Youth Photography Franchise Changes Name To Tss Photography, `focuses’ On Multiple New Revenue Streams In School Arena

From Sidelines to Classrooms: The Sports Section `Flashes’ Forward to Digital Future

ATLANTA, GEORGIA (Monday, November 07, 2005) - TSS Photography, known since 1983 as The Sports Section, has announced more than just a name change – the nation’s first youth photography franchise has carved out an entire new space for itself, adding multiple new products and services that open the door to an endless stream of recession-proof revenue opportunities for existing and future franchisees.

With 220 U.S. franchises photographing more than 1.5 million young athletes per year, the enhanced TSS Photography brand now encompasses both sports and school photography, as well as photography for corporations, church groups and other community organizations. Products and services include multiple package options, yearbooks, senior pictures, all-school and class composites, ID Cards, etc. TSS Photography also introduced a new revenue source for franchisees through school art programs called, “Young Masters,” where parents can have TSS transfer their children’s drawings onto mugs, mouse pads, sweatshirts, tote bags, postcards, and other memorabilia/gift items.

Joe Lindenmayer, named TSS Photography President in October 2005 after 13 years in the company, including being a franchisee in Florida then development director and vice president for the corporate office, said the new TSS brand and wider breadth of services will pave the way for doubling its number of franchises over the next five years, as well as doubling or even tripling its franchisees’ sales.

“While youth sports photography will always be a core service offering, broadening our reach into schools and other youth arenas has uncovered an endless stream of revenue opportunities for our franchisees,” Lindenmayer said. “It has opened a lot of doors. The addition of school photography was like discovering a new day in the week. The name change better reflects our capabilities and our commitment to our future in the photography industry.”

`Zooming in’ on the market

TSS Photography continues to click away at the $1.3 billion photography market with innovative customer offerings, including a wide variety of novelty products such as children’s photos electronically formatted onto quilts, puzzles, mugs, bag tags, stickers and even cereal boxes and mocked-up magazine covers. In addition, the evolution to digital equipment has helped franchisees step up their quality services with reduced turnaround time, immediate photo quality feedback, and increased online re-ordering options for customers.

TSS Photography also increases its market share through alliances with national organizations and sports leagues such as the Babe Ruth League, Inc., National Recreation and Parks Association, YMCA and Police Athletic League. In addition, TSS Photography has a history of deep-rooted philanthropy within the corporate culture, giving back to the community as a vital partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Through the NCMEC partnership, every child who gets their picture taken by TSS Photography receives an ID card free of charge.

Picture Perfect Franchise Opportunity

TSS Photography offers the backing of a national organization that owns the photo lab and an expansive selection of quality products and customer service solutions, including prompt return of orders with a guaranteed turn-around time. It also offers sponsorship programs for leagues and coaches and a scholarship program, TSS J.O.Y (Joint Organization and Youth), that rewards young athletes and their leagues based on a team member’s growth.

TSS also provides fund raising opportunities for leagues and schools and a “Kids Club” program that promotes customer loyalty through instant coupon offerings, product drawings, and a bi-monthly newsletter with educational fun facts. Franchisees also receive an individual web site/E-store to encourage reorders.

Support for new TSS Photography franchisees comes in the way of two initial on-site training sessions which focus on sales, office operations and photography followed by training at corporate headquarters through participation in the “TSSU” program. A follow-up on-site training visit is scheduled six months after the initial training. Regional and national conventions also offer ongoing support, training and educational opportunities throughout the year.

Start-up fees for a TSS Photography franchise can vary depending on what type of equipment a new franchise owner decides to purchase, but average starting costs are $40,000. Another key appealing factor setting TSS Photography apart from other franchise opportunities is that the franchisor charges no royalty fees. “We only do well when they do well,” Lindenmayer added.

While owners can purchase the new digital equipment for $8,000, TSS Photography also offers an exclusive leasing program. Because TSS Photography is a mobile business, most owners operate the business out of their homes.

“Their fixed costs are significantly lower than franchises that require a storefront. Rather than pour money into four walls of a building, our franchisees can invest their money into growing their business in the community and territory they have purchased,” Lindenmayer said.

Currently, while TSS Photography is aggressively targeting Florida, Colorado and Washington for franchise growth, the company sees untapped sources almost everywhere in the country.

“We used to seek out owners who could start working part-time, but now we’ve moved to a truly full-time business opportunity, with some of our franchisees having as many as four or five part-time employees to service the thousands of children they photograph each year,” he said.

About TSS Photography

TSS Photography, founded in 1983, has grown to over 220 units in four countries and 42 states and is now the number one choice in youth photography. Over the next five years, TSS Photography anticipates to grow to 450 units.

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