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AAFD Seeking Nominations for 2021 Total Quality Franchising Awards

SAN DIEGO, November 25, 2020: The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) is pleased to announce it is accepting nominations for the AAFD Total Quality Franchising Awards for 2021.

The TQF Awards represent AAFD’s opportunity to publicly recognize individuals, franchisors, suppliers and AAFD chapters that have made significant advances in supporting and promoting collaborative franchise cultures and fair and balanced franchise relationships, the AAFD’s vision for Total Quality Franchising.

The AAFD’s TQF Awards will be presented at the Total Quality Franchising Awards Gala during the AAFD Franchisee Leadership Summit will be held May 2 – 5, 2021, in Mesa Arizona.

We Need Your Help Nominating Total Quality Franchising Award Recipients!

The AAFD Awards Committee is pleased to invite public nominations to recognize exemplary achievement within the franchising community for the 2021 TQF Awards.

Nominating Instructions:

  1. Visit the AAFD’s Conference Website for a complete list of award categories and to make your nomination(s).
  2. A complete list of award categories and descriptions are below.
  3. Please submit your online nominations no later than January 31, 2021.
  4. Please include a little information about why you think your nominee deserves the award.
  5. You CAN nominate multiple people for the same award and nominate the same person/organization for multiple awards. Just make sure to tell us why they are deserving of recognition.

Total Quality Franchising Award Categories:


Franchisor of the Year Award 
This award is given to a franchisor that has demonstrated respect for the AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards and excellent citizenship toward its franchisees. The Franchisor of the Year Award recipient is decided by the AAFD’s Awards Committee and ratified by the company’s recognized franchisee association or franchise advisory council.   

AAFD Fair Franchising Seal 
The AAFD Fair Franchising Seal is a highly coveted accreditation that is given to a franchisor that has met the AAFD’s strict Fair Franchising Standards and Franchise System Accreditation Program. Franchisors that earn this award have shown that they embrace a fair, balanced, and collaborative franchising culture. 

Franchising Legacy Award
The AAFD’s newly minted Franchising Legacy Award has been created to honor extraordinary individuals for their inspiration, dedication, and significant contribution to the advancement of Total Quality Franchising. This award not only acknowledges an inspiring leader who has made a significant positive impact on the franchising community and is creating a legacy by passing on their vision of franchising for a more fair and equitable franchising future. 

Lifetime Achievement Award
This prestigious award recognizes an individual whose lifetime body of work has distinguished himself or herself within the franchising community and who has contributed greatly to the cause of Total Quality Franchising over many years.  

AAFD’s Chairman’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Franchising Community
This award is presented to one or more individuals or companies that have made a noteworthy achievement during the past year and admirably upheld the values of Total Quality Franchising.  There may be multiple recipients of the AAFD’s Chairman’s Award.

Franchisee Member of the Year
This award recognizes an individual franchisee who has worked hard to advance the ideals of the Fair Franchising Standards in the previous year. This individual embodies the spirit of fair franchising and has made a difference in the AAFD and franchising community, as well as their franchise system and brand.

Joni Lampl Trailblazer Award
Named for an AAFD Member who earned this award for five consecutive years! The Joni Lampl Trailblazer Award is given to one or more individuals who have worked tirelessly to increase the membership within their franchisee chapter. The Trailblazer Award can be given to multiple individuals who meet these qualifications. Award recipients are decided by the AAFD Director of Membership Development and ratified by the Awards Committee.   

Supporting Member of the Year Award
The Supporting Member of the Year Award recognizes an AAFD Supplier Member who has provided distinguished service to the AAFD and our members over the last year.

AAFD Chapter of the Year Award
This award recognizes the AAFD Chapter that has made the most progress in the previous year. In determining the winner of this award, we look at things like chapter achievements, membership growth, membership retention, and overall chapter activity. The Chapter of the Year Award showcases all that a well-functioning, committed chapter can achieve for its membership, and sets a model standard for other chapters to attain.

Rookie Chapter of the Year Award
The Rookie Chapter of the Year Award goes to a chapter that was created in the last year that has shown the most growth, activity, and forward momentum.

Remember to send your nominations to nominations@aafd.org by January 31, 2021. Thank you for your help!

About American Association of Franchisees and Dealers

AAFD is the oldest, largest, and most respected direct member franchisee trade association in the United States.  Since 1992, the nonprofit organization has formed and supported exclusive trademark specific chapters for franchisees of hundreds of franchise systems and seeks to foster its vision of Total Quality Franchising—a collaborative franchise culture that respects the legitimate business interests of franchisors and franchisees.  For more information, visit https://www.aafd.org

AAFD Seeking Nominations for 2021 Total Quality Franchising AwardsRead More

AAFD Welcomes the Independent Association of BurgerIM® Franchisees

Newest AAFD Chapter Organizing to Protect Franchisee Investments and Redress Serious Grievances

SAN DIEGO, January 2020 – The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) announced the formation of the Independent Association of BurgerIM® Franchisees (IABIMF).

In the wake of bombshell revelations (reported on January 20th in Restaurant Business Online, “The BurgerIM Disaster”) of hundreds of franchisees not receiving promised services and support, and serious allegations of fraud, mismanagement, and misappropriation of franchisee funds, scores of BurgerIM franchisees have launched the BurgerIM Franchisees Chapter of the AAFD. The association has quickly established a steering committee, a membership committee, and a bylaws committee. It is preparing to elect a board of directors and is rapidly increasing its membership. 

“The goal of IABIMF is to unite and unify BurgerIM franchisees, engage common legal counsel and aggregate franchisee resources to take immediate steps to protect and preserve franchisee investment.” said Joey McCullough, Interim Chairman of the chapter steering committee.

“Our BurgerIM franchisee members are very motivated and have quickly initiated strides to build a strong association,” said Robert Purvin, Chairman of the AAFD. “With the help of the AAFD, I believe this chapter will be able to create and enforce real and meaningful efforts to protect franchisee investments and address serious challenges to their brand. The AAFD is excited to support this effort.”

The new chapter was formed by concerned franchise operators after multiple reports of misappropriation of funds, a large number of sold franchises that are not being developed, lack of franchisee support, large vendor kickbacks to the franchisor, and reports of company vendors and employees not being paid. The franchisees intend to unite their common resources to address the serious challenges to their brand, and to protect their franchisee investments.

The AAFD acts as a catalyst in the franchisee chapter formation process by providing coaching, offering a vehicle for organization, helping franchisees build a leadership structure, and providing tools to support an effective franchisee association. The AAFD further helps chapters build effective leadership, define goals and objectives, build a compelling membership purpose, and open a constructive dialogue with their franchisor management team.   

BurgerIM is a gourmet quick service restaurant concept that features a variety of burger combinations of ground beef, ground lamb, salmon, vegetarian and more. The popular eateries have apparently grown faster than the company can support its franchise network and has led to serious financial and construction challenges. Reports estimate more than 1000 units sold, with nearly 300 restaurants that have opened and reports that over 100 have already closed. Franchisee owners have a strong confidence in the brand and its products and are intent on achieving strong goals for the brand and themselves.

The AAFD is the oldest, largest, and most respected direct member franchisee trade association in the United States.  The nonprofit organization has formed exclusive chapters for over 80 franchise systems and seeks to foster its vision of Total Quality Franchising—a collaborative franchise culture that respects the legitimate business interests of franchisors and franchisees.

***

About the AAFD

The AAFD is a national non-profit trade association representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. The AAFD is focused on market driven reform to achieve its mission to define and promote collaborative franchise cultures that the AAFD describes as Total Quality Franchising. Since its formation, the AAFD has grown to represent more than 50,000 franchised locations throughout the United States. The AAFD has members in all 50 states and represents more than 100 different franchise systems.

The AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards, Fair Franchising Seal, Trademark Chapters, and emphasis on Marketplace Solutions led to the Association’s recognition as a growing force in franchising. The AAFD’s Branded Partner programs add a new dimension to the value of AAFD membership. The AAFD provides a broad range of member services designed to help franchisees build market power, create legislative support of interest to franchisees, provide legal and financial support, and provide a wide range of general member benefits.

For more information about the AAFD, please call toll free – 800-733-9858 or visit www.AAFD.org.

For media information:

Robert Purvin

rpurvin@aafd.org

AAFD Welcomes the Independent Association of BurgerIM® FranchiseesRead More

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café Launches New Digital Menu Displays

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café, a growing fast-casual dining establishment and wholesale bagel supplier in Connecticut, has recently installed new digital menu boards at their Manchester, South Windsor and Vernon, CT locations.

Between Rounds recently upgraded their traditional menu boards – which were elaborate signs suspended from the ceilings of each of their Cafés – to electronic menu boards. The modernized signage enables Between Rounds to make instant menu changes and incorporate new additions to the menu boards at all of their Cafés at same time. 

Previously, if Between Rounds needed to make any sort of change, they would have to have a brand-new menu board designed and printed. Now, the corporate office can make changes remotely across all locations with just a few keystrokes. They are also able to create a custom design on screen in graphics and then post it on the board.

A section of the boards may be dedicated to new product images and the display theme may be changed anytime to reflect holidays, celebrations, special events and more. 

“We made a significant investment in this innovative technology that we’ve installed in our Manchester, South Windsor, and Vernon locations and it has been well-received by our customers,” said Between Rounds co-founder Jerry Puiia. “The digital menu boards provide us with incredible flexibility when it comes to announcing new products while also saving a significant amount of time when updates are needed. They are visually appealing and a real game-changer.”

Visit Between Rounds’ website, https://betweenroundsbagels.com, for store hours, menus and more information.

About Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café

Founded in 1990, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-onsite bagels and baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffees and a unique line of giftware. Between Rounds offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience with free Wi-Fi.

Between Rounds is licensed to manufacture prepared foods, and wholesales their breakfast and lunch sandwiches to gas station convenience stores in Hartford County and beyond. The company is also a wholesale bagel supplier to many independent grocers throughout the region. Between Rounds signature bagels are delivered to grocers fully baked so no additional labor is required of the bakery department. 

Between Rounds locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland, CT. Franchise opportunities are available. Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT. For more information about their unique franchise offerings, contact (860) 291-0323 or visit betweenroundsbagels.com.

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café Launches New Digital Menu DisplaysRead More

The Brother That Just Do Gutters Open South Dallas Fort Worth Location

Home and business owners in and around Texas’ twin cities of Dallas and Fort Worth can now have their gutters installed and serviced by one of the nation’s fastest home improvement companies. Local father-son team Jeff and Jamison Miller have just opened The Brothers That Just Do Gutters South Dallas Fort Worth location. They were born in Dallas and have always lived close-by – currently residing in nearby Ennis, Tx.

Jeff and Jamison decided to leave their previous independent gutter business behind and open a Brothers That Just Do Gutters to better realize their financial and lifestyle goals while improving the level of service they offer their customers. Jamison explains what makes The Brothers That Just Do Gutters different from other contractors in the area, “Like the slogan says, we are ‘Reinventing Contractor Service.’ We go above and beyond throughout the whole project with the client. The customer gets a sense of comfort dealing with us. We are taking the headache out of working on one of your most valuable investments.”

The Brothers That Just Do Gutters system is what most attracted Jeff and Jamison to the company. They are excited to operate their business with increased role-based organization and a clear path to scalability. Instead of spending their time stretched thin between jobsites, the truck and the office, they can focus on building their customer base, fleet of vehicles and team of professionals – and even have a few moments left over to sit back and enjoy their success.

The arrival of The Brothers That Just Do Gutters South Dallas Fort Worth location couldn’t come soon enough. Long droughts followed by epic rainfalls as well as significant hail put high stress on Texas gutter systems and the buildings they are installed on. The high clay content in Dallas’ soil causes it to swell when exposed to excessive moisture. A properly functioning gutter system moves water away from the soil closest to your home’s foundation to prevent structural damage. Preemptive measures like gutter installation and maintenance will prevent costly future repairs.

The Brothers That Just Do Gutters Story

The Brothers That Just Do Gutters was born out of Ken Parson’s vision for a better contracting service. While working as a gutter installer for an independent company during summers between teaching history in the mid-1990’s, he determined exactly what qualities such an operation should embody. In 1999 his plans were solidified with the opening of what is now called The Brothers That Just Do Gutters.

Ken was able to recruit his brother Ryan, trained and educated as a graphic designer, to join him as Chief Solutionist of their growing operation. The siblings haven’t looked back since.

Fast forward to 2019. Ken and Ryan have helped dozens of other motivated individuals, partners and couples realize the American Dream by opening The Brothers That Just Do Gutters franchises of their own. Today, there are 11 Brothers Gutter franchise locations and one corporate own location including Hudson Valley, NY, New Milford, CT, Monmouth, NJ, Lehigh Valley, PA, Richmond, VA, Lynchburg, VA, Virginia Beach, VA, Jacksonville, FL, Seattle, WA, San Antonio, TX, South Charlotte, NC and Columbus, GA. Their proprietary system enables speedy growth and ample return on investment with direct training, ongoing consultation and strategic marketing. 

For more information about Brothers Gutter system, visit www.brothersfranchise.com or call (845) 705-7276.

The Brother That Just Do Gutters Open South Dallas Fort Worth LocationRead More

The Weekly Trends – Brothers Gutters

Please state your name and a little about your current status. What exactly does your company do?

I’m Ken Parsons, Co-Founder of Brothers Gutters. I got started in gutters while working with an installer during summers in between teaching High School history. I enjoyed the work and saw the potential in it so I ran with it. After some success, I was able to recruit my talented younger brother, Ryan Parsons, while he was in between graphic design jobs. He now holds the title of Chief Solutionist. As our operation grew, we discovered others could use our model to prosper the way we have.

How we got the name: The name originated from one of our radio ads a couple of years prior to our name change. Everyone who heard the phrase “The Brothers That Just Do Gutters” liked it so much they thought it was the company name. We stopped fighting it and adopted the name.

 How did you start your company/business as a startup?

I got started in gutters while working with an installer during summers in between teaching High School history. I enjoyed the work and saw the potential in it so I ran with it. After some success, I was able to recruit my talented younger brother Ryan Parsons, who is now Chief Solutionist to help me with the endeavor. As our operation grew, we discovered others could use our model to prosper the way we have.

 What struggle did you go through to reach your current status now?

We learned everything about our business firsthand – from what products to use to how to keep up with finances. It took (and continues to require) a good deal of effort to keep up with the rapid rate of growth Brothers Gutters has been privileged to experience.

Early on, we found each project was unique and required individualized treatment. We had to create a system to provide customers with the personalized experience we imagined.

 How did you manage to cope up with those struggles?

After a good deal of trial and error, we learned that in order to provide customers with the reliable, stress-free and personable experience we had to invest in our employees. We trained our staff in the soft components of the business like how to interact with customers and behave on their property in addition to the traditional skills associated with our industry.

 Who inspired you to move forward and influenced you in all your achievements now?

Our customers have been our biggest motivating factor to continuously improve our operation. We send surveys to every client and keep ourselves honest by posting them exactly they were submitted – negative or positive with misspellings and grammar mistakes included. If a customer had an issue we made it a priority to solve it ASAP. With this approach, we were able to gain build our business with people we consider friends and neighbors – not simply customers.

 What piece of advice will you share with those who would like to follow your footsteps?

If you’re ready to invest significant effort and follow instructions carefully you can be a successful business owner. The reward for your hard work is substantial. You can realize your financial and lifestyle goals while making a positive contribution to your community.

 How can people follow your journey? Please list your social media URLs

https://www.facebook.com/brothersguttershv/
https://www.instagram.com/brothersguttersny/
https://www.brothersfranchise.com/category/media/

The Weekly Trends – Brothers GuttersRead More

Between Rounds Announces New Online Ordering System

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café, a growing fast-casual dining establishment with locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts, has launched a new online ordering system for their Manchester, South Windsor and Vernon, CT locations.

Now Between Rounds customers can enjoy the convenience of placing their order and paying ahead online at https://betweenroundsbagels.com. Pick-up is available from the company’s Manchester, South Windsor and Vernon, CT cafés. Customers must select their pick-up location when placing their order. Orders may be placed days or weeks in advance, or as quick as 15 minutes prior to pick-up. Payment may be made by credit or debit card online. The company is promoting their new online ordering system with a special deal.

Delivery is available to businesses ordering online with a minimum order of $30.

“The demand for online ordering is so significant that we had several orders placed within the first few minutes of launching our system,” said Jerry Puiia, co-founder of Between Rounds. “Overall we’ve received a very positive response from our customers.”

Visit Between Rounds’ website, betweenroundsbagels.com, for more information.

About Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café

Founded in 1990, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-onsite bagels and baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffees and a unique line of giftware. Between Rounds offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience with free Wi-Fi.

Between Rounds is licensed to manufacture prepared foods, and wholesales their breakfast and lunch sandwiches to gas station convenience stores in Hartford County and beyond. The company is also a wholesale bagel supplier to many independent grocers throughout the region. Between Rounds signature bagels are delivered to grocers fully baked so no additional labor is required of the bakery department. 

Between Rounds locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland, CT and Southwick, MA. Franchise opportunities are available. Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT. For more information about their unique franchise offerings, contact (860) 291-0323 or visit www.betweenroundsbagels.com.

Between Rounds Announces New Online Ordering SystemRead More

Wagging back. The Healthy AnimalTM launches unique, new franchise concept focusing on health food for dogs and cats.

Diane Dewberry, a Kingston, MA resident, an animal lover and professional pet groomer, did not know where to turn to solve her border collie’s debilitating skin problems. Her journey to reveal the answer to that gnawing skin problem lead to the opening of her Pembroke retail store The Healthy AnimalTM and now, for the very first time, franchise stores of the same name.

Research and holistic veterinarians helped educate and direct Dewberry as she transformed the pet food marketplace. Additionally, she researched and resourced a wide range of smaller companies, local when possible, that manufactured healthy and wholesome food, treats, supplements and remedies.

Recently Dewberry partnered with LPF Consulting Group, Ltd. to franchise The Healthy AnimalTM concept and bring her knowledge to the rest of the world. LPF Consulting Group is led by Lawrence P. Friedman, a lifelong philanthropist and entrepreneur who founded Lapels Dry Cleaning, which now has over 90 stores throughout the country. Among many ventures, he also owned and managed the historic Sun Tavern Restaurant in Duxbury, MA.

Friedman is currently the Treasurer of the Plymouth, MA chapter of SCORE, a division of the SBA; a Finance Committee member for the town of Duxbury, MA; and Master of Phoenix Masonic Lodge. Larry volunteered as a big brother for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization for 20 years and is a former board member of the Better Business Bureau. Friedman is a Duxbury, MA resident.

A critical part of the franchise training is a 20 hour certification course on animal nutrition – from Dogs Naturally University. Friedman underscored, “We can help train franchisees to become experts on animal nutrition and natural products. They will help pet parents put together an optimal diet for their treasured friends. What franchisees have to bring to the equation is a sincere love for animals and zeal to help them lead happier, healthier lives.”

“Healthy and natural food helps dogs and cats feel and look their best,” noted Dewberry. “With over 15 years of running a natural pet store I delight in helping and educating for their pets well being. From an herbalist in Maine to a holistic veterinarian in New Hampshire, we are woven into the natural pet care community and share that information and product knowledge with our customers.”

The standard franchise location will run from 800 to 1600 square feet and serve a community of 15,000 households.

All stores will include natural dry kibble, freeze dried foods, and high quality can food for dogs and cats. Raw diets are a specialty. There will be an extensive treat bar for even the fussiest chewers. Herbal remedies, flower essences for emotional health and unique USA toys and holistic and non-toxic grooming supplies will also be available.

“Most people don’t want a job, they want a business or career where they feel they are part of something bigger and where they are making an impact,” noted Friedman. “The Healthy Animal provides a meaningful, fun and profitable lifestyle. What could be better than spending the day with pets?”

Initial franchises will be awarded in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut. For more information about The Healthy AnimalTM , visit http://www.TheHealthyAnimal.com/Franchise/ or call (781) 347-5840.

Wagging back. The Healthy AnimalTM launches unique, new franchise concept focusing on health food for dogs and cats.Read More

Discovery Maps tips the scale to greater user experience with upgrade to scale map on website

The new scale view of Discovery Map’s online maps on its website, www.discoverymap.com

WAITSFIELD, VT…

Discovery Map International, Inc., the leading provider of curated guides to top tourist attractions, cities and towns throughout North America, announced today the upgrade of its Web-based maps to scale maps with enhanced user-friendly features. The digital counterpart to Discovery Map’s hard copy maps can be found on Discoverymap.com and embedded in many other websites around the country.

“This upgrade is a real game changer. Until now, we’ve essentially had digital versions of our hand-drawn maps on our website. You could cursor over the names of advertisers and get a little information but the functionality was confined to the area of the drawn map,” said Peter Hans, president of Discovery Map International, Inc. “With the upgrade, visitors will see a scalable map, so they can zoom in closer and have a view of all the streets in the area and get a lot more information on advertisers in the map area. Additionally, you can zoom out for a more global view to see what else is in the area. This is particularly beneficial in areas where we have other Discovery Maps.”

The new scale map will also enable visitors to conduct individual searches on things to do, places to stay, places to eat, services, places to shop and other attractions in a specific area or region. These searches provide results that include contact information and links to a company’s website and social media pages. The listings will also offer a link to get driving directions.

“What’s great about this upgrade is it takes our online maps from being a guide just for those areas where we have hard copy maps to something that’s beneficial to travel in and around the 132 areas where we offer maps,” said Hans.

Some of the other user benefits with the upgrade include a lighter data load, which improves performance. The new scale map is also easier to read with less clutter.

“Our franchise owners love the scale maps as each map provides backlinks for advertisers and that improves our advertisers’ exposure,” said Hans. “The new map also enables us to include display advertisers that are not on the print map. This will enable franchise owners to sell ads to companies who may be in or near the same town as the map but not necessarily on the face of the printed maps.”

To view the new scale map, visit www.discoverymap.com.

About Discovery Map

Headquartered in Waitsfield, VT, in the heart of the Green Mountains, Discovery Map International is the country’s leading provider of curated guides to top tourist destinations, cities and towns throughout North America. The distinctively colorful, hand-drawn maps are a favorite of travelers for navigating local dining, attractions, businesses, cultural experiences, ski destinations – and even the best locations to take selfies. Discovery Maps can be found in local hotels, restaurants, shops, visitor information centers and other participating venues, and at discoverymap.com.

Franchise Business Review named Discovery Map one of the top 50 franchisors in 2018, FranchiseGrade.com has given our franchise opportunity an A+ rating and when Forbes magazine named us the 4th best franchise in the US for investments under $150,000. For more information about the Discovery Map, please visit www.discoverymap.com.

Discovery Maps tips the scale to greater user experience with upgrade to scale map on websiteRead More

Discovery Map International partners with POI of Slovenia launch Discover POI

image of Discovery Map International's Peter Hans
Peter Hans

WAITSFIELD, VT and LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA…

Discovery Map International (DMI), the leading provider of curated maps and online guides to top tourist attractions, cities and towns throughout North America, recently partnered with POI (Points of Interest) of Slovenia—owner and operator of 16 maps across Slovenia–to form Discovery P.O.I. The new company will continue to franchise map locations across Slovenia and into neighboring countries across Europe.

Discovery POI’s distinctively colorful, hand-drawn maps will feature local dining, attractions, businesses, cultural experiences, ski destinations – and even the best locations to take selfies. Discovery POI hopes to make each map a fixture at local hotels, restaurants, shops, visitor information centers and other participating venues, as well as on its website.

The agreement between the two companies came through a fact-finding mission initiated by Iztok Cerv and Mark Tanko of POI. The pair reached out to DMI President Peter Hans seeking advice on growing their business internationally.  With more than 130 franchised map territories under its belt, Hans was happy to help. After several substantive conversations, Hans visited Slovenia to see POI’s operation in person. The rest, as they say, is history.

photo of Iztok Cerv
Iztok Cerv

“Some things just make sense and our partnership with POI is one of them,” said Peter Hans. Given the markets Iztok and Mark were looking to target initially—specifically the ski and resort areas in the nearby Austria and Italian borders — I felt with our support and the system DMI can offer things could really take off.  Like I said, it just made sense to make this deal happen.”

Discovery POI’s offices are located in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Slovenia borders Italy to the west and Austria to the north.

“We are very pleased with this partnership agreement to form Discovery POI.

Peter and his team have quite a bit of experience in this industry and the maps speak for themselves,” said Cerv. “With our combined experience as map makers and franchisors, we have an offering and a support base that will be very attractive to potential franchise owners.”

“The appeal of our maps and the flexible hours make the Discovery POI franchise opportunity unique and appealing. It’s not a 9-to-5 gig and you don’t necessarily have to work 12 months a year to run a successful franchise. You just have to be willing to work hard when you work,” said Hans.

photo of Mark Tanko
Mark Tanko

For more information on Discovery POI, visit www.discoverypoi.com.

DMI began as Resort Maps in the late 1970s in Waitsfield, Vermont and began franchising maps throughout the United States in 1992. The colorful, hand-drawn maps became such a favorite of travelers for navigating local dining, attractions, businesses, cultural experiences and ski destinations that tourists frequently made the comment, “I wish we had these in our town.” Today, Discovery Map is in 130 communities in North America and has 91 franchise owners.

Forbes Magazine recently named Discovery Map® one of the top 10 franchises to buy with an initial investment under $150,000. The initial franchise fee is $25,000.

For more information on the Discovery Map franchise opportunity, visit https://discoverymapfranchise.com/.

About Discovery Map

About Discovery Map International is the country’s leading provider of curated guides to top tourist destinations, cities and towns throughout North America. The distinctively colorful, hand-drawn maps are a favorite of travelers for navigating local dining, attractions, businesses, cultural experiences, ski destinations – and even the best locations to take selfies. Discovery Maps can be found in local hotels, restaurants, shops, visitor information centers and other participating venues, and at discoverymap.com. Named by Forbes as “one of the best franchises to buy” in 2015, Discovery Maps International is headquartered in Waitsfield, VT, in the heart of the Green Mountains.

Discovery Map International partners with POI of Slovenia launch Discover POIRead More