Blimpie sees opportunity in empowerment zones.
Since Blimpie International Inc.'s Urban Expansion
Initiative began in December 1997, it's been a success. Now
Stan Friedman, Blimpie's vice president of global development,
has increased his efforts to see that quick-service dining is a
reality for even more consumers, specifically those living in
government-designated empowerment zones.
"These consumers have fewer choices because not
everybody's running to the inner cities to build a
business," says Friedman. Recognizing the lack of disposable
income in these underserved markets but also seeing the potential
their large populations offer, Blimpie has begun to expand the
initiative under which it will award up to 500 franchises in
empowerment zones and federally designated Enterprise Communities
nationwide. Of the 500, the first 200 franchisees will be exempted
from paying the $18,000 franchise fee, and the remaining 300 will
pay "deeply reduced" initial franchise fees.
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Thus far, six franchisees have committed to opening restaurants
in the Atlanta market, where real estate and financing efforts are
well under way. Detroit will also soon reap the program's
benefits, as Blimpie launched the initiative there last summer.
According to Friedman, "the most arduous" part of the
process--sifting through applications--is the task now at hand.
Progression is slow and steady, but interest and support,
especially from the federal government, are high. "There are a
lot of people who want this thing to work," says Friedman.
Goals in progress: finding debt-free capital infusion for
empowerment zone franchisees and expanding to more to-be-announced
zones this year.
Contact Sources
Blimpie International, (800) 447-6256, ext. 204, stanf@blimpie.com
Wendy's, 2975 45th St., West Palm Beach,
FL 33407, (561) 687-8534
Kids Super Salon, (800)405-9466, http://www.kidssupersalon.com
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