GREENBELT, Md. — ZIPS Dry Cleaners, an aggressively expanding drycleaning franchise known for its same-day, one-price business model, exhibited at the International Franchise Expo (IFE) earlier this summer.
“It was great to be back at the IFE this year at the Javits Center (in New York City) for what was reported as record-breaking crowds and exhibitors,” says Aaron Goldberg, vice president of franchise development for ZIPS.
“We were taken aback by how far our brand has come in the past year,” he says. “Instead of us explaining what ZIPS is, we were approached by many prospects who knew of us, had seen all of our press and were prepared to ask the important purchasing questions at the onset.”
ZIPS has built its growth on working with premier members of the franchise industry and business community – including top-ranked multi-unit operators of national brands; military veterans and West Point graduates; Wall Street executives; and other entrepreneurs with decades of experience, the company notes.
“The energy and enthusiasm over the three days (of the IFE show), along with the emergence of so many new and exciting brands, really drove home how far the economy has come back along with the resurgence of the entrepreneurial spirit over the past eight years,” adds Goldberg.
With 43 locations open and eight more under construction, ZIPS has signed deals in Los Angeles, San Antonio, San Diego, Austin, Richmond, and central Maryland during the past 12 months, the franchise says.
Goldberg expects well over 300 store commitments by the end of 2016.
“The past 12 months has seen the most rapid and successful expansion of the ZIPS name since its founding,” he says. “We fully expect 2016 to be our most successful calendar year to date.”
Regarding the IFE show, Goldberg notes, “What stood out most to our staff was how many people we had to turn away because of sold-out territories … a problem we weren't ‘burdened’ with in previous years, and a high-class problem to boot.”
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].