookkeepers that focus on the small business community," said Mr. Early. "As an entrepreneur, I am excited about becoming part of the Bookkeeping Express family. Bookkeeping Express has over 20 years of experience in the industry and their proven business model will help small business owners focus on growing their business."

Mr. Early, 41, brings years of success as an entrepreneur in the retail industry and as a senior executive with leading national banks to his business endeavor with Bookkeeping Express. His previous experience, along with a law degree from the Washington and Lee University School of Law, will help him relate to potential investors.

"I know the hard work and dedication it takes to run a successful business," added Mr. Early. "We will be growing Bookkeeping Express in North Carolina with individuals with a passion for hard work and an understanding of how small businesses can benefit from our distinctive services."

With more than 200,000 small businesses in North Carolina, Bookkeeping Express offers a much-needed service to companies that are not equipped or do not wish to handle accounting responsibilities such as setting up charts of accounts and general ledgers, monthly data entry, processing and managing accounts payable and accounts receivable, producing monthly reports and tax reporting. Plus, Bookkeeping Express utilizes an Alternative Pricing Model that is based on the clients' needs instead of a one fits all, hourly billing approach.

The expansion into North Carolina is part of the company's aggressive national development plans which call for more than 400 new territories, initially targeting growth throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

"The small business community is growing in North Carolina and around the country, and Bookkeeping Express is expanding with it, providing qualified franchise investors with a niche franchise option that caters to this growing segment," said Greg Jones, CEO of Bookkeeping Express and former 1981 Penn State University football team captain. "We are looking to grow with franchise partners such as Ashley who are serious about owning a business and sincere about their desire to fill a void in their communities with our distinctive services."

Mr. Early recently signed another Master development agreement to grow the Bookkeeping Express franchise in seven territories throughout the Richmond, Virginia market. His agreements with Bookkeeping Express are two of six that that the company has signed with franchise investors since mid-July 2008. The company's committed growth regions also include the city limits of Washington D.C., northern Virginia, Montgomery County, Maryland and northern Pennsylvania. The company's immediate strategy further entails opening offices in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New Jersey, West Virginia and the rest of the mid-Atlantic region.

As part of the Bookkeeping Express franchise model, all locations will offer the BKE Connect system, which allows businesses access to all bookkeeping files remotely through an outside server, as well as a dashboard that clearly and visually 'sums' up the business' operations for thorough analysis. Two options available to Bookkeeping Express investors include Master or Area Development territories that can be operated out of home-based or commercial space locations; per territory start-up fees run under $50,000.

About Bookkeeping Express

Bookkeeping Express, a national company focused on providing professional bookkeeping practices to small businesses, was founded in 1984 in California and grew to over 150 locations through licensing agreements. In 2007, Greg Jones, along with Bob Stocker and Merritt Green, purchased the company and launched the new business model in McLean, Virginia in January of 2008. Bookkeeping Express is currently registered to franchise in 41 states. For more information, please visit www.bookkeepingexpress.com or contact 877-525-5337.

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