Contrary To Common Practice, Lapels Dry Cleaning Franchisees Shape Procedures And Destiny Of The Franchise

Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise has developed a new model for policymaking and implementation by encouraging franchisees to take the lead, eliminating the stereotypically adversarial franchisor/franchisee relationship

HANOVER, MASSACHUSETTS (Monday, February 14, 2005) - Lapels Dry Cleaning has not only pioneered an innovative dry cleaning store concept but has gone one step further with the establishment of trend setting Quality Control, Wholesaler Liaison, Marketing Committees, and Operations Committees chaired by Lapels franchisees, the people at the store level who have a day-to-day hands on knowledge of what the customer wants.

Typically franchisors discourage individual franchisees from participating in setting and implementing new policy. Franchisees are often kept at an arm’s length. Lapels has reversed this adversarial model and welcomes franchisees to share their practical knowledge and enthusiasm.

The 20-store franchise will evolve along with input from franchisees at the executive level.

“As we move forward and grow as a franchise, it is critical that we maintain a high level of quality and project a positive image” explains Lapels CEO Lawrence Friedman. “What better way to achieve this goal than through the participation of our franchisees in the quality control, operations, marketing and wholesale decisions of the Lapels franchise?”
To that end, Lapels franchisee Matt Wiltshire will be keeping an eye on Quality Control issues for Lapels. Wiltshire, a resident of W. Harwich, MA, opened his own Lapels store in Norton, MA two years ago after spending 21-years in the hotel industry specializing in field operations, managing multiple properties in numerous locales across the country.

Michael Eisner, owner of a Lapels franchise in Hanover, MA, will serve as the Wholesaler Liaison for Lapels, ensuring that franchisees across the country have access to high quality dry cleaning plants. Eisner was originally attracted to Lapels because of the infrastructure Lapels provides to its franchisees, from training to marketing, and is committed to maintaining that high standard.

The Operations Committee will focus on the most effective ways and means of improving on Lapels’ goal of providing outstanding dry cleaning services at every store that carries the Lapels name, ensuring that customers experience fast, friendly service whether they are in a Lapels store in Massachusetts or in Texas. This committee includes franchisees Jim Lovetere, Area Developer in RI and committee chairperson; Michael Eisner, Area Developer and Owner Hanover, MA store; Owais Sheikh, Owner Westwood, MA store; Tom Nigro, Owner Boston, MA store; Gary Kearney, Area Developer in NH and Owner Manchester, NH store; Hanson Hadi, Owner Framingham, MA store; Lawrence P. Friedman, President/CEO; Laura Hurley, Franchise Administrator.

The Marketing Committee continually searches for new and more effective methods of expanding the Lapels brand name and generating store traffic. Recently a marriage mail program rolled out and has been a steady source for new customers. This committee includes franchisees Fred Siegel, Owner Hingham, MA store (coming soon) and committee chairperson; Bob Sullivan, Area Developer Southeastern MA; Stan Ciombor, Area Developer RI; Michael Eisner, Area Developer and Owner Hanover, MA store; Lawrence P. Friedman, President/CEO; Laura Hurley, Franchise Administrator.

A Rising Star

Lapels recently made Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500” as well as Entrepreneur’s “Top 50 New Franchises,” identifying Lapels as one of today’s top franchise opportunities. Entrepreneur's “Franchise 500” is the best and most comprehensive rating of franchises in the world and is based on objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation.

Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500

Entrepreneur’s criteria for the Franchise 500 has been honed and perfected over the years, utilizing a formula that yields a ranking procedure that accurately identifies today's top franchise opportunities. Numerous factors are considered in the rankings including financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system.

The number of years in business and length of time franchising, start-up costs, litigation, percentage of terminations, and the availability of company provided financing are also taken into consideration. Financial data is independently audited and every company with verifiable data receives a cumulative score. The franchises with the highest cumulative scores then become Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500.

The Lapels Difference

With Lapels’ unique outsourcing advantage, Lapels storeowners outsource dry cleaning operations, providing the best possible service and quality to customers while caring for the environment.

Lapels franchise owners benefit from exclusive territories, group purchasing power, job security and unlimited earning potential. Lapels offers franchisees full training and support in every aspect of the business and a comprehensive start-up package that includes: a point-of sale computer system; an automatic clothing conveyer; a wedding gown program; retail products to sell; indoor and outdoor signage with all needed permits; a grand opening marketing package; and advertising promotion to 10,000 homes. Lapels also provides franchisees a custom web site with email, on-going training and support, custom counters, start up supplies, and much more.

Friedman noted, “The beauty of this franchise program is that we do all the research and development as well as set up the entire store. We do all the marketing from the central office. We want the Lapels store owner to focus on the most important part of his business…the customer!”

Store Locations

Lapels has stores in Massachusetts (Boston, Dedham, Easton, Framingham, Halifax, Hanover, Newton, North Weymouth, Norton, Quincy, Rockland, Westford and Westwood); New Hampshire (Hudson and Manchester); and Texas (Garland). And coming soon to Concord, MA and Lincoln, RI.

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