Apricot Lane Boutique

: Chris Kelsch; Profiles; 23 August 2017

Apricot Lane Boutique

Apricot Lane Apricot Lane 0027

Apricot Lane is ideally positioned in the world of women’s fashion.

By Chris Kelsch

Apricot Lane Boutique Founder and CEO Ken Petersen was no stranger to franchising when he founded Apricot Lane in 2007. In 1991, while serving as a firefighter, Petersen suffered a devastating accident.

Realizing he could either remain a firefighter only through a desk job, Petersen decided to leave that life and explore his entrepreneurial side. He ventured into the retail world, and ended up starting Country Clutter, a retail gift and collectibles franchise.

In 2007, however, Petersen took a good long look at the world of women’s fashion and noticed there was something missing.

Pearle Vision

Pearle Patient

Pearle Vision is focused on growing its franchise locations

with an upgraded operating model that adds to the brand appeal.

By Janice Hoppe-Spiers

Dr. Stanley Pearle founded Pearle Vision in 1961 to “take care of the people, and take care of the patient.” More than 50 years later, the company still prides itself on being an eye care destination that patients can trust to protect and improve their vision.

Steak ‘n Shake

SteaknShake1

Steak ‘n Shake focuses on global expansion with new design concepts

that meet its customers’ and franchisees’ needs.

By Janice Hoppe-Spiers

With more than 600 locations in eight countries and counting, Steak ‘n Shake has its sights set on leading and dominating the premium burger and milkshake segment of the industry. “We believe we have an exceptional value proposition for our customers,” says Tom Murray, CFO of franchise operations. “If you look at the quality of our product – the fact that we cook everything to order, use cuts of steak to make our steakburgers and all of our shakes are hand-dipped – it’s just an amazing value.”

The Green Solution

The Green Solution has its sights set on U.S. and International growth

with franchise operations.

By Alan Dorich

For seven-and-a-half years, The Green Solution’s (TGS) team has focused on breaking the stigma placed on cannabis, President Trent Woloveck says. “We’ve been able to have dedicated individuals that are looking to move this industry in the right direction.”

Based in Denver, TGS sells a broad range of cannabis products, including flower, concentrates, infused product and topicals, along with accessories and apparel.

The UPS Store

UPS

The UPS Store® continues to develop solutions for small businesses

as it prepares to open its 5,000th store.

By Chris Kelsch

One thing most humans can agree on is that standing in line at the post office ranks as one of the most mind-numbing activities one could endure, and yet there are times it is simply unavoidable. As an alternative to this, Mail Boxes Etc. was introduced in 1980, and eventually grew to more than 3,000 stores by 2001. That’s when UPS took notice, seeing a huge opportunity to increase its retail presence for e-commerce shipping and returns. It purchased the company in 2001 and rebranded Mail Boxes Etc. as The UPS Store in 2003.